Page 10 of Brigand

Violet awoke in a cozy, toasty nest. A heavy weight held herdown but she liked it. She nuzzled deeper into the pillows as the trails of asweet dream danced just out of reach.

A deep snore rumbled in her ear, along with a hot huff ofair.

Her eyes flew open.

She was in a bed in a strange room, a stony chamber kissedby the light of the dawning sun. And someone was sleeping beside her.

The events of the previous day came flooding back and herheart plunged.

That man. That horrible, beastly man was sleeping besideher.

She held her breath. Tried to stay as still as she couldwhile she planned her escape. She certainly didn’t want to wake him. He hadremoved her gag—thank God—but her mouth was dry and filled with an acrid taste.And her wrists were free. That was a blessing. If only she could ease out fromunder him.

She tried to make herself as small as she could and slipfrom his grasp, but he muttered and tightened his hold. Blast! She shiftedagain, slowly this time, and nudged herself to the left, picking up his arm andcarefully moving it off her. He grumbled a bit but allowed her to do so.

Cautiously, she slid from the bed.

And gasped out loud. She clapped her hands over her mouth,too late to keep the sound in, but for mercy sake, he had stripped her down toher petticoats.

She spun on the bed to glare at him—and found his gray eyesopen and trained on her. The light in them was unmistakable.

“Good morning.” He smiled—a sleepy, sultry offering—and hisface was transformed. Mercy. A man like him had no right being so handsome.Heat sliced through her. A hot tide rose on her cheeks.

Had she really thought him horrifying yesterday? He was muchmore menacing now.

One thought rode high in her mind. Escape.

She whirled and ran for the door.

The hell she would run from him.

That she tried got Ewan’s dander up. His lust was alreadyriding pretty high. It had been exquisite waking up to find Violet Wyethnestled up against him with the weight of her buttocks pressing into his cock.He’d been lying there talking himself out of seducing her when she’d awoken.

And escaped.

She couldn’t go far—they were on an island after all—but hedidn’t want her to get hurt in her headlong flight. Besides, he rather fanciedthe idea of giving chase.

And she had run from him.

So he flung back the covers and took off after her.

The keep dated from medieval times, though it had beenupdated over the years, but the Laird’s solar was in the high tower, accessibleby a curling staircase. That slowed her down. By the time she reached the mainhallway on the second floor, he was only a few feet behind her.

She threw a glance over her shoulder, saw him coming and letout a little screech. And increased her pace. She flew down the hall, roundedthe banister and pattered down the grand staircase with Ewan hard on her heels.He caught her when she reached the bottom and swept her up in his arms—snarlingand snapping and howling as she was.

It was glorious to catch her. The resounding cheers andclaps echoing in the hall didn’t hurt.

Violet stilled. Ewan turned. The great hall teemed with hismen, and all of them with their attention trained on him…and his captive. Who waswearing only petticoats.

He could only imagine the sight they made.

He gave a courtly bow—the best he could manage with a womanin his arms—and headed back up the stairs.

For once, Violet didn’t protest.

“You’d better get dressed.” The McCloud tossed her dress ather, the brute.

Violet glared at him.