The Highlander’s Hellion

by Eliza Knight

  “Da…” Greer groaned, but the rest of the crowd laughed.

  Roderick squeezed her hand, gazing down at her, struck with the realization of how much she had changed his life—for the better. He loved her with every beat of his heart, with every breath he took. And he would spend the rest of his days trying to make her happy, protecting her from the world, and even from herself. But most of all, he would spend his days thanking her for showing him the joy in life again.

  Greer could feel Roderick’s gaze on her, and when she glanced up at him, there was something so much deeper in his eyes and his smile than she’d ever seen before. Love shone through, and with it was admiration and respect. I love ye, she mouthed, and he winked in answer.

  “The two of ye have a history with the firth and with sailing,” her father said. “It seems only fitting for ye to sail home to Gleann Mórinnse in a ship of your own.”

  Greer started to shake her head, but then she stopped herself. Roderick put his arm around her shoulder, lending her strength from his presence, his touch.

  “Da.” She pressed her fingers to her lips. “This means so much to me. More than ye could ever know. ’Tis more than a ship, but a blessing. An acknowledgment and support of my dreams, but also a push for me to conquer my fears.” She flicked her gaze up to Roderick. “And I canna think of anyone else I’d want to share those dreams with.”

  Greer bit her lip, wishing she could reach up on tiptoe to kiss her husband.

  Roderick shook her father’s arm, pressed a kiss to Arbella’s hand, and then Greer hugged both of her parents. “My sincerest gratitude for everything. ’Tis a beautiful ship, and we shall love her well.”

  “We will sail,” Greer said, though her voice wavered.

  “Aye, together.” Roderick glanced down at her.

  Greer nodded slowly as she gazed at the vessel. It truly was a work of art, and she could imagine it sailing through the water, cutting through the white-crested waves. She looked built not only for speed, but for defense as well. The Hellion was painted in large letters along the hull near the stern. A flag at the top of the mast waved proudly—a woman with her hands on her hips. Greer laughed at that. The Hellion indeed.

  “If ye’re not ready,” Roderick whispered, but Greer shook her head.

  It was time to face her fears in real time. Out of the two things she wanted most in life, she already had one of them right by her side.

  “I’m ready.”

  Greer met her mother’s gaze, sad to be leaving her behind after only just returning home.

  “We’re just across the firth,” her mother said as if reading her thoughts “Only a few hours. We can visit often.”

  That was a comfort.

  “Why dinna we all go now. Take The Hellion together?” Roderick offered. “Make her maiden voyage one to remember.”

  “Oh, aye.” Greer glanced up at the sky. Never again would she simply sail on a whim. Thankfully, there was not a cloud in sight.

  Two hours later, the ship full of provisions and Greer’s belongings, she stood on the pier, staring hard at the gangway. Roderick held her hand, and it was only because of his hold on her that she wasn’t running the other way.

  “This is not the skiff, love,” he murmured. “And ye’ve got us all here with ye.”

  As if to tell her she had nothing to be afraid of, Jewel was at the top of the gangway, already on the ship, letting out a loud bark.

  “I know. It is more than just the ship.” She met his gaze, melting. “It is leaving everything behind to start anew. I dinna want to displease ye.”

  “Have ye no’ learned, mo ghràidh? There is nothing ye could do that would displease me.”

  She raised a skeptical brow at that.

  “All right, if ye were to throw another spear at me, aye, I would not be pleased.”

  She giggled.

  “Ye’re an incredible woman. I love ye. I have nae doubt ye’ll make them a brilliant mistress. And me a wonderful wife. I canna imagine my life without ye in it. Ye’ve taught me the meaning of conquering fear. Of taking chances.”

  “I have?”

  “Aye, love.”

  A slow grin crept across her face. “Ye’ve taught me much the same.”

  With purpose, she grabbed his hand and started to march up the gangway. Her fears worked to wrap her up, to make her think of all the terrible things that could happen, but she pushed through them. There was only one way for her to get over the not-so-irrational fear—and that was to take charge on her own terms.

