Fearless Heart (Legend of the King's Guard Book 3)
Page 1
Table of Contents
Prologue
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Seventeen
Chapter Eighteen
Chapter Nineteen
Chapter Twenty
Chapter Twenty-One
Chapter Twenty-Two
Chapter Twenty-Three
FEARLESS HEART
Legend of the King’s Guard
Book Three
KARA GRIFFIN
FEARLESS HEART
All Rights Reserved.
Copyright © 2017 Kara Griffin
Cover Photo © 2017 All rights reserved – to be used with permission.
Cover design by Sheri L. McGathy - http://coverdesign.sherimcgathy.com/
This book may not be reproduced, transmitted, or stored in whole or in part by any means, including graphic, electronic, or mechanical without the express written consent of the publisher except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental or used in historical view or context.
This book contains adult material, reader discretion advised.
AISN: B075QYB8QF
ISBN-13: 978-1976550232
Table of Contents
Prologue
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Seventeen
Chapter Eighteen
Chapter Nineteen
Chapter Twenty
Chapter Twenty-One
Chapter Twenty-Two
Epilog
DEDICATION
To SLWK you’ve always been fearless.
May you always be brave and love with your whole heart.
Gie me love in her I court,
Love to love makes a' the sport.
Love For Love, William Congreve
OTHER HISTORICAL TITLES
BY KARA GRIFFIN
~LEGEND OF THE KING’S GUARD SERIES~
CONQUERED HEART – Book One
UNBREAKABLE HEART – Book Two
FEARLESS HEART – Book Three
Coming in 2018
UNDENIABLE HEART – Book Four
PENDRAGON’S PRINCESS
Coming 2018
*New series*
THE MARVELOUS MCLEERS
Coming 2018
~GUNN GUARDSMAN SERIES~
ONE & ONLY – Book One
ON A HIGHLAND HILL – Book Two
A HIGHLANDER IN PERIL – Book Three
IN LOVE WITH A WARRIOR – Book Four
~THE PITH TRILOGY~
WARRIOR’S PLEDGE – Book One
CLAIMED BY A CHARMER – Book Two
LASS’ VALOR – Book Three
PRAISE FOR KARA GRIFFIN
THE LEGEND OF THE KING’S GUARD SERIES
CONQUERED HEART “WOW! What a great start to a series, this book is fast paced action, but then what did I expect, Kara Griffin writes strong minded and compassionate characters and embroiled them into adventure and romance.” Amazon reviewer – 5 Stars
CONQUERED HEART “Mesmerizing and adventurous reading! Fans of Scottish Romance, Medieval Romance, Highlanders, Scotland's War of Independence, feisty heroines, and fearless Highlanders, are sure to be thrilled…” April Renn – 4 Stars
UNBREAKABLE HEART “A sensational story of love and forgiveness. A roller coaster of emotions, a swoon worthy hero, and a heroine who gives our hero a run for his money. The author did an awesome job in transferring the anger and devastation Makenna was feeling as well as the love that eventually conquered their hearts!” Maira/Books & Benches – 5 Stars
UNBREAKABLE HEART “Be prepared for a fast paced, danger filled adventure that will keep your fingers turning the pages till the very end.” Fanni Ann, reviewer – 5 Stars
THE GUNN GUARDSMAN SERIES
ONE AND ONLY “I just finished this book ten minutes ago and I’m still smiling. Wonderful. Absolutely wonderful. ... This story has so many truly fantastic scenes. Oh, the days of men of honor, governed by loyalty, duty, and chivalry. And to top it off, they are all strapping warriors wrapped in the Gunn plaid. Need I say more? This author writes truly wonderful historical romances.” Past Romance, Amazon (reader) – 5 Stars
ON A HIGHLAND HILL “WOW! Holy Highlander! Those Highland Hills will capture your heart and soul not to mention the men. Fast paced and passion filled.” My Book Addiction and More (blogger) – 5 stars
ON A HIGHLAND HILL “This is another all-nighter from Kara Griffin. Those hot Gunn Guardsman keep me coming back for more. Anxiously awaiting the next Gunn heart stealer” Pam, Amazon – 5 Stars
A HIGHLANDER IN PERIL “This book has intrigue, mystery, murder and incredibly romantic scenes that you will have a problem putting it down until the very end and then you will wish it had another chapter so you could keep reading the story. I did not put it down until the last word was read. I recommend this book to any who enjoy historical romance with intense intrigue and suspense.” Jusnana, Amazon – 5 Stars
IN LOVE WITH A WARRIOR “Oh what a great romance lover’s dream book. In Love with a Warrior was such an enjoyable historical romance, I read it all in one night. Talk about realism, romance, passion, a heat of battle, and remarkably accurate history. This fast paced and adventurous plot moved quickly and kept me interested all the way through.” Renay Arthur - 5 stars
IN LOVE WITH A WARRIOR “Tremendously captivating! This was an exceptional novel. Readers can read this as a standalone. This is book 4 of this author's Gunn Guardsmen. I know readers will look forward to more from this author.” Maria McIntyre - 5 stars
FEARLESS HEART
Series Blurb:
In the year 1306, the king’s guard is exiled for a crime they witnessed. In direct defiance the guardsmen return to their beloved Scotland and hide amongst their enemies. All are destined for the hangman’s noose or the executioner’s ax if found. They survive as soldiers of fortune. If you’re fortunate enough to run across them in the bonnie hills and are in a predicament, they just might give aid.
