Highland Tigress (Tiger Series)

Highland Tigress

Amanda Anderson

Copyright © 2012 by Amanda Anderson

All rights reserved, except as permitted under the U.S. Copyright Act of 1976, no part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, or stored in a database or retrieval system, without the prior written permission of the publisher.

The unauthorized reproduction or distribution of copyrighted material is illegal. Criminal copyright infringement is investigated by the FBI and is punishable by up to 5 years in prison and $250,000 in fines.

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This book is a work of fiction and any similarities to persons living or dead is completely coincidental and not intended by the author.

ISBN-13: 978-145079838

ISBM-10: 1475079834

Author photo©Christy Simpson and Cherished Memories Photography

I dedicate this book to my husband.

Thanks for all the encouragement and editing.

1

Liam McNeal walked from Stewart Castle. He’d known this journey would be for naught, but he could not refuse The Stewart. Henry Stewart was the head of their people and he’d asked Liam to be present at the birth of his daughter, hoping the lass would be mate to Liam. It had not been the way of it. The lass had chosen a young lad and Liam was still alone.

In his heart he knew there would be no other for him. Cara McIntosh would have been his mate. He’d known it before her birth. He’d never even seen the lass, for she and her family had been slaughtered mere days after her birth, but the certainty of her worth to him was undeniable. He’d known real despair upon receiving the news of the destruction of his dearest friend’s clan, but soul deep loneliness had over taken him upon learning Cara had also been taken from him. He’d almost succumbed to that loneliness many times since and he and Henry had grown close sharing their despair over their lack of mate.

He looked at Henry now. Amelia had made him a new man. He appeared younger and stronger. He was again full of life and hope for the future. Liam had none.

Liam ran his hand through his unruly black hair. He was but thirty four summers. Hopelessness should not have taken him so young. The Stewart had found his mate and he was much older, but Liam knew that without Cara he’d walk alone in this life and he was sure she had already passed into the next.

“We never found proof of her death or her mother. Perhaps Gwyneth has hidden the lass away,” Henry suggested hopefully.

“Nay. Gwyneth would ken my need for word of them. She would have come to me by now or at least left word that the lass should be sent to me.”

“Perhaps she could not. What do you feel Liam? Do you still feel her calling to you?”

“Cara? Aye. I would swear she is still in this world,” he said and rubbed the back of his neck. “Could be that it is only my desire to do so.”

Henry sighed deeply. “There have been rumors of late, rumors of two of our women. They are being sought by the wolves. I believe they are both of importance to you. The information came to me while I was in London and I have been seeking the truth of it. All reports I have received have only strengthened my belief that one is Cara.”

“Nay. They are not. That is the difficult part Liam. You must find them. There is nothing to indicate their whereabouts, but an urgency surrounds them both. I fear that both cannot be saved.”

“Follow your feelings Liam. Don’t lose hope. My prayers go with you.” They clasped fore arms and Liam continued on his way. He noticed Darren watching him and knew he too had heard the words of The Stewart.

“Liam?”

“Ah, Darren, ye wear the same look of hope that I am beginning to feel. We’ll search till we know. Do as you do Darren and find someone willing to talk.”

With that Darren began to ready their supplies.

Liam knew that if there was a chance to save both women that Darren would be the one to search most diligently. He would find them both; he just prayed it was in time.

Liam felt eyes on him and was overwhelmed with a sense of urgency to be on his way. He looked up to find Lady Charlotte standing in the window of the castle. She was not of their kind, she was believed to be human, but Liam believed there was more to her than that. She was mother to the new Lady Stewart and she possessed an ageless beauty that reminded Liam of the Fair Folk, but none had spoken that the lady was of that race. Liam wondered though and he knew too that the urgency came from her. Why would she want him to leave?

Lady Charlotte smiled at the burley Scotsman who watched her from the bailey yard. Had she stung his pride for making him think she wished him gone?

“Be still, good man,” she said to his mind. “I only wish to speed you on your path to find your destiny before others may destroy it.”

