The Accidental Highland Hero

The Accidental Highland Hero

Copyright ©2010 Terry Spear

Cover illustration copyright © 2010 Rene Walden of BG Designs

Printed and bound in the United States of America.  All rights reserved.  No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by an information storage and retrieval system-except by a reviewer who may quote brief passages in a review to be printed in a magazine, newspaper, or on the Web-without permission in writing from the publisher.  For information, please contact Vintage Romance Publishing, LLC, P.O. Box 1165, Ladson, SC 29456-1165.

Some of the characters named in this book did exist; however, the author took creative license with mannerisms, speech, and dialogue. All other characters are purely fictional and have no existence outside the imagination of the author and have no relation whatsoever to anyone bearing the same name or names.  They are not even distantly inspired by any individual known or unknown to the author, and all incidents are pure invention.

ISBN:
978-0-9819896-6-2

PUBLISHED BY VINTAGE ROMANCE PUBLISHING, LLC

www.vrpublishing.com

What reviewers are saying about The Accidental Highland Hero

 “[Terry Spear] draws the reader into her stories with witty banter, romantic pursuit, and cleverly woven suspense. Medieval Scotland comes alive in vivid detail with braw highlanders and brave lassies who win their hearts. Highly recommended!”  Karen Michelle Nutt, PNR Paranormal Reviews

"This spicy historical will steal your breath and capture your heart." ~Susan Sigler, Love Romance Passion 

“The story will hold you captive as author Terry Spear takes you on a fantastic journey back in time for a beguiling, tantalizing, breathtaking adventure. From the opening line to the closing words, you’re taken on a heart-pounding, pulse-throbbing ride of love, honor, betrayal, hope, desperation, and salvation.” ~Pamela Purcell, editor of The Chattooga Press

“The Accidental Highland Hero is a wonderful, entertaining Scottish medieval romance filled with sexy Highlanders. The seductive hero, James, could charm any lass out of her kirtle! The heroine, Eilis, is strong and feisty, yet in need of someone to show her what it means to be loved. I enjoyed the tenderness and emotion between these two. This story contains all my favorite elements: sensual romance, rich historical detail, beautifully described Scottish setting, exciting adventure, suspense, and humor.” ~Nicole North, Beast in a Kilt, Secrets Volume 29

“If every shipwreck resulted in the kind of brawny, sexy Scotsman such as Spear's James MacNeill, I say truss me up and ship me out. Filled with romance, adventure, and intrigue, I had no reluctance enjoying the Accidental Highland Hero.” ~Robyn White, Librarian & Book Connoisseur

I dedicate this book to all the hardy Scots who made their way to Prince Edward Island, settled the land, and from there moved westward, beginning with my prideful MacNeill ancestor who took his bonny Campbell bride (daughter of the Duke of Argyle) across the turbulent ocean with their three young bairns.

Prologue

Cala na Creige,
Scotland, 1103

‘Twas the first time since her father’s death in a fortnight, Lady Eilis Dunbarton had managed to sneak out of her uncle’s castle without escort
.
She’d so longed to see the beach below the cliffs where her father and she had spent many a day talking about the sea and his journeys. Only here could she find a gift for her cousin that she would truly treasure.

Eilis unfastened her brooch and pulled off her ariasaid. After attaching the brooch to the plaid, she tucked it behind a crag on the grassy ridge so as to keep it dry.

By the time Eilis traversed the steep, natural steps cut into the cliff by wind and rain and reached the rocky beach, the tide was coming in. She couldn’t tarry long and hurried to sort through the sea-polished stones when she spied a glint of purple crystal a few feet away, the water already washing over it. The stone would be the perfect gift for Agnes’s day of celebration as much as she loved the color. Eilis hurried forth, her foot slipping on the wet, mossy rocks. She nearly took a tumble. Her heart leapt in her throat.

But then the small, narrow cave where the incoming tide had drowned two laddies last summer caught her eye. Were their spirits still trapped there?  She shuddered, remembering how she and Agnes had sneaked into the forbidden cave only a day before and found a dagger and silver brooch. She swallowed hard. ‘Twas best she kept her mind on the incoming tide and be quick about her business.

