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Category:
Romance
ISBN-10: 8609356987
Type: Fiction
Pages: 257
Copyright: Nov 14, 2013
ISBN-13: 9798609356987
Price: $4.99 (eBook)
A Pledge, A Claiming, and Valor lead these Highland warriors to love.
Kaitlin Stanhope learns of her father’s death delivered with a strange medallion and a cryptic message. He warns, beware the friend with the black heart. Wrenched from her beloved home, she’s sent to live with her vile guardian. Escaping his clutches, she embarks on a dangerous mission, one that could mean the death of both her and the child she rescues. A believer in the ancient ways, Kaitlin has a vision of a warrior which brings comfort and many questions.
Brendan MacKinnon, the protector of his clan and doting uncle, is devastated when his niece goes missing. His mission is to find her however long it takes. When he comes across Kaitlin, the violet-eyed fairy enchants him. The woman risked everything to save his niece’s life, and courageously she stands up to his obstinate nature.
How can the LASS’ VALOR not touch his heart? Yet is it enough to win him over to the idea of a happily ever after?
Excerpt
PROLOGUE
Whitehall Castle, England
June 1221
“Hell, I’m caught.” The edge of Henry’s golden threaded gray cape caught the bottom of a lance held by a vacant suit of armor that stood sentry beside the wall. He sighed woefully and yanked his cape free, rattling the armor, and hurried on. His official crowning as king was delayed until he reached his majority. At six and ten, he wasn’t old enough to sit on the throne, and the regency ruled the kingdom. Steven Langton and Pope Innocent influenced Hugh de Burg—the highest regent. Hugh complied with their demands lest he sent the country into an uproar again with the church. England couldn’t risk excommunication again. Clergymen had recently accepted the edict was lifted and returned. England came into the church’s good graces just before his father, King John, had died.
Henry put aside his thoughts of England’s turmoil as he turned the corner of the hallway. He was beside himself because his beloved cousin, Julianna MacKinnon, had come for a visit. Henry met her in his father’s court when he’d turned nine. She lived in Scotland, but they kept in contact through letters.
He’d just received word of her arrival and was restless for her visit. Julianna came with her husband, Colin MacKinnon, a powerful Highland laird, and their daughter, Bonnie. Bonnie just turned seven-winters old. Henry loved the little girl more than anything. Even when she poured milk on his chair on purpose, all she had to do was pout with her innocent eyes and say it was an accident. Who was he to dispute it? He chuckled—he being the unofficial King of England.
Sweet, sweet Bonnie. The adorable girl looked like her mother with her light-colored hair and bright blue eyes. Who would ever think she’d do something so wicked? Alas, the truth was—the little lady was a hellion. She made him smile with her endearing antics. It had been a year and a half since he’d visited them, so he’d sent a summons for them to come during his summer retreat. He laughed aloud at that because his cousin wasn’t one to abide his summons, nor his father’s when he’d been alive.
Now that Julianna was here, he would discuss the lands held in her name, which became the heated debate among his council. Henry spent most of the morning cloistered with several lords, all spoke on their behalf for the grant of those lands. The most arrogant lord, Richard de Morris, insisted he be given the property bordering his, but Henry wanted to speak to Julianna before he allowed the Regent’s proceedings.
He scurried down the hall and rapped at the door. Colin MacKinnon opened the door and scowled. Highlanders were an ornery bunch.
“Colin, you’re here at last.” Henry strode past him. “Where’s my sweet, lovely lady?”
Julianna held out her arms, but he bypassed her. He didn’t stop until he reached his dear-heart. Henry lifted Bonnie in his arms and threw her high in the air. She squealed when she landed against his chest, and he placed a loving kiss on her baby-soft cheek.
“Sweeten, give me a hug.”
Bonnie wrapped her hands around his neck and giggled in delight. “I missed you, Honey.”
Her nickname broadened his grin. Henry nodded to Julianna. “Greetings.”
