The Lass Who Lost a Shoe (Highlander Ever After Book 1)

by Caroline Lee

  “Ooh!” Willa straightened. “We could charge admission!”

  “It’s illegal!” snapped Evangeline.

  But Broca scoffed. “There’s a law on the books which says we cannae use a magical crystal to enjoy a bit of voyeurism?”

  “There should be!” Evangeline pinched the bridge of her nose and exhaled, then dropped her hand and pierced them each with a glare as she evoked the authority she knew they’d all respect. “Besides, it’s forbidden in The Book.”

  “Oh,” sighed Willa.

  Seonag tapped out her pipe. “Wooden stap hander can.”

  Broca folded her arms with a scowl, and Grisel patted Seonag’s arm. “Well said, Grandmother.”

  Evangeline struggled to regain control of the meeting. “Since we’re all here, we might as well start discussing our next project. Willa, since Vanessa is your assignment, would you like to begin?”

  Their shyest member cleared her throat, her gaze locked on the table. “As ye ken, we arranged for Vanessa and Roland to meet. They were both smitten, as intended, but she’s managed to alienate him. She’s no’ a bad person, but he thinks she might be.”

  “So the plan’s in place?” Grisel encouraged.

  Willa risked a glance up as she nodded. “I believe Roland’s idea will work to prove a lesson to her.”

  Broca nodded. “And it’ll bring them closer together. Everyone knows forced proximity works the best in cases like this, because of narrative causality.”

  All five godmothers nodded. “Narrative causality.”

  “Excellent.” Grinning tightly, Evangeline leaned forward. “Grisel, start the tea—no chanting this time, thank you—and let us discuss our next case of…the Lass Who Kissed a Frog.”

  AUTHOR’S NOTE

  AUTHOR’S NOTE

  On Historical Accuracy

  This is a humorous fairy tale retelling.

  I didn’t set out to write a historically accurate story, but those of you who’ve read my Hots for Scots books probably weren’t expecting one. The Highlander Ever After series is set in the same area and around the same clan as that series, but while the Hots for Scots is laugh-out-loud funny and wickedly sexy, this one is a little tamer, and a little more modern.

  The point is: the Oliphants aren’t historically accurate. Oliphant Castle is a figment of my imagination, as are Newfincy Castle and the titles the characters bear…although any romance reader likely isn’t surprised by that.

  Oliphant Engraving is, of course, as accurate as I can make it. The Prince Armory was introduced in my Everland Ever After series of reimagined fairy tales set in the old west. Andrew Prince (The Prince’s Pea and The Godmother) not only founded a successful custom firearms industry, but he also maintained business interests in the Highlands of Scotland, which allowed me to connect Duncan Oliphant’s legacy (Scot on Her Trail) with my sweeter fairy tales.

  For those who have been reading my fairy tales since the beginning, I know you’ve been waiting for Max’s story. He appears throughout the Everland Ever After books as a good-natured best friend and confidante, but many have noticed a hint that his past hasn’t always been sunny. I hope, having finally read his history, you feel I’ve done it justice.

  Max’s past wasn’t unique, and there were many people in America in the 1880s, who not only looked like him, but had a similar story of their birth. But that story wasn’t nearly as common in Britain by then, so Ember’s shock was understandable.

  Although Scotland’s history with abolition is a little different (arguably more progressive) than England’s, it wasn’t until 1807 that the slave trade in the British Empire became illegal. Much of the wealth in Britain at that time was thanks to plantations in the East Indies and around the globe…and much of that was built by slave labor. While there were most definitely enslaved people on British soil, the majority were held abroad.

  In 1833, Parliament abolished slavery completely. This was a long time coming, from the abolitionist and progressive point of view, but still three decades earlier than the United States.

  Because of these factors, it’s understandable Ember wouldn’t have had many interactions with a person who’d been born a slave.

  In her reactions, I tried to show not just empathy and understanding, but that Max’s status at birth truly didn’t matter to her. It’s not that she glossed over his experiences and pain, or that she loved him “despite” those parts of his past; Ember loves him because of those experiences, and for all the rest which make him Max.

  Anyhow, that’s enough seriousness—back to fairy tale life!

