Beloved Warrior by Patricia Potter

Author:Patricia Potter [Potter, Patricia]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Penguin Group USA, Inc.
Published: 2011-11-23T21:05:36+00:00

THE moment her hand struck the Scot, Juliana had been horrified at what she’d just done.

Not just because it hadn’t been a very wise thing to do in her position, but because a lady just did not do that type of thing. Not even when provoked. Her mother would have been mortified.

How many times had her mother stood there and taken blows without a sound? Then later explained it was part of marriage?

Just as humbling was the reason she’d so instinctively hit the Maclean in the chest. The fact that she felt betrayed by his test, that she thought he had felt something, then he’d shown everyone he obviously had not.

Foolish. Beyond foolish. Yet those moments on the horse had been magical. Enchanting. Or she’d imagined so.

Once in her chamber, she plopped down on the big feather mattress and fought back tears of humiliation. She remembered his retort, the laughter among his clan members.

Unfortunately, she also remembered, all too vividly, the way his body fit hers so perfectly as they rode, the heat that still puddled inside. Not just heat, but electricity. Painful. Exhilarating.

She moved to the window and looked out. The horses were being led to the stable, and small groups of plaid-clad men talked. Even with Carmita tending her, she felt alone.

Would there be a repercussion for her rash action in striking the Maclean? Especially in front of his clan? Yet at the moment it had felt very good. All the fear and past humiliation and uncertainty had been packed in that blow. And then his comment . . . and the laughter.

A knock echoed through the room, and Carmita opened the door.

He stood there. “You may go,” he told Carmita.

Her little maid stood up as tall as she could and did not move. To watch little Carmita try to protect her humbled Juliana even more.

“It is all right, Carmita,” she said gently. “You can go down to the kitchen and get something to eat.”

Carmita did not move, but stood stubbornly ready to defend her mistress.

“I swear not to slay her,” Patrick Maclean said with just a trace of dry humor.

With a dubious look, Carmita left.

“You have a brave champion,” he said walking toward her.

“Si,” Juliana said cautiously. Was he going to do now what he had not down in the courtyard?

But there had been no anger in his voice. And now she saw the smallest hint of a smile on his lips.

It was remarkable what it did to his face. A small but distinct dimple appeared in his cheek.

“I should not have struck you,” she said. “It was not the act of a lady.”

The hint of a smile turned into a full one. But then it disappeared as quickly as it had come. His gaze rested on her. She wished she could read his expression, but she had discovered that few could hide their feelings as well as this disturbing Scot. She wanted to turn from his steady gaze, yet she could not.

The beat of her heart quickened, and, Holy Mother, her legs were turning to melted wax.

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