Borderland BridesThe HealerThe Thief by Allison Butler

Author:Allison Butler
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Escape Publishing
Published: 2016-07-14T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 2

How in God’s name had she allowed the Elliot laird to catch her? Perched on the end of the pallet with her back against the cold wall, she drew her knees closer to her chest and flattened her feet on the tick mattress. She squeezed her eyes shut to block out the sight of the solid stone walls imprisoning her, only to have her captor’s handsome face fill the darkness. Her eyes shot open.

She knew of Lachlan Elliot. She’d seen him from afar while she’d studied the movement of his herd and the changing of the guards. But he wouldn’t know her—as the unwanted second daughter of a man desperate for a son, few knew Kenzie even existed. Those who did simply ignored her. He’d asked her name. As if she’d tell him; as if it was his right to know. Perhaps in this instance it was, but even if she hadn’t stolen the horse, he was a man in a position of power and he’d still believe he was all-deserving. She’d learned well from her father’s example. Yet she hadn’t told him her name. Nor would she—ever. She needed to escape. People depended on her.

The door’s latch scraped. Clutching the coarse woollen blanket closed at her throat, she made sure every inch of her near-naked flesh was hidden from view. If the crone and her henchwomen had returned to strip her of her shift, she vowed not to part with it without a fight.

She glared at the door, as it slowly, almost painfully, creaked open.

Instead of the ancient, withered woman, a tall, muscular, bare-chested man filled the doorway. She clenched her teeth to stop her mouth falling open. Despite expecting Lachlan Elliot to confront her at some point, she’d never imagined he’d do so almost naked. Was it his habit to deal with his prisoners without his shirt?

She studied the smooth lines of his shoulders and then continued down the hard-packed length of his stomach. Her heartbeat fluttered like the wings of a trapped bird. She’d seen shirtless men before when her father’s men had trained for battle, but never had she been entranced by the view. Burning heat flamed through her. She should look away. Her eyes refused to obey.

‘I am Lachlan Elliot, laird of Redheugh Castle.’

The deep timbre of his voice drew her attention to his face. Familiar blue eyes stared into hers. She was well aware of who he was. Well aware of how he’d covered her with his lean, firm body. Annoyance soared at precisely how aware of him she now was. She tilted her chin. It didn’t matter who he was or how fascinating he looked without his shirt, she’d not tell him who she was—or anything else.

Pressing her lips together, she held his gaze.

‘Still not prepared to offer your name?’ His words were quiet, thoughtful. The glint in his blue eyes suggested he found her puzzling. Good. The only way he could possibly discover her identity was if she told him, and she had no intention of doing so.

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