Consumed By The Lost Highlander (Steamy Scottish Historical Romance)

by Maddie MacKenna

  So many secrets have been revealed, yet so many questions remain unanswered. When the Laird wakes, decisions will be made.

  It was agonizing for Juliana to wait after what had happened. It had been over in what seemed like an instant, but nothing had yet changed. She stood up from the desk and paced around the room. On the small table lay the start of a letter. The letter was addressed to her father, but only the word ‘Father’ was written on the sheet of paper, nothing else.

  A knock came at the door. Juliana had expected it to be a maid, but it was Arthur who stood there when she opened it.

  “Ye’re tae join me in the great hall,” said Arthur.

  Juliana nodded and looked around the room as if to gather her belongings. She remembered that she did not have any, and followed the guard out of the room and down the stairs.

  She was not sure how much time had passed since the fight. It was not yet night, but looking through the small windows in the stone wall, she could see that there was a slight tinge of pink on the horizon. When they reached the great hall, that same tint of pink was filtering in through the elevated windows and bathing everything in a soft hue.

  It is as if the sunlight is matching the mood. It had been bright and glaring when they had been fighting, and soft and comforting now that it was all over.

  Juliana’s eyes went straight to Andrew, and his back to her. If she had wings, she would have unfolded them and flapped until she was among the clouds, soaring high, never to come back down. Sitting beside Andrew was Laird Drechten. He looked more rested than he had before, but he was still pale and sickly looking.

  There was an empty chair beside the Laird, the one that Juliana had sat in for the battle, and the Laird motioned to it once again. Juliana timidly made her way from the large entrance at one end of the room to the elevated dais at the other end. The sound of the doors being closed snapped from behind.

  She did not look at Lady Drechten and her brother as she passed them, keeping her head down until she was sat beside the Laird, she on one side, and Andrew on the other. When she raised her head, she could see that the Lady was glaring at her.

  This has always been your seat, has it not?

  There was a tiny thrill in taking the Lady’s place at the top of the hall, but some shame there too. She did not belong in this place, in this chair. She felt uncomfortable just sitting there. Yet, there was a strength in it too, and the mixture of emotions was swirling into peace.

  Laird Lochenbrew was awake and stood by his sister. Where her face was full of anger and rage, held back by countless years of practice, his was a blank canvas. He was not hiding his emotions, for Juliana had witnessed that he did not have the skill that his sister did. No, he did not have any emotion to show anymore.

  I cannot believe that this is the man that I was to marry.

  The guards were there too, the ones who had been in the courtyard and witnessed the reveal of the secrets. Arthur strode from the end of the great hall, after closing the door, and took his place lined up with the other guards.

  “Thank ye.”

  Juliana looked down to see Laird Drechten’s hand on top of her own. She looked up to see him smiling at her, a weak smile, but a smile all the same.

  “I—”

  “Ye dinnae need tae say anythin’.” Laird Drechten shifted in his chair, sitting up a little straighter and removing his hand from Juliana’s. “If ye hadnae come here, be it through pure luck or fate, we wouldnae all be sittin’ here right now. I wouldnae, anyway. Time will tell if I’m tae sit here for much longer.”

  “You must—” Juliana tried to speak again, but the Laird waved his hand, and she fell silent.

  “Miss Petrey, ye saved me. I dinnae care if I die tomorrow, for ye found me son, and revealed the hideous lies that have been coursin’ through this castle for years.” The words came with a look at his wife, who did not blink nor look away.

  Laird Drechten continued, “I believe that the good Lord brought ye tae me. Ye are me guardian angel, sent tae make things right. I cannae say that I’m without sin, but I must have done somethin’ right tae be rewarded like this. Ye can stay in the Castle as long as ye like before ye continue on with yer life.”

  Juliana did not know what that would mean for her, and her stomach turned over as she thought about leaving the Castle. She composed herself and thanked the Laird before taking a deep breath and holding back the tears that were filling her eyes.

  “A great tragedy has befallen us.” Everyone listened intently as the Laird spoke. He had been confined to his bed for months, and the guard’s faces glowed as they listened to their Laird’s booming voice once more. “What happened here today must never get out. Secrets have been kept for a long time, and they must be kept longer.”

  “What?” gasped Juliana. She looked around the room to see everyone looking at her. She had spoken out of turn and she knew it. “Pardon me, my Laird.”

  “I’ve talked a lot with me son.” There was a knowing smile on the Laird’s face. “We have much tae talk about if I last that long, but the actions of today could be the end of our strength as a clan. The Treaty of the Union has only just been signed, and these are turbulent times. We cannae show anythin’ less than strength in the face of peace, both tae our neighbors around us, and tae those across the border.

  “It’s an order from yer Laird that nae man shall speak of what happened here today.” He patted Juliana’s hand and added, “Or woman.”

  The guards in the room murmured among themselves, not talking with each other, more making sounds, as they nodded their heads, showing their allegiance to the Laird. Juliana could not read the emotions of the other two in the hall. One was showing nothing because nothing was there, and the other was hiding everything.

