The Highlander’s Savage Vow – Bonus Prologue
One Month Earlier
“What is it, Maither? Da?”
The room was quiet, save for the crackling of the fire in the hearth. Iona sat at the thick oak table, her hands folded neatly before her, trying to ignore the quiet, knowing glances her parents had been exchanging since she had come to the dinner table.
She glanced from under her lashes at the faint smile her mother, Lady Caoimhe, shared with her father, Laird Eoin. It wasn’t the usual warmth of their gentle camaraderie. This was something more, something hidden in the depths of their eyes.
Iona felt a flicker of curiosity and trepidation. Had something happened again? Was it another threat from Murray? She lowered her gaze, pretending to focus on the wineglass in front of her, but she couldn’t shake the feeling that something was amiss.
She looked up, and her mother met her eyes with an unspoken answer. Her father cleared his throat, leaning forward slightly.
“Iona,” he began, his voice softer than usual, “there’s something we must share with ye.”
Her heart skipped a beat, but she forced herself to remain calm. “What is it?” she asked, trying to sound casual, though she felt a lump forming in her throat.
Her mother reached for something from the side of the table, her fingers brushing the parchment of a letter. Iona had spent so many holidays there, playing with Ruaridh, that she could never mistaken that seal.
Alistair MacDuff.
Iona could not help the way her heart began to race as her mother slid the letter toward her. She swallowed hard as her mother gestured toward it. “Read it, me dear.”
Iona hesitated, her eyes flicking between her parents. They both watched her closely, their faces soft, expectant. She took the letter in her hands, her pulse quickened.
She unfolded the letter slowly, the smooth parchment feeling too thin, too fragile in her trembling hands. The words, written in the elegant script of Alistair MacDuff, seemed to echo in the silence of the room.
Tae Laird Eoin MacNeill,
I hope this letter finds ye in good health. I write tae ye taeday with a request, one that I believe will bring both our families a future that surpasses the past. It is with great respect and sincerity that I ask fer yer daughter, Iona MacNeill’s, hand in marriage on behalf of me son, Ruaridh MacDuff.
It is clear to me that the past has shaped our lives in ways we can never undae, but I believe the future offers the chance fer healing, fer peace. I ken the trials Iona has faced and the pain she has borne. We wish tae offer her nae only the security of Clan MacDuff but a chance tae leave behind the stain that has marred her name. Me son, Ruaridh, has expressed his heart’s desire tae marry Iona and tae show her the kindness and love she has long deserved.
I ask fer yer blessing tae join our families, tae let us move forward from what has been and embrace what is tae come. I hope ye will see, as I dae, that this union will be good fer Iona as well as me son, and our future laird, Ruaridh.
With respect,
Alistair MacDuff, Laird of Clan MacDuff
Iona felt the weight of the words fall over her like heavy, comforting blanket, full of warmth and promise. She read the letter twice, the second time slowly, letting the words sink deeper into her heart. The room seemed to disappear around her as she relived the painful past, the shame, the betrayal.
Her eyes welled up with emotion as the truth of what was being offered settled in. Her childhood friend, the boy who had once been her constant companion, the one who had made her laugh despite everything, was now offering her a future. A future she could scarcely dare to imagine.
“Ruaridh,” she whispered, the name a soft breath of hope escaping her lips.
Her mother, watching her with tender eyes, leaned forward. “Aye, love. Ruaridh MacDuff wants tae marry ye. Clan MacDuff has decided tae marry ye and end the shame that MacNab has stained ye with.”
Iona’s breath caught in her throat. The shame. The years of exile, silence, isolation, and the weight of Murray MacNab’s lies that had crushed her and kept her living a hidden life here in the castle. But this… this was something else entirely.
A lifeline.
“I… I daennae ken what tae say,” she murmured, her voice thick with emotion. She looked at her father, her heart suddenly lighter, yet heavy with the weight of the moment. “Is this truly real?”
Her father’s deep voice was steady, but there was an unmistakable softness in his words. “This is real, Iona. Ruaridh MacDuff has seen the pain ye’ve endured. He offers ye a new life at MacDuff castle, and a future that’s different from the one MacNab sought tae give ye.”
Her heart thundered in her chest, and suddenly, it was too much to bear. Iona leapt from her seat and rushed into her mother’s arms, her joy overwhelming her. “Oh, Maither! Oh, Da!” she cried, tears streaming down her face. “I never thought this could happen. I thought I’d always be trapped. Stuck with the shame of Murray’s lies.”
Her mother’s arms enveloped her in warmth. “Nay, darling. Nay more. This is yer chance tae be free. Tae finally be who ye were meant tae be.”
Her father stood, his gaze intense, filled with pride and love. “Ye’ve been through too much, Iona. This is yer new beginning. Although nay one has spoken of love, we ken young Ruadridh was fond of ye back then. This may be a new chance fer happiness.”
Iona kissed them both, then dashed for her room, the letter still clutched tightly in her hand. Her pulse raced, excitement building like a storm inside her.
Once behind the privacy of her door, Iona sat on her bed and read it again. This time, the words didn’t just speak of hope, they spoke of a future that might be free from the terror and shame that had shadowed her life for so long
She closed her eyes, the memories of her childhood with Ruaridh rushing back. They had played together, run through the fields of the castle, and shared secrets in the woods. She remembered his laughter, his smile, the way he had always been there for her. Could he still be the same? Could they pick up where they left off, all those years ago?
Her heart fluttered with a mix of longing and fear. She had never allowed herself to hope for such a future. She’d never dared to dream that any respectable laird would want her, not to talk of Ruaridh, who had been her best friend all those childhood days, and her first crush, if she admitted it.
But now… now there was hope
She read the letter again, and this time, as she finished, she saw it. Their new future.
Me future with Ruaridh.
The life they could have. Love, peace, safety. A future where the shadow of MacNab’s cruelty no longer loomed over her
The tears came again, but this time they were tears of relief, tears of joy. Perhaps, just perhaps, she would finally know the kind of love she had always yearned for.
And in that quiet moment, as the firelight flickered in the corner of her room, Iona dared to believe that the future she had longed for was finally within her grasp.
With one final glance at the letter, Iona whispered, “Ruaridh. I’ll marry ye.”
Enjoyed this bonus chapter? Dive back into the adventure and continue the journey on your e-reader. Happy reading!
Sounds interesting. I look forward to reading it, learning about her past and how it’s going to work out.
Thank you so much for your lovely comment & support my dear! 🧡
Oh, so many questions about Iona’s past! I look forward to reading the book!
Thank you so much! I’m thrilled you’re intrigued by Iona’s past! There’s definitely more to her story than meets the eye. I can’t wait for you to uncover the layers as you read! ❤️
Enjoyed reading her past look forward to reading the book
Thank you so much my dearest Gina! 🧡