Read The Highlander's Conquest for Free Online

Blane and another half- dozen stayed put , unmoving save for their hands resting on the hilts of their swords . Frosty sat down beside her, nuzzling her ankle.
    “What are they doing?” Aliah whispered.
    “They will make sure this spot is safe.”
    Visions of outlaws hiding in the shadows and leaping out at them had her heart beating fast, but soon the men returned and nodded to Blane.
    “We shall stay here the night then.”
    He dismounted and helped her down. While his men prepared a fire, Blane made a makeshift tent for her using thick wool blankets.
    “You didn’t have to do that, Sir Blane.”
    “’Tis the least I could do. The tent will keep some of the chill air at bay. And y ou are a lady without a female companion to safeguard you.”
    “True enough, but I also have you to keep me safe.”
    His gaze darkened, and she didn’t know why, but her skin started to tingle.
    “Aye, my lady. I shall keep you safe. But you shall also have the tent.”
    He turned abruptly and started pulling the satchels, rolled blankets and saddle from his horse. Aliah couldn’t help but wonder what had made him so cross. Perhaps he was having the same strange sensations that she was. If so, she could understand his attitude. ’Twas unnerving the way a simple gaze, a small touch, or just the thought of him, affected her.
    Aliah followed Blane’s example and went about unloading Mad Maiden. She dumped her satchels into the makeshift tent, and when she came back to give the mare a rub down, Blan e was already doing it. He fed the mare some oats and cooed into her ear.
    “I see you’ve taken a liking to my horse.”
    “What’s not to like, other than her gait?” He chuckled and their eyes met once more.
    She couldn’t pull her gaze away. Lucky for her, Blane did. Flicking his eyes toward the fire he said, “Let us go w arm ourselves. I have a meager supper, but I hope you will find it to your liking.”
    Aliah nodded and followed him to the fire. One of his men had placed a log on the ground for her to sit upon. She thanked him, happy to not sully her gown .
    “Dinner of the gods,” Blane said, handing her an oatcake and an apple.
    “I should like to know what your favorite meal is,” she replied, taking the proffered fare.
    Blane bit into an apple, the crisp juice dribbling down his chin and making her hungry and uneasy . She bit into her own apple delighting in the sweet, tangy taste .
    “Why?” he asked.
    “Well, if oatcakes and apples are the meal of the gods, I should like to know what you consider to be heavenly.”
    A wicked glint flashed across his eyes. “There is only one mea l I consider to be heavenly , but ’ twould likely burn your delicate sensibilities.”
    “Oh, come now, I should think not.”
    “Pie.”
    “Pie?”
    “Aye. Honey pie.”
    A few o f his men snickered and when she glanced their way they averted their eyes.
    “Sir Blane, why do I feel a s though I am not part of some joke you all hold?”
    “No reason, my lady.”
    “Hmm… Well, in any case, does your cook make you a good honey pie?”
    At this Blane snor t ed, a bit of the water he’d just sipped spewing out. “Why no, m y lady, never.”
    “Well, that is quite sad. If I were ever to visit you, perhaps I could bring you a honey pie.”
    At those words, his eyes locked on hers, darkening, his jaw tightening. He looked ready to devour her whole, and Aliah found she liked it all too much. She licked her lips, unable to turn away and unable to say anything. The air felt thick with tension, but she did n’t understand why. Couldn’t fathom why a tingle of something delicious wound its way over her back. This man did odd things to her just by looking at her.
    “Eat your supper,” he said, his voice low, stroking over her nerves in a way that sent a chill to pass over her.
    Aliah swallowed hard and nodded. They did not speak again, and when she climbed beneath her tent to lie upon the hard earth, she found herself scandalously