Friday, July 13, 2012

The Highlander's Reward by Eliza Knight

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.


The last thing Magnus Sutherland wants is to marry the beautiful English lass he saved. As the laird of his clan, he has a responsibility to his clan and allies. But when Arbella is attacked by one of his own men, he determines the only way to keep her safe is to make her his. A decision that promises to be extremely satisfying.


Magnus brings Arbella to his home of Dunrobin Castle in the Highlands. And that’s where the trouble begins… Their countries are at war and they should be each other’s enemy. Neither one considered their mock marriage would grow into a deeply passionate love. What’s more, they were both unhappily betrothed and those who've been scorned are out for revenge. Can their new found love keep them together or will their enemies tear them apart?


Please enjoy this excerpt:



From Chapter One…



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.
buy links:
Amazon
Barnes and Noble:
Smashwords:



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

Website: http://www.elizaknight.com
                                       

6 comments:

  1. 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!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Whoohooooooo! CONGRATULATIONS, Eliza! This sounds AWESOME! I can't wait to get it and read it!

    ReplyDelete
  3. I'm late getting here, but I really enjoyed the excerpt, Eliza! Loved this scene and the characters.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Waving Miz Eliza and Miz Tami. I am so excited for you, Eliza. This is a great story and the cover is totally awesome.

    ReplyDelete