  As they set sail across the firth, Greer took the helm, steering them out through the water. Her heart pounded, and sweat beaded on her spine, but Roderick never left her side. A short time later, she called for her da to take the helm, and she grabbed hold of Roderick’s hand.

  “Come to the bow with me.” She led him to the back of the ship, and they peered out behind them. Dunrobin grew smaller and smaller, and with that vision, the fear of leaving lessened, and an excitement about the future took hold.

  When she’d climbed onto that currach a few weeks ago, never had she thought she’d be leaving to the far shores a wedded woman, and especially not to Roderick “the Grim” MacCulloch.

  “Thank ye,” she said.

  “For what?”

  “For taking a chance on me. Well, more than one chance.” She wrapped her arms around his middle and stared up at him, grinning.

  “Och, lass, I’d take a thousand.” He dipped down to brush his lips over hers in a gentle, loving kiss. “Thank ye for showing me that life is about taking risks to find happiness.”

  “A task I plan to show ye every day for the rest of our lives.”

  “I look forward to it with pleasure.”

  And then, despite the witnesses, he swept her up for a deep kiss that promised just that.

  If you enjoyed THE HIGHLANDER’S HELLION, please spread the word by leaving a review on the site where you purchased your copy, or a reader site such as Goodreads or Shelfari! I love to hear from readers too, so drop me a line at authorelizaknight@gmail.com OR visit me on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/elizaknightauthor. I’m also on Twitter: @ElizaKnight. If you’d like to receive my occasional newsletter, please sign up at www.elizaknight.com. Many thanks!

  More Sutherlands!

  Are you ready for more Sutherlands? Coming Spring 2019!

  The Highlander’s Secret Vow

  When Liam Sutherland was a lad of fifteen summers, he saved a Sassenach lassie’s life, and secretly vowed to always keep her safe. As the prized warrior for his clan, and youngest son of the laird, his responsibilities at the castle continue to mount, and just when he’s about to forge a name for himself, he receives a mysterious missive that has the power to make him leave everything behind.

  Cora Segrave, daughter of an English baron, owes her life to the Scot who saved her years ago during a border raid. When her family home is destroyed, and they are taken prisoner, there is only one man she knows can save her—the one man she’s never been able to forget.

  Answering Cora’s plea for aid will jeopardize Liam’s reputation, and maybe even cause a rift with his family, but a vow is a vow, and he cannot turn his back on her—or his heart. The only choice he has is to save her before it’s too late, and pray his family and king will understand. In saving her, just maybe he’ll be able to save himself.

  * * *

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  Excerpt from The Highlander’s Temptation

  Prologue

  Spring, 1282

  Highlands, Scotland

  They galloped through the eerie moonlit night. Warriors cloaked by darkness. Blending in with the forest, only the occasional glint of the moon off their weapons made their presence seem out of place.

  ’Twas chilly for spring, and yet, they rode hard enough the horses were lathered with sweat and foaming at the mouth. But the Montgomery clan wasn’t going to be pushed out of yet anoth
er meeting of the clans, not when their future depended on it. This meeting would put their clan on the map, make them an asset to their king and country. As it was, years before King Alexander III had lost one son and his wife. He’d not remarried and the fate of the country now relied on one son who didn’t feel the need to marry. The prince toyed with his life as though he had a death wish, fighting, drinking, and carrying on without a care in the world. The king’s only other chance at a succession was his daughter who’d married but had not yet shown any signs of a bairn filling her womb. If something were to happen to the king, the country would erupt into chaos. Every precaution needed to be taken.

  Young Jamie sat tall and proud upon his horse. Even prouder was he, that his da, the fearsome Montgomery laird, had allowed him to accompany the group of a half dozen seasoned warriors—the men who sat on his own clan council—to the meeting. The fact that his father had involved him in matters of state truly made his chest puff five times its size.

