Free Her Highland Defender by Samantha Holt

sister,” Ceana said quietly.
    “I wouldnae say that.”
    Blane carried Ceana up to her bedchamber. He stepped across the threshold and in spite of everything they’d shared the previous eve, he felt as though he was setting foot on sacred ground. He hadn’t seen the inside of her bedchamber and the bold colours everywhere surprised him. Bright tapestries covered one wall but the rest were painted with swirling flowers.
    “The colours are easier for me to see,” she explained. “At least when ‘tis light in here which is not very often.”
    “Who painted this?”
    “Me.”
    He shook his head as he laid her down. “How?”
    “I told ye I’m no’ useless. ‘Tis how I see the flowers.” She indicated to one of the walls. “They are a blur of a shape on good days, much like those.”
    Unable to resist the tempting picture she made, even while injured, he sunk down onto the bed next to her. With her curls bunched on the pillow and her skirts hitched too high, he couldn’t help desire her.
    “I dinnae think yer useless.”
    “Most people do.”
    “Och, that I cannae believe. Yer people look to ye with great respect.”
    “Ye’ve no’ seen what it’s like when the men are around,” she said, bitterness tingeing her tone. “I’ve no’ been allowed to show them what I can do before.”
    “Well ye’ll have proved them wrong, will ye not?”
    “I suppose.”
    Blane skimmed a finger over the straight line of her mouth, itching to see those lips curl upward. She sucked in a breath at the touch. “Forgive me for hurting ye and for misjudging ye. In truth, I think ye more capable than any lass I’ve ever known, but it doesnae stop me from wanting to protect ye.”
    Her lips did curl then. “Everyone wants to protect me, even Kate, but I dinnae seem to mind it as much when ye do it.”
    “Is yer ankle sore?” Wrapping his fingers around her leg, he felt for any swelling but it must have been a mild sprain.
    “’Tis no’ so bad now.”
    “Stay off it for the day and see how ye are on the morrow.”
    “I’m to stay abed then?”
    He released her ankle, all too aware of how silky her skin had felt under his fingertips. “Aye.”
    Ceana drew her bottom lip under her teeth and released it. “Will ye keep me company in it later?”
    Blood rushed from his head down to his cock. Fool lass wanted him even though he’d insulted her and caused her injury. And he couldn’t deny her. What kind of man would? Here he had a beautiful, passionate woman who wanted him in her bed. Not even the entire English army could keep him from her.
    Blane leaned over and let his lips hover over her mouth. Her breathing hitched. “How could I say nay?”
    She tilted her head to get closer to him. Her lavender fragrance teased him, drew him in. He kissed the tip of her nose, then her chin and finally her lips. It was a soft, teasing kiss—a mere sample of what was to come. However, the fiery heat burning through his body begged for more.
    “I’ve brought some food.”
    He snapped his head around to see Kate in the doorway. Who knew how much she’d seen but from the mutinous pout on Kate’s lips, it was enough. In spite of having made some sort of progress with her, the lass still didn’t trust him.
    And Ceana likely trusted him too much. What a riddle these women were.
    “I’ll bid ye good day, Ceana, and I’ll come check yer ankle later.” He hoped he conveyed his promise to join her in her bed.
    “Aye. I look forward to it.”
    Blane grinned to himself. She knew well enough he planned to see to all her needs. And his own. He couldn’t wait.

Chapter Seven
    “Ye should be ashamed of yerself,” Kate hissed while they folded the sheets outside.
    A brisk wind blew across the mountains and not even Ceana’s thick woollen mantle protected her from it. She shuddered and peered at the yellowed tops of the hills in search of riders. Not that it was likely she’d be able to see them even on a clear day like