  “There must be friendship between the two clans, or long-lastin’ peace is nae goin’ tae, well, last. We are walkin’ a fine line right now. If our two clans dinnae hold the peace, what hope is there for those around us, and the country beyond. For that reason, I’ve made the decision tae let ye return tae yer castle.”

  Laird Lochenbrew looked at Laird Drechten, and there was some emotion on his face for the first time in a long time. It was happiness and relief and acceptance.

  When Laird Lochenbrew did not speak, Laird Drechten continued. “These are hard times. If ye had killed this boy when he was a baby, I wouldnae have known any of this. By not killin’ him ye have given yerself a lifeline. I would be in me right tae have ye locked in the dungeon right now, or worse, and I would take great pleasure in it, but it wouldnae be the right decision. Ye’ll return tae yer castle, and the relationship between the Drechtens and Lochenbrews will endure.”

  Laird Lochenbrew could only nod his head at the news. Juliana looked to Laird Drechten and Andrew and could see the solidarity between them. Both had the exact same expression on their faces, so much so that she wanted to chuckle. They were the same man, separated by age. If this was what Andrew wanted, then she would make her peace with it.

  “As for ye.” The Laird turned his attention to his wife. “I dinnae doubt that ye love me, but ye love power more. I did a terrible thing tae ye, but ye did worse by me. I cannae imagine someone bein’ so caught up in anger and rage that they would want tae murder a baby. It’s a good thing that ye were tae cowardly tae dae it yerself. Aye, the Lord has been lookin’ out for me for a long time.”

  “Ye can keep the Drechten name if ye wish, but ye are nae longer welcome in this Castle. As soon as we are done here, ye can pack her belongings and remove yerself from this place.”

  “Where will I go?” asked Lady Drechten.

  Laird Drechten scoffed at the question. “Are ye askin’ me? I dinnae care where ye go, but there is a carriage leavin’ for Lochenbrew Castle shorty, and I am sure that ye will be welcome there, and taken care of. When our son, Robert, returns, he'll be one of the few who’re told the truth, and he’ll decide what he wants tae dae.”

  Lady Drechten nodded. She was used to bei
ng the one in charge, but she needed to take orders now. She was lost in all of the drama, her power stripped away. Juliana could see it on her face, as she looked from her brother to her husband, or soon-to-be ex-husband.

  “And ye,” Laird Drechten said to Laird Lochenbrew. “It’s time for ye tae stop bein’ a coward. Ye have been one yer whole life. I’ve watched yer sister take advantage of ye, and ye’ve never stood up tae her. If ye are goin’ tae lead yer clan, ye need tae step up and be a man. She’s yer responsibility now, and the peace between our clans lies with our relationship. Take care of yer sister, or I’ll be forced tae take care of ye.”

  For a second, Juliana could see the Laird of years gone by. She had never met that man, nor knew what he was like before he had gotten sick, but the image of strength came back as the voice boomed and gave the order to the other Laird.

  Juliana did not understand the politics of it all, and she knew that she would not have handled the situation in the same way, but that was why she was not the Laird of a castle. She would have loved to lock the Laird and his sister up in a dungeon if there was such a thing, but she had no idea what this would mean for the Castle. From the way that the Laird had talked, peace between two clans could affect the entire country and beyond. She kept quiet as the Laird talked through his decisions.

  “I think that we can all agree that silence is our greatest weapon in this fight. In time, the clans will discover that Lady Drechten has left the Castle, but marriages often dae not work out as they should. They’ll also find out that the rightful heir tae the clan has been found. This will be a joyous occasion.”

  “I can count on the discretion of my guards, for they ken what will happen tae them if they speak out against me wishes. For the two of ye,” the words were aimed at the siblings, “the emergence of the truth will mean a lot worse.”

  He turned to the guard. “Arthur?”

  “Yes, Me Laird.”

  “Escort the Laird and Lady wherever they want tae go in the Castle and make sure that the carriage leaves before dark.”

  “Aye, Me Laird.”

  “Me Laird.” Laird Lochenbrew stepped forward and bent the knee, kneeling before his peer. “We cannae ride after dark, there may be bandits out there.”

  “Ye might learn tae fight, like Andrew did,” said Laird Drechten. “It’s a small mercy that I’m lettin’ ye leave the Castle at all. Dinnae test me patience.”

  “Aye, Me Laird.”

  Laird Lochenbrew stood back up and looked at his sister.

  “Well dinnae just stand there,” she said, “let’s go.”

  The two of them walked to the end of the hall, the guards quickening their step to keep up. One of the guards opened the door, and they all left, save for Laird Drechten, Andrew, and Juliana.

  “I should—”

  Andrew began talking before Juliana could finish her thought. “I dinnae ken what I can say tae thank ye for what ye have done. I have tae agree with me Father, somethin’ was guidin’ us here, for if we had not come tae this castle, I would not have found the truth. I dinnae think that I would have found ye, either.”

