The Highlander's Reward
by
Eliza Knight
She belonged to
another… But was destined to be his…
Lady Arbella de Mowbray
abhors the idea of marrying an English noble occupying Scotland. When she
arrives in Stirling, she is thrown into the midst of a full battle between the
Scots and the English. Besieged by rebels, she is whisked from her horse by a
Highland warrior who promises her safety. But when he kisses her she fears
she's more in danger of losing herself.
Please enjoy this excerpt:
Glasgow,
Scotland
“Thank ye, Magnus.”
Magnus looked sternly at his
younger sister Lorna. Perched atop her horse as they traversed the road to
Glasgow, her cheeks were rosy with pleasure in the morning sun. She no longer
wore the plaid of her clan, just a simple gown of blue and a matching cloak.
“Dinna thank me,” he said through
clenched teeth. “Ye already compromised yourself.”
Lorna was not impressed with his
bluster, and only smiled, batting her lashes. “Ye will see one day, brother,
that even though ye’re the Laird Sutherland, love will come up to catch ye in
its grasp.”
“I dinna think so.” Love was a
game for fools. A game his sister had played while that scoundrel Chief
Montgomery came from the Lowlands to buy a few hundred pounds of prized
Sutherland sheep’s wool. The man seduced his sister—which Magnus happened to
unexpectedly witness. In a rage he’d tossed him off his land, inflicting a few
bruises and cuts on the scoundrel’s body. The man was lucky to keep his
life—but he hadn’t sold him the wool. He’d been determined not to let his
prized wool grace the foul body of a rat.
Little did he realize at the
time, Lorna and Montgomery had fallen in love, at least that was Lorna’s
claim—he believed it was more like lust. She cried, raged, refused to eat. Montgomery
sent missives begging for her hand. Magnus burned the letters. Then she’d
provided him with the very reason he was escorting her to the Lowlands now. She
was carrying a babe.
Magnus demanded marriage and
Montgomery was more than pleased to accommodate. They were to meet at Glasgow
castle, a stronghold of the Scottish Independence, occupied with William
Wallace’s men. Evidently, Montgomery was a key player in Wallace’s war on the
English. His war for freedom. Magnus admired Wallace for fighting for their
freedom. He hadn’t seen such an impact as far north in the Highlands as
Sutherland lands, but he knew the time was coming. When he returned home, they
would have to put preparations in place.
Besides disliking the situation
his only sister was in, he especially didn’t like the idea of leaving her in
the midst of a war zone. He stalled his horse. Mayhap it would be best to turn
back. She could bear the babe and he would not cast her out. He would make sure
she and the child were provided for. Even arrange for her to marry one of their
clansmen.
At least his youngest sibling
Heather was safely ensconced at Dunrobin, their family stronghold. At just
fifteen summers, she was not even contemplating the rougher male sex. Or so he
wanted to believe. He’d left his brother Ronan to protect her while Blane, the
second oldest Sutherland brother was off selling a hoard of sheep’s wool.
“We shall see.” His sister’s
sing-song voice cut through his thoughts as she wrenched around in her saddle
to see what kept him. “Magnus…” Her tone held a warning note. One he knew meant
she was about to completely explode.
He nudged his warhorse forward.
It was too late to turn back. And he did not want to deal with her tantrums.
They were nearly upon Glasgow Castle. No doubt a scout had already returned
word to Montgomery of their approach. With a dozen retainers in tow, they were
hard to miss out in the open. If need be they could make themselves disappear.
And with the English always afoot, that might be necessary.
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About the Author…
Eliza
Knight is the multi-published author of sizzling historical romance and erotic
romance. While not reading, writing or researching for her latest book, she
chases after her three children. In her spare time (if there is such a thing…)
she likes daydreaming, wine-tasting, traveling, hiking, staring at the stars,
watching movies, shopping and visiting with family and friends. She lives atop
a small mountain, and enjoys cold winter nights when she can curl up in front
of a roaring fire with her own knight in shining armor. Visit Eliza at
www.elizaknight.com or her historical blog History Undressed:
www.historyundressed.com
Thank you so much for visiting The Grapevine and chating about your book, The Highlander's Reward, Eliza! I, for one, can't wait to read it!
ReplyDeleteThank you for having me Tami!!!!
ReplyDeleteWhoohooooooo! CONGRATULATIONS, Eliza! This sounds AWESOME! I can't wait to get it and read it!
ReplyDeleteI'm late getting here, but I really enjoyed the excerpt, Eliza! Loved this scene and the characters.
ReplyDeleteWaving Miz Eliza and Miz Tami. I am so excited for you, Eliza. This is a great story and the cover is totally awesome.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much ladies!!!!
ReplyDelete