Highlander's Desire: A Scottish Historical Time Travel Romance (Called by a Highlander Book 5)

by Mariah Stone

  She’d never again take this sound for granted. Not when she knew what a dark, lonely place her world was without him.

  Angus brushed his fingers down her spine. “Ye have such soft skin, lass,” he said. “Softer than silk.”

  She smiled. “Thanks. We aim to please.”

  She put her chin on his chest and looked at him.

  “I love when you’re so relaxed,” she said. “You’re so handsome when you have no worries in the world.”

  “’Tis because ye and the babe are in my arms. And when ’tis just ye and I on our estate, I wilna let ye out of the bedchamber. I will love ye every day until ye’re sore and my cock canna stand nae more. Though I dinna think ’tis possible with ye.”

  Rogene giggled and slowly moved her hand down his hard stomach to the apex of his thighs and covered his gorgeous cock with her palm. Already semihard, hot, and velvety, he jerked under her palm and grew harder.

  “Lass…” he whispered. “Didna ye have enough just now?”

  She put her leg over his hips and pushed herself up, straddling him. His cock was pressed against her clit, still sleek from their recent lovemaking, and sent a small jolt of pleasure through her. She began to gently thrust her pelvis to and fro, rubbing herself against his hard length. His dark eyes became black bottomless pools as he devoured her, slowly looking her up and down.

  Breasts, then waist and slightly rounded belly.

  He laid one palm on the small swell. “By God’s blood, lass, ye become more and more bonnie every day. So feminine… So…” He reached out with his other hand and thrust his already stiff cock deep inside her. It went in smoothly, effortlessly because of how wet she was, and filled her still swollen and sensitive core.

  She gasped as her walls stretched, accommodating him within her, adjusting to the sweet pressure and all the bliss that radiated through her.

  “So delicious…” he said with a thrust that spiraled her higher. “My wife…” Another thrust. “My love.” He sat up and wrapped her legs around his waist. He looked deeply into her eyes, his own gaze dark. The gaze of a conqueror. The gaze of a warrior. The gaze of a man who loved her more than anything in the world.

  “My desire…” He groaned and began thrusting into her.

  She knew then that he’d let go—let go of the sense of duty, of limitations, of expectations—and given in to desire, to love, to happiness.

  And as she was falling apart around him, feeling like she was no longer a separate person but had become one with him, her heart was full.

  Right after sunrise, an urgent knock on the door woke Rogene up. Angus grunted, his heavy, warm arm bringing her tighter to him.

  “Go away,” he croaked.

  But the knock repeated.

  “My lord Angus,” someone said from behind the door. “’Tis me, Iòna. Come quick. Lord Raghnall is back. He’s hurt, and he brought another wounded man with him. He asked me to fetch ye…”

  Angus rose immediately, blinking sleep away, worry on his face. He reached for a tunic that lay on the chest by the bed.

  “I’m coming,” he said, and footsteps sounded from behind the door, growing quieter.

  Rogene reached for her dress, fighting a new wave of nausea.

  “Stay,” Angus said, fastening the belt on his trousers. “’Tis early.”

  “No, I want to help.”

  When they were dressed, they hurried down the curved stairs.

  They walked into the fresh air of an early morning, rich with the scent of lake water, wet grass, and flowers. Birds sang, roosters crowed, and sheep bleated from the pastures on the mainland. The inner bailey was empty, except for Iòna and another guard. A still sleepy Laomann and a pale Catrìona arrived right after Rogene and Angus.

  Raghnall pressed his hand against his side, the tunic under his palm brown with blood. A tall stranger who stood on one leg had his arm around the guard’s shoulder. His head was bandaged, covering one eye.

  “Raghnall, what happened?” Angus said.

  “And who is this?” Laomann asked.

  The wounded man looked up at them, and Rogene distinguished a handsome face. His ear-long hair and beard were the color of dirty gold. The tan of someone who’d been outside most of his life colored his high cheekbones. His intelligent green eyes were clouded with pain and exhaustion.

  One moment, Rogene was studying him, the next, Catrìona gasped and fell. On instinct, Rogene turned and caught her sister-in-law, supporting her by the elbows.

  Catrìona clenched her dress over her heart and whispered, “Good Lord…” She crossed herself hastily and pressed her wooden cross to her lips.

