Highlander’s Unexpected Love: A Medieval Scottish Historical Highland Romance Book

by Adams, Alisa

  It took three days to get to Dundee, and when they got there they stayed a week in a small hotel called The Six Bells and looked around for somewhere to live.

  Every night Heather thought that their lovemaking could not get any better, but Bruce showed her many different ways to give and receive pleasure. Each time they stopped for the night she could not wait to take off his clothes and unveil his beautiful sculpted body, then submit to him again. He would always take her to the same heavenly place, and she was gratified to know that she could take him to a heavenly place of his own. Already, she could not imagine what life had been like without him.

  They found a small cottage tucked away behind a church on the outskirts of the city, but with practically nothing but their blankets and bedsheets, it would take a few days before they could move in. Heather was excited. It was their first home and she was eager to get started furnishing it. Second-hand, cheap furniture would suffice at first, but Heather did not mind. Her home was wherever Bruce was.

  "I'll have tae find some work," Bruce said grimly as they sat eating dinner in the dining room of the inn.

  "I told you I have my savings," Heather reminded him, "but I forgot to tell you about my jewelry."

  Bruce frowned. "Whit? Rings an' necklaces an' sich?" he asked.

  She nodded. "It's valuable, and if I need to I can sell it."

  "I willnae be a kept man, Heather," he said firmly, "I have worked a' my life tae support mysel' an' I will do so again."

  "I know you will," she said soothingly, "but we must have enough to last us for a while till you are established. Dundee looks like a good place; do you not think so?"

  "Wherever we are thigether is a good place, Heather." He kissed her softly and laid his hand over hers on the table.

  "You're right," she said, sighing, "and I hope we have children."

  "Aye, I would like that," he smiled.

  "Might need a lot of trying though," she said, laughing.

  Bruce smiled wickedly. "If that is a challenge, Mistress Ferguson, I will gladly accept!"

  Heather poured herself more sherry and put a hand up to caress the rough surface of his cheek. "I have never been happier," she murmured.

  "Wid ye like me tae make ye happier still?" he asked mischievously.

  "Yes please!" she cried, laughing.

  28

  Laird Gordon

  The Laird, having taken Heather's rejection of her suitors with relative equanimity and resignation, had, at last, realized that flying into a rage was not the way to deal with Heather. She would only fly into an equally violent one. So, when he was summoned in the middle of the morning by one of the footmen who had ridden out to find him, he was much less angry than worried.

  He ran upstairs and found his wife and Jessica sitting in the firelit parlor and talking quietly. As soon as he got in Katrine jumped up from her chair and ran to him, embracing him with all her strength.

  "Gordon!" she cried, "thank God you're here!"

  "What has she done this time?" Gordon asked sighing.

  Katrine held out the letter. "She has gone, Gordon," she replied, "eloped, it seems."

  Gordon quickly scanned the letter. "That stupid, stupid girl!" he cried. His tone was not angry but weary and resigned. He poured himself a whiskey which he tossed down in one draught, then sat reading the letter again, looking for some sort of clue.

  "She's married," he said heavily, "to whom? I can't think of any Laird around here that she could have been seeing in secret or even any reasonably wealthy farmer. They are all married or spoken for. She has not left to visit anyone and she was not impressed with my choices of suitors or Kenneth. Who could it be?"

  Just then James came into the room. He had been visiting some farms with his father and was still rather grubby, but he had been summoned and told that it was urgent. In typical James fashion, he had developed a taste for a fashionable drink called coffee, the taste for which was spreading like wildfire all over Scotland, and he had brought a cup with him. Its fragrance followed him into the room and settled around him. He smiled in ecstasy as he took a sip.

  "Why is everyone looking so miserable?" He asked, looking around the group in a puzzled fashion.

  "Your sister has eloped!" his mother snapped at him.

  It was so unusual for her to speak sharply that James was startled. He looked at his father for confirmation, and Gordon nodded slowly, handing him the letter. As soon as he had finished it, a suspicion came into his mind, but he said nothing, just raised his eyebrows and let out a whistle of amazement.

  "Well," he said, "I knew my sister was a bit of a tearaway, but this is well beyond what I expected. What should we do?"

  Gordon was sitting with his arms on his knees, hands dangling down between them and his head bowed. It was a posture of utter defeat and resignation. Now it was Katrine's turn to be angry.

  "This is monstrous!" she cried furiously. "James, let us get started. We must do something as soon as possible." She turned to face James, her brown eyes blazing, and she looked more like Heather in her fury than she ever had before.

  "Your father thinks he knows every landowner in these parts," she began, "but I think there are more that he either does not know or has forgotten in his panic. So, I think we should make a list and visit them all. We will simply ask if they have seen her or make up some other story and let them think what they like. I am past caring about scandals."

  James looked at Jessica, who looked away quickly. She knew something, he could tell, but she would not trust him not to tell his parents. She and Heather had become as close as sisters in the short time since Jessica's arrival, and each was fiercely loyal to the other. Maybe he could charm her or take a vow of silence. He had a feeling that he knew who Heather's husband was, but he had to find out for sure, then he could plan without involving his parents at all. He and his mother plotted a route around the surrounding estates and decided to start straight away.

