Highlanders (9 page)

Authors: Brenda Joyce,Michelle Willingham,Terri Brisbin

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BOOK: Highlanders

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Juliana stared at Will and Mary, trying to smile, as she was rowed away from the shore. Her sister and her husband waved, becoming smaller and smaller, until she could see them no more.

Coeffin Castle—July
,
1287

J
ULIANA
STOOD
AT
a tower window, her heart pounding. Below the castle walls she saw dozens of mounted Highlanders approaching, the blue-and-red MacDonald banner waving high in the sky above them.

She could barely believe it. Alasdair had come.

She saw him, galloping well ahead of his men upon a gray warhorse, his dark hair streaming in the wind. Tears of happiness and joy filled her eyes, blinding her.

She turned and ran from the tower, down the stairs, and outside. As she reached the bailey, he was galloping across the drawbridge. He thundered up to her and vaulted from his mount before it had even halted. Juliana was swept into his hard arms.

For one moment, she stood still within his embrace, taking in the feel of him, the scent of him, and the sound of his pounding heartbeat. In that moment, the comprehension washed over her—he was home.

And then he set her back, and their gazes met, his blue eyes blazing.

Juliana cried out as he kissed her—and she kissed him back.

And so much urgency erupted, accompanied by such great love. They kissed for a few more moments, and then Alasdair released her. He was breathing hard. “Ye defied yer brother fer me.”

She somehow nodded. “Yes, I did...I have missed you!”

He clasped her face. “I have missed ye, too!” He kissed her again. “Ye inflamed him.”

She nodded, biting her lip. “He meant to force me into marriage, Alasdair. I had no choice.”

“Most women would have meekly obeyed. I am proud of ye, Juliana. Ye still amaze me!” He hugged her, hard.

She now pulled back. “Did I make matters worse? Will he hate us both now?”

He began to smile. “Oh, ye made matters worse.... I have just come from yer brother. He is as stubborn as ye!”

She could not understand his smug smile. “You have spoken with Alexander again?” She was stunned.

He grinned. “We did not really speak—we argued.”

“I can imagine.” Why did he seem pleased?

“Can ye?” He grinned again. “We even came to blows.”

“Alasdair!”

His smile faded. “And we debated, Juliana, fer many hours, and in the end, I won.”

She felt time stand still. Could he mean what she thought he meant? “Surely, you did not convince him to bless our union?”

“I did.” He laughed, lifting her into his arms. And briefly, he twirled her about, as if in a dance.

She began to laugh, too. “But how is this possible? He hates you, and he is furious with me!”

He set her down, slowly. “But he is a shrewd man, Juliana, and there is advantage to be had, when Dougall and Donald join. I have convinced him of those advantages.”

He was right. Still, she was stunned. She thought of Alexander and his wife and their children—and Mary, William and their family. How she loved them all. “Did you promise to refuse to raise arms against my brother—against my family?”

“I cannot turn my back on my father or my brother, but I will not raise arms against Alexander—or William.”

Hope began. “Will that even be possible? When there will surely be some new war, pitting the clans against one another?”

His smile faded. Very seriously, he said, “It will be a difficult task—but if that is the price I must pay to take ye to wife, then I will gladly pay it.”

He reached for her and Juliana moved back into his embrace, this time pressing her cheek to his hard chest. She loved her sister and brother so much, but she loved Alasdair more than she had imagined it possible to love anyone. And she knew there would be another war rending the land, sooner or later—she knew how difficult it would be to keep such a promise. But Alasdair was a man of honor, a man who kept his word.

And he was the strongest, bravest proudest man she had ever met. If anyone could navigate such a treacherous path, it was Alasdair. She knew it would not be easy, but she had faith—as never before.

She looked up at him. “Then you must make an honest woman of me, soon.”

“Oh, I think there is a church close by—a cathedral.” He grinned at her again, this time lifting her into his arms and carrying her towards the front doors. And he whispered, “And Juliana? I did not give up Coeffin Castle.”

She gasped, thrilled that she would bring her dowry with her in her marriage. And then she realized that she was not surprised—of course Alasdair had won. “I love you,” she whispered.

His eyes darkened. “Then we are truly one.” And he carried her swiftly into their home.

* * * * *

Look for Brenda Joyce’s next Highlander romance
,
A
ROSE IN THE STORM
—
an epic story
of undying love and forbidden desire
...
coming soon from Harlequin HQN!

Dear Readers,

Alexander Og MacDonald, whom I have called Alasdair, married Juliana MacDougall sometime before 1292. Nothing is recorded of how this marriage came to be.

