Highland Obligation (Highland Pride)

by Lori Ann Bailey

  He had to end this soon or risk real injury. He struck, fast and furious, swinging down with as much force as he could produce. The blow was deflected, but it had the desired effect—the man wobbled and almost lost control of his blade.

  Grant didn’t give him time to recover, coming in low on the opposite side, hitting his mark then slicing into the man’s thigh. His opponent yelped then tried to catch Grant in the back, but he was prepared and already swinging down and across the man’s belly, where he connected when his sharp blade penetrated cloth then skin.

  Claymore falling to the ground, the man tried to stop the red spilling from his gut, but the flow was too fast. The brute collapsed in the mud. Grant kicked him to make certain he was no longer a threat just as he heard the bastard holding Isobel scream, “Ye crazy wench.”

  Icy dread impaled him when he saw crimson staining her arm and covering the front of her gown. Torsten glared at her as he jerked his hand high. The arse struck her with a closed fist and she staggered then fell to her knees while the man went for his sword.

  Chapter Twenty-Four

  Losing her battle to free herself of Torsten’s grip, Isobel shouted, “Ye willnae make it out of here alive.”

  “Then neither will yer husband.” With his free hand, he pulled out a pistol. Her throat closed and she couldn’t breathe as he raised the weapon and aimed at Grant, who was currently obscured behind the man he was fighting.

  With no weapons and not able to reach Torsten’s knife, she struggled more furiously so he couldn’t aim at her husband. While flailing, she unfastened the pin on the back of her necklace and prayed it would be sharp and long enough to do some damage.

  After disengaging the clasp, she clenched it in her fist, pin protruding from her fingers, and stabbed Torsten’s neck, the chain just giving her enough slack to reach him. The tip pierced the sensitive spot just below his ear, sinking in, and his whole body tensed.

  Her weapon was small, but she’d aimed for the place Alex had taught her. “When ye are desperate, strike here.”

  Blood gushed from the wound, covering her hand then spilling onto the front of her gown before she had a chance to withdraw.

  Torsten’s grip loosened and he dropped his gun when he clasped his neck to stop the flow. She was about to dive for one of his weapons when he struck her and she stumbled. Blinded with pain, she fell to her knees while Torsten drew his sword and sliced toward her.

  Flinching, she ducked her head, as if the small gesture would be enough to save her from the killing blow. At the clash of metal, she looked up to find Grant standing between Torsten and her and had blocked the strike, saving her life.

  “I gave ye the chance to live a good life.”

  “I amnae going back without her.”

  “’Tis true, because ye willnae be going back at all.” The pure rage that spewed from Grant’s lips sent chills through her—the warrior taking over, suppressing the man who sought peace at all costs. And for the first time since she and her maid had been attacked as children, she felt protected and had faith someone else would keep her safe. She wanted to cry with the blessed peace that washed over her.

  Torsten held his sword aloft, planting his feet solidly on the ground. Desperation and fury sparked in his eyes—the man obviously knew he was done for and his only option was to take out as many of them as he could before he went down. She’d seen it before. That’s when men truly became dangerous.

  And if she didn’t move now, her husband might trip over her, giving Torsten a chance at a killing blow.

  Unable to crawl in her skirts, she dove and rolled to the side, muck spattering on her dress. At a safe distance, she stumbled to her feet as Ian appeared and pulled her farther away. He called out to Grant, “I’ve got her.”

  She made out his slight nod as he stared at Torsten. Grant swayed slightly as he moved into position to brace against the Campbell bastard’s first blow. Her husband was apparently injured, but Torsten still clutched at the side of his neck and struck with one hand holding his claymore. Grant easily deflected the strike and followed through, nearly knocking the arse’s weapon from his hand.

  “She’s a criminal,” Torsten spat.

  “Nae. She is my wife, and ye will never lay another hand on her.” Although she couldn’t see Grant’s face, she heard the confidence as her husband’s shoulders straightened.

