April Holthaus - The MacKinnon Clan 02 by Escape To The Highlands Page A

my brother’s hands. It wasn’t always that way. My brother was a good man, and Carlisle was once a peaceful place. Now there is just greed and war.”
    “War is the means of power and influence, my lady, but unavoidable. Ye talk of war as if it is a wicked thing. Aye, men die, but heroes are born from the ashes of those who falter. We fight fer freedom against tyranny and prejudices. It is honor that makes a mon whole. It lives deep within yer soul and no one can take that away from ye.”
    Jacqueline felt awe-struck by his words. Never had war been described so passionately. Ewan’s morality greatly heightened Jacqueline’s admiration for him. As a warrior, she assumed he must have seen many battles and lived through the struggles and trials of what it really meant to live and die. Looking into his serene emerald eyes, she saw how much he bared his soul, yet struggled to keep so much hidden.        
    Jacqueline blushed as she saw the soft smile on his face and turned to rest her back against Ewan’s chest. Inwardly, she felt calm as Ewan wrapped his arm tightly around her waist as they continued to ride. Even a strong and short-tempered warrior like Ewan had a softer side to him, Jacqueline believed. Each moment she spent with him, she could tell that the wall that he erected between them was beginning to slowly come down. She smiled at the thought of what her brother would think; two people who were meant to be sworn enemies becoming friends. Even though she still knew nothing of his past, who he is was all that mattered to her.
    Gazing off into the distance, Jacqueline unintentionally squeezed onto Ewan’s forearm when she noticed the smoke rising in the sky. Feeling her become tense, Ewan sensed her worry.
    “Dinna worry, lass. That is the wee village up ahead. There is an inn that should provide us a hearty meal and a warm bed to sleep.”
    “What if the English soldiers thought to stay at the inn as well? They will recognize me.”
    “That is why I am goin’ to check it out first. I need ye to stay here wit the horse. I will come back fer ye.”
    “You are going to leave me here, alone?”
    “Aye, it is safer.”
    “I’m going with you.
    “Nay, ye are staying here.”
    “I do not want to be left alone again. I am going with you.”
    Ewan sighed. “Ye stubborn English. Are ye always this much trouble?”
    Jacqueline shrugged her shoulders.
    “Fine. Ye can come, but stay close and dinna say a word,” he warned.
    Ewan and Jacqueline rode to the backside of the village where there were fewer people to notice their arrival. Immediately, Jacqueline recognized some of the English guards as they strolled through the village, taking inventory of everything that was going on around them. Jacqueline knew that they were not there just to occupy the village and collect taxes. They were looking for her.
    “We must make haste,” she whispered to Ewan.
    “Do ye recognize ‘em?” Ewan nodded to the soldiers.
    “Yes, they are Lord Wessex’s men.”
    Jacqueline grabbed Ewan’s plaid from the saddle bag and tossed it over her head and buried her face within Ewan’s chest. Ewan looked down at the frightened lass. He continued onto the stables and directed one of the stable lads to tie up his horse.
    Holding Jacqueline close to his side to help her walk, he whispered, “Stay close and dinna say a word.” 
    Ewan and Jacqueline swiftly walked over to the inn and opened the door. Inside the small room, they spotted an auld woman standing at the counter. Her hair was shaggy and peppered grey. Her plump sagging breasts made the woman appear to be hunched over from the weight of them. The woman looked Jacqueline up and down with suspicion.
    “Good day to ye. My name is Effie McGinnis. What can I do for ye?” the woman asked.
    “My wife and I are seeking a room fer tonight and a hot bath. We have coin to pay.”
    “Aye, we have one room available. As ye can see we have uninvited guests,” she said under