by Mary McCall
"She never could have lifted that thing,” Leonce snapped. “It weighs more than me."
"She did not have to lift it,” Logan Fraser growled. “She took my Clydesdale again!"
"She got the MacKay ewe, MacPherson. You remember what happened the last time."
"The Cameron's prize sow was taken, and we want her back!"
"The women got my prize bull!” The MacGregor bellowed.
"There is more than one?” Ian asked. “Cass had better not be with her. I'll wring her neck if she is."
"There is a half-naked MacKay woman with her,” The MacGregor shouted.
"If you saw them, why did you let them take your bull?” Leonce crossed his arms in front of his chest. Damn mischief!
"Have you ever seen that Viking woman wield a battle axe?"
"I thought I told you two to take care of this afore the festival!” Cardinal Brodie chided.
Julien positioned himself beside Leonce. “Lady MacPherson and my Toril know we value them, Your Eminence."
"Apparently not as well as you thought,” the prelate retorted.
"Did you happen to see my wife with them, MacGregor? Cass is missing along with wee Ian."
"Nay. ‘Twas just the two."
"What are you going to do, Leonce?” Ian demanded. “There will be no laughing it off this time. When I get Cass back, your wife will never be permitted near her again."
"Do not make any rash decisions, Ian. I am sure—"
A whip cracked behind Leonce, and he turned. Bertie sat astride Wildfire, wearing a plaid with a yellow ribbon sewn around the border. His bow and quiver were slung over his shoulder, and he held his lash in his fist.
Leonce frowned. “Where's the stock, Bertie?"
"I'm a cursed heathen MacFury, so I'm not allowed to tell you, Pap...I mean, Chief MacPherson.” Bertie scrunched his face into a mean glare.
Leonce narrowed his eyes. “Then ‘tis unsafe ground you're treading. Are you not afeared of capture and torture?"
"'Course not.” He bobbed his pixy brows. “I'm the messenger, ‘cause of Mam...I mean, my chieftess says it is safest for me to come."
Leonce suppressed a grin. “What message do you bring me?"
"The MacFurys have a list of demands. I'm supposed to tell them in order. If you refuse any of them, then I'm to leave, and the feud keeps going.” Bertie gave his father a single nod.
The warriors behind Leonce gasped.
Ian raised his eyes to heaven. “This is ridiculous."
"Let me hear the demands, Ian. Go ahead, Bertie."
"First, you're not to kill the messenger."
"Agreed."
"Next, The Fraser is not allowed to be mad at Aunt Cassie, ‘cause of she was raided away and did not want to play."
A scarlet hue pervaded Ian's face. “They stole my wife!"
"Aunt Toril and Mam kept poking their fingers and needed her to sew the yellow ribbons on our plaids. They also had her take care of the bairns while we was raiding.” Bertie grinned, leaned forward, and whispered, “I done bloody good too, Papa. Got a goat, a pig and two chickens."
"You need to beat her, Leonce,” Ian scoffed.
Leonce's lips quirked. “Agree to it, Ian, so we can get to the next demand."
"Oh, all right, ‘tis agreed,” Ian said hotly.
"Next, The Fraser cannot keep Aunt Cassie from seeing Mam."
"She goes too far."
"Nay, Ian. ‘Tis but a prank. Agree.” Leonce kept his tone firm and his gaze on Bertie.
"God's bones! Just get on to the next demand.” Ian waved a hand haphazardly.
Bertie's gaze wandered from Ian to his father. “Does he agree, Papa?"
"Aye, damn it! I agree. What else do they want?"
"We must go to the meadow. Papa and Uncle Julien have to pick targets and put arrows in the center from competition distance."
"Let's go.” Leonce walked down the mountain with Julien. Bertie rode behind the pair, and the entire mob followed.
"You know what will happen if we do this.” Julien raked a hand through his golden mane in resignation.
"At least ‘tis only us they mean to humiliate, and not all the other warriors,” Leonce replied with unexpected cheer.
The procession made its way down the trail. Bystanders joined in upon learning the reason for the unusual spectacle. Arriving at the target area in the meadow, Leonce and Julien each procured a bow and single arrow. They walked to the competition mark, raised their weapons, and released their bowstrings. Both arrows lodged dead center in the selected targets. Spectators on the sidelines cheered.
Bertie rode out to them. “Now you are supposed to go stand with the crowd and not interfere."
Leonce and Julien sighed and followed Bertie off the field.
