Free Jack: A Scottish Outlaw (Highland Outlaws Book 1) by Lily Baldwin Page A

into the hole with Quinn’s approval. He also remembered his stolen kiss and sarcastic addresses. He closed his eyes waiting for Isabella to confess all to the good bishop, but she merely smiled. “They have all behaved like perfect gentlemen.”
    He looked down at her. Her eyes locked with his and did not waver.
    Bishop Lamberton cleared his throat, snaking Jack’s attention. “We have a situation. You were right not to leave the lady defenseless in the wood, but she cannot stay here any longer.”
    Jack pressed his lips together. He wished it otherwise, but he knew the bishop was right. An English lady gone missing in Scotland meant trouble for everyone. “What is yer plan?”
    “We must return her to her father,” the bishop stated.
    Jack nodded. “I will take her.”
    “You, an exile and thief? That is a truly dreadful idea. The only thing worse would be to include your brothers in your folly. Then you can all be captured and hung together. Aye, I’m sure Rose will be thrilled by your idea.”
    Quinn stepped forward then. “The good bishop does make a point, Jack.”
    “Abbot Matthew will take her. He will tell Lord Redesdale that the lady was found by them in the wood and kept safe and guarded within the monastery, which by the by is where she will sleep tonight.” Bishop Lamberton turned to Isabella and smiled. “The less the good abbot has to lie, the better. Although to combat the tyranny of men, even the godliest must bend the rules,” he said with a wink. Then he offered Isabella his arm. “Come, Lady Redesdale. You may bid farewell now to your valiant rescuers. I shall take you to the monastery myself. You leave tomorrow at first light.”
    The Bishop had a firm grasp on Isabella’s arm as he walked toward his carriage. Panic seized her. She jerked away.
    “Is there something the matter, my child?” the bishop said, turning back to look at her with questioning eyes.
    Her mind raced. She had no answer for the bishop. Certainly, she knew she should be relieved. She wanted to go home—did she not? Then she met Jack’s dark eyes and knew it was he who had fixed her feet to the ground. He was like no man she had ever met. She thought of the children he had saved and how much he had suffered. He was still a thief, a commoner, and a Scotsman, but he was also a hero. Her hero.
    “Lady Redesdale,” the Bishop said.
    She tore her eyes from Jack’s and looked at the bishop. “We must away,” he urged. “No good could come from you staying here a moment longer. No good for anyone,” he said with a knowing look at Jack.
    She nodded and bit her lip to fight back the tears that had suddenly filled her eyes. That was it then. She was to say goodbye and never see Jack again. She would return to Berwick, trapped within the walls of her home where she would wait for her wedding to Hugh. She was Lady Redesdale after all, and English ladies did not marry thieving Scotsman—no matter how compelling or forbidden.
    “Lady Redesdale!”
    She jerked her eyes once more away from Jack’s. “Forgive me, Your Excellency,” she whispered. Then she turned back to Jack and dipped into a low curtsy. “Thank you,” she said before she turned and followed the bishop.
    Bishop Lamberton climbed inside and offered her his hand. She reached out, but then her breath hitched as someone grabbed her from behind. She jerked around and saw a flash of Jack’s black eyes the instant before his lips claimed hers and the world fell away. Her soul cried out, knowing it had found its mate. His lips molded to hers. His scent engulfed her. She longed never for the moment to end. She wrapped her arms around his neck and gave herself over to him. She did not doubt at that moment that the angels had put her in Jack’s path, but they were not in heaven. And men made rules that controlled her life.
    Jack tore his lips away. His breath coming in great heaves.
    “That will have to be enough,” the bishop said behind her, not