  If you loved the Guild of Godmothers (and want to know more about The Book), feel free to check out my Everland Ever After series…the first book of which (Little Red) is free! While Max appears in most of the books, the eleventh book in that series, The Godmother, not only features a heroine who is a member of the Guild of Godmothers, but it also sets up Max’s story and how he came to be in the Highlands. I hope you enjoy!

  Now, I’m sure you’re curious about how Vanessa is going to get her comeuppance…or if Roland’s plan will even work, so if you’re ready for more silly Godmother shenanigans and fairy tale retellings, keep reading for an excerpt from The Lass Who Kissed a Frog!

  But first, I want to offer you a personal invitation to join my reader group – Caroline’s Cohort. If you’re on Facebook, I hope you’ll consider becoming a part of my group. It’s where I post all the best book news first, and you’ll be able to get to know me personally. My Cohort group is also instrumental in helping me name characters and choose covers, so stop on by!

  SNEAK PEEK

  Vanessa doesn’t come off sounding too likable in Ember’s story, does she? But she has a good reason for being the way she is, and she’s content with herself…until she realizes she’s hurt Roland. Ready for a sneak peek from The Lass Who Kissed a Frog?

  “Why are ye so nervous?” whispered her sister as she tucked her notebook into a hidden pocket and stepped up beside her. “Dinnae deny it, I ken ye better than Mother does, remember.”

  “I’m no—” Realizing she was about to deny it, Vanessa’s smile slipped for a moment. “I just dinnae want to do anything to ruin my chances with Roland.” The reminder of the masquerade ball earlier in the season, and how the two of them had not only danced beautifully together, but snuck away for some quiet conversation, made her sigh happily. “He’s perfect, Bonnie,” she whispered as the butler opened the door ahead, “and I think I might love him.”

  “You love the idea of him,” her sister corrected.

  As if that mattered? Vanessa sighed again. “Aye, I believe I do.” The idea of Roland and Roland. “I want him to love me too.”

  Apparently, their mother was listening, because as the butler led them through the echoing foyer of Newfincy Castle, she turned just long enough to hiss over her shoulder, “Of course he’ll love ye, ye’re beautiful! He came to tea, did he no’?”

  Luckily, she’d turned back, that fake smile plastered on her face, and Vanessa didn’t have to answer. Instead, she exchanged glances with Bonnie, and knew her sister was thinking the same thing.

  Roland had come for tea, only a week after they’d danced at the ball, and had brought Max DeVille—who was now married to their stepsister, Ember—as well. But despite Mother’s attempts to pretend everything was wonderful, Roland had been distinctly cold throughout the social niceties, and had left not long after Mr. DeVille excused himself.

  And Vanessa was terrified she knew the reason why.

  “Ladies.” The two men stood when the butler led them into the parlor, but only one was smiling. And it wasn’t the one who’d spoken, Roland Prince. “Thank ye for joining us.”

  “Of course, milord!” Mother tittered as she dipped into a deep curtsey. “We are honored.”

  It wasn’t until Bonnie followed their mother that Vanessa remembered her manners, and forced herself to stop looking at Roland long enough to curtsey as well.

  He’d stepp
ed up to Mother’s side, and was leading her toward the little arrangement of chairs facing a cold hearth. “Lady Machara, Baroness Oliphant, may I present my brother? Mr. Phineas Prince.”

  “You most certainly can!” Mother winked at Roland, her outrageous flirting curling something deep in Vanessa’s stomach. “But a mere ‘mister’? Oh dear,” she pretended to bemoan as she offered the youngest Prince brother her hand. “I was certain such a handsome Prince as yerself would be a lord.”

  “Alas,” quipped Phineas stiffly as he bowed over Mother’s hand. “I am one of those bores who believes the future of humanity rests in knowledge and study, and thus I am content with my lack of title.”

  “How amusing! Ye must meet my other daughter, Bonnibelle! Bonnie, come meet the delightful Mr. Prince! Ye two can bore one another!”

  As she laughed at her own joke, Mother missed the way the faces around her went carefully blank at her insult. Vanessa didn’t, because she couldn’t seem to tear her gaze away from Roland’s eyes.

