by B. J. Scott
“I promise.” Quinn turned to Tristen. “Let’s go,” he said then halted, looking puzzled. “Where is your blade?”
Tristen unsheathed a wooden sword he had strapped to his hip. “Mam and Aunt Cailin willna let us play with real ones unless our da is with us.” He patted Quinn on the back. “Come on. I’ll race you to the lists. Last one there is an old hag.” He bolted down the hall, with Quinn following on his heels.
Sheena elbowed Lazarus in the side, a broad grin tugging at her lips. “You see? I told you they were too young to play with swords.”
Lazarus shrugged, then chuckled. “Perhaps you’re right. I’ll be sure and take him to the lists later this afternoon and let him practice under my supervision. But while he is gone—” He snaked his arm around his her waist and tugged her against his chest. “We can practice beneath the sheets for when we are ready to make another babe.”
Bryce entered the chamber without knocking. “Am I interrupting something?” he asked, grinning.
“Were you never taught to announce yourself before barging in to someone’s chamber?” Lazarus growled, then released his wife.
“It is the middle of the morning, man,” Bryce replied.
“And your point is?” Lazarus asked.
Bryce laughed. “I keep forgetting you’re still newly married, and in future I promise to knock before entering.”
“That would be appreciated,” Lazarus replied. “Now tell me what brings you to our chamber?”
“Ian, Garrett, and I are going hunting and wondered if you might like to come. An eight-point buck was spotted grazing in the woods not far from the castle last night and we are going to see if we can find it.”
“Does it require four men to fell a deer?” Lazarus laughed.
“Nay, but we thought you might like some fresh air. You have been holed up in you chamber for days.” Bryce smiled at Sheena. “I know he is excited about the new babe, and anxiously awaiting its arrival, but according to Fallon’s predictions, it is not supposed to be here for at least a fortnight. And my wife is seldom wrong. A man can only stay cooped up for so long before he goes—”
Sheena held her hand in the air. “Enough said. Lazarus is a grown man and if he wants to go with you, he doesna need my permission.”
“Father, come quickly!” Tristen ran into the chamber, gasping for air.
From the flush of his cheeks and shortness of breath, it was obvious he’d been running. Sheena’s thoughts immediately turned to Quinn. Something was amiss.
“Catch your breath, son, then tell me what has you so riled?” Bryce asked.
Sheena’s chest constricted, her stomach twisting with dread. She grabbed Tristen by the shoulders. “Is it Quinn? Has something happened to him?”
“Aye. A man took him,” Tristen sputtered, then sucked in a deep breath.
Sheena clutched a hand to her throat, suddenly feeling faint. “What man?”
Ian and Garrett strolled into the chamber.
“What is all the palver about?” Ian asked.
“We are just about to find out,” Lazarus interjected, then placed his hand on Tristen’s shoulder. “Tell us what happened. Who took Quinn?”
“We went to the lists as planned,” Tristen explained, “but just before we got there a man stopped us and asked which one of us was Quinn.”
“Have you ever seen this man before?” Lazarus asked.
“Nay. And he dinna look like a very nice person. He had a scruffy beard, was heavily armed, and had several friends waiting for him on heavy horse in the woods just beyond the curtain wall. When Quinn announced who he was, the man snatched him up and called his mam a whore.” Tristen lowered his gaze. “I’m sorry, Aunt Sheena, but that is what he said. He also said to tell you he’d warned you about leaving the village, then threw Quinn over his shoulder and carried him off.”
“Roderick,” Sheena gasped.
“Who?” Ian asked. “Do you know the man who took the lad?”
Her head spinning, Sheena grabbed for the back of a nearby chair, her legs feeling as if they were about to give way.
Lazarus rushed to her side and scooped her off her feet before she collapsed, then carried her to the bed. “Rest here a bit, sweeting.”
She brushed his hand away. “I canna rest. Roderick has taken Quinn. I must get him back.”
Lazarus sat on the bed beside her. “We will, but you must try to relax.”
“How can I relax when that monster has Quinn?” she sobbed, then buried her face with her hands. “I feared someday he might find out about where we were and come for him.”
Lazarus glanced at Garrett. “I will try to explain all this later. Can you see if Arya can come and stay with Sheena? Perhaps you might also ask Fallon to come and make sure the babe is okay too.” He rested his hand on Sheena’s. “Dinna fash, I’ll get Quinn back.”
“How? What are you planning to do?” she asked. “If I know Roderick, he willna surrender the lad without a fight.”
“I’m going after the bugger and bringing Quinn home,” Lazarus replied. “I’ll handle the blackguard personally and he will rue the day he ever set foot on Fraser land.”
Bryce faced Ian. “Let Connor know what has happened and assemble a group of our best warriors. Have them meet us below.”
“Right away. And I’m going with you. I’ll tell Alasdair too, I’m sure he will want to accompany us,” Ian said then offered Sheena a sympathetic glance. “Dinna fash. We will find Quinn and bring him home.” He spun around and dashed out of the room.
A few minutes later, Fallon entered the chamber, followed by Arya. “Garrett told us what happened. Try not to fash, Lazarus and his brothers will find Quinn.”
Sheena peered up at her sister-by-marriage. “Everyone seems so positive, but in my gut, I fear the worst.”
