Page 1 of Kilted Seduction
PROLOGUE
“Ihope that’s enough for the journey,” Thora MacLeod considered the pack on her bed. She’d packed lightly - just two changes of clothing and some food - in the hope that she wouldn’t be gone all that long.
Deep down, she knew it wouldn’t be that simple. It never was, where her gift was concerned. Even so, she could no longer turn away from what she now knew.
With one last sigh, she shouldered her pack and went to the bedside table, to lay a letter on the surface, her brother’s name written in bold script across it. In it she kept certain details vague, for her family would know why. Certain things could not be put in writing, and they would understand well enough.
Tae Domhnall, and the rest o’ me kin,
I apologize fer leaving directly after Kai’s wedding, fer I ken ‘tis discourteous in the extreme.However, there is something that I must dae, and I couldnae delay, nae if I wish tae see it done properly.
I saw a way earlier today tae help our clan, but the time tae act is short and the path is nae an easy one. Unfortunately, ‘tis also one I must walk alone, or I willnae succeed in my endeavors. I cannae tell ye why, I only ken that it is so.
Trust that I am safe and will be well. I wish that I could tell ye more, but ye might want tae come after me, and I cannae permit that, fer I would fail surely if I was delayed or if someone accompanied me. Fer that reason, I cannae tell ye where I am bound, nor who it is I seek.
I will write with news as soon as I may, though it may be some time, depending on how things occur. In the meantime, please ken that I love ye all, and I wish ye well. I pray fer yer safety every day, as I ken that ye will keep me in yer thoughts during me absence.
I pray I will see ye soon.
With Love,
Thora
The letter wouldn’t keep them from worrying, she knew that, but at least it would ensure they knew she hadn’t been kidnapped by enemies of their clan. That was the best she could do.
A stab of regret hit her. She wished she could stay and spare them the concern they would surely feel upon reading her words. But that was impossible. If her vision was correct, then her actions now would protect her clan from falling to a terrible fate in the future.
She couldn’t let doubts, fears, or concern for her family’s reaction stop her. Thora took a deep breath, settled her pack a little more firmly over her shoulder, and turned away from the letter.
Moments later, she was outside the castle, saddling a horse. The guards paid her no attention, given that she was a member of the laird’s family and known for her occasional whims.
Within the candle-mark, she was on the road, riding toward a destiny that, as of yet, only she could see. A road that would lead her straight into the arms of the enemy.
CHAPTER ONE
Cameron Castle, December 1298
“Ye ken scowling and pacing around yer study like a trapped wolf isnae going tae change aught.”
Laird Aedan Cameron turned his glare on his longtime friend and advisor, Mac Sinclair.
“And it doesnae particularly make ye feel better, either.”
“I ken. But I dinnae like the situation. And with the council tryin’ tae force me tae attend Lachlan Ross’s Yule celebration…” Aedan trailed off.
Yule was fast approaching, but for Aedan, it was a season of tension, rather than celebration. His clan was in dire straits in terms of finances, and the Clan Elders were urging him to rectify the matter by attending Laird Ross’s Yule Celebration. On top of that, the weather was foul, with rain coming down in torrents,lightning dancing across the sky, and the winds howling around the castle like possessed wolves. There was a chill in the air that suggested the rain might turn to sleet and snow any moment now, which only made the situation more difficult.
He couldn’t travel in weather like that, and even if he could, Aedan had no desire to leave his home, and even less to attend Laird Ross’s Yule celebration. The event was supposed to last several days, and Aedan wanted no part of it.
It wasn’t just that he disliked the idea of being away from home so long, or that he resented the idea of missing the Cameron clan’s celebrations, which he usually presided over. Lachlan Ross’s events were nothing more than a chance to show off his political power, and his wealth. The Yule festivities were an excuse to play politics dressed up in holly, ivy and feasting.
Aedan hated politics. He hated the lies that hid behind the fake smiles of Lachlan and his bootlickers, and the idea of spending days in the court of his reluctant allies made his skin crawl.
His Council understood none of it. They saw it as an opportunity for ‘greater ties tae a wealthy and powerful neighboring clan’. They refused to see Lachlan for the snake he was. Only he and Mac truly understood the situation, as far as Aedan was concerned.
A knock at the door interrupted his thoughts and drew his attention. “Enter.”
A guard opened the door. “Beg pardon, me laird, but there’s a woman at the gates, demanding tae see ye. She refuses tae leave and requests an audience with ye.”
