Highlander's Sinful Desire (Steamy Scottish Historical Romance)

by Maddie MacKenna

  As he tottered into the hall on his crutches, the guests began to get quiet. The musicians saw him and stopped playing. As he made his way to the table where Rowena sat with Taran, an awkward silence descended over the hall. Rowena and Taran stood.

  Taran said, “Good evenin’, Laird Kensley.” He reached out to shake Lord Kensley’s hand. Lord Kensley balanced himself and shook Taran’s hand.

  Then Lord Kensley turned to Rowena. She walked around the end of the table and stood in front of her father. She said, “Father, I’m so pleased that you came. Thank you.” She embraced him.

  Taran got the attention of a servant and asked him to pull up a seat for Lord Kensley at the table of honor. Lord Kensley sat down heavily, and the guests burst into cheers and applause. He managed a smile, despite his misgivings about the whole event.

  Malcolm then raised his cup of wine. “A toast!” He shouted. “A toast to me good friend, Taran, and his new, bonnie wife, Rowena!” Shouts of approval rippled through the crowded hall.

  Malcolm stood on a chair and spoke. “Taran, we’ve been through many a hair-raisin’ time together. I’m glad ye finally found yerself a lovely wife who just may be able to keep ye out of trouble! Rowena, ye’ve got a big job ahead of ye, takin’ care of this man! May ye have many happy days together!”

  Taran and Rowena laughed while they all raised their cups to the toast. Rowena had never been happier.

  A man’s voice bellowed from the back of the hall. “You treacherous swine!” Everyone in the hall went silent.

  Taran set his wine down and put his hand on his sword. “Is that ye, Strongbow?” He silently cursed the men who were supposed to be guarding him. Taran would have to rebuke them later. “Stop hidin’ behind the ladies and show yerself!”

  Lord Strongbow stepped out into the middle of the room. His leg had healed enough that he could walk without limping, but he was so big that he waddled like a duck. The crowd parted to let him through. No one wanted to be in his way.

  “Here I am!” He yelled.

  Rowena moved closer to Taran and held on to his arm. Taran shouted, “What are ye doin’ in here, Strongbow? Yer men are outside.”

  “I’m here to claim what is mine!” Earl Strongbow shouted. He swayed a little. The bottle of wine he had drunk earlier was going to his head.

  “There’s nothin’ in here that belongs to ye!” Taran responded.

  Lord Kensley stood up and with some effort balanced himself on his good leg. “Lord Strongbow, she is already married. Act like a nobleman and accept that fact.”

  Earl Strongbow said, “Don’t worry, Kensley, I’m here to claim what is rightfully mine.” Earl Strongbow looked directly at Rowena as he said that, and pointed at her.

  Taran said, “She’s nae yers, Strongbow. Ye’re too late. She’s me wife now.”

  Earl Strongbow drew his sword with a swish! loud enough to echo through the hall. Even the candles flickered. “I can easily remedy that!”

  Mother Philomena and Sister Prudence gasped at Earl Strongbow’s threat. Sister Prudence wanted to shout at the villainous earl, but she was afraid it would enrage him into acting on his deadly threat. Auntie Lili could not restrain herself, however. “Och, Laird Strongbow, stop actin’ like a foolish knave! Put that sword away and behave yerself!”

  Lord Strongbow looked at her with menace in his eyes. “Shut your mouth, you old witch!” He waved his sword towards her.

  “Och! What insolence!” She muttered. Mother Philomena and Sister Prudence put comforting arms around her. “Shh!” They cautioned her.

  It was Rowena who spoke up next. She turned to her father, who was now standing, leaning on a crutch. “Father, please, I beg of you. Talk sense into Lord Strongbow. Is there anything you can say to stop this craziness?”

  Lord Kensley rubbed his chin. In a calming voice he said, “Lord Strongbow, put your sword away. You are threatening my daughter and her husband. Now I’m in no condition to fight you, or be assured, I would. Let us settle this matter like gentlemen, shall we?”