  After being fostered out the last seven years, Jamie had just returned to his father’s home. At age fourteen, he was ready to take on the duties of eldest son, for one day he would be laird. This was the perfect opportunity to show his da all he’d learned. To prove he was worthy.

  Laird Montgomery held up his hand and all the riders stopped short. Puffs of steam blew out in miniature clouds from the horses’ noses. Jamie’s heart slammed against his chest and he looked from side to side to make sure no one could hear it. He was a man after all, and men shouldn’t be scared of the dark. No matter how frightening the sounds were.

  Carried on the wind were the deep tones of men shouting and the shrill of a woman’s screams. Prickles rose on Jamie’s arms and legs. They must have happened upon a robbery or an ambush. When he’d set out to attend his father, he’d not counted on a fight. Nay, Jamie merely thought to stand beside his father and demand a place within the Bruce’s High Council.

  Swallowing hard, he glanced at his father, trying to assess his thoughts, but as usual, the man sat stoic, not a hint of emotion on his face.

  The laird glanced at his second in command and jutted his chin in silent communication. The second returned the nod. Jamie’s father made a circling motion with his fingers, and several of the men fanned out.

  Jamie observed the exchange, his throat near to bursting with questions. What was happening?

  Finally, his father motioned Jamie forward. Keeping his emotions at bay, Jamie urged his mount closer. His father bent toward him, indicating for Jamie to do the same, then spoke in a hushed tone.

  “We’re nearly to Sutherland lands. Just on the outskirts, son. ’Tis an attack, I’m certain. We mean to help.”

  Jamie swallowed past the lump in his throat and nodded. The meeting was to take place at Dunrobin Castle. Why that particular castle was chosen, Jamie had not been privy to. Though he speculated ’twas because of how far north it was. Well away from Stirling where the king resided.

  “Are ye up to it?” his father asked.

  Tightening his grip on the reins, Jamie nodded. Fear cascaded along his spine, but he’d never show any weakness in front of his father, especially now that he’d been invited on this very important journey.

  “Good. ’Twill give ye a chance to show me what ye’ve learned.”

  Again, Jamie nodded, though he disagreed. Saving people wasn’t a chance to show off what he’d learned. He could never look at protecting another as an opportunity to prove his skill, only as a chance to make a difference. But he kept that to himself. His da would never understand. If making a difference proved something to his father, then so be it.

  An owl screeched from somewhere in the distance as it caught onto its prey, almost in unison with the blood curdling scream of a woman.

  His father made a few more hand motions and the rest of their party followed him as they crept forward at a quickened pace on their mounts, avoiding making any noise.

  The road ended on a clearing, and some thirty horse-lengths away a band of outlaws circled a trio—a lady, one warrior, and a lad close to his own age.

  The outlaws caught sight of their approach, shouting and pointing. His father’s men couldn’t seem to move quickly enough and Jamie watched in horror as the man, woman and child were hacked down. All three of them on the ground, the outlaws turned on the Montgomery warriors and rushed forward as though they’d not a care in the world.

  Jamie shook. He’d never been so scared in his life. His throat had long since closed up and yet his stomach was threatening to purge everything he’d consumed that day. Even though he felt like vomiting, a sense of urgency, and power flooded his veins. Battle-rush, he’d heard it called by the seasoned warriors. And it was surging through his body, making him tingle all over.

  The laird and his men raised their swords in the air, roaring out their battle cries. Jamie raised his sword to do the same, but a flash of gold behind a large lichen-covered boulder caught his attention. He eased his knees on his mount’s middle.

  What was that?

  Another flash of gold — was that blonde hair? He’d never seen hair like that before.

  Jamie turned to his father, intent to point it out, but his sire was several horse-lengths ahead and ready to engage the outlaws, leaving it up to Jamie to investigate.

