Heart of the Highlands: The Beast (Protectors of the Crown Book 1) by April Holthaus Page A

with your satisfaction,” Lady MacKenzie said.
    “Tis more than generous, my Lady. After eating nothing but cold, spoiled meat, apples and stale oatcakes, ye could have fed me the dog and I’d be a satisfied mon,” Ian joked.
    “I have heard many great things your young King has accomplished. I heard he will soon be taking a French bride. It will prove to be a good match, for Scotland and France.”
    “Aye! Though I know little of politics, my Lady, living only by my sword, I do hear rumors.”
    “As a Highlander, surely you must know about the rebellion against James?”
    “Aye. I have heard talk,” Ian added.
    “Between you and me, I think the rise of the rebellion will soon be coming to an end.”
    “And why is that, my Lady?”
    “My husband just received his last arrest warrants for several Highland chiefs who are believed to be involved. It should be a great victory for the King of Scotland!”
    “Ye are a wealth of information, my Lady.”
    Lady Mackenzie smiled proudly. Ian finished his meal quickly, anxious for his walk with Keira in the garden. The news Lady MacKenzie shared was not anything he had not already heard. He knew this rebellion was coming to an end, but it was bound to end up leading to something bigger.
    Glancing over to Keira, he was surprised to see her plate completely clean. She rested her small hand on her knee under the table. Her fingers looked as if they would be soft to the touch. He desperately wanted to take her hand into his and entwine his fingers with hers. Damn , he was becoming an animal!
    “Are ye ready fer our walk, my Lady?”
    Keira nodded.
    Ian stood, waiting for Keira to follow him. Side by side, they walked down the long hall towards the rear door. They walked in silence until they stepped out into an enchanting labyrinth of flowers. Rows of roses, hedges, and a wide variety of fragrant flowers decorated the scenic landscape around the castle. Cobblestone pavers and wooden benches decorated the pathways from one side of the garden to the other. In the middle, two geese and their goslings swam in a man-made lily pond.
    “Tis beautiful,” she exclaimed.
    “Aye, tis,” he replied, though he paid no attention to the garden and kept his gaze on her. “Shall we?” he asked as they stepped forward toward the large pond in the middle.
    Arriving at the pond, they sat on a bench overlooking it. The sun was just about to set and Ian spotted the moon already high in the sky.
    “Thank ye fer bringing me here. I have ne’er seen so many beautiful flowers.”
    “Yer welcome.”
    “Ian, does Laird Chisholm have anything to do with the rebellion of which Lady MacKenzie spoke? Is that why he is so dangerous?”
    “Aye, one of many reasons, lass.”
    “So, when ye came upon my carriage, was it him ye were trying to capture? To arrest him?”
    “Something like that, aye!”
    “So, when ye came upon me, ye thought to use me as ransom to find him. Dinna ye?”
    “Aye,” he answered, unable to meet her eyes.
    Keira nodded her head. Ian finally turned toward her, wanting to know what she was thinking. By the look in her eyes, she looked as if she were trying to process the information she had been given.
    “I understand that ye must hate me fer what I have done,” he admitted.
    Keira looked up at him.
    “I dinna hate ye. I did at first, but not now. I do, however, think there is more to the story than what ye are sayin’ and I dinna know why ye wish to keep me in the dark.”
    Ian noticed the pain and desperation in her eyes, though there was little he could say that would make her feel any better. His mission was to be kept secret and she knew too much as it was.
    “In due time, Lassie, I promise to tell ye. But fer now ye are just going to have to trust me. Would ye care to go inside? I am sure ye need yer rest.”
    “I am fine. Is it alright if we stay fer just a wee bit longer?”
    Had she asked to stay for the entire night, he would have been happy to oblige!