  When he turned to her, she was quick to arrange her expression into the smile she knew made her look beautiful, yet approachable. He studied her for a moment longer than was necessary, making her feel as if he wasn’t quite impressed with her efforts.

  Finally, he inclined his head, and Vanessa felt herself begin to breathe again. “Miss Oliphant,” he murmured politely, as he took her hand. “We meet again.”

  It wasn’t a I’m so glad we’ve met again, or a Of course we’d meet again, since I invited ye, after all, or even a What in the hell are ye doing here, so that we could meet again? It was just a simple statement, and Vanessa found herself floundering in intentions.

  “Aye, milord.” She remembered to keep her voice breathy and alluring, the way Mother said men preferred. “Thank ye so much for having us. This is the highlight of our week.”

  He straightened, but didn’t release her hand. His touch, the way it had in the past, sent little shivers of delicious warmth through her, and she felt as if she could spend the rest of her life hold his hand, despite the layer of soft glove she wore. When she felt his thumb trace a small circle across the backs of her fingers, she wanted to drop her gaze to confirm, but couldn’t seem to stop looking at him.

  And the way he was looking at her.

  Despite the warmth of his touch, his gaze was…closed off. Not at all the open and laughing young man she’d danced and flirted with at the ball. But at least he wasn’t in the icy anger she’d felt from him when he’d come to the Inn for tea.

  “Aye,” he finally murmured, and when she shifted frantically through her memory to the last thing said, she bristled at his agreement. As if this should be the highlight of her week.

  With a faint sniff, and telling herself it didn’t matter how nice his touch felt, she pulled her hand from Roland’s and straightened her shoulders. Surprisingly, his lips curled upward at her haughtiness, but it wasn’t a warm smile.

  He inclined his head once more. “Tea, Miss Oliphant?”

  When he gestured to the collection of chairs, where Bonnie and his brother were already speaking animatedly about something-or-other, she lifted her chin and swept past him, her stomach all in knots.

  Why was he acting this way? She studied him surreptitiously as she poured the tea, and was disconcerted to find him watching her. Oh, she was used to men looking at her, but Roland was studying. Noting her move…judging. She could feel his regard, and didn’t care for the sensation.

  Mainly because she was worried he might not like what he saw.

  Vanessa should be nervous, because she knows what Roland heard her say about his brother. But she has no idea what he has planned for her! If you’re in the mood for more fun, flirty Highland fairytales, check out Vanessa and Roland’s enemies-to-lovers story, The Lass Who Kissed a Frog!

  Other Books by Caroline Lee

  Want the scoop on new books? Join Caroline’s Cohort, an exclusive reader group! Or sign up for my mailing list by texting “Caroline” to 42828 to get started!

  Steamy Scottish Historicals:

  The Sinclair Jewels (4 books)

  The Highland Angels (5 books)

  The Hots for Scots (8 books)

  Highlander Ever After (3 books)

  Sensual Historical Westerns:

  Black Aces (3 books)

  Sunset Valley (3 books)

  Everland Ever After (10 books)

  The Sweet Cheyenne Quartet (6 books)

  Sweet Contemporary Westerns

  Quinn Valley Ranch (5 books)

  River’s End Ranch (14 books)

  The Cowboys of Cauldron Valley (7 books)

  The Calendar Girls’ Ranch (6 books)

  Click here to find a complete list of Caroline’s books.

  Sign up for Caroline’s Newsletter to receive exclusive content and freebies, as well as first dibs on her books! Or if newsletters aren’t your thing, follow her on Bookbub for a quick, concise new release alert every time she publishes a book!

  About the Author

  Caroline Lee has been reading romance for so long that her fourth-grade teacher used to make her cover her books with paper jackets. But it wasn't until she (mostly) grew up that she realized she could write it too. So she did.

  Caroline is living her own little Happily Ever After in NC with her husband, sons, and new daughter, Princess Wiggles. And while she doesn't so much "suffer" from Pittakionophobia as think that all you people who enjoy touching Band-Aids and stickers are the real weirdos, she does adore rodents, and never met a wine she didn't like. Caroline was named Time Magazine's Person of the Year in 2006 (along with everyone else) and is really quite funny in person. Promise.

  You can find her at www.CarolineLeeRomance.com.