  “Catrìona, I wish you ate more,” Rogene whispered to her. “Stop starving yourself—”

  “’Tis nae that,” Catrìona replied in a hot whisper.

  Raghnall frowned, his dark eyes on Catrìona. “Are ye all right, sister? ’Tis only Tadhg. Ye remember him, right?”

  Tadhg’s eyes were on Catrìona, and he was clearly as astounded to see her as she was to see him.

  “Tadhg,” she said. “I didna ken ye were alive…or would ever be back.”

  “Who is he?” Rogene whispered.

  “The only man I’ve ever loved,” Catrìona said. “My betrothed…”

  “Yer who?” growled Angus quietly.

  But she didn’t reply. She let go of Rogene, rushed to Tadhg, and supported him from the other side.

  Raghnall looked at Laomann. “Is it all right with ye, brother, if Tadhg stays here until he gets better? Ross men attacked on my way back from clan Ruaidhrí and he saved my life. Euphemia isna going to leave us alone.”

  Rogene’s skin chilled. Laomann nodded and gestured to the keep. “Of course. Stay, Tadhg. Ye need help, too, Raghnall.”

  “I’ll help ye get better,” Catrìona said.

  “Thank ye,” Tadhg said, his voice rasping.

  “I’ll make sure Tadhg is all right,” Raghnall said, “but then I’ll go stay with Father Nicholas. He can heal me.”

  “Ye’re nae going anywhere until I care for yer wound,” Catrìona said. “Dinna argue with me.”

  They slowly walked towards the keep and disappeared through the door.

  “Did you know she had a betrothed?” Rogene asked Angus as she watched the door closing behind Laomann.

  “Nae. Father wanted to marry her to a wealthy man but didna find one that was rich enough or had a high enough title. She was his prized possession, a bonnie, shiny thing to sell off for a fortune.”

  “So Tadhg must have been her secret love…” Rogene whispered. “Do ye think he might change her mind?”

  Angus sighed. “I dinna think so.”

  “We’ll see. I hope whatever she decides she chooses her happiness. You did. And thank God!”

  The first rays of sun appeared from behind the curtain wall, promising a hot day. But as Rogene squinted and nestled into Angus’s hug, her world didn’t get brighter and warmer. Instead, dread weighed heavily in her chest, sending her heart into an erratic rhythm and misting her skin with sweat.

  Somewhere out there, Euphemia was preparing her revenge, gathering warriors and sharpening yet another dagger.

  At the wedding, the scariest and happiest day of Rogene’s life, Euphemia whispered something to her. Something Rogene had desperately tried to forget and ignore.

  Something that, she now knew, wasn’t an empty threat said in the heat of the moment.

  How would it feel to ken that everyone ye love and hold dear would perish, and it all would be yer own fault? If only ye’d stayed away…

  But as Angus’s strong arms brought her closer, she knew that even though they had a powerful enemy, they were one clan, one family. Destiny was on their side. Because they had found the greatest gift of all. Something that Euphemia didn’t have.

  Love and trust.

  THE END

  Loved Angus and Rogene’s story? Get excited for Catriona’s story next in Highlander’s Vow. Would Tadhg’s arrival cha
nge her plans to become a nun, or will it be a certain man that appears out of nowhere in the castle that would change her life?

  Or will she change his? Read here: https://geni.us/szfAv9

  Note on Historical Accuracy

  Taking a creative license is always fun, and I particularly enjoyed mixing things up in this book. Historical facts intertwined with my imagination and created a couple of people who didn’t exist and events that didn’t happen.

  First, Eilean Donan got a new dungeon, underground rooms that don’t exist, and a room with a Pictish rock that sends people through time. If you ever visit the castle, please don’t go looking for those rooms. But I’d like to hope that if you do, you might find them.

  Second, Euphemia, Countess of Ross, is a real historical figure who had survived two husbands and kidnapped a Mackenzie laird to marry him. Although that didn’t happen until 1427. When I read about her, I was so fascinated by this woman that my imagination went wild. Most of the kidnappings we read about in the Highlands are done by men, and I was intrigued that Scottish women were so fierce that they were also capable of kidnapping a man they fancied.

  Often we get a feeling that history was written by men, but this simply can’t be true. It was fun to come up with a female character who is capable of shaking things up at such a magnitude her actions span across several books.

