Highlands Forever (Books 1–3)

by Rand, Violetta

  The pounding pain only made Alex more determined to get inside that chamber. He kicked the laird in the shin, causing the older man to hop one leg, but he still dinna budge from the doorway.

  “Father. Alex.” Broc had come abovestairs with Petro.

  “What are ye doing, Alexander?” his secretary asked, shaking his head.

  “This man…” Alex pointed at the laird. “Refuses to grant me access to my wife in my own house.”

  “Is that true, Father?” Broc asked.

  Laird Oliphant nodded. “I’ve sired seven children. And not once did I impose on yer sweet mother when she was in the birthing room.”

  “Alex.” Petro said in his soothing voice. “Perhaps a drink of ale? Some bread? A walk outside?”

  Alex glared at his father-in-law.

  “Yer nose is bleeding, Alex.” Petro offered him a square of linen he pulled out of his tunic.

  Another scream sounded, only this time, silence followed. A deafening, heart wrenching quiet that filled Alex with dread.

  All of the men froze.

  “Is she…” Alex started.

  The cry of a baby broke the spell.

  Laird Oliphant grinned and stepped aside. “Now ye can go in.”

  Alex would deal with the man later. He opened the door and his gaze instantly found his beautiful wife. She was propped up on a pile of pillows, and she smiled at him as soon as she saw him.

  “Alex.” She opened her arms.

  He went to her and knelt beside the bed. “Are ye well, lass?”

  “Aye. Tired but overjoyed.”

  “Lady Keely. Laird Alex.” The midwife approached the bedside with a squirming bundle of linen. “Yer son.” She placed the bairn in Keely’s arms. “He’s beautiful.”

  “Son?” Alex stared at his wife in awe.

  “Aye. Our son.”

  He slowly stood up and leaned over so he could get a better look. Keely folded back the material. He had dark hair like his mother and pudgy, perfect fingers. Alex gently touched his head. “Milady,” he said, gazing into his wife’s blue eyes. “I am forever indebted to ye.”

  “Laird Alex,” the midwife called.

  What did she want now? Couldna it wait until the special moment with his family was over? “Aye?”

  “Yer daughter.” She offered another bundle to Alex this time.

  “My what?” he said shakily.

  “Yer precious daughter,” Keely said. “Take her in yer arms.”

  Speechless, Alex cradled her, fascinated by her full head of thick, black curls. She stared up at him, her tiny mouth making sucking sounds. “Two babes?” he asked.

  “Twins.”

  “No wonder ye were screaming to high heaven. I wanted to kill something because I knew ye suffered.”

  “Nay,” she said, taking his hand. “It isna that kind of pain.”

  “I love ye, Keely. I love these bairns. This clan. The Highlands.”

  “I know ye do.”

  He repositioned his daughter in the crook of his arm and bent at the waist so he could kiss his wife. “Have ye thought of any names?”

  “Rebecca, after my mother.”

  “A fine name,” he approved.

  “And our son?” she asked, arching a brow.

  Alex had thought on it long and hard. He’d spent the last two years of his life mending his ways, loving his wife, and forgiving his father and brother for the mistakes they’d all made. There was only one name that had stayed with him if he had a son. “John Matthew MacKay. After my brother and yer father.”

  “John and Rebecca,” Keely repeated. “Worthy names for our little Highlanders.”

  “Aye.”

  “Now we better open that door, or my father and brothers, and even Petro, are never going to forgive us.”

  Alex did the honor, and when his father-in-law crossed the threshold, he placed the man’s first granddaughter in his arms. “Rebecca,” Alex said.

  The Oliphant laird took one look at her and tears of joy filled his eyes. “Another Rebecca to love.”

  “And this is John Matthew,” Keely called from the bed.

  Her sire stared at her like she had two heads. “Ye had twins, Daughter?”

  “Aye.”

  Everyone shuffled into the chamber, and the babes were handed around.

  Alex stood back, taking in the happiness, grateful for everything God had blessed him with.

  When Keely looked his way, he blew her a kiss. “Thank ye,” he mouthed to her.

  She smiled and nodded.