Four men banded together by ill-fated circumstances help those who need it the most and secretly aid their king. As they give themselves wholeheartedly to their daunting tasks, they each find a love that will prevail them.
Our story continues in FEARLESS HEART …
Heath Fraser is sent in service to the passionate imminent king, Robert the Bruce. His past transgression against his clan cannot be undone, but he aims to prove his fealty. Not only does he hope his clan forgives his lack of valor, but he doesn’t take death lightly. In order to k
eep account of those he’s killed, he keeps a tally ensuring his entrance into Heaven when his days end.
Lillia Hunter has been infatuated with Heath since she was wee. When he was sent away, she despaired she’d never see him again. Now she’s in dire trouble because her father arranged a betrothal to a man who lives afar from her home. That wouldn’t bother Lillia except the reasoning behind it. She’s to be used as a pawn to unseat the king.
Old feelings return when Lillia runs into Heath. She cannot help but be ensnared by his handsomeness or chivalry. Only Heath and the legendary King’s Guard can keep her from the hands of her enemy. She must maintain a FEARLESS HEART, one that will hopefully lead to a love she always dreamed of.
Prologue
Neidpath Castle
Fortification of Clan Fraser
July, 1303
He would not give his life. Judgment would be passed, but Heath Fraser wouldn’t balk at his punishment for he’d committed a transgression so great his father would probably never forgive him. His father, Simon, the laird of their clan, swore fealty to King Edward. For his oath he had promised to give aid to the ruthless English king in his pursuits in Aquitaine.
Heath was not of like mind and did everything he could to sway his father from journeying to a war that bore little to their existence. Yet they went to retake the lands the English king lost. During the fray, Heath was captured along with his comrades and subjected to torture. After his escape, he tried to seek a way to aid his seized clansmen, but his recapture most definite and all he could do was flee with his life.
His cowardice was now called into question, and he reasoned what he’d done wasn’t due to fearfulness. He would’ve gone into the stronghold with his sword raised high if there was any possibility of saving his brethren. Standing before his father and the clan elders, Heath explained his situation, but it didn’t seem to be accepted.
“You say you tried to rescue your clansmen and your own brother. If ye did where are they? I see them not.”
He took a breath before reiterating his position, “I searched for someone to help me, but the Flemish well patrolled the area and there were too many to thwart. I was unable to get close to the fortification to rescue them. I didn’t want to leave them behind. Think you I wanted to leave without Roderick, my brother? I escaped with my life.” Heath despaired leaving his brother to his fate. The thought of his elder brother being imprisoned in the French dungeons sickened him. God only knew what perils his brother experienced.
His father raised both bushy eyebrows, aghast at his words. “Your life? You’re standing before us whole and sound. You should have fought to the death to save our clansmen. Do ye realize what you did, lad?”
He nodded, but wouldn’t speak the treasonous words.
“Did ye even kill one man during the battle?”
Unfortunately he had, and Heath disheartened at that because he detested killing a man for purposes which affected none. “I did what I had to do.”
“Aye? And so do I, and so does your clan. You cannot go unpunished for leaving your comrades to their imprisonment, Heath, and I’m sorry to say—”
His Uncle Andrew approached and his face bore an unending scowl. The similarities between a boar and his uncle were uncanny for his face wrinkled akin to a boar’s snout. “Mayhap he planned to have his own brother captured. Aye, so he might rule the clan after you’re gone, Simon. Ye should banish him. Aye, send the coward away. We shouldn’t have to look upon the treasonous swine.” He spat upon the ground, adding insolence to his view.
Heath lowered his head. He never expected such a harsh punishment. If that’s what they wanted, then he would have no choice but to abscond and never to set foot upon his ancestral land again. Being the second son should’ve put him in a position to follow his heart. His position was strictly a religious pursuit. Now that his elder brother was lost to them, he wasn’t certain what his role would be. He didn’t want to become laird, never aspired to such rule. The likelihood he’d be sent away disheartened him further.