  Third, and most important, there is absolutely no evidence that Robert the Bruce wanted to give up when he visited the Mackenzie clan or wrote a letter about it. On the contrary, historians believe that he came to Mackenzie lands to recruit men. Although I do wonder if through all his hardships in 1307 and the beginning of 1308 if he really ever thought about abandoning his cause. He is a fascinating man on all accounts, though not always as heroic and honorable as we may think, once you start digging, but undoubtedly an unforgettable man who shaped history, and I love writing stories around the Wars of Scottish Independence.

  I hope you enjoyed this cocktail of history and fiction!

  Mariah

  Acknowledgments

  Writing this page is my favorite part of the book creation process, partly because the work is done, and partly because a book always has several people without whom it wouldn’t have existed.

  I’m very fortunate to work with a great team of editors. As always, the biggest thank you is to my sounding board and my creative partner who helps me pick the best ideas and make the story exciting and emotional, the talented editor, Laura Barth. A new and great addition to my team, Beth Attwood, helped to check facts, kill repetitions, and smooth out the writing. And, as always, a careful and meticulous proofreader, Laura LaTulipe, caught the last “slippery bastards,” a.k.a. the typos and tough errors that made it through despite the efforts of several editors.

  This novel was written in the toughest year I have ever lived through, which is something millions of people and I have in common. 2020. The COVID-19 pandemic crippled traveling and made it impossible for me to go to Scotland and visit Eilean Donan personally. However, when I turned to my readers and asked for help figuring out the geography of the castle and the details of interior that are impossible to catch from photos and videos, I was humbled to receive dozens of emails and messages.

  As a result, several readers spent a lot of time answering my questions, sending me detailed descriptions, photos, and links. Essentially, they were my eyes and ears. They were the ones who helped me bring the setting of Eilean Donan to life and make it authentic. My immense gratitude to my wonderful readers: Sandra, Cindy R., Mindy D., Cornelia W., Georgine F., Lorna M., Diane C., Anca F., and Marybelle M.-C. This book wouldn’t have been the same without you!

  And last, but not least, I’m so thankful to have such amazing readers. You, those who buy, read, and review my books, keep me inspired, keep ideas flowing, and through your support, allow me to write my books full-time, seeing my children grow up and hug and kiss my husband every day.

  With love and gratitude,

  Mariah

  Also by Mariah Stone

  Called by a Highlander series (time travel):

  Sìneag (FREE short story)

  Highlander’s Captive

  Highlander’s Hope

  Highlander’s Heart

  Highlander’s Love

  Highlander’s Christmas (novella)

  Highlander’s Desire

  Highlander’s Vow (release 2021)

  Highlander’s Bride (release 2021)

  More instalments coming in 2021 and 2022

  Called by a Viking series (time travel):

  One Night with a Viking (prequel)—grab for free!

  The Fortress of Time

  The Jewel of Time

  The Marriage of Time

  The Surf of Time

  The Tree of Time

  Called by a Pirate series (time travel):

  Pirate’s Treasure

  Pirate’s Pleasure

  A Christmas regency romance:

  The Russian Prince’s Bride

  Join the romance time-travelers’ club!

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  Scottish slang

  aye – yes

  bairn - baby

  bastart - bastard

  bonnie - pretty, beautiful.

  canna- can not

  couldna – couldn’t

  didna- didn't ("Ah didna do that!")

  dinna- don't ("Dinna do that!")

  doesna – doesn’t

  fash - fuss, worry ("Dinna fash yerself.")

  feck - fuck

  hasna – has not

  havna - have not

  hadna – had not

  innit? - Isn't it?

  isna- Is not

  ken - to know

  kent - knew

  lad - boy

  lass - girl

  marrit – married

  nae – no or not

  shite - faeces

  the morn - tomorrow

  the morn's morn - tomorrow morning

  uisge-beatha (uisge for short) – Scottish Gaelic for water or life / aquavitae, the distilled drink, predecessor of whiskey

  verra – very

  wasna - was not

  wee - small

  wilna - will not

  wouldna - would not

  ye - you

  yer – your (also yerself)

  About the Author

  When time travel romance writer Mariah Stone isn't busy writing strong modern women falling back through time into the arms of hot Vikings, Highlanders, and pirates, she chases after her toddler and spends romantic nights on North Sea with her husband.

  Mariah speaks six languages, loves Outlander, sushi and Thai food, and runs a local writer's group. Subscribe to Mariah's newsletter for a free time travel book today!

 

 

 
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