  After all, if there was another threat lying in wait, was it not up to someone in the group to seek them out? The rest of the warriors were intent on the outlaws which left Jamie to discover the identity of the thief.

  He veered his horse to the right, galloping toward the boulder. A wee lass darted out, lifting her skirts and running full force in the opposite direction. Jamie loosened his knees on his horse and slowed. That was not what he’d expected. At all. Jamie anticipated a warrior, not a tiny little girl whose legs were no match for his mount. As he neared, despite his slowed pace, he feared he’d trample the little imp.

  He leapt from his horse and chased after her on foot. The lass kept turning around, seeing him chasing her. The look of horror on her face nearly broke his heart. Och, he was no one to fear. But how would she know that? She probably thought he was after her like the outlaws had been after the man, woman and lad.

  “’Tis all right!” he called. “I will nay harm ye!”

  But she kept on running, and then was suddenly flying through the air, landing flat on her face.

  Jamie ran toward her, dropping to his knees as he reached her side and she pushed herself up.

  Her back shook with cries he was sure she tried hard to keep silent. He gathered her up onto his knees and she pressed her face to his leine shirt, wiping away tears, dirt and snot as she sobbed.

  “Momma,” she said. “Da!”

  “Hush, now,” Jamie crooned, unsure of what else he could say. She must have just watched her parents and brother get cut to the ground. Och, what an awful sight for any child to witness. Jamie shivered, at a loss for words.

  “Blaney!” she wailed, gripping onto his shirt and yanking. “They hurt!”

  Jamie dried her tears with the cuff of his sleeve. “Your family?” he asked.

  She nodded, her lower lip trembling, green-blue eyes wide with fear and glistening with tears. His chest swelled with emotion for the little imp and he gripped her tighter.

  “Do ye know who the men were?”

  “Bad people,” she mumbled.

  Jamie nodded. “What’s your name?”

  She chewed her lip as if trying to figure out if she should tell him. “Lorna. What are ye called?”

  “Jamie.” He flashed her what he hoped wasn’t a strained smile. “How old are ye, Lorna?”

  “Four.” She held up three of her fingers, then second guessed herself and held up four. “I’m four. How old are ye?”

  “Fourteen.”

  “Ye’re four, too?” she asked, her mouth dropping wide as she forgot the horror of the last few minutes of her life for a moment.

  “Fourteen. ’Tis four plus ten.”

  “I want to be f
ourteen, too.” She swiped at the mangled mop of blonde hair around her face, making more of a mess than anything else.

  “Then we’d best get ye home. Have ye any other family?”

  “A whole big one.”

  “Where?”

  “Dunrobin,” she said. “My da is laird.”

  “Laird Sutherland?” Jamie asked, trying to keep the surprise from his face. Did his father understand just how deep and unsettling this attack had been? A laird had been murdered. Was it an ambush? Was there more to it than just a band of outlaws? Were they men trying to stop the secret meeting from being held?

  There would be no meeting, if the laird who’d called the meeting was dead.

  “I’ll take ye home,” Jamie said, putting the girl on her feet and standing.

  “Will ye carry me?” she said, her lip trembling again. She’d lost a shoe and her yellow gown was stained and torn. “I’m scared.”

  “Aye. I’ll carry ye.”

  “Are ye my hero?” she asked, batting tear moistened lashes at him.

  Jamie rolled his eyes and picked her up. “I’m no hero, lass.”

  “Hmm… Ye seem like a hero to me.”

  Jamie didn’t answer. He tossed her on his horse and climbed up behind her. A glance behind showed that his father and his men had dispatched of most of the men, and a few others gave chase into the forest. They’d likely meet him at the castle as that had been their destination all along.

  Squeezing his mount’s sides, Jamie urged the horse into a gallop, intent on getting the girl to the safety of Dunrobin’s walls, and then returning to his father.

  Spotting Jamie with the lass, the guards threw open the gate. A nursemaid rushed over and grabbed Lorna from him, chiding her for sneaking away.