  Moving his hand from the neck wound, Torsten clasped his blade with both hands. Blood gushed from the spot, staining his once pristine shirt. After thrusting his claymore forward, a clang erupted as the metal collided, and both men stumbled back with the force.

  Seconds passed as each tried to anticipate the other’s next move. Everything slowed as Torsten hurled his sword at Grant, pivoted, and bolted toward her, drawing his knife as he lunged forward.

  Ian pulled her back, and the other MacDonald men appeared between her and the attacker, shielding her just as Grant tackled him to the soft ground.

  Grant and Torsten struggled to stand. Her heart stung with fear and helplessness upon seeing Grant’s pale face as he wobbled before gaining his footing.

  Torsten lunged with the knife in his blood-soaked hand, but Grant ducked and blocked the blow. The weapon slipped from the arse’s grip and tumbled to the earth. Grant punched Torsten’s cheek and he stumbled. Grant struck again and again. One last time, and the man she’d feared would harm her friends, family, and husband, collapsed to the ground.

  She ran for Grant, throwing her arms around him as the stinging in her eyes gave way to a trail of tears down her face. His arms circled her, holding her tight, wrapping her in security and warmth. He hugged her like he believed he’d never see her again. Not wanting to move, she held on with abandon, not caring what went on in the world around them, confident that the rest of the MacDonald men were keeping an eye on Torsten to ensure he posed no more danger.

  Grant staggered, almost losing his balance.

  She stepped back. “Are ye hurt?” Placing her hands on his head, she gazed into his eyes. They were glazed over and his pupils were dilated, indicating he’d not escaped the day without injury.

  “’Twill be all right when I get ye home.” He tightened his hold on her. “I’m tempted to lock ye and Ian up in the dungeon for no’ listening to me.”

  “Ye might be dead if we hadn’t come.”

  “Aye, but I would have kenned ye were safe. I thought ye were gone when ye offered yerself for me. If ye ever do anything like that again, ye’ll never be allowed to leave Cairntay.”

  “I dinnae want to leave anyway. As long as ye are there, I have everything I need. I have ye and our baby to watch over now. ’Tis all I want.” She took in the carnage, but also the MacDonald men who had put her safety first. And she trusted her bairn and she would be protected.

  There was nowhere else she wanted to be but at her husband’s side, with Clan MacDonald at her back.

  The smile that came to Grant’s lips warmed her heart, reminding her that he had become everything. She blinked slowly, her heart racing as she let the emotion spill from her soul. “I love ye, Grant MacDonald.”

  He inhaled and for a second she worried she had cursed them, that giving voice to what she’d been feeling these last few weeks would destroy her.

  “Say it again.” He took her hands and peered into her eyes, intensity erasing the clouds in his gaze.

  She swallowed. “I love ye.”

  Then, he was pulling her in, coiling his arms around her as his mouth claimed hers in a kiss that said he felt the same.

  Epilogue

  Two Days Later

  Grant woke to a slight pressure on his chest. It then nudged his cheek. Opening his eyes, he stared at the little furr ball meowing at him, vying for his attention. He smiled then turned onto his side to glance at his wife. She still had a slight bruising on her face where Torsten Campbell had struck her, but knowing the man and his crew lay buried in the cold earth and would never hurt another was some comfort.

 
When he’d seen the man’s sword aimed at Isobel kneeling helpless on the ground, he’d known sheer panic, the kind that had stopped his heart. He was certain he would relive that moment in nightmares for the rest of his life. He would thank God every day he’d been fast enough to block the blow.

  He had her here now, and she insisted she was done with the Resistance and wanted nothing more than to stay on Skye and keep their bairn safe. He’d even penned an anonymous letter to Alex Gordon yesterday to let the man know she was done with that life and to make sure he never came to seek her out.

  The lass willnae be returning to yer ranks. The threat has been eliminated. Please inform those that ye come across that the woman of the Resistance is dead. Thank ye for looking after her in the past. She is no longer yer concern.

