Chapter 1

CHAPTER ONE

C astle Lennox, the Highlands of Scotland, October 1586

Four years later….

Alana hated being alone with Tadhg. Especially in her healer’s cottage, where the space was so scarce. He was seated on a chair, his left hand stretched out flat on the table. Alana was bending over it, using a cloth and hot water to clean a nasty gash across his knuckles which he had acquired during that afternoon’s training session. A tense silence that was almost palpable hung in the air between them.

She was uncomfortably conscious of his eyes upon her as she worked and was doing her best to ignore his gaze. “Is it always gonnae be like this?” he asked suddenly in his low, rumbling voice, sounding mournful. “Bein’ in the same room, nae speakin’ or even looking at each other?”

Annoyed that he should even dare to speak to her at all, she shot him a punishing glance before resuming her task. “What d’ye expect after ye went off and left me without so much as a word, disappearing fer four whole years just a month before we were supposed tae wed?” she asked tightly, feeling afresh the painful betrayal of his unexplained desertion.

He did not reply, and a silence full of unspoken words fell once more between them.

“But I’m back now. I’ve been back for six months,” he said after a while.

She paused and looked at him sharply. “Oh, so I should just forget what ye did then, should I? That ye walked out on me. Nay note, nay letter, nay word, fer four long years. And then, just after Laird Murphy died, ye suddenly turn up here again, as bold as brass, as if ye hadnae been away. And with nae explanation as tae why ye left or where ye’d been all that time. I’m just supposed tae welcome ye back with open arms, am I?”

Tadhg opened his mouth to speak, but she stopped him with a raised hand, casting him a scornful look. “I havenae finished,” she said, dabbing at his wound ferociously and making him wince. “Ye honestly think I could ever trust ye again after that?”

“I can see yer point of view, but?—”

Again, she cut him off. “I thought ye loved me as I loved ye. When ye went off like that, it broke me heart. I dinnae care that yer braither forgave ye without any questions asked. I’ll never forgive ye, never. And if ye think I’m ever gonnae let ye put me through that another time then ye can think again.”

Tadhg’s massive shoulders slumped, and he said nothing while she dressed the wound. Silence fell once more as she carefully wrapped a bandage around his hand to keep it clean. Angry and hurt as she was, secretly, she could not help still caring about him. And while she told herself she was being stupid for it, she nevertheless made sure to do a thorough job on his wound, worrying that he might get an infection despite herself.

“There, ’tis done. Dinnae get it wet. I’ll check it in two days. Ye can go now.”

Tadhg stood up, rolling down his shirt sleeve and taking his coat from the back of the chair. Taking care with the bandaged hand, he shrugged it on. “Thank ye. Alana, I wish ye would just hear me out, just listen tae what I have tae say,” he said sadly, his voice persuasive. But she knew there was danger in those dark eyes of his, and she refused to look at him.

“There’s naethin’ ye can say I want tae hear.” She turned away, carrying the bowl filled with bloody water and cloth over to a counter, giving her back to him. The tension crackled in the air between them, and she was unsure how much longer she could stand to be in the same room as him.

“Please, can we nae just? Like friends?” he tried again.

“Nay, we’re nae friends, and please dinnae speak tae me about it again.”

The following silence was suddenly shattered when there came a sharp rapping on the cottage door. Tadhg strode over to it and opened it.

“Maddison?” he said, sounding surprised, holding the door open for their good friend, Lady Lennox, to enter. “Is everythin’ all right? Ye seem in a bit of a hurry,” he added, frowning at her.

“Hold on, let me get me breath. I ran all the way here,” Maddison panted, her hand to her chest as she composed herself. She was a willowy, pale-faced beauty with long, dark hair. Her husband, the latest Laird Lennox, Odhrán, the deceased Murphy’s only son, was Tadhg and Liam’s closest friend since Alana could remember.

Alana went up to her. “Has someone been hurt?” she asked, expecting to hear that someone needed her help. “I’ll pack me things and come right away.” She made to fetch the medicine basket she always kept ready for emergencies, but Maddison put a hand on her arm and stopped her.

“Nay, ’tis naethin’ like that, Alana,” she told her, her breath returned to normal.

“Why d’ye need me then?” Alana asked, puzzled.

“A delegacy from Clan MacIver has arrived at the castle, and they’re demanding tae speak with ye and yer maither. They didnae ken she’s been gone these past two years. They’re talking with Odhrán right now, and they insist on speaking with ye.”

“Me?” Alana was flummoxed. “Why on earth would they want tae speak tae me? I dinnae even ken anybody from the MacIver clan.”

“I have nae clue, but maybe they need a good healer, and they’ve heard of ye by repute. Whatever it is, I think ye’d better come now and hear what they have tae say,” Maddison replied urgently.

“Aye, I suppose so. All right, let me get me shawl, and I’ll come with ye right away,” Alana agreed. “I suppose it’ll dae nay harm tae hear them out, though I cannae think what they might want with me.” She went to fetch her shawl from a peg by the door, and while she was doing that, Tadhg quietly asked Maddison, “Are ye sure they’re from Clan MacIver?”

She nodded. “That’s what they say,” she replied. A few moments later, she and Maddison left the cottage. Tadhg followed them, and Alana could not help but notice that a change had come over him. His whole demeanor had shifted. His expression seemed cold and closed off, his jaw set, and his dark eyes were unreadable. As they hurried through the gardens to the castle, she felt a familiar ache in her heart.

