Highlander Unmasked Read online

  But rather than echo her sentiments, his expression was oddly somber. “What is it, Alex?” she asked. “What aren’t you telling me?”

  “Rory has rewarded me with the lands of Miningish.”

  “That’s wonderful,” she said, knowing how important having his own lands would be. Nonetheless, she was disappointed. She’d hoped he might be speaking of their future. Together. But something was wrong. Something that he was holding back. Her heart stopped cold. Would these lands prevent him from marrying her?

  His voice grew thick with emotion. “You had me so worried, Meg—” His voice broke. “When I think of all that I might have lost. How could you not tell me?”

  She was genuinely confused. “What are you talking about? I apologized for not telling you that I was bleeding.”

  “Yes, but I’m talking about the babe.”

  Meg’s brows shot up to her forehead. “What babe?”

  He studied her face intently. “You didn’t know?”

  She shook her head, stunned. “But I thought…” Her hands went to her stomach, still perfectly flat. Could it be? She’d had some bleeding around the time of her menses, it had been unusually light, but she’d just assumed…

  “Mairi, the healer, thinks sometime around May Day.”

  Still at a loss for words, Meg nodded. A child. Their child. It was almost too much to comprehend. A warm glow radiated from the deepest part of her. She thought her heart would burst with happiness. To think that she carried a part of Alex inside her.

  “I’ve sent for your parents and brother, Rory and Isabel, and my sister Margaret and her husband, Colin. We’ll be married as soon as they arrive.”

  Meg couldn’t hold back the smile, even though it hurt. Married. A child. Everything was going to be all right. Her future couldn’t look more perfect.

  Alex was looking at her expectantly, probably wondering whether she’d take umbrage at his edict. But Meg knew when to surrender. Her mouth twitched. “Do I get no say in this, then?”

  Alex grinned and leaned down to press a kiss to her lips. “Absolutely none at all,” he murmured against her mouth.

  Meg didn’t mind at all. After all, she’d accomplished what she’d set out to do: finding the perfect man for Dunakin.

  And the only man for her.

  From the first moment he’d broken through the trees, rescuing her from the hands of certain death, he’d claimed a part of her heart. Now he held it all.

  “I love you,” she said. “And if you’re wondering, that’s a yes.”

  His finger swept the side of her cheek, and their eyes met, soul to soul. The gentle teasing of the past few minutes was replaced by a look of heartfelt earnestness. “And I you, my love. Marry me, be mine, forever.”

  “Gladly.” And she kissed him with all the promise of the future.

  Historical Note

  In the end, the Fife Adventurers tried and failed three times to colonize the Isle of Lewis. Unfortunately, the MacLeod victory on Lewis was short-lived. Neil MacLeod was eventually captured and hanged in 1613. The Mackenzie of Kintail married the last of the Lewis “Siol Torcuil,” sons of Torquil, branch of the MacLeods and obtained lease of their lands in 1610. So disappeared the Lewis branch of the MacLeods.

  Alex MacLeod was held responsible for the MacLeod defeat at the Corrie of the Foray, the last clan battle fought on Skye in 1601. About the time of my story, Alex was rumored to be fighting on Lewis. It seemed plausible that he might be trying to redeem himself for his earlier loss.

  Dougal MacDonald is loosely based on Donald MacIain ’ic Sheumais, a kinsman of the MacLeod’s bitter foe, the MacDonald of Sleat. The MacDonald of Sleat played a significant role in the first book of the trilogy, Highlander Untamed. Donald MacIain was a renowned warrior and bard for the MacDonalds, and his arrival on the scene of the battle at Binquihillin after its start was reported to have wrought great havoc on the MacLeods.

  Although most of the characters in this story were actual historical figures (the primary exceptions being Jamie and Elizabeth Campbell and Rosalind Mackinnon), the love story is pure fiction. But Alex MacLeod of Miningish and Talisker did wed Margaret Mackinnon, daughter of the Mackinnon of Strathardale and sister of “Ian the Dumb.” Alex and Margaret had at least two children, William and Norman.

  For more information, please visit my website at www.MonicaMcCarty.com

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  Highlander

  Unchained

  By

  Monica McCarty

  Near Falkirk, Scotland, Spring 1607

  They hit another bump. Flora held her breath as the carriage perched sideways for a long moment before settling back down on all four wheels. When it came to a sudden halt, she thought they must have damaged something.

  “I’ll have the coachman’s head for this—”

  But Lord William Murray’s threat was lost in the deafening thunder of horses and the sudden burst of loud voices coming from outside.

  Her pulse shot up in an explosion of comprehension. An attack!

  From the quizzical expression on his face, it was clear that William had not yet realized what was happening. He was a Lowlander to the core—a courtier, not a fighter. For a moment, she felt a stab of frustration, then she chastised herself for being unfair. She wouldn’t want it otherwise. But clearly, in this situation, he was going to be of little help.

  She could hear the sporadic clash of steel against steel moving closer. They didn’t have much time. Grabbing his arm, she forced his gaze to hers. “We’re under attack.” A shot rang out, punctuating her words. “Do you have anything? A weapon of any sort?”

  He shook his head. “I have no use for weaponry. As you can hear, my men are well armed.”

  Flora cursed, not bothering to curb her tongue.

  His frown returned. “Really, my dear. You mustn’t say such things. Not when we are married.”

  Another shot rang out.

  She bit back the sarcastic retort that sprang to her lips. Married? They might not be alive in an hour. Did he not understand the desperation of their situation? Scotland was rife with brigands that roamed the countryside. Outlaws. Broken men without clans who weren’t known for their mercy. Flora had thought there would be some protection in staying close to Edinburgh. She was wrong.

  Lord Murray was exhibiting the arrogant obtuseness characteristic of many courtiers—the confidence that rank and wealth would protect him. But a few muskets would not stop a Highland sword or bow for long. They needed something to defend themselves with.

  “A sword,” she said urgently, trying to mask her impatience. “Surely you have a sword?”

  “Of course. Every man at court carries one. But I did not want to be bothered with it at my side during the journey, so the driver strapped it to the box with your gown. I do still have my dagger.” He slid the blade out of the scabbard at his waist and offered it to her. From the heavily jewel-encrusted hilt, Flora could tell that it was intended for adornment and not battle. But the six-inch blade would suffice well enough.

  From the awkward way he held the blade, as if it were distasteful, it was obvious he didn’t know how to use it. “I’m afraid I don’t have much experience—”

  She did. “I’ll take it.” Flora slid the dagger into the pocket of her cloak right before the door swung open with a crash.

  And everything happened at once.

  Before she could scream or make a move to defend herself, she was plucked roughly from the safety of the carriage into the viselike hold of a man. A very large man. Who from the feel of him was as strong as an ox.

  She gasped from the force of being brought up hard against the granite wall of his chest. Laid out against him, the full length of her body was plastered against hard, unyielding stone.

  Dear God, no one had ever dared to hold her l