  “A waste of time, Kensley! You have already betrayed the agreement we made. Why should I trust you again?!” Earl Strongbow sounded as petulant as a young boy deprived of a toy.

  Lord Kensley shook his head slowly. He did not agree with that accusation, but he knew arguing with Earl Strongbow about it would do no good. Better to appease him. “Perhaps I have betrayed you, my Lord. I assure you any misdeed by me was unintentional. I suggest we put that aside for the moment. Just what exactly do you want to resolve this peaceably?”

  “I want only what is mine. The Lady Rowena.” He pointed his sword at her.

  Taran stepped forward and raised his hands in a gesture of his good faith. “By law and by custom of both of our countries, Lord Kensley must pay a dowry to me, as part of the marriage covenant. I suggest that in lieu of that payment to me, Laird Kensley pay the dowry to ye, Laird Strongbow. It makes nay difference to me.”

  Everyone looked at Lord Kensley for his reaction to Taran’s proposal. It was a perfect solution. Lord Kensley nodded. “Splendid idea, Taran. I agree with that wholeheartedly as long as Lord Strongbow and our men will have safe passage back to England.”

  Taran said, “Of course. I will have my own men escort ye and yer men, if ye wish, Laird Strongbow. All the way back to England.”

  Earl Strongbow thought about Taran’s offer.He said, “If I accept that offer, I would need a signed commitment to pay from Lord Kensley, and from you, Taran. I expect payment in hand within one week from today.”

  Taran looked at Lord Kensley and shrugged. “Does that work for ye, Laird Kensley?”

  Laird Kensley said, “No problem. What about you, Taran?”

  Taran said, “Tis’ nay matter to me-”

  Malcolm nudged Taran with an elbow. “Taran,” he whispered.

  Taran motioned to Malcolm to wait a moment. He had something else to say. Something that he knew would likely infuriate Lord Strongbow, but he threw caution to the wind. He could not resist. Taran said, “The hell with a dowry payment. Makes nay difference to me. I would have married Lady Rowena without it!”

  Without waiting for Earl Strongbow’s reaction, Taran turned to hear what Malcolm had to tell him. Malcolm started to remind Taran that they needed some men and wagons to deliver a few several large loads of wool to Newcastle. For security reasons, they should all travel together.

  As Taran turned to listen to what Malcolm had to say, he turned his back to Earl Strongbow. Taran did not realize just how deeply his words had insulted Earl Strongbow.

  The very notion that Earl Strongbow was motivated by the dowry that Lord Kensley would pay for marrying Rowena suggested that Earl Strongbow was desperate for money, when in fact, Lord Strongbow had already agreed he would forego a dowry payment. Any insinuation that he was needy and would do anything for money was the ultimate insult. Especially when the insult came from the mouth of a filthy Highlander. One who was even wealthier than himself.

  Earl Strongbow lunged at Taran, and swung his sword. But he swung too low and struck the carcass of a pig that had served the wedding guests. Bits of pork ribs and meat flew and skittered across the floor.

  In one lightning fast move, Taran drew his sword and spun around. Malcolm drew his as well. Taran kept his eyes on Earl Strongbow as he held up a hand to Malcolm. “Nay, Malcolm,” he said. “This is me own fight. Stand back.”

  Taran and Earl Strongbow locked their eyes on each other. They held their swords up and ready to fight.

  The guests all rushed to a safe place behind tables and against the wall, horrified but unable to look away. Rowena ran to her father’s side. “Please, Father! Stop them!”

  Lord Kensley said, “No. This is a score that must be settled here and now. Let’s move out of the way.” He grabbed his crutches and looked at his daughter. “Help me, Rowena. Please.” He winked at her.

  Rowena smiled. His wink told her that he had forgiven her already for betraying his wishes that she ma
rry Earl Strongbow. She held his elbow to steady him as they moved to a safer position near the wall.

  Taran and Earl Strongbow began to fight. Their swords clashed as they danced across the hall, dodging and ducking each other’s blows.

