The Highland Guardian
Page 28
“Ballocks!” he cursed, trying not to fall on top of the woman. Then he looked at the damned nag. “No saddle?”
She held out a few copper farthings. “There wasn’t enough.”
“Damnation.”
The urchin narrowed her eyes at him. “I’ll not be cursed at like a doormat whilst I’m merely trying to help you.”
Geordie grumbled under his breath and removed his arm from her shoulder. He took quick note of the surroundings. They needed more cover for certain. He pointed deeper into the wood. “Lead the beast to the fallen tree, yonder.”
She didn’t budge. “Oh my,” she said with a gasp. “Your leg is bleeding something awful.”
He swayed on his feet. Good God, he couldn’t lose his wits. Not until he had ridden to safety. “Can you stanch it?”
“Give me your belt.”
He slid his hands to his buckle, when a twig snapped behind them.
“Who goes there?” demanded a stern voice.
Akira’s eyes popped wide.
The beat of Geordie’s heart spiked. With a wave of strength, he grabbed the lassie’s waist and threw her atop the horse. Taking charge of the reins, he urged the beast into a run, steering it beside the fallen tree. Agonizing pain stabbed his thigh, but the pressing need to escape gave him herculean energy.
Haste.
In two leaps he landed astride the gelding, right behind the lass. Slapping the reins, he kicked his heels into the horse’s barrel as he pointed the beast down a narrow path. Stabbing torture in his thigh punished his every move.
Musket fire cracked from behind.
Geordie leaned forward, demanding more speed. He pressed lips to Akira’s ear. “Hold on, lass, for hell has just made chase.”
About the Author
Amy Jarecki is a descendant of an ancient Lowland clan and adores Scotland. Though she now resides in southwest Utah, she received her MBA from Heriot-Watt University in Edinburgh. Winning multiple writing awards, she found her niche in the genre of Scottish historical romance. Amy writes steamy edge-of-your-seat action-adventures with rugged men and fascinating women who weave their paths through the brutal eras of centuries past. Amy loves hearing from her readers and can be contacted through her website at AmyJarecki.com.
PRAISE FOR AMY JARECKI:
THE HIGHLAND COMMANDER
“Readers craving history entwined with their romance (a la Outlander) will find everything they desire in Jarecki’s latest. Scottish romance fans rejoice.”
—RT Book Reviews
“Sizzles with romance.…Jarecki brings the novel to life with vivid historical detail.”
—Publishers Weekly
THE HIGHLAND DUKE
“Readers will admire plucky Akira, who, despite her poverty, is fiercely independent and is determined to be no man’s mistress. The romance is scintillating and moving, enhanced by fast-paced suspense.”
—Publishers Weekly
“This story was so much more than a romance, it was full of intrigue, excitement and drama…a fantastic read that I fully recommend.”
—Buried Under Romance
Also by Amy Jarecki
Lords of the Highlands series
The Highland Duke
The Highland Commander
Fall in Love with Forever Romance
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