  "Which ones for you and which for me?" Katrine asked.

  "All of them for you and all of them for me," James said firmly. "Mother, I am a man now and I am not going to let any of my dear ones go traipsing around the countryside on her own."

  "But it will take twice as long!" she protested.

  "So be it," James said decisively, "Father can do the rest when he is feeling better, but you are going nowhere alone, Mother!"

  "No," Gordon said angrily, "I am going to Aberdeen. If I were Heather it would be the first place I would go."

  "But you can't know that, Father," he pointed out, "she may have gone inland to Braemar. That woman is capable of riding all the way to Inverness!"

  "Nevertheless," Gordon's voice was determined. "If I start now I will get there just after nightfall. If not, I will find an inn along the way, even if I have to sleep on the floor."

  Katrine nodded resignedly. "Gordon," she said, kissing him, "I know better than to try to change your mind. Get a message to us if you find her, and don't stay too long."

  They had a quick breakfast and set off. It was eight in the morning and only just becoming light enough to see things. The sun arrived very late and departed equally early in the Highland winter.

  Jessica had to manage the school on her own that morning and to figure out an explanation for Heather's absence. She told them that Heather had had to go to see her grandmother who was very ill and that she might have to stay away for a few days. This seemed quite believable to the children, who saw death every day in various forms and were not overly sentimental about it.

  When she finished school that day she was weary in both body and mind, and very depressed that she would not see Heather for a long time since the bond they had formed had brought them as close as sisters. She knew that she had to do something about the trysting place too, but that would have to wait till the middle of the night. Creeping through the castle at three in the morning was not exactly appealing, but it had to be done.

  If they found the place and searched it they
might find some clues to Bruce's identity, and that was the last thing Heather wanted. Despite she and Bruce being married, Jessica had no doubt that her family would try to come between them.

  James and Katrine had managed to visit five farms that day, but no news of Heather's beau had been forthcoming. Katrine had asked casually if Heather had mentioned anyone she was seeing since she had rejected all the suitors her parents had provided for her. Katrine and James were practically sick with the amount of tea and cakes they ate that day.

  They also had to listen to all the neighborhood tittle-tattle and James was out of his mind with boredom by the time they got home. They could do no more that day, but they were still no further forward. None of their sons were available, most were married or engaged to be married as Gordon had said, and anyway, Heather's reputation had preceded her. No decent man wanted anything to do with her, but somebody did, so it must be the kind of man who would not be seen with decent women. Katrine was terrified.

  29

  A Kiss

  They got back to the castle just after three o'clock. The darkness was beginning to fall again and James was ready for his one and only dram of the day, then after that a bath and a light snack of half a sheep!

  When he went into the parlor to get his whiskey, though, he came upon Jessica, sitting in her chair and fast asleep with a newspaper dangling from her fingers. It looked as though she had been searching for a new job. He looked through the few positions available. They were all for governesses, schoolteachers or companions, and every one of them was in Aberdeen or even further away.

  He sat down and looked at her closely. In repose, she looked very young and, although she had been pretty when she first came to Invergar, now she had blossomed. She had roses in her cheeks and plump, full lips that he longed to kiss. Her long dark brown hair, still confined in its neat coil, was shining in the fading light of sunset, and suddenly he could not bear the thought of her leaving.

  As if sensing that she was being watched, Jessica's eyes flew open and she jumped back in alarm as she leaped straight out of a dream and met James's gaze.

  "Sorry, sorry, Jessica," he apologized, "I didn't mean to wake you." He laughed softly. "You look so pretty when you're asleep. Has it been a long day?"

  Jessica stretched, yawned and nodded, all at once. "Yes," she replied, smiling wearily. "Two classes at once."

  "Very inconsiderate of our Heather," James growled irritably, "always does as she wants—never a thought of the consequences."

  Jessica shrugged and smiled. "She is following her heart," she said simply.

  "Well, I wish she would not leave such a trail of destruction behind her," he grumbled.

  "Did you find out who her lover is?" Jessica asked eagerly.

  James shook his head. "No, not yet." He sighed. "And it seems she has covered her tracks well. No-one knows anything."

  "Why don't you ask the villagers?"

  "I doubt if they will know anything," James replied thoughtfully, "but we will if we have to."

  I think you would be surprised at how much they know, she thought.

  He went to fetch a glass of whiskey and made it slightly larger than usual. When he picked up the sherry bottle Jessica stopped him.

  "Make it whiskey today, please," she asked, closing her eyes. "I feel the need of something stronger."

  James laughed softly. "I did not know you liked whiskey," he observed, giving her a glass.

  "In truth, I cannot bear it," she confessed, "but I take a glass now and again when I'm feeling a little stressed."

  "I tried that," James admitted, "but it causes even more problems. Don't make a habit of it—please."

  The anxious tone of his voice surprised her. "I won't," she sipped it and grimaced.

  James laughed.

  "This was a bad idea!" Jessica spluttered, grimacing.

  He sat down beside her, even though there was a cozy couch just opposite. Their legs were touching and it seemed like the most natural thing in the world for James to put his arm around her shoulders and draw her close. As soon as she saw James move to sit beside her, Jessica knew what was going to happen. She shifted sideways on the couch to put some distance between them.

