Highlander's Bride (Heart of the Highlander Series Book 1) (34 page)

He had no time to go to her. Alexander quickly
scanned the small chamber, his gaze sharp and assessing. His brows drew
downward in a frown. Although he was an excellent swordsman, he was trained to
fight with the broadsword. It required both of his hands to make a mighty swing
and enough space to do it in. Here in this little room crowded with furniture,
his movements were hampered. He advanced toward Ja Bier, and with one sweep
toppled the stool cutting a leg out from under it.

The Frenchman sidestepped in a fluid motion,
belying his age. His lightweight rapier slashed out.

Alexander heard the whistle of the blade as it
sliced through the air near his head. He dodged it then circled around the room
looking for an opening wide enough to lunge at his opponent. As he moved, so
did the duke. Slowly, they circled each other, each looking for an opening to
attack.

Suddenly, Ja Bier leapt to the side and grabbed
Katherine by the arm. He pulled her in front of him as a human shield, and
dragged her backwards toward the fireplace. "Now, you Scot bastard, drop
your sword and back away. If you do not, I will hurt the girl. Do not doubt I
will do so. She has proven to be a hindrance to me, as did her mother." To
prove his intent, he roughly twisted her arm behind her back and she cried out
in pain.

Alexander hesitated then began to lower his sword.

"No!" Katherine shouted. "Don't
give in to him. He won't do it. He needs me for his claim to lands here."

Again, the duke viciously twisted her arm behind
her. "Shut up, bitch! I'll do as I please with you. Now, MacGregor, drop
your sword and step away."

Alexander saw the insane gleam in the Frenchman's
eyes. The bastard was enjoying causing her pain. He'd seen such a look on
battle-crazed warriors, caught up by blood lust. They fought with no other idea
but to kill anyone in their way. Dear God, Ja Bier was perfectly capable of
killing her. His kind thought nothing of it.

Slowly, keeping his upper body straight, Alexander
bent his knees and placed his sword on the floor in front of him never taking
his gaze from his enemy.

The duke's eyes narrowed above his tight-lipped
smile. "Now, step away from it."

Katherine screamed, "No, Alexander! He'll
kill you!"

Ja Bier viciously threw her against the edge of
the fireplace and advanced toward him, as he stood empty-handed several feet
from his sword. The crazed man sneered, "You barbarians do not even know
how to fight like men. Look how easily you give up to save an insignificant
girl."

Katherine lay crumpled in a heap behind Ja Bier,
apparently stunned by the impact of hitting the hearth. As the duke walked away
from her, Alexander saw her try to stand, fumbling with the folds of her
skirts. He jerked his gaze from her as the Frenchman lunged at him.

Suddenly, Ja Bier bellowed and whirled around with
Alexander's dirk buried in his shoulder. Raging, he stumbled toward Katherine,
his sword raised.

Alexander felt his life flash before his eyes.
God, no! Don't let Katherine be killed as he watched just as his friend had
been! Yelling, he ran toward the Frenchman with a speed known of desperation.
As he moved, he pulled Malcolm's sword from beneath his plaid. Raising the
claymore, he lashed out as he saw the rapier arc downwards, toward Katherine.

The bastard's blade never finished its deadly
path.

With a momentous leap, Alexander reached him and
plunged Malcolm's sword into Ja Bier's neck, then onward, severing the duke's
sword arm from his body. What was left of Ja Bier fell to the floor at his
feet.

Without pausing, he sheathed Malcolm's sword and
bent over Katherine. Her closed eyes and pallid face proved she had fainted.
"God be thanked! You'll never see this carnage in your memory."
Scooping her up in his arms, he quickly strode over to his own sword. Holding
her to him with one arm, he retrieved it just as the door opened at the point
of a long blade.

Two MacGregor men rushed in, their swords raised.
He spoke quickly. "Lads, our debts here are paid. Bring Malcolm with you.
Let us leave this bastard's house of horror." Holding Katherine tightly to
him, he ran down the corridor to the stairwell, vaulted down the stairs and out
the front door.

