Consumed By The Lost Highlander (Steamy Scottish Historical Romance)

by Maddie MacKenna

  Miss Petrey would be accompanying them too.

  Andrew had woken early, after barely being able to sleep, and had decided to take a walk through the castle grounds before everyone woke and started their day. His wound was healing, and it was not painful anymore, but there was still some tenderness there.

  I should’ve walked straight out of the Castle and never come back.

  As he loaded more bags onto the carriage and saddled up the horses, he wondered if there was still time to jump onto one of them and ride off, never to return. His duty kept him from doing so. That, and the chance to see Juliana one more time. He knew that he would not be able to talk with her, or even be close to her with the Laird traveling too, but he could at least see her face once more.

  Andrew had expected to be cast out from the Laird’s company. He knew that Laird Lochenbrew would never forgive him for what had happened on the way to Drechten Castle. The incident with the bandits had not been his fault, but that did not matter. Of course, no one, save for he and Juliana, knew about the forbidden kiss by the lake or their time in the forest, right outside of the castle walls, and he would forever keep that secret.

  The Laird had shouted at him, cursed at him and called him all manner of names, but Andrew had been surprised that he had been instructed to pack up the horses and carriage to leave for the Castle. He was told that he would be traveling too but had not asked any more than that. If he was to return to Lochenbrew Castle, then it would be to take up his former role, or perhaps to be demoted to working only as a blacksmith.

  He could have been left with Laird and Lady Drechten, but it was not the case. Andrew dreamed of being placed deep down in the belly of Lochenbrew Castle, to work as a lowly blacksmith’s assistant, doing the menial tasks. It would be a punishment that he could accept, and it would keep him close to her.

  I cannae stop thinkin’ of her. I had my chance, but it is too late now.

  The morning had passed too quickly, and his sense of dread had grown as the time to leave had come closer and closer. The last of the bags were packed, and the horses were ready. Andrew walked between the beasts, stroking each one on the nose. He did not know what more to do.

  The sun was peaking in the sky, shining down on Andrew, though he did not feel any warmth. He leaned back against the carriage, accepting the sunshine, but not enjoying it. A few of the Laird’s men were there too, some watching, some helping, and all of them sneering at him.

  Can it be?

  His spirits were immediately lifted as he watched Juliana striding across the courtyard. He wanted to run to her but knew that he could not for many reasons. They were not supposed to be together, the Laird’s men were there, and there was a guard with Juliana, one of the castle’s men, Andrew presumed.

  As he watched her walking across the courtyard, he could see a small smile playing on her lips, but as she got closer, he was not so sure that it had been there at all. It was a look that was shrouded in mystery, as if she knew a secret, or had something to tell him, but could not.

  I will find a moment alone with ye, and we can talk.

  As he thought it, he did not think that it would be possible. There were too many people around, and Juliana had obviously been given a guard too. The thought struck him like another dagger through the stomach. He knew why she was here, and it was nothing to do with him. She was here to board the carriage and be taken to her rightful home.

  Andrew stood up straighter as Juliana, and her escort approached. He had been thinking all morning about what he would say to her if he were given another chance, but his mind had gone blank. He knew what he wanted to say, the words that would get him into more trouble than he was already in, but he could not figure out how to talk to her without ruining both of their lives.

  When they arrived by him, it was Juliana who spoke first. “Andrew.”

  “Miss Petrey,” said Andrew, controlling his emotions.

  Juliana reached out as if to touch him, and then recoiled. Andrew did not know what was going on, it was as if she were trying to get them both into trouble. The guard stood, stony-faced, watching Juliana more than he watched Andrew.

  Andrew sized him up. The guard was tall and looked strong enough, he also had a sword, whereas Andrew did not, but that had never stopped him before. There was also the problem of the Laird’s men, they had always disliked him, and any chance to put him down would be welcome.

  What’m I thinkin’? Am I goin’ tae fight me way out of here?

  Andrew was at a loss again, and it was Juliana, once again, who spoke first.

  “Andrew, I need to talk with you.” She spoke clearly and determined, before turning to the guard beside her. “I need to speak with the guard in the guardhouse first. He helped me when I arrived, and I may have died if he had not been so quick-witted. I have not yet had a chance to thank him.”

  “I’ll come with ye,” quipped the guard.

  “I need you to stay with Andrew. I do not want him going anywhere.” It was almost an order, and the guard clearly did not like it.

  “I have been told tae stay with ye,” said the guard.

  Juliana turned and looked at the guard, and, for a moment, Andrew imagined her as a Lady of her own castle. “Did I mishear what Lady Drechten told you? Do you not think it wise to watch this man?”

  Andrew opened his mouth to speak, but he was shot a look too, stern yet soft.

  “Aye,” agreed the guard.