  Andrew walked over to Juliana, who had stood up from her chair, and he took her hands in his.

  “I owe ye so much,” continued Andrew. “Ye’ve saved me life. If the bandits hadnae taken ye, I would not have had the strength tae go after them. It was ye who gave me that strength. If ye hadnae of done what ye did here, I would be dead by now, probably on the road between our two castles.

  “If ye hadnae been so courageous, I wouldnae have found me Father. He would be dead too if it hadnae been for yer strength and courage. I cannae even imagine the evil that those two would have gotten up tae if they hadnae been stopped. For all of that, I thank ye.”

  “I only did what needed to be done. What was right,” said Juliana.

  Andrew smiled. “Nae, ye didnae. There are not many, man nor woman, who would have done what ye did. It’s easy tae talk about what is right, it’s another thing tae actually dae it. Ye did something spectacular here. Ye did somethin’ right, and now I need tae dae somethin’ right. Ye saved me and me Father, but ye did it at the expense of yer own family.”

  “I cannot take your money, or your father’s money,” protested Juliana.

  “I’m nae askin’ ye tae,” responded Andrew.

  “Oh.”

  “Ye must ken by now how much I…how much that I love ye. Ye are the most wonderful lass that I have ever met, and I want tae spend the rest of me life with ye. Will ye be me wife?”

  Juliana almost fell back in shock. It was everything that she had wished for, but she never truly contemplated it happening, not after the events that had just transpired. She could not grasp what he was asking her, it was everything that she had ever dreamed of, a life with the man that she had fallen in love with. He had saved her life, and she had saved his. It was all too much to comprehend, so much so that she was too shocked to respond.

  “Just tell the man that ye will marry him, I can see it in yer eyes,” said Laird Drechten.

  “Yes, yes, yes!” Juliana squealed with delight.

  “And we’ll take care of yer family. Me Father knows all about yer family’s troubles, and he’s got contacts all through England. Yer father will have more business in the coming months. Partnerships are being created between the Lairds in Scotland and the Lords in England. This’ll nae be any different,” Andrew rambled on.

  “Och, dinnae bog her down in all that nonsense. There’ll be plenty of time tae get intae that,” assured Laird Drechten. “Can ye nae see that the girl is only thinkin’ of the marriage. Go on, kiss her.”

  Andrew stopped talking and chuckled. He tightened his grip and pulled her in.

  Juliana’s heart beat as it all sunk in. It was amazing how everything had worked out. She would marry the man she loved, and he would become the Laird of Drechten Castle. Not only that, but she would be able to help her family too.

  As she kissed Andrew, Juliana found everything that she had ever dreamed of.

  Epilogue

  “I am so proud,” said Lord Gordontrent.

  “Oh, Father, please stop saying that, or I am going to cry again.” It had been two weeks since she had left her family house in Gordontrent, and only a few days since her mother and father had arrived at Drechten Castle.

  Juliana had spent a week back at home, too long away from Andrew in her opinion, and during that time, she had told her parents everything. She had been amused as their faces had shown every possible emotion there was. She wished that Andrew could have seen it too.

  She had been glad when they had arrived at the Castle, especially her mother, as there was a lot of planning to be done before the wedding. And, before she knew it, it was the day of the wedding, and she had not had time to become nervous.

  Well, she was catching up now, and the nerves were flowing through her like a waterfall down a Highland mountain range. Her father handed her the sprig of white heather and kissed her on her cheek. Mary Petrey was pinning and unpinning something on her dress, and Juliana had to shoo her away with some laughter.

  Juliana was a sight to behold. The dress had been made especially for the wedding, and that was one thing that she was thankful to Lady Drechten for. She had remembered the seamstress from their walk together and had visited there to have the dress made. Thinking about it, it was perhaps the only thing that she was thankful to the Lady for.

  Everyone had arrived, including Laird Drechten, who came over and kissed Juliana on the cheek. She could not believe the change. He had almost died a couple of days after the fight, the poison working its way out of his system. But, after making it through a difficult three days, he had come out the other side like a ray of sunshine through a cloud.

  As he had improved, the color had come back, his energy level had risen, and life came back to his eyes. If there was ever any doubt that he and Andrew were father and child, it went beyond doubt now. They looked, sounded, and acted exactly alike. It m
ade Juliana joyous to think about how Lady Drechten would react to seeing her husband like this again.

  Once the formalities were out of the way, and everyone was ready, the procession began. Andrew took Juliana’s hand, and they walked at the front of the party, leading everyone through town and to the church.

  “Ye look beautiful,” said Andrew.

  “And you are handsome and dashing.” Juliana looked at her man and blushed.

  Andrew was wearing a formal kilt in the Drechten tartan, with high socks, black shoes, and a crisp cream shirt. There was a sash over his shoulder, again in the tartan of his name, and a ceremonial sword attached to his belt. He walked tall and proud through the streets of Drechten, his home.