The Highlander's Tempestuous Bride (36 page)
Read The Highlander's Tempestuous Bride Online
Authors: Cathy MacRae
“
A stor
, ye have given me a son. I am humbled by yer love and care, and amazed ye are willing to trust yer heart to me. Nothing I own now or ever will, could measure greater.”
Gilda leaned forward for his kiss. Her lips grazed his ear. “We have more bairns to discuss, aye?”
“Aye.”
There were definitely greater things to come.
A Note to my Readers
I hadn’t meant to let a 4-year-old little girl come so close to taking over the prequel to this story in The Highlander’s Reluctant Bride, but she was the obvious choice when looking for the heroine for the next book. Thanks to everyone who asked for her story—I hope it was everything you expected.
Look for Connor’s story, coming next in
The Highlander’s Outlaw Bride.
Acknowledgements
Thanks go out, as always, to my amazing critique group. Dawn Marie Hamilton, Cate Parke, and Derek Dodson—you keep me on my toes and I wouldn’t get far without your wisdom, encouragement and honesty.
And to my editor, Char Chaffin, who continues to work her special magic.
Cover Design by Rae Monet at Rae Monet, Inc. Design
About the Author
Cathy MacRae enjoys combining her loves of Scotland and happy-ever-afters. When not writing, she finds herself in the garden, playing with the dogs, or cooking.
She also enjoys hearing from readers. You can read more about Cathy and her writing on at
http://www.cathymacraeauthor.com
and email her at
[email protected]
.
Information on upcoming books and projects are listed under ‘News’, and you will find lots of writing-related blogs under the ‘Bits ’n Bobs’ tab, including author interviews and book releases for fellow authors, as well as some fun posts on Scotland.
Look under ‘Wonderful Wednesdays’ for bits on gardening, corgis, and the newest member of the family, Freki. See how she came up with the name and watch Freki grow up amid two very short-legged dogs.
Other books by Cathy MacRae
The Highlander’s Bride series
:
The Highlander’s Accidental Bride
(book 1)
http://www.amzn.com/B00BMFPT12
The Highlander’s Reluctant Bride
(book 2)
http://www.amzn.com/B00J1PNPPC
The Highlander’s Tempestuous Bride
(book 3)
The Highlander’s Outlaw Bride
(book 4) – coming soon!
Excerpt from
The Highlander’s
Outlaw Bride
by Cathy MacRae
Prologue
1386, the Scottish Highlands
Brianna glared at her da, hands fisted on her hips, the belligerent thrust to his chin mirroring her own. “I willnae marry. Ye can burn that contract as easily as sign it.”
“Ye will marry, and ye will wed whomever I choose.”
“Ye put all of Wyndham into the contract. Wyndham belongs to Jamie. I want to stay here and take care of ye both. I cannae do that if I marry.”
Lord Wyndham dropped his gaze and pivoted on his heel, his heavy cloak billowing about his legs. He pulled the wool close about him. “Yer brother is weak—has been since he was born. He willnae live to inherit.”
His biter voice tore at Brianna’s heart and she slipped behind him, an arm about his waist. “I know how ye’ve grieved since ma died, but ’twas five years ago.” She eyed the whisky flask on his desk, already half-drained at this early hour. Rare was the afternoon that saw her sire sober.
“Though Jamie was born much too early, he has grown into a good lad. He cannot help being sickly. I know he will grow out of it soon.”
“Ye are over optimistic, daughter. And headstrong and disobedient.” Her da broke from her embrace and stalked to his chair behind his desk. “We have too much trouble on our borders and Laird MacLaurey has offered his help if we combine our lands.”
Again, Brianna’s hands propped on her hips, frustration boiling to the surface. “And by that he means I am to marry his son. Weel, I dinnae like it. Connor is a skirt-chasing rogue by all accounts and lost his heart to Laird Macrory’s daughter. He isnae likely to be happy finding himself betrothed to me!”
She knelt beside his chair and placed a hand on his. “Besides, he is in France nursing his broken heart and who knows when he will return? Will his da honor his word to help us whilst his son traipses around the continent?”
Lord Wyndham eyed the whisky flask and licked his lips. His hand trembled. “We need the help. Reivers have struck us too many times. Our people willnae eat this winter if we cannae protect our cattle.”
Brianna bit her lip. ’Twas her da’s inability to stay sober that affected them most. She knew her ma’s death at Jamie’s birth had hit him hard, and his bouts of drinking had gotten worse, not better since. When he could be roused to remember his duty as lord of Wyndham, he would bluster and rail, swearing vengeance on those who stole from his people. But, in the end, he did nothing. Except drink himself into a deeper stupor.
“There has to be another way. Gavin and I—”
Her da smacked the desktop with a ferocious stroke of his palm and Brianna flinched in surprise. “Ye are a lady and willnae consort with the soldiers!”
“But, da—”
“Dinnae disobey me, daughter! We will obtain help from Morven and ye will wed the MacLaurey heir.” He waved his hands in the air. “Be gone! Away to yer sewing and leave me in peace!”
Gathering her dignity, Brianna strode to the door and into the hallway. The clink of the flask reached her ears as she closed the door.
The Highlander’s Tempestuous Bride
Copyright © 2014 Short Dog Press
This book is a work of fiction. The names, characters, places and incidents are the products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, business establishments, locales or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.
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Published in the United States of America
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