  Juliana turned from Andrew and the guard and walked over in the direction of the guardhouse. When he had woken up from his injuries, he had been told what had happened to him, and the visit from Juliana had filled in some of the blanks. When he had been able, he had found the two guards that had helped him, and gave them his warmest thanks. He was sure that Juliana had done so too.

  The Castle guard stood in front of Andrew, and neither of the men was interested in small talk. Andrew opened his mouth at one point but did not speak. The guard kept his eyes firmly on Andrew.

  What’re ye doin’?

  Andrew was not wondering about the guard. Andrew faced in the direction of the guardhouse, while the guard in front of him had his back facing that way. Andrew watched Juliana go over there, and a guard come out. It was one of the guards that had helped them when they had arrived at the Castle. Juliana and the guard spoke for a moment before the guard left his post and hurried off into the Castle.

  When Juliana returned, Andrew knew that something was up, he just did not know what yet.

  “Well?” asked the guard.

  “Just a moment,” replied Juliana. “I will need a moment alone with him.”

  “Nae, I’m not tae leave the two of ye alone,” said the guard.

  “You are not leaving us alone, you will still be watching, we only need some space for this to work. The Lady told you to do as I asked.” Juliana stood with her arms folded, and Andrew could see that the guard was not enjoying this at all, but he had been given orders from Lady Drechten and was following them as best he could.

  The guard only grunted.

  “What are ye daein’?” asked Andrew.

  Juliana did not give an answer; she only looked around. She was looking for something, but Andrew could not tell what.

  If she has a plan, then I have no idea what it is.

  The courtyard was busier than it had been when Andrew had first come out here to walk and then load the horses. Everyone was going about their business, and Andrew could only think about what was going on in his small bubble, a tiny area that contained him, Juliana, and the Castle guard.

  He wanted to speak to her, ask her what her plan was, if there was, in fact, a plan. He looked into her eyes, but they did not meet his, they were still searching for something.

  Then he saw the two of them. Lady Drechten walked out into the courtyard first, followed by her brother. The Laird did not immediately look over toward them, it was too busy for them to be seen.

  “They’re here.” Andrew was worried. Juliana had
seen them too, but she was still looking for someone else.

  “A moment more,” said Juliana. She let the words float in the air as if saying them to everyone around her, or saying them to herself. She looked back at Andrew for a moment and looked deep into his eyes. She was searching for something there too.

  Now, the Lady was looking over toward them. No, she was only looking at Juliana. Juliana had noticed this too, and her look had become more worried.

  She was looking out for the Lady. Is it too late?

  There was some communication between Juliana and Lady Drechten, something that Andrew could not understand. Once more, Juliana searched around the courtyard, looking for something else, but she came up blank, Andrew could see it in her face.

  “It has to be now. We will walk a few paces, but you will not follow. You will watch us, the Lady is here too, you can see her, this is why we are here.” It was an order, again, that she gave to the guard. He was displeased about being treated this way, especially by a lady, and one who was not Lady of the Castle, but he was disciplined and had seen the siblings emerge into the courtyard.

  The reply was once again a grunt, followed by a nod.

  “Tell me what ye ken,” whispered Andrew.

  “I’ll be watchin’ and listenin’,” said the guard, still close enough to hear them.

  “It has to be this way.” It sounded like Juliana was walking to her death.

  They took a few more steps before Juliana reached out and took Andrew’s hand.

  “What are ye doin’?” Andrew’s eyes flashed around the courtyard to see Lady Drechten watching them. Her brother was too preoccupied with something else to notice the two of them. He did not know why she did not come for them, or send her brother.

  It’s a trap!

  Juliana’s head moved from side to side, ever searching for something else. She was moving quicker now, time was running out. She caught the Lady’s eye one more time, and she stopped searching. The invisible communication came again, and Andrew knew that something had changed. Whatever was happening was going to happen now.

  Juliana leaned in. “I hope that this works.”

  Andrew tried to stop himself, but he was unable. Juliana was looking deep into his eyes, a mixture of fear and excitement. He could feel the guard’s eyes on him, too, on the two of them. A last glance and he could see Lady Drechten watching them, a smile playing on her lips. He grabbed onto Juliana, trying to stop her, but she leaned into it, and they embraced as they kissed.

  It was the kiss of death.

  Andrew knew that there was no going back. He was certain now that it was a trap. Juliana had plotted with them for some reason. She had come here to find him and sent the guard from the guardhouse off to bring the Lady and Laird here. She had waited for the two of them to arrive before kissing him.

  I do not care. If this is how it ends, then it is far better than any death I have imagined.

  If Juliana had plotted with them, then she would be safe, and life would be better for her. Andrew leaned into the kiss more. His life was over, and Juliana’s would improve. If a kiss could do that, then he was happy to do it.