This novel is a work of fiction. However, I have tried to portray historical events and historical figures as accurately as possible. But this period in Scotland’s history is filled with conflicting accounts and huge gaps in information, leaving me to pick and choose what I want to write, and where I wish to fill in the blanks. It is also a period of myriad and ever-changing politics and alliances. I have done my best to sort through what must seem to be terribly confusing characters and events. Any errors in fact are mine.

Clan Donald and Clan Dougall were blood enemies at this time. The enmity between the clans might have begun during the reign of “Alasdair” Og’s grandfather, Donald, when he killed his uncle, Dougall. In the late thirteenth century, Clan Dougall was closely allied with the Comyn and Balliol families, through many marriages. In this time period, the Highlands were largely independent fiefdoms, with the Scottish crown repeatedly attempting to assert its control and authority over the various Highland chiefs, who fought against one another to maintain their own kingdoms. These two clans were usually on the opposing sides of every conflict.

Robert Bruce did attempt a brief rebellion in 1287, but it was poorly supported and it failed. His grandson of the same name, who would become king in 1306, was thirteen at the time. Bruce again claimed the throne after the death of little Margaret, the Maid of Norway, as did John Balliol and a great many other noblemen. In the end King Edward adjudicated the issue in favor of Balliol, who became King John in 1292.

Clan Dougall supported Balliol; Clan Donald supported Bruce.

Little is known about Alasdair and Juliana. In 1291 Alasdair gave his oath of allegiance to the King of England, which may or may not have had meaning to him. (As mentioned, allegiances were tricky then. For instance, Robert Bruce the grandson swore homage to King Edward in 1305 upon the death of his father, and a year later was in rebellion, and then seized Scotland’s throne.)

Some historians believe that Alasdair Og died in the Massacre of Clan Donald in 1299, which was led by Alexander MacDougall. Other historians believe he was captured by Robert Bruce in 1308, after bitterly fighting against him, and that he died in captivity shortly thereafter. According to these historians, Alasdair had allied with Clan Dougall and the great Comyn family against Bruce, because of his wife.

I would like to note that while Bruce was seizing the throne in 1306, Angus Og supported him, while there is no mention of Alasdair Og doing so.

But Bruce punished his enemies, and Alasdair’s lands were given to his brother, Angus Og, who became Lord of the Isles and chief of the entire clan.

I have based this novella upon two historical figures from warring clans about whom so little is known. It seemed likely to me that Alasdair and Juliana fell in love, against all odds, and that attaining such a marriage would be incredibly difficult, with each side gaining so little, except for the lovers. I could imagine Alasdair wanting both Juliana and her lands, just as I could easily imagine that, after their marriage, her lands would be in dispute. For surely, old hatreds die hard—and Alexander MacDougall might not want to give away his sister’s lands! But it also seemed to me that Alasdair would try his best to avoid conflict with his old enemy, for his beloved wife’s sake....

I hope you have enjoyed the story of Juliana and Alasdair! Please look for my next Highland romance,
A
Rose in the Storm
, coming soon.

Happy Reading,

Brenda Joyce

“Joyce’s tale of the dangers and delights of passion fulfilled will enchant those who like their reads long and rich.”

—
Publishers Weekly
on
The Masquerade

If you loved “The Warrior and the Rose” by
New York Times
bestselling author Brenda Joyce, don’t miss
A Rose in the Storm
—an epic story of undying love and forbidden desire in the Highlands…

A Rose in the Storm
(July 2013)

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The Forbidden Highlander

By Terri Brisbin

About the Author

TERRI BRISBIN
is wife to one, mother of three and dental hygienist to hundreds when not living the life of a glamorous romance author. She was born, raised and is still living in the southern New Jersey suburbs. Terri’s love of history led her to write time-travel romances and historical romances set in Scotland and England.

Readers are invited to visit her website for more information at
www.terribrisbin.com
, or to contact her at P.O. Box 41, Berlin, NJ 08009-0041, U.S.A.

Other titles available from Harlequin® Historical and Terri Brisbin:

The Dumont Bride
The Norman’s Bride
The Countess Bride
The Christmas Visit:
“Love at First Step”
The King’s Mistress
The Betrothal:
“The Claiming of Lady Joanna”
The Duchess’s Next Husband
The Maid of Lorne
Taming the Highlander
The Earl’s Secret
Surrender to the Highlander
Possessed by the Highlander
One Candlelit Christmas:
“Blame It on the Mistletoe”
The Conqueror’s Lady
*
The Mercenary’s Bride
*
His Enemy’s Daughter
*
The Highlander’s Stolen Touch
+
At the Highlander’s Mercy
+