  As he was about to join her at the bedside again, someone knocked on the chamber door. Since he was standing nearby, he opened it a crack.

  One of the guards from outside bowed.

  “What do ye want?”

  “Sorry to intrude, milord, but Helen Sutherland is waiting at the gates.”

  Had he heard the man correctly? Alex stepped into the passageway and closed the door behind him. “Helen Sutherland is here? Alone?”

  “Aye.”

  “What does the lady want?”

  “Sanctuary.”

  Suddenly, the past he’d worked so hard to forget was staring him down. “I will go with ye.”

  He walked outside with the guard, through the bailey and to the gates. As the guard had said, a beautiful woman waited.

  “Helen Sutherland?” Alex asked to be sure.

  “Aye.”

  “I am Alex MacKay, Keely’s husband.”

  Helen curtsied. “I know it is late, and I am sorry to disturb the peace in yer home. But my father is a raving lunatic, and I had to get away before he married me off to a decrepit and cruel laird from the isles. This is the only place I thought of—Keely is my only friend. There is nowhere else for me to go.”

  Alex considered it. Helen had been kind to his wife—providing what comfort she could when Keely’s own life was in turmoil. And Helen obviously dinna want anything to do with her family, Clan MacKay’s greatest enemy.

  “Ye are welcome here.”

  “I am?”

  He offered his arm and she took it, her leather boots crunching through the snow.

  “Where is yer escort?” he asked, surprised the lady would be travelling in the middle of winter by herself.

  “Escort?” she repeated as they stepped inside the main hall.

  Alex ushered her to the main hearth and offered her a seat in front of it. Helen removed her wet gloves and leaned close to the fire, rubbing her hands.

  “Not one man in service to my sire would dare help me. I am chattel, Laird MacKay, meant for one purpose.”

  “And what is that?”

  “To increase my father’s wealth through a strategic marriage. My heart and happiness have no value in my sire’s eyes.”

  “What man did he choose for ye?”

  “Laird Baran Munroe.”

  Alex’s expression darkened. “No friend of the MacKays.”

  “No friend to anyone from what I hear,” she added morosely. “Quick temper, and a murderer if the rumors are true.”

  “Aye,” Alex said. “His second wife gave birth to a stillborn lass, and he starved her to death soon after. I am sorry for yer misfortune.”

  “As am I.”

  “Surely yer father knows the man’s history.”

  “Aye. That dinna stop him from signing the betrothal contract. Though in my sire’s defense, he made sure to include conditions for my protection—that Laird Munroe would never deprive me of food and water, or beat me to death if I gave him daughters.”

  Alex scratched his chin. “A generous concession on both men’s parts, I am sure.”

  Helen laughed. “My father isna a bad man, Laird Alex. He’s simply unfit to be my sire. I am to blame, too. For I have been too quiet and far too obedient all these years, leading my sire to think that I would do anything he asked of me.”

  Alex’s sly smile reached his green eyes. “Keely wouldna love a lass so much who dinna have spirit.”

  �
�How is my friend?” Helen asked.

  Alex rubbed the back of his head. “Yer timing is of interest,” he admitted. “Keely has just given birth to twins, my son and daughter.”

  Helen jumped up. “Is she…”

  “Resting comfortably and happy.”

  “Thank God.”

  “May I see her?”

  Alex dinna want to excite his wife, not after what she’d just gone through. “In the morn,” he offered. “After she’s rested a spell.”

  “I understand, milord.”

  “Tis nothing against ye, Lady Helen.”

  She smiled softly.

  “Do ye like children?” Keely would need help with the bairns. And who better than her closest friend?

  “I adore bairns,” she said sincerely. “New life is the promise of a new tomorrow.”

  He liked her words very much. “Are ye hungry?”

  She nodded.

  “Wait here.” Alex walked down the short passageway that led to the kitchens.

  The cook and maids were still working, but stopped as soon as they saw him.

  “Laird Alex,” the cook asked. “Did ye bring news for us about Lady Keely?”

