The Secret (Highlands' Lairds #1)

by Julie Garwood

Brodick’s curiosity proved to be greater than his dislike for her. The rude man didn’t just join the group, either. Nay, he elbowed his way in next to her, shoving Alex out of his way.

“If you don’t hide your feelings, Alex and Gowrie will soon know about this attraction.” “Damn it all, Brodick—” “I want her, too.” Iain was astonished. “You can’t have her,” he commanded, before he could stop himself. “You’re sounding possessive, Iain.” His friend didn’t answer that statement of fact. Brodick let out a long sigh. “I thought you hated the English, Brodick,” Iain remarked after several minutes of silence. “I do,” Brodick answered. “But when I look at her, I forget. Her eyes . . . it’s an affliction . . .” “Get over it.”

Judith didn’t know who she was supposed to ride with today. Both Alex and Gowrie motioned to her to come to them. Iain was on the opposite side of the clearing. She watched him mount his stallion’s back, and when he still didn’t look her way, she decided that since Alex was closer, she’d ride with him. Iain had made the decision the night before to distance himself from Judith. That intention was completely forgotten, however, when he saw her walking toward Alex. She was just taking hold of the soldier’s hand when she was intercepted. Iain’s stallion didn’t pause in his gait. He had his arm wrapped around her waist and lifted her up onto his lap without breaking stride. She didn’t even have time to grab hold. Iain took the lead. She heard someone laugh behind her, but when she tried to turn around to see which one of the soldiers was making all the racket, Iain pulled her up against his chest and wouldn’t let her move.

“If you don’t like something, isn’t it your duty to try to change it?” he asked. She almost laughed over his suggestion until she realized from his expression he was quite serious. She was flabbergasted. “You believe I could take on the Church?” He shook his head. “One whisper, Judith, added to a thousand others will become a roar of discontent even the Church can’t ignore. Start with Father Laggan. Put your questions to him. He’s a fair man. He’ll listen to you.”

He smiled when he said the word “fair.” She found herself smiling back. He wasn’t mocking her. Nay, he was really trying to help. “I’m not significant enough to make any changes. I’m only a woman who—” “As long as you believe that nonsense, you won’t accomplish anything. You’ll defeat yourself.”

“I would have broken my promise for a daughter,” her father shouted. “Oh, yes, I would have gone back into England for you.”

“Don’t you dare weep,” he commanded. “You’ve broken my heart.” “I’ll fix it later.” She almost burst into tears then and there.

“You and I belong to each other, Judith. Nothing else matters. Remember that.”

I wish you had told me sooner. You could have saved me a good deal of worry.” “You like to worry,” he told her.

Men were far more delicate to deal with than women were, she thought to herself. Their pride made the most reasonable solutions difficult.