He gently laid her in the arms of one of his men
waiting with the horses and climbed into the saddle. As he reached down for
her, he heard loud voices coming from the doorway of the manor.

A cluster of servants stood in the doorway.
Although poorly armed, it appeared they meant to give resistance to his men as
they approached.

Hampered by their precious burden, the MacGregor
men carried Malcolm's body toward the armed group of servants.

Alexander yelled down to the man holding
Katherine. "Protect her with your life!" Then he leapt from his
saddle. As his feet hit the ground, his voice pierced the air with the
MacGregor battle cry,"
Ard-Coille! Ard-Coille!"

The servants looked to the front drive and fell
back as he hurtled toward them brandishing his broadsword. Reaching the
doorway, he commanded, "Stand back and let my men pass. They mean you no
harm. We came to rescue our own and avenge the death done to us by your master.
Let us leave in peace and no harm will come to you."

Uncertain, the armed servants continued to stand
together in the doorway, but didn't advance on his men. A young servant girl
stepped forward. She looked at Alexander and spoke hesitantly. "
Monsieur
,
are you the husband of the
mademoiselle
?"

"Aye."

The girl turned away from his gaze and rubbed a
large bruise on the side of her face. She held her palms out to the other
servants. "
Oui
, let them leave. The
Duc
meant to do her
harm, as we all feared. We had no power to stop his evil ways and the matter
has been taken out of our hands. It is better this way." Nodding
shamefacedly, the people pointed their weapons to the floor and stepped back.

The Scots carried their fallen friend past them,
out into the crisp air. Outside, the dark of night had lessened to a shade of
pale gray as the sun began its daily zenith to the heavens. Alexander stepped
forward and helped his men carry Malcolm's body to the man's horse, then
strapped it securely to the saddle, covering him with a MacGregor tartan.

Then he looked toward his own mount. Katherine and
his man were not there. Where were they? He darted an anxious glance across the
front lawn, then sighed. She lay propped against a distant tree out of harm's
way. The Scot who stood in front of her held his sword outstretched and ready.

Alexander walked over to them. He nodded as the
man lowered his blade. "You did well, lad." As he gathered Katherine
into his arms, she awakened and looked up at him, fear and question shining in
her eyes.

He smiled down at her and whispered. "Shh,
Mo
cridhe
. The danger is over now. We will leave this madness behind us and
sail home to Scotland." Gently, he brushed back a lock of her hair.
"Lass, I vowed to God to love and cherish you if he would but give me another
chance. I shall spend the rest of my life fulfilling that oath." Then he
kissed her tenderly, promising his love for the rest of time.

Epilogue

Castle Ironwood, Scotland 1504

Angus paced the floor in the great hall.
"God's blood, I canna stand much more of this."

Ian poured more ale into both of their mugs.
"Sit down, mon, and have another drink." He nodded as his friend
flopped down into a chair beside him. "Your daughter is strong and Elsa
and Monique know what to do. She will be fine. It just takes time." Ian
grinned. "I went through this twice before and I tell you, you must learn
to wait calmly."

"Dinna tell me you aren't worried. 'Tis your
grandchild too. Alexander was right to stay with Katherine. At least he knows
what is happening."

Ian nodded. "I heard him tell Elsa he was
staying whether she wanted him there or no. He vowed he wouldn't let Katherine
go through the birthing without him. 'Tis the first time I have e'er seen Elsa
allow it."

All at once, a servant dropped a large pewter tray
with a resounding clang and Ian jumped, spilling his drink down his shirt.

Angus burst out laughing.  "'Tis a shame I
dinna have yer nerves of steel."

Ian grinned. "Aye, I'm a rock. Come, let us
go upstairs. Perhaps we'll hear something to allay our fears."

Monique met them as they reached the top of the
steps and kissed Angus on the cheek. Her eyes sparkled with joy as she led them
into the birthing room. "My lords, you have a fine strong grandson."