  Jesus, he’d nearly forgotten to share the joyous news. They’d all stayed up late because they loved their mistress so much. How things had changed since she returned on that fateful day two and a half years ago. It had taken hard work to win the hearts of his people again, to earn their trust back. Alex had given her permission to reside over the women’s disputes every month, and she’d proven to be a fair judge. His household had never been more peaceful or efficiently run.

  “Twins,” he said. “John Matthew, and Rebecca. Perfect in every way. Lady Keely is recovering—she’s a strong, lass.”

  The cheers were endless, and one of the maids handed him a cup of ale.

  “Thank ye,” he said, taking a much-needed drink. “There is a lady waiting in the great hall. She needs food and drink. Once she’s finished eating, take her to my ma’s chamber and give her whatever she needs.”

  The maid curtsied. “Aye, milord.”

  Alex offered his servants a last smile, then returned to the great hall and found Jamie waiting in the shadows. He was obviously transfixed by the golden beauty of Helen Sutherland and her black eyes.

  “Jamie.” He tapped his cousin on the shoulder.

  “W-who is she?”

  “No one ye need to concern yerself with. She is but a ghost.”

  “That woman is no spirit—she’s flesh and blood, the bonniest I’ve ever seen.”

  Alex sighed. Damn his bad luck. “Helen Sutherland.”

  Jamie’s eyes grew wide. “The Helen Sutherland?”

  “The earl’s daughter, aye.”

  “What is she doing here?”

  “She asked for sanctuary, and I have granted it.’

  “On what terms?”

  “Her father made a betrothal she refuses to honor.”

  Jamie shook his head. “Tis always the beauties that get sold off to the ugliest bastards in the Highlands.”

  “She is welcome here for as long as she wishes to stay. Because she treated Keely with kindness and grace, I willna put her out. But ye…” Alex’s expression grew serious. “Are to stay away from her. She is under my protection now.”

  Jamie cast a fleeting glance at Helen, then eyed Alex again. “Whatever ye say, Cousin.”

  Instead of leaving through the front doors, he stalked down the corridor into the kitchens.

  Alex knew Jamie wouldna stay away from Helen. For the last two years he’d tried to find a suitable wife for his cousin, but no one had captured his interest, until tonight. And that interest could cost his clan dearly. For once the Earl of Sutherland found out where his daughter was, the tentative peace they’d reached–after Alex returned his thief-of-a-bastard-son to him and explained how Struan had been robbing his noble guests on the road to Dunrobin–the treaty would be irrevocably broken.

  So anything Alex could do to safeguard Helen should be done immediately.

  He joined Helen by the hearth again. “I’ve arranged for food and yer room.”

  “Thank ye for yer generosity,” she said.

  “I will post guards outside the door to keep ye safe, Lady Helen. In case someone followed ye and wishes ye harm.”

  Alex knew the lady could see through his lie. He had every intention of keeping her in that bedchamber to protect himself and his clan. “Good night,” Alex said, leaving her to return to his beloved wife.

  Clan MacKay had enjoyed peace for two years, and he supposed it was time to shake things up again. He was always itching for a good fight. And just like Helen of Troy, Helen Sutherland had the face of an angel, the kind of beauty that could inspire men to kill each other.

  That made him think of Jamie, again.

  Aye, he must do whatever it took to keep him away from Helen Sutherland, so help him God.

  THE END

  Undeniable

  Highlands Forever, Book Two

  Violetta Rand

  For Simon and Bella, the most beloved fur babies in the world.

  Prologue

  Constantinople, 1463

  Nay Highlander feared the sea—even if a wicked storm threatened to smash his ship into a thousand pieces. Jamie MacKay shivered and pulled his hood up as he stepped onto the pier, eyeing the angry, black sky overhead. Lightening exploded, followed by the loudest crack of thunder he’d ever heard.

  His time in the great city of Constantinople, now called Istanbul since the Ottomans conquered it, had finally come to an end. Jamie had successfully completed his cousin’s affairs, reducing to order all of Laird MacKay’s properties and servants and was proud to return with enough profit to keep his clan comfortable for generations to come. Three leather bags filled with coin were secured beneath the folds of his tartan. He rested his hand protectively over his right hip, reassuring himself the gold was safe.