“You finally welcome us, Henry. We shouldn’t have bothered to come, Colin, we should’ve just sent Bonnie for a visit.” Julianna laughed heartily.
Henry smiled in his roguish way, much like his father had. Even though he dressed in regal flamboyant fabrics, the trend of the courtiers, he tried to be cordial. He continued to hold Bonnie and gave her another hug.
“I’m glad you’re here, Julianna, and you too, Colin, but I’ve missed this little minx. Have you behaved, sweeten?”
“Oh, aye, Honey, I’ve been a good lass. Papa hasn’t punished me since yesterday.” Bonnie’s innocent tone told him she must’ve caused trouble on the journey.
“What did you do to warrant punishment?” He smiled then frowned at her father. “Colin, you’re being too harsh on the poor little mite.”
“Poor little mite! She knotted my horse’s reins so badly, I had to remove them and get a new harness, but I can’t stay angry with her. Look at her innocent face, she’s my bonny button.” Colin’s affection softened his usual gruff manner.
“Perhaps ‘tis a good idea to be strict. How are you, Julianna? Are you well since delivering Colin his son?” Henry took a whiff of Bonnie’s sweet scent.
“Aye, I’m well. Kevin is well, and safely at home. He’s too young to travel yet. I had to beg Colin to let Bonnie come. He doesn’t want our children away from our home, and it was bad enough traveling with…” Julianna ceased her ramble when Bonnie’s attention perked.
Henry squeezed Bonnie and laughed. “It’s good to see you, all of you. My heart is pleased at your happiness, Julianna. Father would have been fond of your children.”
“You’re well? All goes well in your kingdom, Henry?” Julianna asked.
“Hugh rarely advises me on the happenings, but there are ways to enforce my rule. I don’t worry too much about it yet. Now, I have a surprise for you, we’ve invited many to a tourney, even those Scots you favor, Colin. I must settle a betrothal contract for a woman whose father died in the holy lands and I’m considering Angus Barclay. What do you know of him?”
“Only that he’s a rough sort and causes a bit of mischief among the nearby clans.”
Henry sighed because he didn’t want to place the woman in a bad situation. Her father was a great noble. “Is Angus honorable, there’s rumor of his clan’s raids on the borders?”
Colin nodded. “As honorable as any other. I’m not aware of his activities.”
“Well, we shall attend the parties and games and I’ll assess this Angus Barclay for myself and decide whether to gift him with the lady later. I want you to enjoy yourself whilst you are here. How long do you plan to stay?”
“I thought we would stay a fortnight.” Colin stood beside Julianna and took her hand.
“Then we shall have a long visit. I’ll sit with you at supper. We must speak of your mother’s lands, Julianna. Hugh wants to gift them to a knight in his service, but we can discuss it later. Get rest from your travel.” Henry left, elated his family arrived.
The next day, the castle filled with fanfare as Henry’s summer festival began. Bonnie stood by her nurse and gawked at the boisterous activity. A group of men played beautiful melodies, their chairs cascaded the steps that swept the palace’s lawn. Everyone hurried outside because the weather was sunny and warm. Trumpeters sounded in the distance and declared Henry’s arrival at an event. Games were played on the expanse of the lawn, and an archery contest held in the lower courtyard drew crowds of spectators. Knights placed their names on the lists for the event of the day, the joust. Their shiny armor reflected the sun and sent blinding streaks toward the onlookers.
Bonnie couldn’t contain her glee as arrows flew through the air. She ran off, and in her excitement, she forgot her nurse. Her attendant, Emma, couldn’t keep up with her. Emma held her skirts and chased after her all morning.
She pulled Bonnie along and held fast to her arm. “Now you’re in for it. If I can’t get you to listen to me, I’m sure your laird father will.”
“Pray, Emma, don’t tell Papa on me.”
“You haven’t listened once this morn, wee lass. I’ve chased after you eight times, no more. You’ll answer to your papa now,” Emma chided and gave her a ‘you’re-in-trouble-now’ scowl.
