Free Branded By a Warrior by Sunny Andrews Page A

marriage was not for her. He couldn’t force her to marry, especially if her own father and brother hadn’t done so. The thought of her marrying anyone upset him; he had grown very possessive of the lass since they rescued her. His possessiveness of her irritated him. He himself had sworn off marriage after one failed betrothal and the heartbreak that Fiona had caused years ago.
    He did know that the longer he slept next to her, the harder it would be to keep his hands off her. He knew he couldn’t marry her, yet he wanted her. He was sworn to protect her, but who would protect her from him ? H e wasn’t sure if he could resist the temptation. She was siren; her hair and eyes were captivating, h er voice was soft and arousing. Her skin was perfection, and her battle scars made her all that more attractive to him. Talking to her last night made him even more intrigued by her; she had intelligence to match her beautiful face.
    Waking up with her lying on his chest made him feel at peace. For years he dismissed women after being jaded by Fiona, his trust in women was nonexistent for years, with the exception o f Old Rhona his old nursemaid.
    He thought over Rhona and Caitriona’s strange words of destiny , lying with her in his warm bed, he wondered if the old hens were right. He had felt like he was fighting destiny anytime he walked away from her. The pull to her side was overpowering to him. There was something overly alluring to him about her being able to wield a bow and a broadsword with deadly precision. Her intelligence added to her overall enchanting package, she was his personal siren. He almost wished she were vile; it would be easier to push her out of his mind if he didn’t like her. His head and heart were fighting, something he was unfamiliar with. Growing irritated with himself, he detangling himself out from under her small frame. Slipping out of his bed he quietly walked over to his wardrobe . Pulling out a clean shirt he adjusted his kilt and pulled out a fresh tartan and secured it over his shoulder. Grabbing his dirk he walked over to the mantle and lifted his broadsword down, securing it in his leather holster. Running his hands through his hair he silen tly signaled for his hounds, he had yet to look back at his bed.
    Conn and Isla were close behind him as he turned to walk out the door, when he heard her velvet voice behind him.
    “Broderick?”
    Standing before his door, he turned to see her sitting on the edge of his bed . Clearly in pain and too weak, she clenched her jaw as her body screamed in agony.
    Walking over to the bed, he swung her bare feet back into bed , “Elisabeth, you know you are not ready to walk yet. This will take time. You were almost cleaved in two lass .” T ucking her bare legs back under the warm s heets he saw her close her eyes as she leaned back.
    Rubbing her face with her small hands, she groaned, “How long must I stay in this room?”
    “Until you can walk confidently on your own again. It will take time Elisabeth. Meet the MacMillan clan as a strong health y woman, not a knock-kneed fawn, ” he countered, “i t is a miracle you are alive Elisabeth, you will get there. I’ll have Rhona come up and bring you a bath. You will like her; she’s been with my family before I wa s born, old and interfering bat. She will be most pleased to finally talk to you , she and my brother are the only ones who know your true identity, and you are safe with them .” He said with a humorous smile. “ P lease do not think of this as prison, yo u are a welcome guest here lass, when you are well you can have the freedom to go wherever your heart takes you . ”
    Bowing her head, “I am sorry Broderick, I meant no disrespect. I owe you far more than I ever can repay . ”
    “ None taken lass. I’ ll return later today, rest easy Elisabeth, you will recover . ”
     

Chapter 4
     
    Ten days later Elisabeth was able to walk with ease again, granted, she hid her pain from