  Both men were expert fighters. Taran bested Earl Strongbow with his agility and speed. Earl Strongbow used his massive size to his advantage, and every one of his blows would be lethal when he found his mark.

  Back and forth they cavorted around the hall, trying to back each other into a corner from which there would be no escape. Earl Strongbow was not light on his feet, but he was able to push Taran backward into a table. Taran bent backwards and to his left, and barely dodged a slash of Earl Strongbow’s sword. His sword came down and sliced into the wood table top. Rowena and many other of the women shrieked, it was such a close call. But Taran swung his legs around and like a gazelle leaped on top of the table, where the high ground gave him a strategic advantage.

  Earl Strongbow pulled his sword out of the table and swung at Taran’s legs, trying to slice them off at the knees. Taran leaped and Earl Strongbow’s sword sliced through thin air. Earl Strongbow swung repeatedly, chasing Taran down the length of the table. Leftover banquet fruit, platters, pots of beans and food, and dishware went everywhere.

  When Taran reached the end of the table, he leaped in the air and spun around. He moved so fast that Earl Strongbow did not have time to react. Taran landed behind him, but did not strike. He could easily have finished the earl off right there, but a strike from behind would be the act of a coward. Taran instead waited for Earl Strongbow to turn around and face him.

  Taran now had the aggressive momentum. He backed Earl Strongbow out into the passageway, and they twirled, swords clanging when they struck each other or the wall. Out through the gate keep they twirled, and onto the moat bridge.

  When the two fighters were out on the bridge, Rowena and many of the wedding guests rushed outside to watch. Some found a vantage point from a window inside the safety of the castle walls.

  The men began to tire a little. Taran was swinging his sword with both hands. Earl Strongbow had backed him up against the bridge’s stone rail. Taran summoned all of his strength and hammered his sword against Earl Strongbow’s. His swing just nicked Earl Strongbow’s knuckles. The sword dropped with a clatter onto the ground. Taran quickly kicked it away, out of Earl Strongbow’s reach. The crowed oohed and ahhed.

  Taran kept his sword pointed at Earl Strongbow and approached him. He placed the edge of his sword against the earl’s neck. Earl Strongbow held his hands out in front of him. Taran said, “Dae ye surrender?”

  Earl Strongbow hung his head. “You’ve won.”

  Taran lowered his sword slowly and started to put it back in its sheath. Rowena came running toward Taran. Earl Strongbow saw Taran was distracted by her. He pulled a dagger from his belt and lunged at Taran. He would do him in and claim Rowena and her dowry for himself.

  Rowena stopped in her tracks. “NO!” She screamed when she saw Earl Strongbow’s dagger going straight for Taran’s heart.

  But Earl Strongbow underestimated Taran’s skill as a warrior. He could not have known the amount of expertise that underlay Taran’s training or Earl Strongbow would not have taken the risk he just took.

  The second Earl Strongbow lunged, all of Taran’s training took over.

  Without a moment’s thought, Taran raised his left arm and blocked Earl Strongbow’s thrust. Taran drew his sword with his right hand and sliced Earl Strongbow’s stomach open. Blood and entrails spewed out of the wound. He fell to his knees and wobbled. Taran thrust his sword through Earl Strongbow’s heart with such force that it ran through his bod and out his back. Taran drew it out. Earl Strongbow fell to the ground face first. He was finished.

  Rowena ran to her husband and embraced him. “Thank God!” She buried her face in his shoulder. He dropped his sword and held her in his arms. Then he gave her a passionate kiss. Their friends and family broke out in cheers and applause.

  Lord Kensley hobbled forward. There was something he needed to say. “Ladies and gentlemen, may I have your attention!”

  Everyone got quiet. Taran and Rowena turned their attention to Lord Kensley, anxious to know what he was going to announce.

  Lord Kensley squared his shoulders as best he could while he leaned on his crutches. “Rowena, my daughter. Taran, my new son-in-law. I ask your forgiveness. I’ve been unfair to you both. Rowena, when I pledged your hand to Lord Strongbow, I thought it was best for all of us. I was wrong. You made your wishes known to me and I ignored them. I was wrong about that, too. Please forgive me.”

