Prologue

PROLOGUE

Glenfinnan, Highlands, 1757

T he young woman stood at the top of the cliff with the toes of her boots precariously close to the edge. The wind rippled up the side of the chalk face, buffeting her hair and clothes. It would be so easy to leap off, to try to fly like one of those seagulls that kept flitting by. Around her, heather shivered in that same breeze, abruptly stopping at the edge of the sheer cliff.

The girl craned her neck a little more, bending down to look at the base of the cliff. Far below was the beach, the shingle mere stones and larger jagged rocks that had tumbled down from the cliff. The ocean foamed as it reached the shore, hissing loudly, competing with the sound of the wind.

It was the perfect spot. Behind her, the highland hills grew tall, the green undergrowth lush and thick, hiding her position from the main tracks and roads. No one would know she was here, just as no one would know that Lillie was here either, once she arrived.

The girl looked around her shoulders, searching for Lillie, but there wasn't any sign of her yet.

"Aye, it has tae be done," the young woman whispered to herself. It was necessary, that was all, not something she would take pleasure in, but merely something that she could not avoid doing herself.

As the toes of her boots shifted beneath her, some of the loose stones fell away, dropping down the cliff. She stepped back from the edge, watching them drop. It was a long way to fall.

"Well, this is a strange place tae meet, aye?" a voice the woman knew well called to her. She backed up further from the cliff edge and turned to face Lillie.

Tall, beautiful, with long black hair that was pinned into mad curls, Lillie was striking in appearance. Many men had noticed over the years how beautiful she was, but that was soon going to end.

"Are ye well?" Lillie asked hurriedly, her smile fading as she moved toward the young woman. "Ye are worrying me."

"It is nothing." The woman shook her head. "I merely wanted some time alone with ye before yer wedding. I am nae sure what chance we will have tae talk after ye are wed."

"Ah, I cannae tell ye how excited I am." Lillie giggled and moved past her, walking to the edge of the cliff. She laid a hand to her stomach, smiling as she stared out at the horizon, where the blue ocean mixed with the clouds. "Murdoch and I… we kissed fer the first time last night."

The young woman nearly retched. She turned away and held her trembling fingers to her lips, doing her best to hide her temptation.

"Aye, that is wonderful," she forced herself to say. "From yer excitement, I can guess it was a good kiss."

"Och, I could barely describe it tae ye." Lillie giggled another time and turned away from the cliffs, walking back toward the girl. She managed to push down her trembling fingers and force a smile. "I cannae tell ye how happy I am."

"I can see that." The woman nodded, her cheeks twitching and aching to maintain that smile.

Why Lillie? Why does he have tae marry Lillie of all people?

"I always thought the marriage was tae be one of arrangement," the woman whispered. "Murdoch's father wanted an alliance between the clans."

"Aye, but who are we tae argue with fate when I'm betrothed tae a man such as he." Lillie smiled and looked away again. Her dark hair moved in the breeze.

The girl lifted a hand, almost taking hold of that hair. She could pull on it, tear it, watch the beautiful locks fall from Lillie's head and hear her scream. Fortunately, they were so isolated out here that no one would ever hear that scream.

"What do ye think of him?" Lillie asked, turning back so swiftly that the young woman lowered her hand sharply.

"I think…" she swallowed around a lump in her throat, knowing she could not tell the truth.

I love him.

"I think ye two will make a fine match." Her false answer must have pleased Lillie for she smiled and turned away again.

"It is a beautiful spot here. How come ye wished tae meet here?"

"Let me show ye." The girl walked forward, beckoning Lillie to join her at the cliff edge. When she put her toes by the last stones, Lillie took her arm.

"Be careful. It is beautiful here but also dangerous."

"Aye, I ken." The young woman curled her finger then pointed down at the water. "Look. Tell me what ye see."

Lillie bent forward over the cliff edge, her dark brows furrowing as she stared at the ocean.

"I see the beach. That is all."

"Look further," the young woman urged.

As Lillie stretched her neck out, the girl saw her chance. She took a small step back then thrust into Lillie's shoulders, trying to push her over the cliff.

"What are ye doing –?" Lillie cried and struggled on the edge. She reached back to the girl, gripping her, trying to stay up.

The young woman fought harder. Maybe Lillie was taller, but she was stronger. She took hold of Lillie's elbows, grappling and tussling.

"What? Why are ye doing this? Nay. Nay!" Lillie screamed as the woman stamped down on her foot. It dislodged Lillie's footing on the cliff edge. She toppled backward, falling out into the open air as the woman released her and scurried back.

She saw Lillie disappear, falling through the air, but she hung back. She couldn't bear to see the impact on the beach. There were a few seconds of dead air, the scream piercing, competing with the cries of the gulls and the cormorants that had made their nests within the cliffs, then there was a loud thud and the shout stopped dead.

Slowly, the young woman stepped forward, moving back to the edge of the cliff. Lillie had landed on the beach. Her head was turned at an unnatural angle, her hair wild about her ears and her skirt tangling in the wind.

"Now, there will be nay wedding."