The Bold Heart (The Highland Heather and Hearts Scottish Romance Series) Read Online Free Page A

finger over the names.
    To her utter relief, Ewan’s name wasn’t amongst them, but there was a name she did recognize. Alec Montgomery, the man Ewan had been caught trying to save.
    She frowned. Did that mean Ewan was next?
    Closing her eyes, she took a deep, calming breath. She didn’t have time to waste. She had to free them both and right quickly!
    Steeling her resolve, she headed for the castle.
    The river-scented breeze ruffled through her hair as she approached the castle and assessed its walls and the men who guarded them. They were strong, brawny men, but once she had Ewan free, no doubt he’d make short work of them. But still, there were men standing on the ramparts, and they had bows with menacing arrows ready to fly. She scowled.
    “Stay, lad!” a sharp voice hailed her.
    Taking a deep breath, Merry turned on her heel to see two English guards coming her way.
    “What cause do you have to wander so aimlessly about?” one of them asked in a rough tone.
    Thinking quickly, Merry lurched sideways. “Good … good-ay, milord,” she hiccupped with a staggering step.
    An expression of disgust crossed the man’s face. “The noon sun has barely risen and the fellow is already drunk,” he observed acidly to his companion.
    His companion merely laughed. “Who can blame him?” he asked. “I would give my right hand for a flask of that Rhennish wine.”
    At that, the first guard’s expression relaxed. “And wouldn’t we all?”
    Without another glance in Merry’s direction, they continued their patrol. She watched them go.
    Rhennish wine.
    Once, she’d seen Ruan angry with the night watchmen of Dunvegan for partaking of too much Rhennish wine. He’d caught them at the sea-gate weaving unsteadily on their feet, and he’d pushed them into the loch as a reward for their carelessness. After clambering out of the cold waters and begging his mercy, they’d never succumbed to the temptation again.
    She’d never forgotten it.
    Folding her arms, she tapped her fingers thoughtfully.
    Bree had often told her that men were such simple creatures.  Mayhap, Rhennish wine could be of aid. And with wine often came other weaknesses, such as women.
    With the beginnings of an idea, she retreated to the shadows to watch the guards. And when the afternoon church bells rang, she’d found the thing she’d sought.  A particularly comely woman in a green linen kirtle had passed through the castle gates with uncommon ease. Several times.
    Following the woman into an alehouse, Merry prepared to approach her, but the woman took note of her first.
    “You’re a handsome fellow now,” she called out in a wheedling tone. “Come find me if you need a bedfellow.”
    Merry swallowed a snort but sent the woman a roguish grin. “I dinna need a bedfellow at this moment,” she said. “But I would care for a wee bit of company.” Sitting down at an empty table, she tossed a shilling onto the surface.
    The woman joined her at once, pouncing on the coin and tucking it away into her bosom. “Tell me why such a fine young gentleman as yourself is in need of company now, will you?” she asked with a flirtatious smile. “With eyes like yours, you’ve your pick of the maidens, don’t you now?”
    Merry subjected her to a measuring gaze, but then deciding she really didn’t have much to lose, replied truthfully, “I’ve a friend in the castle that I must see. And ye look like a lass who knows how to open doors.”
    The woman’s eyes widened but then took on a greedy glint. “My name is Hulda,” she said, introducing herself. “And I might know how … or I might not.”
    “Then ‘tis unfortunate for ye now if ye dinna know enough,” Merry replied with a fake yawn, spreading her fingers just enough to reveal the glint of a silver coin.
    Hulda didn’t miss it. Leaning forward, she hissed, “And where might this friend of yours be in the castle?”
    “Shackled.” Merry gave her the honest answer.
    “As I thought, then.”