My Dark Highlander

by Badger, Nancy Lee

  Jenny could only watch, as the men held a whispered discussion. When they finished, and Marcus addressed the Scottish brownie, her gut clenched.

  “Aye, ye shall assist us, but be aware…any sign that ye have aided the evil bastard, yer life is forfeit.” Marcus quietly stated.

  Jaden-Tog nodded.

  Voices rose from the direction of the entrance hall, and Lady Fia flew across the stone floor. “Marcus! Pirates! Dragons!”

  “Calm yerself, wife.” Marcus said, rushing to her side.

  Fia inhaled several breaths, and clasped her husband’s hands. “I was walking the cliffs with my maid, when we saw the most amazing, horrible thing. A pirate ship neared our shore, which in itself is cause for alarm, but when a dragon flew above our heads, and attacked it with a ball of flame, my maid fainted dead away!”

  Jenny was on her feet before she realized it, and quickly grabbed Gavin’s forearm. She remembered his plan to seek out pirates, in case the rumor about Niall proved true. The news of a dragon made her heart skip a beat. The magical beast could kill him.

  “Release me! Niall could be…”

  Lady Fia turned to Gavin and Jenny, and he attempted to loosen Jenny’s grip. She assumed he would unsheathe his sword, and race out the door, before he heard all Fia’s news.

  “Please, wait. Hear her out,” she whispered in Gavin’s ear. He relaxed, and wrapped an arm around her waist.

  “There be more. The dragon had a rider. ‘Twas none other than yer sire, Angus Sinclair!”

  Gavin froze.

  “Did the ship sink?” she asked, knowing Gavin could not.

  “Nay, but its sails were put to flame.”

  Jenny did not release Gavin, but he no longer struggled. If Niall was on that ship, and the ship and crew had not perished, then Niall might still be alive.

  Too many ‘ifs’.

  She led a distraught Gavin back to his chair on the dais, and he collapsed into it, pulling her into his lap. Surprised, she looped her arms around his neck, and cuddled. He held her to his chest, while the others settled into their own seats. Wrapped in his muscular arms, she reveled in his heat. Lady Fia had covered her mouth, obviously shocked at Gavin’s improper treatment of a young lady.

  Times they are a’changing, Jenny thought.

  “It’s okay, Fia. He’s asked me to marry him.”

  All eyes settled on them, but no one said a word. Gavin gazed up at her. “I worry for Niall, but ye kept me from rushing headlong toward another cliff.”

  Jenny laughed, then leaned into him, cupped his bristly chin, and kissed him. He smelled like sunshine that had finally risen from the darkest night. He tasted sweet, like fresh apple cider. His lips were warm, and pressing softly against hers. She broke the kiss when a forgotten memory rose. “Makes up for the time I made you fall from a cliff.”

  A smile reached Gavin’s eyes, and the love she witnessed, struck her to her core.

  She smiled back at him.

  “Love, ye never answered me. Will ye lighten my heart every day? Will ye keep the darkness away through bad times? Will ye be my wife?”

  “Aye,” Jenny said, then laughed so hard, she hiccupped. “I mean, yes, whether you end up as laird, or a sheep herder, I’ll marry you.”

  Gavin kissed her, and the room erupted with joyous well wishes.

  “Now,” Jenny said, as she slipped from his lap and addressed her husband-to-be, “Let’s go find your brother.”

  Wait…there’s more!

  Watch for

  My Hunted Highlander

  The next book in the

  Kilted Athletes Through Time

  Series

  REVIEWS

  -My Lady Highlander: Great feeling to go back in time to see what is coming next-- Ellen Schoenberg

  - 10 Timeless Heroes: includes My Honorable Highlander in 10 author boxed set) So many authors to have fun with! I have found so many new authors to explore- Debbi Arnold

  - Unwrapping Chris: a heartwarming tale of lost love, to be found again in circumstances beyond their control.—Barbara Hightower

  - My Reluctant Highlander: Great story, humor, romance, it has it all!—Lala

  - Dragon’s Curse: Wow! This was a historical with a delicious paranormal twist… wild animals, a shipwreck, a witch, and ghosts. I loved it! —Mickey

  - My Banished Highlander: Well written…well thought out plot, and very strong character development…a lot of drama, suspense and romance.—Time Travel Fanatic

  - DRAGON Bites: I love Scottish mythology, and this book swept me away to the Highlands, a Scottish island, and Loch Ness.-Mickey

  - My Honorable Highlander: was a great read and I totally look forward to Iona and Cameron’s story in the next book of the series. —Shelly at Dark Diva’s Reviews

  - Southern Fried Dragon: Nancy Lee Badger is a keen storyteller who draws you in and keeps you reading until you get to the happily-ever-after. —Jan Romes

  - Dragon in the Mist: 2012 Reader’s Choice Award. Winner/1st Place in its category in the Silken Sands Self-Published STARS Contest. —Gulf Coast RWA

  Coming soon: SHIVER, a romantic suspense

  Coming soon: IGNITE, a romantic suspense

  ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

  The Kilted Athletes Through Time series was born of my love for Highland games, Scottish festivals, and kilts. I would like to thank my characters for disturbing my sleep, for scaring me with the plot points, especially those nasty villains, and for bringing along new characters. I also want to thank my editors, R-G, Audrey Beegle, and Kathy Rothenberger. I appreciate people who took the time to read my ARC (Advance Reading copy) and shared their opinions as readers; Denise Snyder, Pamela Means, Liz Underwood, and Margo Flora. Finally, I want to thank kilt-wearing athletes and performers at various Highland Games because every time I visit these festivals, I get goose bumps!

  ABOUT THE AUTHOR

  Nancy Lee Badger loves chocolate-chip shortbread, wool plaids wrapped around the trim waist of a Scottish Highlander, the clang of broadswords, and the sound of bagpipes in the air. After growing up in Huntington, New York, and raising two handsome sons in New Hampshire, Nancy moved to North Carolina where she writes full-time.

  Nancy is a member of Romance Writers of America, Heart of Carolina Romance Writers, Fantasy-Futuristic & Paranormal Romance Writers, Triangle Area Freelancers, and the Celtic Heart Romance Writers. Nancy and her family volunteer each fall at the New Hampshire Highland Games, surrounded by…kilts!

  CONTACT NANCY

  Website:

  http://www.nancyleebadger.com

  Blog:

  http://www.nancyleebadger.blogspot.com

  Facebook:

  http://on.fb.me/KMGS4z

  Twitter:

  https://twitter.com/NLBadger

  Goodreads:

  http://bit.ly/Vd1Usg