Page 5 of Hunted By the Cruel Highlander (Lasses of the Highland Hunt #1)

The Laird’s jaw tightened, his rugged features hardening into a mask of barely concealed impatience. “Aye, lass. Ye are free. Nay one owns ye.”

Gabriella’s momentary relief crumbled as reality sank in. “I have nowhere to go,” she admitted reluctantly, hating the weakness in her voice. “Nay family left, nay home to return to.”

“Lass, do ye have anyone in the village?” he began.

“Nay!” Gabriella cried, tears stinging the back of her eyes.

“I have nay one, and even if I did, I cannae go back there. The man that hunted me, he has friends in every tavern from here to Inverness.” She looked away, pride warring with desperation.

“I’m still too weak to travel far. Perhaps…

perhaps I could stay here? Just until I’ve regained me strength. ”

The Laird towered over her, his broad shoulders tense as he crossed his muscular arms over his chest. His penetrating gaze raked over her with calculating assessment.

“Ye’ll have to stay,” he said firmly, his tone brooking no argument. “Ye’re in nay condition to be wanderin’ the countryside with those bastards still on the loose.” His jaw tightened as he added, “Besides, I’ll nae have it said that Hector MacLeod turned away a lass in need.”

“Thank ye. I willnae cause any trouble,” she promised. “I can work. I served in a tavern before—”

“Ye’re in nay condition to work,” he cut her off, his tone brooking no argument.

Silence stretched between them, tense with unspoken thoughts.

Finally, the Laird sighed. “I have a proposition for ye while yer body heals.” He moved to the window, his large frame silhouetted against the fading daylight. “Me sister, Erica—she’s a hellion and gets herself into trouble because of her sharp tongue.”

His response was not at all what Gabriella had expected.

“Yer… sister?”

He nodded. “She needs a companion. Someone to keep her occupied and out of trouble.” He turned back to face her. “If ye succeed in keepin’ her out of trouble for a month, I’ll grant ye a wish—as long as it’s nae irrational.”

Gabriella stared at him, trying to make sense of his bizarre offer.

Was this some strange game? A test? She searched his face. Was there even a possibility he was sincere?

She thought of Madison, of Flora, of Piper. “What about the other women? The ones who were with me?”

“They’re safe with the other lairds who helped in the rescue.”

Her mind raced. If what he said was true, if she really was free, what did she want most?

The answer came immediately.

“If I do this, will ye fund me escape to France?” The words tumbled out before she could reconsider.

He tilted his head, his penetrating gaze studying her. “France? Why there?”

“It’s far from here.” Far from life as a tavern girl, from the hunt, from a life of knowing nothing but loss and disappointment. “I could start anew where I dinnae have to remember any of this… where nay one kens me.”

For a long moment, he just looked at her, his expression unreadable. Then, he nodded. “Agreed. One month with Erica, then passage to France if that’s still what ye want.”

He extended his hand, and after a moment’s hesitation, Gabriella placed hers in it. His palm was warm and callused, engulfing hers. Their eyes met and held, and for a blink, time stood still.

“The deal is sealed.” His voice was gruffer than a moment ago as he released her hand and stepped toward the door. “Rest now. Ye’ll meet Erica on the morrow.”

He paused at the threshold, looking back at her with an intensity that made her breath catch. “And Gabriella?”

She blinked, surprised he’d used her name. “Aye, Laird McCulloch?”

His eyes met hers, dark and unfathomable. “Ye’ve endured what would break most men. Ye’ve been hunted, caged, treated as less than human. But here, within these walls, ye’re nae prey anymore. Ye’re a free woman under me protection. Remember that.”

Then, he was gone.

Alone, Gabriella sat motionless on the bed. She had just made a bargain with a man whose very reputation evoked both fear and respect throughout the Highlands—and whose presence stirred something inside her she had never felt before.

A month of watching over a laird’s sister in exchange for passage to France. She had expected a far worse fate today—indeed, had been prepared to die rather than face it.

Instead, she’d secured her freedom with what seemed to be a simple task.

Rising carefully, Gabriella made her way to the window. The view stole her breath. Below stretched the castle grounds, then rolling pastures dotted with sheep, and beyond that, dense forests climbing the slopes of distant mountains.

The world outside was vast and beautiful—and utterly unfamiliar. France suddenly seemed impossibly far.

Gabriella wondered what the Laird’s sister would be like.

“A hellion with a sharp tongue,” she murmured to herself. “What sort of woman are ye, Erica? Why does yer braither think I’m the one who can handle ye?”

As she turned back to the room, something caught her eye. On the chest at the foot of the bed lay a dress of fine green wool, far finer than anything she’d ever worn. Beside it was a silver hairbrush with the McCulloch crest.

Her fingers brushed the soft fabric. This wasn’t the garment of a servant or companion, but something a lady might wear. Why would he provide such a thing for a temporary guest?

She picked up the silver brush, examining the intricate crest.

“Will she be as imposin’ as her braither, I wonder? As unpredictable?” She shook her head slightly.

A month of watching over a Highland laird’s sister…

Gabriella jumped to her feet, letting the brush clatter to the floor. That’s it! It was a trap. Had been one all along. The Laird knew his sister was untamable, and she’d never be able to keep her out of trouble. Then, she’d be forced to remain at the castle and end up being his bed slave.

It’d been a trick, and she’d fallen for it!

“Oh, God—ye’re such a fool, Gabriella. What have ye agreed to?”

A knock at the door startled her. A young maid entered, carrying a tray with more broth and bread.

“The Laird asked me to bring ye more food, Me Lady,” she said, setting it down carefully. She bobbed a quick curtsy. “Will ye be needin’ anythin’ else?”

Me Lady?

Gabriella shook her head, speechless.

Left alone once again, she sank back onto the bed, suddenly overwhelmed by the luxury surrounding her, the vastness beyond the window, and the unfathomable man who had saved her life only to entangle her in something she didn’t yet understand.

One month. She had one month to keep Erica out of trouble. Because despite Laird McCulloch’s true intentions, she was determined to succeed, and then she’d never have to hear the word ‘laird’ ever again.