A Rebel's Desire (Highland Heartbeats Book 2) by Aileen Adams

Author:Aileen Adams [Adams, Aileen]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Historical Romance, Women's Fiction, Regency, 17th Century, Action & Adventure, Fantasy, Forever Love, Bachelor, Single Woman, Medieval, Ancient World, Violence, Protection & Safety, Thrillers, Suspense, Dangerous & Deadly, Romantic Suspense, Life-Changes, Second Chances, Scottish, Highlander, Victorian, Rough & Tumble, Lifetime Love, Romantic Schemes, Highland Heartbeats Series, Beautiful & Feisty
Publisher: Aileen Adams
Published: 2017-02-13T05:00:00+00:00

* * *

Hours passed. She shivered with the increasing cold, not entirely successful in her efforts to stay calm. She tried to keep her thoughts occupied with anything else but her present predicament. To distract herself from her growing discomfort, the throbbing pain in her knee, and what would happen if she couldn't figure out a way to get back up onto the top of the slope in the morning.

Would she die of thirst or starve to death on this ledge? Succumb to the elements? Both were likely. Such a demise would take days—

—Stop it!

With each passing moment, she grew angrier with herself. For all her attempts to be independent and self-sufficient, she hadn't been thinking at all when she’d dashed out of the manor house, angry with the world. Hurt not only by her sister, but also by Jake.

She should've known better.

Jake had been trying to encourage self-sufficiency for weeks and what had been the first thing she did when left to her own devices?

She'd let emotions rule her actions. Something that he had tried to insist that she work on. Once again, she had reacted without thinking. Look where that had gotten her.

What if—

She heard a noise.

What was that?

It sounded like something striking a rock. The noise had come from up above her. She heard it again. It was full dark now, but a wavering glow oozed over the top of the cliffside above her.

What was that noise?

Her heart skipped a beat, and then pounded.

She heard it again.

Something striking against a stone.

She realized what it was.

A horse!

Was there a horse and rider up there? Friend or foe? She wasn't sure she cared. All she wanted was to get off this ledge.

Fear surged through her.

Call out or stay silent?

Call out or stay silent?

She debated with herself for seconds. Then the sound of movement from above faded, as did the faint glow of light. Someone holding a torch?

Her instinct for survival was strong, but what if whoever was up there wasn't a friend, but an enemy? Someone who hated the Duncan clan? She had no weapon, no way to defend herself—

She heard a voice, male, hushed. Even more startling, he spoke her name.

“Heather… Heather MacDonald!”

The voice bounced through the darkness and off of the walls of the mountainsides back in her direction.

But she heard no movement.

Was her mind playing tricks on her?

It sounded like maybe a horse up there.

Who but someone from the Duncan clan knew her name? Then again, anyone who knew Sarah MacDonald knew of her younger sister.

Sarah’s reputation as a healer was well-known far and wide.

She was suspicious yet hopeful at the same time.

Whoever it was up there moved on. She heard that sound again and recognized it as a hoof glancing against a rock. More than once.

Should she call out? Should she risk it?

“Hello?”

Her voice tentative and hoarse, she cringed, not sure if she had just made a mistake that might cost her dearly. But if she didn't get off this ledge, she might die anyway.

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