Elated to find such a treasure, she took a deep breath of the salty, fishy smelling air, grabbed the shimmering purple crystal, and dropped it into her pouch. It clunked against her other precious stones.

Drawing closer to the tidal waters, she spied
an amber stone. As disconsolate and imprisoned as she and her wee brother had been since their father’s death, she knew Ethan would love yet another gem to add to his collection. ‘Twas a shame she could not bring him along for a brief respite, but she’d had a difficult enough time slipping out on her own without taking him with her.

Wending her way over the rocks, she attempted to reach the glistening stone, the tidewater already rushing in to claim it. Nay, it would be hers this day. There was no telling when she could sneak out alone again. Mayhap never.

She only wished her father’s youngest brother living in Ireland could have taken her and her brother in. But she could wish all she liked and naught would change. Soon she feared her Uncle Ceardach would give her in marriage to some chieftain to tie another clan’s loyalty to his. Ethan would then be at her uncle’s cruel mercy.

The sea soaked her to her ankles, the water icy cold, and she slipped again. Her skin prickled with unease. The deeper the water, the harder to see her treasure and to make any progress against the flow. Och, just a few more feet. The tide threatened to wash her back onto the diminishing shore.

When she reached the spot where she thought she’d spied it, she crouched, wetting her kirtle, and dug at the stones with her fingers. Lifting one after another, she tossed them aside. Where was the pretty amber stone? The water tugged at her, trying to topple her as she fought its strong push. Heart racing, she stood, shielded her eyes from the sun peeking through clouds, and peered into the water. She thought she glimpsed it farther out than she’d first imagined.

She hesitated. ‘Twas not too far to go if she hurried. Mayhap she would not get too much wetter, although the cold was already making her feet ache. She thought of Ethan and how he would react when she brought him the gem. His face would light in glee. Aye, she had to get him the treasure.

She waded deeper, the cold icing her legs, her skirts soaking up the water, weighing her down. And then when she thought she stood in front of it, she peered into the water and smiled.
Aye, there it is.
She leaned over and thrust both hands into the water and grabbed the treasure, but the stone was wedged tight. Larger than she thought also.

The water had risen too high, was moving too fast, and now even her chest was immersed as she—

The rock began to give, and her heart did a little skip for joy.

A man’s youthful voice, shouted, “Nay, lass!”

But ‘twas too late for a warning.

The tide pulled her off her feet, tugging her like a hundred wet hands toward the cave into the dark and jagged rocks. Her breath let out in a whoosh. Grasping for purchase on the ragged rocks in her path, she swallowed a mouthful of briny sea and choked.

“Hold on!” the man shouted again, but his voice was still a goodly distance away.

Searing pain ripped through her torn palms and fingers while she clung on, the tide threatening to drown her as it attempted to pull her into the cave. She couldn’t give in, not when she had to look after Ethan.

Was the man coming? She couldn’t hear him for the roar of the water crashing along the cliff face and the seagulls screeching high overhead. Another wave roared over her, soaking her to the skin while she held her breath against the onslaught. But the wall of water yanked her from her tentative hold on the slippery rocks.

Just as the sea was pulling her under, hands grasped her wrists and tugged her away from the entrance to the cave. The man held her tight around the waist and kicked his legs, drawing her farther from the deadly menace.

Coughing to expel the seawater that gagged her, she tried to open her eyes. The saltwater stung, and she couldn’t see anything more than a blur and closed them again.

“Are you all right, lass?” The man dragged her from the water and onto the first of the steps leading back up the cliff. The water lapped at the rocks just below them and would rise even higher.

All she could think of was how angry her uncle would be if he saw her clothes and hair wet. And if he knew a man had touched her, despite the best of intentions, he’d kill him. But beyond that, the man who held her so intimately, did things to her she never had imagined—sent a strange heat through her body when she should have been chilled to the bone. His strong arms secured her against him, lean and hard, his lips so close even his eyes took in her appearance with too much familiarity. ‘Twas more than scandalous. Yet, she clung to him with all her strength—loving his warmth, his protectiveness, his noble endeavor to save her when he could have died.