“I know it must be difficult for you to believe right now, but you must have faith. I understand what you’re going through. Our daughter Elise and her cousin Leslie got lost in the woods and nearly perished in a bog pit. And would have if not for Arya. They will find Quinn, I feel it here.” Fallon thumped her closed fist against her chest.
“I hope you’re right,” Sheena sniffled.
After a quick examination, Fallon smiled at Lazarus. “Everything seems fine. If you go now, you should be back before the babe is born. God speed and be careful.”
“Time is wasting and we must be away,” Bryce said. “The longer we take, the harder they will be to track. Do you have any idea where they might be headed?”
“North, into Clan Morgan territory,” Lazarus said.
Sheena nodded. “Roderick is future laird of Clan Morgan, a sept of the Clan MacKay. I would start in the village of Kilbreck, near Loch Meadie. That is where we were born and the place I first encountered Roderick.” Sheena said a quick prayer, then peered up at Lazarus. “Please bring him home and be careful. Roderick is as ruthless as they come.”
Lazarus pulled her into his embrace and kissed her. “I love you, Sheena, and swear I’ll bring Quinn home.” With that, he rose and sprinted out of the room, his brother and cousin trailing behind him.
Find out what happens to Quinn in:
HIGHLAND DELIVERANCE
(Coming Soon)
Also by bestselling author B.J. Scott:
HIGHLAND LEGACY
Faced with an abhorrent betrothal, Cailin Macmillan flees her father's castle and quickly learns that a woman traveling alone in Medieval Scotland is an easy target for ruthless English soldiers. When Highland patriot Connor Fraser comes to her aid, his steadfast dedication to king and country is challenged by his overwhelming desire to protect Cailin—even if he must marry her to do so. Accused of murdering one of her attackers and determined to rely on her own resourcefulness, Cailin dresses as a lad, in
tent on seeking refuge at the camp of Robert the Bruce. Can she elude an enemy from her past-a vindictive English lord bent on her utter demise-or will she fall prey to his carnal intent and be executed for a crime she did not commit?
Available now on Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/Highland-Legacy-B-J-Scott/dp/1619351013/ref
HIGHLAND QUEST
No longer content in the shadows of his older brothers, and on a quest to find his destiny, Bryce Fraser's chosen path is fraught with danger, passion, and decisions. Can his unspoken love for spirited, beguiling Fallon be triumphant in a time of war and uncertainty, or will they both fall prey to the devious plans of a traitorous laird from a rival clan?
Available now on Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/Highland-Quest-ebook/dp/B00AQKYPU0/ref
HIGHLAND HOMECOMING
The last thing Alasdair Fraser expects to find on an isolated beach in Northern Scotland is a beautiful, unconscious lass. Unable to turn his back on someone in need, he delays his journey and tends to her injuries—an act that has him questioning his destiny and his plans to rejoin the fight for Scotland's independence.
Will he drop the shield that guards his heart or will the secrets she fails to reveal, and his own stubbornness, keep them apart forever?
Available now on Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/Highland-Homecoming-Fraser-Brothers-Trilogy-ebook/dp/B00F9U3SBO
HER HIGHLANDER’S PROMISE
About to turn eighteen, and in accordance with her father’s deathbed decree, Laurel MacClay prepares to take her place as lairdess of her beloved Highland clan, but her guardians—her father’s cousin and his vindictive, power-hungry wife— have other plans, ones that include a betrothal to their son and a devious plot that puts Laurel in danger.
Refusing to accept that fate has condemned her to a life of misery, Laurel finds new hope when she reunites with Blair Cameron, a handsome young Highlander who when they were children promised to marry her as soon as they came of age. Can Blair help Laurel unravel a mystery from the past, secrets that could stop the wedding, or will she find herself wed to her arrogant, weak-willed cousin, a spineless man who refuses to defy his mother?
Available now on Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/Her-Highlanders-Promise-B-J-Scott-ebook/dp/B00O2IROIC
BEDDED BY HER HIGHLAND ENEMY
Brianne Dunbar survived the massacre that claimed the life of her husband and son and vows to seek revenge when she learns the king has ordered her to marry the lecherous son of the laird she believes is responsible for the attack. Can she follow through with her plan, or will the secrets she carries change her destiny?
Despite every effort to resist temptation, Gavin MacClurry finds himself captivated by his brother’s betrothed and must find a way to stop the wedding, prove his clan’s innocence, and win Brianne’s heart.
Available now on Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/Bedded-Highland-Enemy-B-J-Scott-ebook/dp/B014V3CO46
HIGHLAND HELLION
(Blades of Honor Book 1)
Arya MacEachan’s beloved father taught her to hunt, ride, to handle a sword, and shoot an arrow straighter than most men, things a proper lady did not usually learn. When he is killed at the Battle of Bannockburn, their holdings taken by Robert the Bruce, the spirited lass is left alone to care for her invalid mother, a task she does not take lightly.
Garrett MacDougall, leader of his displaced clan and their related septs, struggles to provide for his people on barren land where hunting is forbidden, forcing him to steal from the new Lord of Argyll in order to survive. When Arya, the woman he loves and wishes to marry, insists on accompanying the men on a raid, he knows better than to forbid her from joining them, so he reluctantly agrees.
But when a traitor betrays them, and Arya is captured, then sentence to death, Garrett is forced to accept help from his sworn enemy, the Fraser brothers, summoned by Arya’s dying mother to rescue her daughter, the sister they did not know they had until now.
Available now on Amazon: http://tinyurl.com/zcyrrak