  "Jessica?"

  "James?"

  "I care for you; did you know that?" His voice was husky and uncertain. "Were you looking for a new position in Aberdeen?" He held up the newspaper.

  Jessica looked guiltily down at her hands. "It seems as though Heather is not coming back." She sighed. "And I cannot cope on my own. We will need to get another teacher. I miss Heather already, and I do not think she will be back for a long, long time, if ever. I would rather leave and find my own way in life. I have done it before and it does not frighten me."

  James nodded slowly. "Until then, can we meet sometimes?" he begged, "just to talk. I won't touch you, I promise. I realize that all my former 'friends' wanted to talk about was themselves and their pleasures. You know things. You think. You can teach me so much. That's why I want to talk, and—"

  'No, James.' she said firmly, "I am flattered by the offer, but you must find someone of your own class who will fit into your life better than I ever will. There is someone out there for you, but it is not me." She brushed past him and left, leaving him deep in thought.

  30

  The Search

  Gordon was exhausted when he got to Aberdeen that evening, where the first inn he saw was The Lucky Horseshoe, but it was late in the day and the inn was already full. It was the same situation he found in every other place. He eventually found an inn called The Red Stag that had one room left. He was almost asleep on his feet, so when the landlord showed him to the worst and shabbiest one in the place, he suspected, he collapsed onto his bed. He slept the night away, only waking up with the dawn, around nine in the morning.

  He washed, shaved and went down for a simple meal of tea and porridge, then asked for the landlord. He was a small, thin, and wary man who looked as though he expected everyone he met to cheat him. He looked at Gordon suspiciously.

  "Whit can I dae for ye, sir?" he asked politely, watching him carefully.

  "You can tell me if you have seen my daughter and her husband here," Gordon replied. "She is very beautiful, slim, and about as tall as this." He indicated with his outstretched hand. "She has auburn hair and very deep brown eyes. I do not know what he husband looks like."

  The landlord thought for a moment then shook his head sorrowfully and said, "Sorry, sir, I know naebody like that."

  Gordon searched five more inns before he arrived at The Lucky Horseshoe in the evening. He had asked everyone he passed in the street. He had asked market vendors and shopkeepers. He had even asked in the church where they were married but neither the minister nor any of the witnesses were there. Absolutely no-one had seen them. Gordon wished he knew what her husband looked like. He decided to ask in one more place before going to bed for the night.

  The Lucky Horseshoe would be the last place he tried, he had decided, since he had done his best and quite clearly Heather did not want to be found.

  "Have you a room for the night?" he asked wearily.

  The landlady smiled at him. She was a dark, attractive woman with a pleasant manner and Gordon immediately felt encouraged.

  "Ye're very lucky, sir," she replied, "for we have had one cancellation. "Very wee room, but."

  "Is there a bed in it?" Gordon asked, mustering up a smile. "I'll take it." He passed his hand over his eyes and sighed. When he looked again she had put a small measure of whiskey in front of him.

  "On the house," she said kindly, "for a weary traveler with a lot on his mind."

  Gordon was surprised at the generous gesture and decided to add the cost on to his bill the next morning. "You're very kind," he sipped his drink and watched as she wiped the bar counter. She seemed to be waiting for him to speak.

  "I'm looking for my daughter," he said at last, "she eloped with a man I do not know, and I am seriously worried about
her."

  "Tell me what she looks like."

  "She is very beautiful," he began, "with long red hair—"

  "And dark broon eyes," the woman finished for him. "It sounds like the lady who wis here last night and left very early."

  Gordon's heart leaped with joy, then fear. "Mistress–er-" He struggled to remember if she had told him her name.

  "Munro," she supplied, "Jean Munro."

  "Mistress Munro," he went on anxiously, "her name is Heather McVey, but she was married yesterday, so it will have changed, but I do not know the man or what his name is. Was she with a man?"

  The woman frowned then closed her eyes, thinking. "Aye," she replied, "if it was the same lady her name is Mistress McNab. I dinnae know whit her first name is. He is a big fella," she raised her hand above her head to indicate Bruce's height, "black hair, very light gray eyes—very handsome.” She laughed. "Aye, I notice these things! I didnae get either first name because only the lady spoke and she ca'ed him 'sweetheart' a' the time. I did notice that she signed the register for the baith o' them, though, usually the man signs. He smiled at her a lot—very lovin' he wis. I pegged them for newlyweds as soon as I saw them."

  "What kind of accent did she have?" he asked, excited now.

  "Like yours, sir," she replied, nodding towards him, "upper-class, like."

  "Was there anything else you noticed about her? About her face when she smiled?"

  "Aye!" Jean laughed. "I noticed her beautiful dimples because I wish they were mine!"

  That's Heather, Gordon thought. "What time did they leave?" he asked. His hands were gripping his glass so tightly that his knuckles showed white.

  "Careful," Jean gently prised them away, "ye'll break the glass an' cut yer hauns. They left aroon six this mornin'."

  "Do you know which way they went?" he asked insistently.