Liam stared in alarm at her words.

“Yes, Laird McNeal, there is a lass in need of your help. You will find her on the journey to your home. Have a care and let your heart guide your steps.”

“Aye, my Lady. You speak of one. I seek two. Will I find those I seek?”

“All things cannot be seen. Know this, the lass you will save is in great peril, even now, and is of the upmost importance to you and your people. You must hurry.”

“Will ye tell me her name?”

“No, I cannot. You will know her when the time is right. Keep your head and hold fast to your temper. You will need your wits to survive this.”

Liam sighed deeply. “How am I to find one wee lass in all the highlands?”

Liam heard the laughter in his mind. “I will help you all I can. Listen to your heart Liam. Your path will be clear, but you must hurry if you are to reach her in time. Go.”

Liam did not question her; he only quickened his steps and gathered his men.

Lady Charlotte turned from the window and gazed at her daughter and her brand new grand children. She stroked the downy head of Serina, her granddaughter and met the eyes of her new grandson, Colin.

“All will be well Colin. Your future hangs in the balance youngling, but Liam is the fiercest of all the Scotts. He will ensure the safety of those who will give life to your future. Rest easy I will aid him all I can.”

She felt his small mind move in hers. He growled.

“Yes, Colin. I can feel her fear as well. We will pray for those who will shape your destiny, my lad, but it is up to them to make the right choices. You must grow before you can protect those you must. You will be a mighty warrior, but your wisdom will set you apart. Always think first. It will lead you to greatness.”

With that Colin fell fast asleep.

2

Cara Kingston felt her death growing near. She could smell the foul stench that always accompanied Ramsey McKenzie. He had come for her. Cara knew that with him rode her own death. She could not understand how her father could be so blind to it. Did he not see that he was practically selling her to Ramsey for an alliance?

Cara knew that if Ramsey did not kill her before she was able to escape that she would do anything to attain her freedom. She would not live with a creature with such evil living inside him. She felt it even now, seeping into her home. Haunting her every thought. The mere thought of his hands touching her body made her stomach churn. She knew if she escaped that he would hunt her, but she knew she could escape into death if he ever caught up to her.

A low growl filled the chamber, “You will do as I say Lass. Be glad I offer marriage at all.” Ramsey spoke as he raked her figure with his cold black eyes. The little bitch had escaped him once, but she would not escape him again. He felt power rising inside him. He would be whole if he possessed her, if he owned her. She would bring an end to his torment.

Ramsey cut into their exchange. “I’ll have a bath before we dine. I think Lady Cara should see to it for the remainder of our stay. It will soon be her duty and she should begin to learn what will be expected of her.” Ramsey had a strange feeling that he should not wait to have her until after the wedding. He wanted to take her now. He wanted to know if she was even worth the trouble he had gone to secure her. His body stirred as it did in the presents of a woman, any woman. Soon though his body would surrender control and he would no longer be a slave to his lust.

“Nay,” her father insisted. She is a maiden and she shall remain so until after your wedding.”

“I am not asking. I give you one hour to come to me Cara, or you will pay dearly after we are wed..” He turned and left the chamber.

Cara turned wide green eyes on her father. “I cannot. Please, Father, do not force this upon me as well.”

“Nay Lass. We will send Alice. She will tend him well.” He held her close as she began to weep. “My beautiful Cara. There is much I have done to cause ye pain, but none as grievous as this. The McKenzie has sworn to destroy us all if I did nay agree to this match. He wants ye Cara, but I fear for yer safety.” He held her at arms length. “You are so much like yer mother, Lass. Ah, how I loved her, but I have broken my promise to protect ye and see ye safely to your destiny.” He wiped away tears that had gathered in his eyes. “There is much you should know, my lass. I haven’t the heart just now to share it all with ye though, so we will talk of it all later on.” He pulled a dirk from his belt and gave it to Cara. “This will be your key to freedom. This dirk was given to your father by a very powerful man. I promised your mother that I would send you to him when you were old enough, but I could not bear to be parted from ye.”