Page 1 of The Lady's Guide to a Highlander’s Heart
Chapter 1
Castle Dunrannoch, Rannoch Moor, Scotland
December 20, 1166
In the northerntower of the castle, the fire had near burnt its last. The candles were guttering low.
The young man pacing the room turned again on his heel. “Ye swore tae give me the privileges of a true son, but these years of loyalty mean naught.”
Malcolm Dalreagh fought to restrain his anger. “I am yer chieftain and ye’ll obey me, as ye’ve pledged in fealty since ye were a bairn.” No other would dare speak to him as his stepson had done this night. Only for his late wife’s sake did he seek to placate the cur.
“Aye, I see the way o' things. Ye be blind tae Ragnall’s ambition and the deceit that runs in his blood, but ye hear the rumours o' how his brother died—and none tae bear witness but Ragnall himself.”
Malcolm’s voice remained steady. “Rumour grows where men be envious. The fact remains that the alliance is fer the good o’ the clan. With Ragnall’s father dead, he holds the lairdship of Balmore and he’ll be seeking a wife. We mun secure a marriage without delay.”
“If that be the way of it, give him Sorcha or Hilda. Ma sisters are only a year or two younger than Flora, and her betrothal tae me was agreed years ago, upon ma father’s death.” Calder scowled. “It suited ye well enough then but I see ’twas an empty promise—a vow tae put ma mother in yer bed.”
Leaning across the table, Malcolm clenched his fists. “Take care, Calder. Brina was a fine woman and I lament her passing as deeply as I did Flora’s own mother. I dunnae take this decision lightly, but it mun be, and it shall. Ye ken as well as I, these are uncertain times, and we mun strengthen the position o' the clan. The MacDonald and the Douglas have been hungry tae seize our land since ma grandfather's time, when Camdyn shared Balmore and Dunrannoch between his sons. The division did naught tae stop their rivalry, and the clan has been all the weaker for it.”
Calder narrowed his eyes. “I still dunnae ken yer eagerness tae marry yer daughter tae the whoreson of a trollop. I hear she made a pretty sight at the last, and her lover alongside.”
In three strides, Malcolm grabbed Calder by the throat, his cheeks bright with rage. “Hold yer tongue, or I’ll slice it from yer head, sworn son or nay. The sins o' Ragnall’s mother were punished enough without being remembered on yer foul lips.”
Gasping for air, Calder clutched at the older man’s hands upon his neck, attempting to pull them away, but the chieftain’s anger gave him strength.
With a final snarl, Malcolm pushed his stepson from him, then moved to the hearth, staring into the dying embers.
“Our new king is headstrong, and determined tae regain control o' Northumbria. There’s talk of an alliance with France. If William rises against Henry, we cannae join the fray as we are. Tae survive any such battle, we mun stand shoulder tae shoulder with every Dalreagh, united whole of heart under the same banner. Ragnall’s men would follow him tae the depths of Hell were he tae command it.”
Passing a hand over his forehead, the Chieftain of Clan Dalreagh looked suddenly far older than his fifty years. “The handfasting shall take place on Hogmany night and one year hence Ragnall will return tae repeat his vows, and take Flora tae the marriage bed. She will be his, whether ye like it or nae, and when the day comes for him tae become Laird of Dunrannoch and chieftain in ma stead, ye’ll bend the knee—as will she.”
* * *
Above,where the shadows clung thickest, the pale face pressed to the gap in the floorboards withdrew.
She had no love for her step-brother, but Flora had long accepted that the betrothal was her duty. What now, was this?A chill fixed about her heart.
Though her mind was her own and her soul would remain with God, as Father Gregory had taught, her body would belong to her husband.
A man known for his savagery on the battlefield.
’Twas said he would stop at nothing to gain what he desired.
Sheltered though her life had been, Flora was not foolish enough to believe he desired her.
But, the lairdship of Dunrannoch and chieftaincy of the united clan? For that, a man would take to wife whomever came with the prize—even a scrawny maiden barely entering her womanhood.
And if she failed to please him?
Flora gave up a silent prayer that she would never find out.
Chapter 2
Chapel, Inner Courtyard of Castle Dunrannoch
Evening, December 31, 1166
The ride had beenbut two hours and the ground, though hard-frosted, had provided sure footing for Ragnall’s mount. He and all his men had been granted good welcome at Dunrannoch. The great hall was festooned with garlands of green, the hearths glowed warm, and the tables were generously provisioned. All honours and civilities had been observed and Malcolm had raised his first toast to his guests from Balmore.