Katherine's face was covered in sweat and her hair
was tossed in disarray, but she smiled as she saw her da and Ian enter. She
clasped the small squirming bundle wrapped in MacGregor tartan to her breast
and wearily smiled up at Alexander. "My love, take our son and introduce
him to his grandsires."

He leaned forward and gently kissed her. "I
love you, Katherine MacGregor. Thank you for our son. He's a braw, bonnie lad
and I will cherish him as I do you." Lifting the tiny infant into his
arms, he proudly carried him over to the other men.

Katherine watched as Alexander tenderly drew back
part of the tartan from around their son's tiny face. Even from across the
room, the babe's red burnished hair shone with the same highlights as his.

Suddenly, the babe let out a healthy wail of
displeasure.

"Will you listen to him, now?" Angus
asked. "He has a strong sure voice already."

Ian smiled. "Aye, he'll have plenty of wind
to play the pipes when he's a wee bit older."

Alexander turned toward Katherine as the cries
grew louder. "Right now I think the lad is telling us he's hungry."

After he placed their son back in her arms, the
babe rooted around searching for nourishment. She tenderly guided him to her
breast and smiled as he began to suckle.

Alexander knelt beside her. His voice deepened
with emotion as he spoke. "
Mo cridhe
, what would you have us name
him?"

She gazed at her beloved husband and son and her
heart overflowed with happiness. "Ah, my love, no other name would do for
our first born but Alexander Malcolm MacGregor. In time, we'll give him many
brothers and sisters and our love will live on, forever, through them."

####

If you enjoyed
Highlander's Bride
, be sure
to read Deborah Gafford's second book in her HEART OF THE HIGHLANDER SERIES,
The
Talisman
. The third book in the series,
Highland Betrayal
,
is scheduled for the fall of 2013.

Besides historical romance, Deborah Gafford is
known for writing light-hearted contemporary romantic comedy that will leave
your sides aching from laughter. If you love romance with a funny side, then
her romantic comedies are for you!

Her romantic comedy,
You're
in Good Hands with Al Tate
, is available online in print and ebook
format. Her upcoming romantic comedy,
Nest Egg Cowboy
, is scheduled for
the fall of 2013.

For more information, to read book excerpts and
view book trailer videos, visit the author's website and sign up for her
newsletter.

Deborah Gafford's books are available online at
fine book retailers everywhere.

HEART OF THE HIGHLANDER SERIES

and

ROMANTIC COMEDY

www.deborahgafford.com

*Continue reading for an excerpt from
The Talisman
.

Excerpt from
The Talisman

by Deborah Gafford

Scottish Highlands   A.D. 1507

A shrill scream pierced the quiet of the Highland
forest startling Ailis O'Brien. That was her sister Jenny's voice! Dropping the
firewood she'd gathered in an old blanket, Ailis ran back through the woods
toward the traveling wagon she shared with her father and sister.

The fading light of twilight hampered her as she
hurried through the thick undergrowth. Limbs and roots appeared out of nowhere
slowing her progress. A fallen tree branch snagged her skirt causing her to
fall.  The tumble knocked the air from her, and she lay there gasping,
desperately trying to suck in enough air to move as the screaming continued. 

When she was able to breathe again, she crawled to
her feet and tugged at her skirt but it would not come loose. Biting her lip,
she leaned forward, grasped her skirt in her fists and yanked. The sound of
tearing fabric gave her little warning before she flew backward landing in
bracken and nettles. She barely noticed the sting of the thorny barbs as she
rolled to her side and forced herself upright. Her torn skirt flapped around
her legs but it didn't matter.

All she cared about was getting to Da and Jenny.
She broke into a stumbling run toward the sound of her sister's voice.

The screams stopped abruptly and the sudden
silence filled Ailis with panic. The encroaching darkness fed her fear and she
could not run through the forest fast enough.
Why, in God's name, could she
not move any faster?

A flickering light glowed through the trees ahead.
Flames lit the area as she burst free of the forest and ran into the clearing
where her family had made camp for the night. The blaze in front of her was
much too large for their small campfire. Sweet Mother Mary, their wagon was on
fire!