  There was not the passion that had come before. This was the kiss that would end everything. Their lips pressed together without exploring or probing. It was not a long kiss, only enough to do what needed to be done. When they came apart, Andrew could see Laird Lochenbrew looking straight at him from across the courtyard, his sister holding his arm and smiling.

  He did not look at them as they rushed over to him, he only looked into Juliana’s eyes, now full of tears. She was still holding his hand in hers.

  “I am sorry,” she whispered.

  Andrew could only smile back at her, he had nothing to say. The last thing that he saw before Laird Lochenbrew’s fist connected with his face was the smile on his sister’s face. It was an evil, malicious, winning smile. The world went black for a moment and, when Andrew regained consciousness, he was lying on his side on the ground.

  His sideways world view did not last for long as someone hoisted him to his feet and punched him again. When he could finally see again, the fist was coming again. This time, Andrew was quick enough to block the punch. He was still unsteady on his feet, but he managed to push the Laird back, and take a step back himself, regaining his balance.

  Laird Lochenbrew looked back at Andrew with hatred in his eyes. He had a smile plastered on his face too.

  Aye, ye’ve been waitin’ for an excuse tae get rid of me. Well, here it is.

  He waited for the next attack to come, but the Laird held back. Andrew did not see the Castle guard come up behind him, but he did feel the arms wrap around his own and pull them behind his back.

  Juliana gasped but still did not say anything.

  “Ye forced yerself on me wife,” said the Laird with some satisfaction.

  “He—” Juliana tried to speak, but Andrew cut her off.

  “I did.” He knew that Juliana was going to try and defend him, and he did not want that. He knew that the Laird did not want it either. Whatever the plan was, it was better that Juliana was not involved from this point out.

  “Ye leave me nae choice,” said the Laird.

  “Dae what ye have tae dae.” Andrew was defiant, even in death.

  Laird Lochenbrew took his sword from its sheath and held it out in front of him. Lady Drechten lost the smile from her face, and a sense of relief washed over it, a change that Andrew did not quite understand. Juliana was harder to read, she was still looking around, whatever she had hoped would emerge, had not. She would not meet Andrew’s gaze. She had been defeated.

  The Laird advanced on Andrew, and the Castle guard held his arms tighter behind his back. There was no escape, not that he wanted to. He knew that he had done wrong by the Laird, and he deserved his punishment. He would accept it and pass into the next life.

  Laird Lochenbrew stood in front of Andrew with a larger grin on his face. “I’m goin’ tae enjoy this.” The sword was placed, point first, on Andrew’s chest, the Laird relishing every moment. The point was pushed into his chest, the pain coming, but a voice came too.

  “What’s happenin’ here?” It was not a whisper, but it was not far off. The voice had a weakness, yet there was a commanding nature that caused everyone to stop what they were doing and turn.

  Arthur, that was the guard’s name.

  Arthur was standing beside Juliana, who had relief plastered all over her face now. She smiled at the man that Arthur had brought with him, the one who had spoken, Laird Drechten.

  “What are ye doin’ out of bed, me love?” asked Lady Drechten. She shot a glance at Juliana, knowing immediately that this was her doing.

  “Och, I’m not long for this world, what difference does it make?” Laird Drechten looked around, trying to make sense of the situation. “Now, will someone please tell me what this is all about?”

  “I’m about tae kill this man.” Laird Lochenbrew had the sword still firmly pressed against Andrew’s chest.

  “Aye, I gathered that.” The fresh air was doing the Laird some good, and a little color was returning to his face. “May I ask why?”

  “I caught him forcin’ himself on me wife,” said Laird Lochenbrew.

  Juliana could hold her tongue no more. “I was the one who kissed Andrew. He did not force himself on anyone.”

  “Now, we are gettin’ somewhere,” said Laird Drechten with a small smile on his face. He breathed in the fresh air and took a moment. “Well, ye brought me all the way down here, let’s hear what ye have tae say.”

  Lady Drechten scowled at Juliana. Andrew wanted to do something, but his hands were pressed into his back, and the sword was still at his chest, the point almost breaking the skin. Now, he was worried that Juliana would be killed too.

  “Your son died seven-and-twenty years ago,” started Juliana.

  “What has this got tae dae with anythin’?” The anger on Lady Drechten’s face was growing. “Are we here for a hist
ory lesson? Kill that man, and let me get my husband back tae bed so that he can rest.”

  Laird Drechten waved his wife off as if he were trying to bat away cobwebs from in front of him.

  Juliana did not wait for permission. She continued, “There has been a secret that had been kept for too long.”

  There was a silence as everyone waited for Juliana to reveal this secret.

  “Andrew is your son and true heir to Drechten Castle.”

  24

  A Birthmark Or A Birthright?