When his father remained quiet, Heath discerned the rushed murmurs of his clansmen taking sides. If half the clan sided with him, his penalty might not be so detrimental. All was not lost. He waited for the sentence and would abide by whatever punishment they decided upon if even he disagreed. Heath wasn’t a coward and if there was a way to prove it, let it be with his acceptance of the chastisement.
His father held up his hand and quieted the clan. “Heath, you are my son. I shan’t banish ye, but must make ye understand that you cannot leave our men behind in battle especially when you are only intent on saving your own arse. I bid your brother to take charge of our soldiers during the jaunt. Even so, you were expected to set an example and lead with him, not cower and flee. I will send ye off to do service with the Bruce. Aye, for Robert is looking for men to attend him whilst he vies for recognition of the sovereignty. With him, you shall learn what it means to protect and defend. I bid ye to discover what loyalty means, lad.”
Heath bowed his head in acceptance. “I will attend mass before I leave.”
His father shook his head. “If ye wish to attend mass, you will do so on your journey, for you won’t spend another minute on this land. I will call ye home when your service is over, but I doubt that will be for many a year. Och you’re young and will grow to be a strong willful Fraser. I shall keep communication with the Bruce and when he gives ye leave, we will accept your return.”
His uncle stood beside his father, arms set across his chest, asserting his view. “Be it for five years at least, Simon. I deem that’ll be a good amount of time for the lad to learn his way.”
Heath tensed. Much could happen in such a vast amount of time, and what with the scuffles with the English by the borders and Scotland’s turmoil now with the English king, there was little he could do to aid his clan. With the unending riffs with their enemy the MacKintoshs, their clan had many conflicts to face.
He lowered his head and walked away, for there was nothing left to say. Heath strolled to the great keep and collected his belongings. Absolution for his sins during the battles would not be granted this day, but he hoped to gain such during his travel to the Bruce.
There was a way for him to account for his sins. Killing a man went against everything he believed in, and yet he’d had no choice. War did that to a man, forced him to go against his beliefs and enact heinous debaucheries. As he walked along to the garrison, he thought about how many men’s lives he’d taken. Since he’d taken to arms he had killed but a score of men, the rest he’d inflicted with non-life-threatening injuries.
He reached his bunk and grabbed the sack he kept his belongings in. With haste, he tossed in his garments and smaller weapons. He noticed a rolled ball of wool that unraveled from his tartan and used his dagger to make twenty strings from it. Before leaving the garrison and collecting his steed, he tied the strings to his boot. There they’d stay, to remind him of his desired restitution.
He wouldn’t remove a string unless he saved someone from certain death. If it was the last thing he’d do, Heath would keep track of these transgressions and make them right before he met his own end. In service to the Bruce, his end would probably come sooner than anticipated.
Chapter One
Sweetheart Abbey
Dumfries, Scotland
Late August, 1309
His heart’s desire was within reach. Heath Fraser wanted to put behind him all the turmoil of the last few years: war, treason, family disseverment, deception, and most of all, the dishonor of his faith. Soon he would be able to win the king’s forgiveness and move forward with his plan.
He dismounted his steed and handed the reins to an abbey stable lad. Sweetheart Abbey was of great solace to him. It comforted him to be there, but there had to be a woeful reason the friar sent for them.
Graeme Cameron, the leader of their guard, finished tending his horse, and turned to face him. “What make you of this, Heath? Friar Hemm didn’t indicat
e what was of import.”
He shrugged his shoulder in answer and awaited his comrades, Brodin and Liam. The four of them banded together and were more akin to brothers than comrades-in-arms. When all were ready, they headed for the main building of the grey-stoned sanctuary.
As usual, Friar Hemm greeted them before they could knock on the massive wooden door. How he knew they arrived impressed him. “Ah, ye came. I’m relieved for I have a grave matter to speak of.”
Graeme grinned. “All your matters are grave, Friar, but of course we came as soon as we received your message.”
Heath led the way to the friar’s offices. He noticed right off the clergyman added chairs to his small domain. There was a chair for each of them. Usually they stood around his desk, sending glares or mirthful gazes at whatever news the friar delivered. This day it appeared the news was foreboding for Hemm averted his eyes. He didn’t wear a smile or even a wee grin.
When all sat, Heath leaned forward. “Friar, we’re on our way to Ayr to find Gilroy. We shouldn’t dally. If you’ll speak your news—”
“Our young squire went missing again,” Brodin said with a touch of ire to his voice. “We need to find him before the king does. And when we do, I’m going to thrash the wee buggar until his arse is as crimson as the Bruce’s tartan.”
“Are you saying the lad’s gone to the king’s autumn festival?” Friar Hemm’s brows rose, his voice pitched.