  Isobel said as long as she had use of the lists and could train the MacDonald women to protect themselves she would be happy. He would let her have that. She’d already taught Annis how to use a sgian-dubh.

  After failing to gain his attention, Daracha pounced on Isobel. Her eyes flew open and she looked around in panic until her gaze rested on his.

  “Tell me again,” he whispered to her as he pushed a curl back from her cheek.

  The corners of her lips curved up and her sleepy smile nearly melted his heart. “I love ye, husband.”

  And he knew no matter what came, war or peace, prosperity or famine, he would have her by his side and everything would be right with the world.

  Turn the page for a special note from the author.

  Like FREE Books?! Download one of Entangled’s bestselling books here!

  Author’s Note

  While the characters in the Highland Pride series are fictional, the conflict of the times is rooted in facts. Here is a brief history of the actual events surrounding the tumultuous relationship between England and Scotland and peoples of different faiths.

  The reign of King Charles I lasted from 1625 to 1649. The grandson of the famed Mary, Queen of Scots, he was only the second monarch to rule over Scotland, Ireland, and England. Although raised Protestant, he believed in the divine right of kings, which did not sit well with the English Parliament who vied for more control. He further enraged Parliament by marrying Henrietta Maria of France, a Roman Catholic.

  Thinking to bring Scotland and England closer together in their customs, in 1637, Charles attempted to impose an Anglican-style common book of prayer in Scotland. This angered the Protestants in Scotland, because the Scottish church had different practices and doctrines from the English church.

  This led to an incident where, it is said, Jenny Geddes, a merchant or tradesperson from Edinburgh, threw a stool at the minister in St. Giles Cathedral during the first use of the Booke Of Prayer. This was the start of chaos that broke out within the congregation. There is some debate as to whether she was one of a number of women who had been paid to arrive early and disrupt the service.

  Officers were summoned and unruly churchgoers were escorted from the building. Jenny Geddes’s actions are believed to have spurred rioting in the streets, where the ejected parishioners beat on the doors and threw rocks at the windows. This riot is believed to be what led to the Wars of the Three Kingdoms, which is sometimes referred to as the British Civil Wars, including the English Civil War.

  In February of 1638, the first National Covenant objecting to Charles’s prayer book was circulated and signed by many nobles in Scotland. In November of that year, the Scottish Parliament became Presbyterian and expelled all the bishops and archbishops from the Church of Scotland. Charles reacted to the insult by launching the Bishops War.

  Flames were added to the mix when the Cambridge Press was established by Puritans in 1638. There, they were able to print Puritan propaganda against the king and further deepen the divide in England.

  On August 7, 1643, an additional covenant was agreed upon by the Scottish Covenanters then sent to the Church of Scotland, which accepted it on the twenty-fifth of the same month. This was during the first English Civil War, when England was trying to garner support from Scotland in their bid to oust King Charles. The Solemn League and Covenant was accepted by the Westminster Assembly and English Parliament on September 25, 1643.

  Charles I was executed after the second English Civil War and his son, Charles the II, was persuaded to sign the agreement. In 1661, the Solemn League and Covenant was declared unlawful by the English Parliament.

  Acknowledgments

  Special thanks to:

  Robin Haseltine, for her guidance and diligent attention to detail, her continued faith in me, and all the hard work and time she has dedicated to making the Highland Pride series the best it can be. She is a truly gifted editor.

  Jessica Watterson, who will drop other things to have wine and cheese with me. She has been my advocate and sounding board. Fate found a way to bring us together, despite my poor choice in footwear, and I will be forever grateful she is my agent.

  My best friend, my husband, for his love, support, and for understanding when the story calls and I forget what we’re talking about, that I still love him, and he will always be my real-life hero.

  My kids and my parents, Jo Ann and David Bailey, for encouraging me and being proud of what I do.

  Eliza Knight and Madeline Martin, for keeping me motivated and sane. I treasure our special bond and how we support each other every day.

