Read My Captive Highlander (Highland Adventure Book 7) for Free Online Page A

clansmen lying dead either.
    "I wouldn't let him hurt you, regardless," Shamus said. "You are the kind of bewitching lady a man would protect and defend until his last breath."
    "Silver-tongued devil," she muttered, though his words did make her heart dance with joy.
    "I speak the truth." His gaze intensified on her. "I vow, I have never seen such a lovely lass as you are, Lady Maili. 'Tis almost worth it, being in this filthy dungeon, just so I can enjoy your visits each day. You make it bearable. Otherwise, I would've already gone mad."
    Her heart pounded at his words. Could she believe him?
    "The only bad thing…" he said, "well, one of the bad things… is that I must smell like a beast, having been imprisoned here for days with no opportunity to bathe."
    The whole dungeon smelled bad, so she had not noticed his scent. "I will have a servant bring you a bucket of water and soap," she said. "And clean clothes."
    "I thank you." Shamus handed her the bottle through the bars.
    She nodded, wishing she knew what to say to him. "I will send the servant." She rushed away, up the steps.
    ***
    Secretly, Maili sent one of the kitchen servants to take Shamus a bucket of warm water, soap and a clean change of clothes. She didn't know why she hadn't thought of it earlier. Of course, he would wish to be clean, being a gentleman of his clan. She'd been far more concerned that he was fed and his wounds tended.
    "Maili, I want to talk to you," her brother said in a stern voice as she crossed the great hall. Blast! Did he know of the bath and object to it? Had he heard from Shamus' brother?
    "About what?" she asked.
    "Come with me." Elrick led the way to his small meeting room down a short corridor off the great hall and closed the door behind them.
    He turned to her and leaned against the door.
    She felt trapped of a sudden. Was he blocking the door so she wouldn't try to flee the room?
    "What is it?" she asked, though she was certain she wouldn't like his answer.
    "I've arranged another betrothal for you."
    "What? Nay. You ken I don't wish to marry." Why had her second sight not shown her this?
    "I don't care what you want," Elrick said. "As is customary for the sister of a chief, your marriage will strengthen the clan."
    "Who is the man?"
    "Our guest, MacDonald of Sleat ."

Chapter Five

    "Are you mad?" Maili asked her brother, feeling as if a noose tightened around her neck. "I am too closely related to MacDonald of Sleat to marry him."
    "Nonsense," Elrick said. "You're fourth cousins. The bard kens well both of your lineages."
    Dear heavens, nay! Surely her brother could not be so malicious as to force her to marry Sleat . "He is an old man."
    "Not that old." Elrick shrugged. "Merely two score and ten. And he is hale and hearty. A great warrior."
    "Almost as old as Da." Regardless of his age, Sleat was not an attractive man. He always glared at everyone and belittled his men. He boasted in an annoying, loud voice at the high table. Not only that, she detested his lustful stares. Nausea rose within Maili. "That's why he has come here? Why did you not tell me earlier?"
    "Nay, as I said, he came for clan business. When he saw you and observed you for a while, he decided to offer for you. Naught was decided until today."
    "I won't marry him," she said firmly. "I refuse."
    "You will do as I command. I wish Da hadn't spoiled you. You ken you must marry. Already, three men have rejected you because of how strange you are. Sleat is willing to overlook the rumors and your odd behavior. His first wife had the sight, so it is naught new to him. He has a fondness for witches."
    "I am not a witch!"
    Her brother smirked. "As well, he is willing to overlook your advanced age. At twenty-three summers, you are not likely to get any more offers of marriage."
    She ground her teeth. She did not view herself as old or on the shelf. In fact, she still felt just as she had at eighteen. "When is this to take place?" she asked.
    "Next week, after I exchange