’Tis sad tae say, but he’s nae the man I used tae love.

When they entered the Great Hall, to Alana’s surprise, it appeared that everyone was waiting for her to arrive. They joined the delegation of strangers waiting near the laird’s table. Odhrán greeted her and Tadgh while Maddison took her place at his side.

“Alana, these gentlemen represent the MacIver clan. They’ve been sent here by Laird John MacIver, especially tae speak tae ye.” He gestured to the man at the head of the trio of delegates. He was a thin, ascetic looking fellow in Highland dress.

“Good day tae ye, miss.” He bowed to Alana gravely. “I’m Roger Huston, Laird John MacIver’s chef advisor. We come on a matter of great importance on his behalf. We beg tae speak with ye at once.”

Alana curtseyed, more perplexed than before as to what they wanted with her. “Good day tae ye, Sir. I’m mystified as tae why ye should come here and wish tae talk tae me. I’ve nae connection tae yer clan that I ken of. But if I may be of service tae ye, I’ll dae me best tae help,” she replied politely.

“I’d like tae ask ye a few questions, if ye dinnae mind,” Huston replied.

“I’ll answer them if I can,” Alana said.

“Is it right that yer maither passed away two years ago?” Huston asked.

Alana nodded. “Aye, she did.”

“I see,” Huston said, his high forehead crinkling. Then he asked, “May we have a word in private, Miss Alana?”

Alana glanced around her. She shook her head. “That’s nae necessary. The Laird and Lady Lennox are me trusted friends. Ye can say yer piece in front of them,” she told him, deliberately not mentioning Tadhg, who was standing mere feet away, listening. She met his eyes for a second and saw him roll his eyes at her omission.

“Very well,” Huston agreed. “Ye’ve been summoned tae an audience with the Laird MacIver’s right-hand, Blaine MacIver. Ye see, Laird John MacIver has been abducted, and Blaine has good reason tae believe that ye’re their only hope of finding a good alliance that’ll save him.”

“What? I ken naethin’ of any of this,” Alana exclaimed. “I dinnae understand at all. Why am I the only hope fer savin’ him?”

“Accordin’ tae old clan records, ye’re the only living child of Laird MacIver, never mind that ye’re illegitimate.”

Alana felt as though she had been punched, the shock was so great. “But surely, it cannae be true!” She stared at Huston in disbelief.

“I can assure ye, ’tis true,” the advisor said, scrutinizing her face as he spoke. “Even without the records or the midwife’s word that she delivered ye, there can be nae mistake. Ye’re a copy of yer faither.”

On hearing that, for she had never known her father, Alana thought it was possible that she could have a connection with Laird MacIver. At least, she could not rule it out. She turned to Maddison and Odhrán.

“Dae ye ken anythin’ about this?” she asked, even though she could see they looked as surprised as she felt.

They both shook their heads. “Nay, this is the first I’ve heard of it,” Odhrán said. “What d’ye want tae dae, Alana? Ye dinnae have tae go with them if ye dinnae want tae,” he added, reassuring her. She thought it over, conscious that everyone was waiting for her to speak.

“Well, this is certainly a bolt from the blue. I hardly ken what tae think. But I have tae admit, I’m curious tae learn more about the situation and tae try tae understand it. Maybe I should go with them and meet this Blaine.” She paused, shooting a swift glance at Tadhg. His face was a cold mask. For some reason, the sight helped her take make her mind up. “All right. I’ll come with ye. But as tae Laird MacIver bein’ abducted, I cannae promise tae be of any help.”

“Very well. I understand,” Huston told her with a slight nod of agreement.

“Are ye sure about this, Alana? Like Odhrán says, ye’re nae obligated tae go if ye dinnae wish tae,” Maddison piped up, looking dubious.

“Nay, ’tis all right, Maddy. I’d like tae go and see if what they say is true. If Odhrán will give his permission that is,” Alana said decisively, having made up her mind.

“Of course, ye have me permission,” he assured her.

“I’ll arrange for one of the village healers tae stand in fer me while I’m gone,” she said. “Hopefully, the trip will nae take too long. I’d just like tae speak tae this Blaine and find out what all this madness is really about.”

“Well, I’m happy fer ye tae go if that’s what ye want,” Odhrán interjected. “But I’m nae sure it would be safe fer ye tae travel alone with the delegation. They’re strangers. We cannae just simply trust they’re who they say they are.” He flicked a glance at Huston, adding. “Nay offence.”

“None taken, me Laird. We share yer concerns fer the lady’s safety,” the advisor replied graciously. “Perhaps she would like tae follow us and travel under yer protection instead.”

“Aye, I would,” Alana said, secretly relieved at the suggestion. She did not fancy traveling with a party of strangers, however innocent their intentions might appear. She had no guarantee that what Huston had told her was true, and as Odhrán had pointed out, there was no reason to trust them. She secretly hoped he would arrange for somebody trustworthy to accompany her on the journey.

She was taken aback when Tadhg suddenly stepped up. “She’ll nae be alone. She’ll be travelin’ with me,” he declared boldly, with an air of finality. Taken completely by surprise, Alana could only stare at him.

Huston looked at him curiously. “And who might ye be?” he asked.

Tadhg did not hesitate. “I’m her husband,” he said.