  My writing tribe, for sharing their enthusiasm, love of the craft, and wisdom along with keeping me motivated and on track. I will always be eternally grateful to: Michele Sandiford, Harper Kincaid, Denny S. Bryce, Jennifer McKeone, Nadine Monaco, Keely Thrall, Gabriel Ross, Jessica Snyder, and everyone in WRWDC.

  And as always, for you, the reader, who picked up this book and gave me a chance to share a piece of my heart.

  About the Author

  Lori Ann Bailey is a lover of wine, country music, and chocolate. When she was around ten, she dreamed of becoming a country singer. She even penned her own song, but her brothers soon informed her that she didn’t possess the vocal range to follow that dream. Eventually, she entered the business world where she worked as an assistant buyer before becoming a stay-at-home mom. In order to meet people when she moved to a new neighborhood, she joined two book clubs.

  When she picked up that first book, something unexpected happened. She was hooked. Lori started reading for pleasure, only to discover she’d always had her own private reality dancing in her head. After convincing her husband to purchase a laptop, she began typing the bedtime tales she’d told herself since childhood. Now she writes novels to tell others her stories, just as she had in the song she’d written so many years earlier.

  Winner of the National Readers’ Choice Award and Holt Medallion for Best First Book and Best Historical, Lori writes hunky Highland heroes and strong-willed independent lasses finding their perfect matches in the Highlands of 17th century Scotland.

  She has served two years as the Washington DC Romance Writers Program Director and is currently on her second stint of service to Romance Writers of America as a member of the National Workshop Committee. She’s also a founding member of the blog RomanceontheRocks.com and a contributor to the podcast, History, Books, and Wine.

  After growing up and attending college in Mississippi, she lived in Ohio, Manhattan, and London, but chose to settle in Vienna, VA with her husband and four children. When not writing or reading, Lori enjoys time with her real-life hero and four kids or spending time walking or drinking wine with her friends.

  Visit Lori Ann Bailey in the following places:

  http://loriannbailey.com/ - be sure to sign up for her newsletter for exclusive content and so you don’t miss any news.

  https://www.facebook.com/LoriAnnBaileyauthor/

  https://www.bookbub.com/profile/lori-ann-bailey

  https://www.goodreads.com/LoriAnnBailey

  https://www.amazon.com/Lori-Ann-Bailey/e/B01JGPBQSO

  https://www.instagram.com/loriannbailey/

  Do
n’t miss the Highland Pride series…

  Highland Deception

  Highland Redemption

  Highland Temptation

  Highland Salvation

  Discover more Amara titles…

  A Lady Never Tells

  a Women Daring novel by Lynn Winchester

  When Richard Downing, a viscount of impeccable character, stumbles upon a housemaid with a dagger hidden in her skirts, color him intrigued. Lady Victoria Daring is full of secrets and surprises, first and foremost that she is a master of disguises sent to infiltrate high society for the Crown. Richard is the first man to see through her disguises—and infiltrate deep into her heart. Too bad his family is at the top of her list of suspects…

  What a Scot Wants

  a novel by Amalie Howard and Angie Morgan

  Highlander Ronan Maclaren is in no hurry to marry. And he hasn’t found the right woman. Lady Imogen has avoided wedlock for years. Determined to remain independent, she makes herself unattractive to all suitors. When a betrothal contract is signed—unbeknownst to Ronan or Imogen—it’s loathing at first sight. They each vow to make the other cry off—by any means necessary. But what starts out as a battle of wits…quickly dissolves into a battle of wills.

  The Wicked Viscount

  a Campbells novel by Heather McCollum

  Cat Campbell knows all about Nathaniel Worthington, fifth Viscount of Lincolnshire. The determined Englishman is never far from Finlarig Castle, where his sisters train women to do more than read and write. And thanks to the fiery kiss they shared nearly a year ago he is never far from her thoughts. When an urgent letter from Queen Catherine calls Cat to London, Nathaniel can’t resist volunteering to escort her. The tension between the two has simmered for months, but the long journey in close quarters creates a raging wildfire that could burn them both.