The Highlander’s Dangerous Desire – Bonus Prologue
Me Braither Ewan,
I apologize fer havin’ tae ask this o’ ye, when I ken how many other duties ye have, and how busy ye must be. But Niamh has asked me tae aid her in bringing her friend from across the English border tae stay with her in the final months o’ her lying-in.
I cannae ask anyone else. I cannae trust anyone else, fer who else would be able or willing tae protect an English lass while crossing the Highlands?
Please, if there is any way ye can accomplish this task, I ask ye tae dae this fer me, as me braither, and the friend o’ me beloved wife.
Alistair MacDuff
“I need tae speak tae ye.” Ewan waved his second-in-command and his steward into his study. “I need tae ken if ye can watch over the clan fer me fer at least a moon.”
“A moon?” Devlin frowned. “’Tis a long time tae be absent, and ‘tis the beginning o’ the season when bandits like to travel.”
“And ‘tis the beginning o’ planting season. We may need a laird’s authority fer work.” Malcolm agreed. “What could be so important?”
Ewan scowled. He knew both men had valid points, but Alistair had asked him to prepare for a journey, traveling to Niamh’s old home, and Ewan knew well that his brother wouldn’t have asked if it wasn’t important.
Still, he couldn’t tell his new subordinates that he was running his brother’s errands. He was supposed to be the Overseer and potential laird of Clan MacTavish. He wasn’t supposed to be acting as Alistair’s second-in-command any longer.
And based on what Alistair had said, he couldn’t reveal his real errand – to seek out Niamh MacDuff nee Cameron’s English friend and bring her back to keep Niamh company in the final months of her child-bearing.
For such a long journey, he needed a good excuse. Fortunately, he and Alistair had thought of one, little though he liked it. “I ken, but with me braither bein’ wed tae a lass from Clan Cameron o’ the Lowlands, it seems a good idea tae go and arrange our own alliance with the clan.”
Malcolm nodded. “Aye. Makes sense. But then… ‘tis a long way tae ride. Could we nae consider alliances closer tae home?”
“Aye. But I’ve also…” Ewan paused. “Niamh had several friends – unwed lasses who are daughters o’ minor border lairds in the Lowlands. She suggested that one o’ them might be suitable fer courting. I thought it might be worth explorin’ considering me braither’s luck.”
“A border alliance through marriage is a braw idea. Have ye any lass in mind?” Malcolm frowned. “I’ve nae seen ye send any messages.”
“I’ve nae, but Niamh – me braither’s wife, has offered tae give me names and a letter o’ introduction tae her friends.” Ewan glared at both men, discomfited by the whole story he was spinning and the continued questions. “I need tae ken if ye’re willing tae watch over the clan while I’m travelin’.”
“The Council willnae be happy. On the other hand, if there’s a chance that the travel will lead tae acquiring a betrothal contract fer ye… that could convince them.”
“Would ye?”
Malcolm nodded. “If ye leave me a letter o’ authority, then I can handle the business o’ running the clan, with help from the Council.”
“And I can keep the warriors trained and ready, and make sure nae one is attackin’ our borders.” Devlin agreed.
Ewan breathed a sigh of relief. He had no desire to tell Alistair that he wouldn’t able to fulfill his request. He didn’t like the idea of escorting some English woman the length and breadth of the Lowlands and the Highlands, but better him than some other member of the clan.
Far too many Highlanders hated the English far too much to be trusted with someone precious to the lady of MacDuff Clan. And there were few warriors who could be trusted with the lass’s safety, hatred or not. They hadn’t the skills Ewan had, in weapons or in travel.
Securing permission from the Council took another day, and packing for the journey another day still. Ewan found himself both chafing at the delay, and wishing he could wait longer before leaving.
He read the letter from Alistair again. He had considered refusing. But in the end, he couldn’t. Alistair so rarely asked him for anything, and now he was asking for a favor, something important enough that he’d written a letter, rather than simply asking during one of their infrequent meetings.
Finally, all the preparations were in place. Ewan saddled his horse, then rode from MacTavish Keep to MacDuff Castle. The weather was fine, the air crisp with the new promise of the coming spring. Ewan breathed deep as he rode, far too aware that he would be farther from his home than he wanted to be for longer than he cared to think about.
He rode into MacDuff Castle that afternoon, to find Alistair waiting for him. “So ye want me tae seek out an English lass? By what name?”
“Grace Lancaster. She’s a friend o’ Niamh’s from childhood.” Alistair handed him a folded note. “She’s a petite lass with golden hair and blue eyes, and she lives in Lancaster, England.”
Ewan’s lip curled. “Are ye sure ‘tis necessary tae bring her so far?”
“Niamh asked me tae see she comes safely tae MacDuff Castle.” Alistair sighed. “I dinnae like the idea any more than ye dae. However…” He sighed again. “I’ve never mentioned it tae anyone else afore but ye should ken… Niamh’s mother died in bringin’ her intae the world. She’s always been terrified o’ birthin’ a child o’ her own, ‘tis why she was so difficult when first we married.”
Ewan grimaced in sympathy. “What daes that have tae dae with the lass ye want me tae find and bring north?”
“Niamh shared her fears and her worries with only one person, her friend and heart-sister, Grace. When the two o’ them became friends. And now that she’s carrying our firstborn, Niamh is determined tae have her ‘sister’ here beside her.”
“And ye want me tae aid ye.”
“Who else would I trust?” Alistair’s eyes softened. “I could ask another. Were the lass anything save an English lairdling’s kin, I might send someone else. But there are too many who would ‘fail’ the task out o’ hatred for the English, and I dinnae wish Niamh tae be without the friend she yearns tae see. Especially as she didnae get tae say farewell, an’ that was a fault o’ mine.”
“A fault o’ yers?”
“Aye.” Alistair grimaced. “I didnae tak’ well tae discovering me betrothed had dear friend who was English. We… exchanged heated words, when we first met. I didnae bother tae redress the poor impression I made, and she doubtless hates me, even more so if she kens how I carried Niamh from her home.”
“So she’ll have a grudge with ye, tae rival our dislike o’ her.” Ewan shook his head. “I dinnae like it, but ye are kinfolk, and so is Niamh now.” He clapped Alistair on the shoulder. “I’ll dae the best I can fer ye, braither.”
“I ken. I look forward tae the day I see ye again, and I wish ye good weather and safe travels.”
“Safe home and good health fer ye and yer bride.” Ewan embraced his brother, then took the satchel of supplies Alistair offered him for the journey.
Niamh emerged then, swollen with child, and embraced him as well. “Thank ye. I ken tis a great favor I ask ye.” She held his hand a moment. “I also ken that Grace may nae trust ye, and ye may need some way tae be sure ye’ve found the correct lass. So I have a message fer ye tae give tae her.”
Ewan nodded. Niamh smiled. “Tell her me list o’ sins has grown little longer, and that I hope her own list has done the same, fer different reasons.”
Ewan frowned. “What?”
“That is the message. Grace will ken what it means.”
Ewan repeated it several times in his head as the servants finished feeding and watering his horse.
Finally, all was ready. Ewan exchanged a final embrace with Alistair and Niamh, then mounted his horse once more.
Within a candle-mark, he was on the road, riding toward the English border and the mysterious Grace Lancaster.
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Finally Graces story
My dear Jenny, I hope you enjoyed her journey as much as I loved writing it 🥰 Thank you so much for your support 🙏
Was waiting for this book. Love the beginning
Thank you so much my dear Diana! I’m thrilled to hear you were looking forward to it and that the beginning has already pulled you in. I can’t wait for you to experience the rest of the journey—there’s so much more to come! 🧡