2. Chapter One

September, 1661

Craig, his cousin Giles MacKay and the six guards he brought with him approached Clyth Castle, the MacKay banner flapping in the wind as they rode. It was a typical Highland late summer day, but this one without rain. They"d had a dry trip from Dun Ugadale.

Giles looked around the area, taking in the hills and the brooch itself, and turned toward Craig. "Looks safe enough. I can think of a few things I would change."

Craig laughed. His cousin, who was as close to him as his two brothers, was always looking for problems and issues before they arose. It made him an excellent guardsman and someone Craig always wanted to go with him on trips.

"Who goes there?" A guard above them called down as they grew close to the castle wall.

Craig looked up, wanting to roll his eyes at the man"s question since they obviously flew their banner. "Craig MacKay, brother to Laird Robin MacKay and Giles MacKay, cousin to The MacKay."

The guardsman waved him on, and they entered the outer bailey. The area was filled with vendors and crofters, along with clansfolk who moved from vendor to vendor, examining their goods.

Knox Gunn, the laird"s son strode toward them, as tall and rigid as always. Craig couldn"t actually say he liked the man, since he really hadn't spent much time with him, but he looked like someone he would want to be on his side of a battle. "We were expecting yer laird." He looked around Craig as if Robin hid behind him. Craig slapped Knox on his back and moved him forward. "I understand that. However, I need to speak with yer da."

Knox drew away. "I hope ye"re not planning on causing problems. The wedding is in two days, yer brother should be here verra soon."

Craig placed his hands on his hips. "About that…"

"Did I just see The MacKay ride in?" Laird David Gunn walked to where the men stood. and frowned "Where is yer brother?"

Craig glanced at his cousin and decided that he was probably looking for trouble. Nevertheless, his playful side came out that charmed the lasses so much. "I would say right about now Robin is in the middle of his wedding to Miss Helena Ross."

Knox growled, and Craig remembered that when the Gunns had visited the MacKay clan a few weeks before, Knox seemed to have feelings for Helena. Laird Gunn withdrew his sword as did Knox and the five guards standing behind him. Craig heard the sound of his men drawing their swords. Craig raised his hands. "I doona come to just give ye bad news." He paused for a minute, then said, "I am here to take my brother"s place."

Gunn stared at him, and if he was surprised, it didn"t show on the man"s face. As a good laird and warrior, The Gunn kept his thoughts to himself, and likewise from his face. He waved toward the keep. "We shall discuss this in my study." The men all returned their swords to their scabbards and followed Gunn and his men.

Craig realized he could be headed to the dungeon, but considering how adamant Gunn appeared when he"d requested a match between his sister and Robin, he was almost certain the laird was interested in hearing what Craig had to say.

At least he hoped his instinct was correct. He had no problem with him and his men fighting their way out of the keep if it was only Gunn, Knox and the guardsmen surrounding their laird, since the MacKay warriors were well-known for their success in battle, but taking on all the warriors at the Gunn fortress, getting away would be challenging.

They all trooped up the stairs and down another corridor to a large room at the end. Comfortable chairs surrounded a hearth with a small fire burning. Even though it was near the end of the summer, the older castles were cold even then.

Gunn"s men and Craig"s guard stood along the wall. Craig, Giles, The Gunn, and Knox sat in wooden chairs surrounding a well-worn table. "Now what is this about ye taking the place of the laird in the agreement we made."

Craig leaned back and crossed his arms over his chest. "I am no" one to e"er expect to have this issue, but it seems Laird MacKay is in love with another woman. I ken, as does he, that his duty is to his clan, but seeing the misery of my brother, I offered to take his place."

The Gunn stared at him, and then shook his head. "I doona understand foregoing yer responsibility for something as foolish as love. He could have made this lass his leman and carried forward on our agreement."

Giles stepped in. "Miss Ross is no" the leman type. She is currently residing at Dornoch Castle, under the protection of the Sutherland Laird. She spent almost her entire life there, being raised by her aunt. If The MacKay made the lass his leman—which I ken he was no' likely to do—it would have brought down the rath of the entire Sutherland Clan."

Silence reigned for a few minutes while Gunn sat and stared at his fingers splayed on the table in front of him. He looked up and said, "Why should I agree to this?"

"Do ye want to find a husband for yer sister?"

The Gunn nodded.

"Do ye want an alliance with the MacKays?"

The laird folded his hands and leaned forward. "Aye. I ken all that, but breaking a betrothal agreement is an insult. How do ye plan to make up for that?"