  Rowena released Taran and rushed to her father. She kissed him on the cheek and embraced him. “It’s all right, Father. I love you.”

  Lord Kensley continued. “Taran, I misjudged you. Your skills as a fighter are superb. As a gentleman, your manners are impeccable. As a husband, I have no doubt that you will provide only the best for my daughter. You have my blessing.”

  Taran came forward and shook Lord Kensley’s hand. Then the son-in-law embraced his father-in-law. Again, the guests cheered to show their approval. Lord Kensley fought down the emotion that welled up in his chest. He gave Taran a pat on the back and stepped back as if his legs were made of wood, not wanting to reveal to everyone the overwhelming relief and joy he was feeling. He gave a stiff wave to the jubilant guests.

  * * *

  Rowena bid her father good-bye early the next morning. Lord Kensley left for England and his beloved Middle Kirk Manor in the comfort of Taran’s beautiful carriage, drawn by four matching grey horses. Lord Kensley’s knights followed behind. Earl Strongbow’s men had signed on to work for Lord Kensley, now that Earl Strongbow was dead.

  Behind the knights were three wagonloads of Taran’s wool, on their way to the port at Newcastle. Christian Fox drove the first wagon, now that Taran had made him his agent in charge of the wool bound for Newcastle. Taran’s soldiers and Malcolm rode in the lead. Several more of Taran’s soldiers trailed the caravan, guarding it from behind.

  Once the procession was well past the disputed area on the border of England and Scotland, some of Lord Kensley’s knights would escort him back to Middle Kirk Manor. The rest of them would escort Taran’s wool and his men to Newcastle and return to Middle Kirk once Taran’s men were safely back on Scottish land.

  Two days later, Taran and Rowena held a banquet in honor of Taran’s beloved sisters. “We have nae yet properly celebrated their return to Frenich. It is the first time I have seen ye since I was only six years old! A proper homecomin’ is in order!”

  Rowena felt as if she was skipping with every step she took, so lighthearted and joyous did she feel. So much had been lifted from her shoulders. She knew in her heart that God had put her exactly where she needed to be. She found Sister Prudence in the kitchen, her sleeves rolled up working right alongside the servants. They were showing her how to make Scottish oat cakes, and Sister Prudence was preparing fish. She was an expert at fish because the nuns were not allowed to eat meat. Fish, fruit, bread, and vegetables comprised their diet.

  Rowena joined the group. The bakers did not know what to make of these women, but to them, it was like old times. Even Mother Philomena stood in the doorway, watching them and laughing at the castle cooks’ reactions to what the nuns had to eat. When one of the cooks made haggis, Sister Prudence and Mother Philomena reminisced about the days before they entered the nunnery and how delicious the haggis could be. But neither of them succumbed to the temptation to have a bite, even for old times’ sake.

  The homecoming banquet was served in the great hall. It began at noon and Taran’s friends came, including several who knew Mother Philomena and Prudence as children. Wine and ale flowed freely. The banquet meal was plentiful, and included dessert of sugary sweet cakes and fresh fruit, such as oranges imported from Italy, a real treat for late September in Scotland.

  After the meal was finished, the sun was still up
. Taran and Malcolm were feeling the effects of their drink. Taran could not remember a time when he was so content. He said, “With all of me friends here, and me sisters, and me beautiful new wife, I finally feel at home. After all these years.” He hugged each of his two sisters. They laughed at him. Mother Philomena tousled his hair, just like she did when they were children.

  Malcolm said, “Aye, Taran, but ye could never beat me at hammer and caber. Feel like tryin’ now that ye’re an old man?”

  “Bring it on, Malcolm!” Taran bellowed. After they played a rough game or two, they challenged their guests to join in. They all had so much fun that most of the guests did not leave until the sun was setting.

  After things quieted down, Taran, Rowena, Auntie Lili, and the two guests of honor retired to the drawing room for one last cup of wine. It was well after dark and all of the guests had gone home.