Read Legacy of the Mist Clans Box Set for Free Online

duty was to protect their laird, and ultimately, the lady in his arms.
    Gavin and his serjants formed a line in front of their group. “Wait for my order,” he snapped to his men.
    The group galloped into view. Branan swallowed hard. Many of them appeared to be stipendiary knights: hired swords.
    A young knight, his armor finely made, led them on a black destrier. He held up his hand, signaling a stop and glared at them. Then he saw Gavin and blinked. “De Reigny?”
    Gavin put away his sword. “Aye, de Courcy, we were just coming to see you.”
    Branan breathed a small sigh of relief; at least these were not Strickland’s men.
    “I just received word that the manor house was under attack,” de Courcy said urgently. “I was coming to help your father.” He pulled off his helm.
    Branan examined de Courcy critically. Catriona had spoken truly; he was handsome. His mahogany hair was pulled into a queue at the nape of his neck. His dark eyes glittered with intelligence and his body appeared lean and strong.
    Gavin nodded, his back stiff. “I just returned to discover Strickland murdered my parents. Burned the entire household and village.”
    De Courcy’s face paled. “Sweet Jesu. And Catriona...?” His gaze scanned their group, locking onto Catriona as she peeked at him from under Branan’s plaid.
    Relief flooded de Courcy’s expression and he vaulted off his horse. “Praise the saints,” he said and quickly approached.
    One of Branan’s men looked to him. Branan gave him a brief nod and the man allowed de Courcy to pass. De Courcy hurried to Branan’s mount and took Catriona’s hand in his, pressing a kiss against her fingers. “I was so worried about you.”
    Catriona’s expression eased. “I am fine thanks to Branan and Gavin.”
    De Courcy looked up at him.
    “I am the MacTavish,” Branan said.
    De Courcy scowled in confusion, but Catriona stared up at him in surprise. “A laird?”
    He nodded.
    “MacTavish,” de Courcy muttered, as if trying the name and not liking the way it tasted.
    “Branan killed three of the men trying to capture me,” Catriona said. “Gavin slew the other two.”
    De Courcy’s brows rose on his forehead. “Then I owe you a debt of gratitude for saving my betrothed, MacTavish.”
    Branan’s anger at his possessiveness grew.
    He reached for Catriona. “Ride with me, my sweet. You will be safe at Brackenburgh now that your home is gone.”
    Catriona shrank deeper into Branan’s plaid. “I am fine, Richard. Finally I am warm.”
    “Nay, lady, you will ride with me.”
    Catriona sighed and moved to untangle herself from his embrace. Branan helped her dismount, surprised she had given in so easily. De Courcy wrapped his cloak around her.
    “MacTavish,” de Courcy said, his tone light, “as a reward for helping my betrothed, I’d like to invite you and your men to Brackenburgh.” He paused and leaned closer. “I believe we have a few things to discuss.”
    Branan nodded, although his gaze never left de Courcy’s hand as he wrapped his arm around Catriona’s shoulders. “Aye, de Courcy.”
    De Courcy nodded and lifted Catriona into his arms. Branan’s throat tightened.
    “Honestly, Richard,” she said her voice harsh but weary. “I’ll be just fine.”
    “Nonsense,” de Courcy replied. “You’ve been through a terrible ordeal and it has given you a fright. I do not wish you to swoon.”
    Catriona shot a glance at Branan, over de Courcy’s shoulder, and rolled her eyes in the most meaningful fashion. Branan had to fight back an unexpected grin.
De Courcy, ye dinna ken of the fyrdraca ye have drawn to yer breast.
    HHH
    The large group arrived at Brackenburgh as the faint echo of distant church bells rang for Compline. Branan sighed and his belly gnawed at him, wanting supper.
    De Courcy led them through the gates of a large keep built on a grand scale. Branan cringed, thinking of his home in Scotland. This keep made his look like a peasant’s hovel. His