A few moments passed, allowing anticipation to build. Then the two women rode from the forest, side by side. Both posed erect on the bare backs of their mounts and wore plaids in a man's fashion, though laced at the sides and tied at the waist with yellow ribbons. Toril sat astride a bronze mare with a flowing white mane and tail, and Hope perched regally atop her beauty.
"'Tis our Lady MacPherson riding the beast with no bridle!” Darach called.
"But would you look at the legs on the Viking woman!” another voice yelled.
Julien turned a hard gaze upon the crowd. “Every man here had better remember those legs belong to a MacKay."
The women reached a distance twice that used in competition. They halted, stood barefoot upon their mounts, took aim, and loosed their arrows.
Toril watched her arrow slide alongside Julien's, sharing the center point. Hope didn't look. Resuming her seat, she nudged Diable and rode into the forest.
Everyone else took notice. Her arrow split Leonce's down the middle and won the contest. Tense silence descended as the crowd awaited his reaction.
Leonce threw back his head, roared with laughter, and raised an amused brow. “Did you all honestly think I did not know she would win? The woman hit a boar's eye on our wedding day, with an injured back and one leg in a trap."
"Do not worry, Julien,” Toril called as she approached. “I'll beat the MacPherson woman next year so the MacKays can win."
A festive spirit infused the crowd. A call went out to break open kegs of whisky in honor of Lady MacPherson.
Leonce smiled at his son. “Is the feud over, Bertie?"
"There is one more thing you have to do."
A green ribbon fell on Leonce. He looked up. Harry cawed as Diable ran toward him. “What is left?"
Bertie turned bright red and moved his mount closer so he could whisper in his father's ear. “Mam says there is only one way you can end this. The Roarin’ MacPherson has to keep The MacFury's feet off the ground."
Diable didn't have to break his stride. The lion vaulted upon the back of the stallion and sought out the hot scent of his mate. He had every intention of winning this game, and he planned on spending the whole damn night keeping a precious pair of feet off the ground.
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About the Author:
Mary writes humorous and adventurous historical romances with spicy love scenes set mainly in the medieval Highlands and England. She is a member of Romance Writers of America and served as the first PRO Coordinator for RWA; founding president and current online campus chairperson of Hearts Through History Romance Writers; member of Celtic Hearts Romance Writers; member of The Golden Network; past conference chair and vice president of River City Romance Writer. She has won or placed in over 43 historical romance contests and is a past Golden Hearts finalist. Most recently, she received the 2010 Hearts through History Romance Writers Legenda Aurea Award.
A member of Sisters in Crime and the Malice in Memphis chapter of SinC. , she loves history, has a particular fondness for the Greek through Medieval periods, and is glad research for her books has finally utilized her ability to speak Ecclesiastical Latin. Mary resides in Memphis, Te
nnessee with her Maltese dog: Regina Benita Catarina.
Visit her blog marymccall.wordpress.com or e-mail her at [email protected]
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Also from Eternal Press:
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The Pendant
by Mirella Patzer
Historical Romance
92,000 word novel
ISBN: 9781770650466 ebook
ISBN: 9781770650510 print
A medieval tale of murder, desperation, and true love. A lost ancient treasure. A 100 year family feud. And a woman with a passion richer than the bloodstone pendant she wears around her neck. In medieval Italy, as spirited and stalwart as any man, the brazen Contessa Morena is betrothed to the impoverished, black-hearted Count Ernesto, a man desperate to escape his mounting gambling debts by marrying her and laying claim to the ancient treasure secreted somewhere in the underbelly of her castle.
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Also from Eternal Press:
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Her McRaidy Chieftain
by Em Epe
Historical Romance
9,949 word short story
ISBN: 9781770650565 ebook
ISBN: 9781770650565 print
Can tragedy bring on eternity?
Beautiful Christiana, lost and alone in a strange country, runs into a thunderous group of warriors led by Liam McRaidy, Laird of the McRaidy clan. Terrified, she attempts to escape their wrath—only to plunge down a steep ravine.
Waking to agonizing pain, Christiana finds herself helpless and forced to depend on Liam for even the smallest need. As he nurtures her back to health, their passion explodes.
While Christiana and Liam are proud of the love they share, others are not as accepting. Infuriated by her disobedience, Christiana's abusive and greedy father lashes out in revenge. Unwilling to continue the war with England and allow the brutality bestowed on Christiana to carry on, Liam prepares for the final battle. Fearing for the lives of her clansmen, Christiana seeks a solution of her own to end the suffering.
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Visit www.eternalpress.ca for information on additional titles by this and other authors.