  Like any good Scot, he missed home. But something about this place… He turned around, taking in the sights and smells—a thriving market surrounded the harbor, welcoming water-weary visitors from around the world. Jamie closed his eyes, reliving the passionate nights with the woman who had gladly welcomed him into her bed, knowing the arrangement was temporary, knowing Jamie would eventually leave. But he’d rewarded Hana with a house and coin; her family would never want for anything.

  Aye, twas no mystery why his cousin had lost his soul to this exotic place. For as much beauty as it held, the cobblestone streets were stained with blood from the thousands of martyrs who had died in defense of its secrets and wealth.

  Jamie wiped the rain from his face and continued walking down the sturdy, plank walkway. Men shouldna have access to so many temptations. And men shouldna gaze into the wide, black eyes of the exquisite women who lived there. Perhaps that’s why most of the women wore veils. To protect strangers like Jamie, to keep him from falling in love and abandoning everything he held sacred in the Highlands.

  Jamie.

  Who had called him?

  No one stood out.

  Jamie.

  An old woman smiled at him, pointing. “You are the Highlander, Jamie MacKay?” she asked in broken Gaelic.

  He scratched his head, trying to place her, trying to remember if he’d ever seen or met the woman before. “What do ye want?”

  “Give me your hand.” She edged closer, her tanned face weathered from years in the hot sun.

  He shook his head, something deep inside warning him to get away. “I doona know ye. Go back to yer family. Women shouldna be at the harbor alone.” Though he knew the statement meant nothing, for the stranger was well beyond the age of childbearing, granting her more freedom than any young woman possessed.

  “Why do you fear me?” she asked, unmoving. “Is it my eyes?”

  Jamie hadna noticed before. Her left eye was green, her right brown. Though a rare physical characteristic, he’d known another woman with two different-colored eye
s in Scotland. “Nay, woman. Yer eyes doona scare me. I am in a hurry.”

  “To return to your homeland? Where another woman is fated to fall in love with you?”

  Her words grabbed his interest, as they were meant to. “What is this babbling? What woman? What homeland?”

  “Alba.”

  For the love of Christ… How did she know him? “Is it coin ye want?”

  She laughed. “I have been well compensated to seek you out, Highlander. Your woman, Hana, has sent me as a parting gift.”

  For what purpose? Surely not… Had he left Hana that dissatisfied, that bitter? Twould take an ungodly amount of ale to make him…

  Again, the old woman laughed at him. “You limit yourself by thinking like a man. I am not here to warm your bed. I am the greatest fiosaiche in Istanbul.”

  Jamie took in her colorful robes made of the finest material, the red head covering, her white teeth, and the gold bracelets on her delicate wrists. Someone cared for her—only a wealthy family could afford such luxuries. “I am in nay need of a soothsayer.” He rubbed the back of his neck, anxious to join his men on ship. “Return to Hana and thank her for thinking of me.” He turned to go, but the woman gripped his arm.

  “You are not a coward,” she said.

  Jamie sighed and faced her. “It doesna take divine powers to make such an observation.”

  “No,” she agreed. “You are a strong man. Loyal. Stubborn. Foolish sometimes. But keenly aware of what you want. Hana prepared your heart for the woman you are meant to love and protect.”

  Hana was a skilled courtesan. Beautiful and energetic. The last thing he associated with his former lover was anything related to his heart. “My heart doesna require anything, woman. I am more stalwart than the fortifications of this great city.”

  She grinned. “Great city? The city of many names? A place where too many spirits wait for vengeance. Never return here. Though you do not believe in my abilities, I will tell you two things I hope you will remember. You will be the father of a new land, a new people.”

  This time Jamie chuckled. “I am a servant—sent here to…”

  “Laird MacKay? Yes. He is an accomplished prince. Half of the city knows who he is—some miss him, some wish him a long and painful death. You are his kinsman, sent to eliminate any connection he has to this place. But tell him, once anyone spills blood on the desert sand, whether his own or another man’s, he becomes part of this land. Nothing can change that.”