Her plea hadn’t worked. Papa would be disappointed. Emma tugged her along, and she tried to pry her arm free. They reached the tent where she was pulled inside. When they entered, Bonnie snickered because Papa kissed Mama. She hoped Papa was in a good mood, he usually was after kissing Mama. He turned to give her a warning glance.
Mama strode to her and knelt. “Bonnie, listen to your papa, now give me a kiss.”
Bonnie kissed Mama’s soft cheek, and she waved goodbye as Mama exited the tent. Emma, in the meantime, regaled the tale to Papa. Bonnie fiddled with her tartan and waited for his attention.
“Papa,” she called.
“Don’t Papa me, lass. Emma says you keep running off. You’re supposed to stay with her for your safety. What do you have to say for yourself?”
She was glad they weren’t home, because she would surely be put in Papa’s chair. The chair was uncomfortable, and she didn’t like sitting on it because there was nothing to do but wait until Papa said she was punished enough.
“Aye, Papa, I know och…” Bonnie didn’t finish giving her excuse, because Papa frowned and she didn’t like it when he frowned.
Bonnie lowered her eyes, gave her sweet little pout, and tried her hardest to mellow him. She hoped it would make him forget her punishment. Papa looked as though he wanted to laugh, but he didn’t. His melodic voice was soft, but he wasn’t pleased.
“I will have to punish you, lass. Where is that bloody chair when you need it? You’ll stay inside the tent for an hour. Give poor Emma a wee break, take a rest, Button.”
“Aye, Papa, I’ll rest, but I want to see the people on the sticks.”
“Sticks? Oh, you mean the stilt walkers.” Bonnie nodded. “All right, I’ll take you myself if you pledge that you’ll behave and rest for an hour.”
“Really, Papa, you’ll take me?”
Papa lifted her. She always liked when Papa picked her up and held her in his strong arms. His familiar scent and love in his eyes comforted her. Even though she was about to be punished, she hugged him.
“Aye, now give me your pledge.”
Bonnie smiled with her face against his neck and took a whiff of his scent. He always smelled good. “I give my pledge, Papa.”
“Pledge what, Button?”
Papa always made her repeat her punishment and promises, something he’d learned the hard way—he’d told her. He hid his smile because she reminded him of her mother, or so he’d said many times. She smiled widely and had no choice but to obey.
“I’m supposed to rest and give poor Emma a wee break.”
“That’s right, lass. Give me a kiss and I’ll come back for you later.”
Bonnie lifted her head and gave him a wet kiss on his rough cheek. Papa set her down, and she scrambled to the pallet. She placed her head on the tartan atop a pile of coverings, and as was her habit, she pulled nubs of lint from her cover and rubbed them on her face. Papa smiled at her action and soon after, he left the tent.
The tent grew hot and Bonnie grew restless awaiting Emma. Her nurse nodded off and snored loudly. She snickered in laughter at the sound. Bonnie looked across the tent but wasn’t at all tired. An idea came and she slunk to the tent’s flap and peeked outside. People walked around, and she heard laughter from across the grounds. Excitement called and not one to wait, she slipped through the opening.
Bonnie gawked as she skipped along. She looked everywhere at once and didn’t notice the man who followed closely. A row of high green yew shrubs blocked her view of the tournament. She rounded the corner of a hedge when a man yanked her from the grass. At first, she thought it was Papa and she turned to him. Only it wasn’t Papa. The man’s hand clamped over her mouth when she tried to scream. She kicked and squirmed to no avail. The man ran and jostled her. He almost dropped her as he ran to his tethered horse and settled her across his lap.
“Be quiet and I won’t hurt ye.”
Bonnie was scared, butterflies fluttered in her tummy. She couldn’t get free from the man’s grip and twisted as the view of the castle drew away. Tears streamed from her fear-stricken eyes and she whimpered against the hand that covered her mouth. How she wished she listened to Papa and stayed in the tent with Emma. Papa would be angry when he returned and found her gone.
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