Craig shrugged. "I am no" authorized to offer any recompense except to marry yer sister."

The Gunn was not stupid. He had to know if he sent Craig away with threats of a coming battle, it would be a foolish move. He might feel slighted, but he also wanted an alliance with the MacKays and turning down this offer was no" the best idea for him or his clan.

"This turn of events must be given time for me to consider it."

"If ye wish me to speak with yer sister, I am happy to do that. If she accepts my offer, it might ease yer mind."

The man actually threw his head back and laughed. "I care no" about Lorena"s feelings or thoughts in this matter." He thumped his chest with his thumb. "She is my possession and I decide what happens to her. She will do what she is ordered."

Any slight dislike Craig had for the laird turned into a very strong dislike. Robin had told him the lass had been beaten by her brother as well as her dead husband, Avery Gordon. How a man could take his fists to someone who is in their care and protection went against everything Craig believed in. He also knew that The Gunn had told Robin if he didn"t marry Lorena he would marry the lass off to a brutal laird in a small clan in the lowlands. A man who already buried two wives who both died in "accidents."

The laird stood. "I expect ye to stay until I make a decision."

Craig nodded. "Aye. My men and I will stay outside the castle."

"Nay," Gunn said. "Ye will stay in the castle. I will have a maid prepare a bedroom for ye and yer cousin."

He really didn"t care for the sound of that. It was almost as if they were being held prisoners. Craig shifted in his chair, making sure his dirk was close to his hand. "We will stay outside the castle. There is no reason to deny our request. We arrived here of our own free will with an honest offer. We have no intention of fleeing and do no" wish to be treated as prisoners."

Knox leaned over and spoke to his father, low enough that Craig didn't hear him. The man continued to stare at Giles and Craig. "Verra well. Ye can stay outside the castle until I decide."

Craig nodded. "I would request time to speak with Lady Gordon."

***

Lady Lorena Gordon stared at herself in the looking glass in her bedchamber. She'd seen the MacKays ride in a little while ago. So this was it. She was to marry Robin MacKay and spend the rest of her life at Dun Ugadale. There were no regrets in leaving Clyth Castle. She'd never been happy here.

Bluidy hell, she'd never been happy anywhere. When her mam and da died after their carriage slid off a bridge, plunging them both into the swollen river below, she'd lost the one person who had ever cared about her.

Her mam may not have been overly attentive, but at least she knew who she was. Once she collided with her da in a corridor when she was about seven years and he didn't know her and shoved her away in annoyance, complaining about bairns running around loose in the castle.

Her brother, David, now the laird, had been away fostering most of her life and when he returned to take over their da's duties, he immediately began looking for a husband for her. ‘Twas the cook who reminded him Lorena was only ten and three years.

David was nice to her on occasion, but most times ignored her also unless he was in a foul mood and then she would feel his fists. She had learned soon after his return to stay out of his way.

She had foolishly high hopes when she did marry at the age of ten and six, but her husband was brutal. The best thing he'd done for her was to die after only two years of marriage.

What was it about her that made her so unlovable? She never asked for much. Like all young lasses, she liked the attention of the guardsmen, of finding a coin or two in her brother's study to buy something shiny when the vendors came around and speaking with the village girls.

It was right before her marriage to that beast Avery Gordon that the girls she'd been gossiping and shopping with found out she was the laird's sister. "We thought ye were one of the castle maids," Kiley said. She narrowed her eyes and studied Lorena. "Ye doona look like the laird's sister!"

"Nay. We have different mothers. I think David looks like his mother and I've been told I look like mine."

Kiley laughed. "It must have been quite annoying to yer da to have two bairns and neither one look like him."

Lorena smiled at herself in the looking glass, remembering the good times she'd had with the village girls. Once she returned from her marriage, she didn't have the desire to search them out. She knew they were probably happily married with maybe even a bairn or two.

She didn't want to see their happiness. Not that she begrudged them their husbands, but she knew in her heart that kind of happiness would never be hers.

Now she was once again being shoved off onto a laird who not only didn't want her but was in love with another woman. She'd heard the stories when she had visited Dun Ugadale with her brother. Mayhap she should do as she told The MacKay and jump off the bridge into the river where her parents had drowned.

She laid her head on her folded arms and cursed the one tear that slid down her cheek. ‘Twas just one more in a stream of them she'd cried over the years. Just as she sat up and wiped her cheeks there was a knock at the door.

This was it. ‘Twas time to do her duty and marry another man who would also ignore her while he pined for a lost love.