For a moment, the silence of the night was broken
only by the sharp snap and crackle of flames as they began to climb up the
front end of the wagon. Their only horse must have broken free of its reins for
it was nowhere in sight.

Suddenly, she heard a man's harsh shout and the
sound of a horse's hooves retreating in the distance. Jerking her gaze toward
the sound, she caught a fleeting glimpse of a dark haired man in a tartan plaid
but it was too dark to see clearly.

Ailis glanced frantically around the empty
campsite looking for her father and sister. Praying they were safe, she ran
toward the burning wagon. "Da, Jenny, where are you?"

Her heart pounded in her throat as she forced
herself to climb into the back of the burning wagon to search for her family.
She had only taken a few steps when she stumbled and tripped over something in
her path. She looked down. Her father's body lay in a crumpled heap. "Da,
get up!"

Grabbing his tunic to pull him to safety, she felt
a sticky wetness. Lifting her hands, she stared down at her fingers. They were
coated with blood. Frantically, she shook his shoulder trying to rouse him and
called to him again.

"Da, speak to me! Where are you hurt?"
She knelt beside him and searched for his wound to try to stop the bleeding.
When she found a jagged hole through his chest, she realized there was naught
she could do for him.

He was dead.

Tears coursed down her face as she gently laid him
back down. Sorrow threatened to overwhelm her, but fear for her sister forced
her on. Da would want her to find Jenny.

The smoke was getting thicker, billowing around
her and filling the wagon. Ailis could barely breathe. Coughing, she held her
skirt over her nose and mouth to filter out some of the smoke as she drew a
ragged breath.

Where was her sister?

Ailis stumbled past her father's body, and groped
through the dense smoke until she found her.

"Jenny!"

Her sister lay naked, her head twisted unnaturally
to one side.

Dear God, no! Not her, too!

Ailis dropped down beside her sister's still form.
Her neck was broken. A glint of something clutched in Jenny's fingers caught
Ailis' eye. She reached down and pulled a strange talisman on a thin strip of
leather from her sister's hand.

Jenny must have pulled it from her murderer's
neck. Ailis gripped it tightly. This would prove who killed her father and
sister. She would find its owner and avenge her family!

A jug of ale suddenly burst from the heat of the
flames that engulfed it. Fiery sparks and bits of burning wood began to rain
down inside the front of the wagon. Tears of desolation made worse by the
smoke-filled air coursed down Ailis' face. Coughing and gasping for breath, she
beat out sparks that fell on her as she made her way to the back of the burning
wagon. As she jumped out her skirt caught on a flaming timber, setting it
ablaze.

Oh God, she was on fire!

Tossing the talisman from her, she tore at her
clothing, freeing herself of the flames. Naked and dazed, she backed away from
the burning wagon then stood helpless and watched as the blazing inferno
engulfed it, robbing her of all she loved. As it burned out of control, her
grief and rage overwhelmed her and she began to scream.

**

Sometime later, she came to her senses. The wagon
and everything in it was nothing more than a large pile of charred, glowing
cinders.

Her family was dead!

Murdered
.

What was she to do now? She looked down at her
nakedness and saw the strange talisman at her feet. Grabbing up the
incriminating amulet, she tied its leather thong around her neck and stumbled
into the woods.

The blanket she'd dropped would cover her while
she sought shelter. Da had said their next stop was a village two day's journey
from there, but surely there was somewhere closer. She would find shelter and
clothes and then she would find the murderer. Damn his soul to hell. Aye, no
one would stop her from avenging her family.

The glow of the cinders faded as Ailis staggered
deeper into the forest. She found the old blanket and tore an opening in the
center large enough to slip over her head. Pulling the blanket down around her,
she stumbled further into the woods. Within minutes, it began to rain. She could
barely see in front of her.

Suddenly, her foot slipped on wet rock and she
pitched forward down a hill. The last thing she knew was her head hitting the
ground.

Copyright ©
2012 by Deborah Gafford