Free Her Highland Defender by Samantha Holt Page A

today.
    Still no sign.
    “Of what should I be ashamed?”
    “Letting that highlander into yer bed.”
    Ceana hadn’t been sure Kate knew what had happened between them. Blane had been with them for five days in total now. There was still no sign of their cousin and he’d made no mention of leaving but she awaited those dreaded words every day.
    I’m leaving.
    Leaving to fight the English. To perhaps die. Her stomach twisted.
    And every night, he’d joined her in bed, making her feel more alive than ever before.
    Though tempted to deny her sister’s accusation, Kate knew it was futile. She put the sheet in the basket and reached for another, using her fingers to find where it was hung and drawing it off.
    “I dinnae wish to speak on this with ye,” she muttered.
    Kate dumped a sheet into the basket and though Ceana might not have been able to see she’d done a poor job of it, she’d wager she would have to refold it. She wouldn’t scold her sister. That she had helped out while she’d rested her ankle for a day was quite the miracle and Kate had continued some of those duties.
    “What will the villagers think?”
    Kate exhaled slowly. “I care not what they will think.”
    That wasn’t so true but she refused to think on what they might think of her. Blane would be gone soon enough and her sharing a bed with a handsome warrior would be forgotten. She was no innocent, so why should it concern them?
    “Ye should care. They look to ye.”
    “And ye, Kate? Do ye care what they think when ye sneak off to see Fraser?”
    Her sister sucked in a startled breath. “I dinnae share his bed! Unlike ye.”
    That relieved Ceana. She hadn’t known for certain if Kate had given up her innocence to the lad. He was an outcast, forced out after stealing. In truth, their father could have done worse to him. Now he only visited to bring fish to the village. What Kate thought would happen between them, she knew not, but it could go nowhere.
    Much like she and Blane. But at least she understood that.
    “Ye spend time alone with him. ‘Tis only a matter of time before he wants to take ye into his bed. And ye know full well people think ye’ve bedded him already. Father willnae be able to find ye a suitable match if word of it ever reaches outside the village.”
    Kate snatched another sheet and stuffed it into the basket. “Fraser isnae the sort of man to bed a lass before marriage—unlike Blane. And I dinnae want a suitable match anyway. Why should I marry a stranger?”
    She didn’t want that sort of marriage for her sister either. Danny had been a good friend before they had married but good men were few and far between these days and alliances had to be made. Their father would likely wish to marry Kate off to another clan member to solidify their strength in numbers.
    “Pray tell me ye dinnae have hopes of marrying Fraser?”
    “I...He wishes to, aye.”
    A pang of sympathy jabbed her. “Oh, Kate, ye know father will never accept his suit. Why should ye wish to marry a thief anyway?”
    “Och, he’s a good man. He made one mistake out of desperation and yet no one can forgive him.”
    “It doesnae matter what ye think. ‘Tis a fruitless pursuit. Ye must stay away from him, for yer own sake.”
    “Like ye’ve stayed away from Blane, ye mean?” her sister spat.
    “I’m a widow and I know naught shall come of it. Ye cannae compare our circumstances.”
    “Ye dinnae wish to ye mean.” Kate thrust her hands onto her hips and came to stand close enough so that Ceana could see the aggravation in her posture. “’Tis always one thing for ye and another for me. I’m no’ having it anymore.”
    “Kate—”
    Her sister whirled, a mass of black hair swirling about her. Ceana tried to follow after but Kate was too quick and she couldn’t possibly catch up with her cautious steps. She stopped and watched her dart down past the huts and become lost in the blur of buildings and people. She rubbed her chest as a