Page 98 of Married to a Highland Brute

CHAPTERTHIRTY-ONE

Jonan dashed between the houses that stood between Lord Bennett's manor and the fence.

Callan was ona horse at the estate's gate, distracting the guards — this would hopefully earn him some extra time to find Nora.

His body felt out of place in his shirt with billowy sleeves, but it was his disguise to avoid drawing attention to himself. To anyone who gave him a suspicious look, he smiled as an Englishman would—meekly and with an air of superiority.

Jonan slowed to a gentleman's pace as he approached Lord Bennett's manor. He jumped over the back fence and dashed through the garden to the servant's entrance.

The guards at the door stood at alert when they saw him approach.

Jonan was used to being regarded as dangerous even when unarmed because of his size. So he put on his best smile, patted his sword, and charged at them.

The two guards attempted to stay together, but he was stronger. He pushed them to the ground and punched one of themin the temple, knocking him unconscious.

The second guard smacked Jonan across the face but was surprised to find the Highlander not even flinching.

Jonan snatched the man's head and rammed his forehead into his face. This one, too, dropped unconscious.

Jonan jumped to his feet and drew the guards away from the front door and to the side of the manor. He stood there, looking around for an open window.

He had no idea how many guards were stationed inside the manor.

How can I enter without being noticed?Jonan scanned the area until he heard a whisper in the wind.

“Jonan!” he heard again.

Nora! Jonan moved down the side of the house until he was directly beneath herwindow.

“I am so happy that ye are safe!"He looked for a way up, then scrambled up the side of the manor onto the ledge below the room and leapt onto her window.

Nora helped him into the room and Jonan lay flat on his back, trying to catch his breath. They embraced as though they hadn't touched each other in years.

“I am sorry I letye go! I should never have been mad at ye," Jonan admitted.

“I am sorry I lied to you, Jonan. "I love you—" she said again, kissing his cheek long and hard."—and there was not a single hour when I did not think of you."

“I love ye, Lady Nora McKay,” he told her.

“We must go,” he said, suddenly opening his eyes.

He helped Nora onto her feet before he hurried to the bed. He dragged off the sheets, tied the duvet to the bedsheet, knotted a corner to the foot of the bed, and tossed it out the window.

Nora stood, worriedly looking down at the ground.

"I will naelet yefall," he promised, and her brow furrowed.

Jonan yanked on the sheets twice to ensure their safety. The bed did not move.

So Jonan went first, climbing out the window and lowering himself down the makeshift ladder.

“Come, Nora,” he bade her.

Nora climbed out the window and descended onto the ground, shimmying down the sheet as she closed her eyes. She immediately hugged Jonan, burying her face in his chest.

“I will always protect ye,” he said.

They dashed down the side of the building to the front gate... but there stood Lord Bennett.

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