[Highlander Fate 01.0] Eadan's Vow
Page 14
Christ, Ronan, he scolded himself. She’s an intruder on yer lands. Now’s not the time tae think with yer cock.
“Who are ye?” he demanded, once he reached her. “Why are ye intruding on my lands?”
The lass just looked at him, a stricken look in her eyes. Her gaze flitted past him to the manor and back to him. She swallowed but said nothing.
“I’m going tae ask ye again, lass,” he said, stepping forward, close enough to inhale her scent—cinnamon and rosemary. He ignored the swell of desire that surged over him, keeping his voice firm. “Who are ye and why are ye intruding on my lands?”
“My—my name is Kara,” she stammered. “I’m—I’m from the—er—the village. I’m lost.”
Ronan went still as he studied her. She had the same strange accent as Eadan’s wife Fiona. His suspicion spiked as his gaze raked over her gown. The village was some distance away on foot, and her dress was that of a noble woman’s. Noble women didn’t live in villages—they lived in manor homes or castles. And they certainly didn’t go around unescorted. The lass was lying to him.
“I’ll ask ye again, lass,” he growled. “Who are ye?”
“I told you,” she said, her voice firmer now, her chin jutting upward with defiance. “My name is Kara, and I’m from the village. I’m lost. Could—could you point me in the right direction?”
Ronan’s eyes narrowed. More lies. He stepped forward and took her arm in a gentle but firm grip. She let out a yelp as he dragged her toward the manor, struggling to get out of his grasp.
“Let me go!” she shouted. “This is—HELP! Let me go!”
He shot her a look of disbelief as they continued toward the manor.
“Ye’re trespassing on my property, lass,” he growled. “No one will help ye except me. And I willnae be doing that ’til ye tell me who ye are.”
He continued to drag her into the manor, past the small group of servants who'd gathered in the entry way, keeping a firm grip on her arm as he led her up the stairs and into a guest chamber at the far end of the hall.
Only then did he release her, closing the door behind him and leaning against it with his arms crossed.
Kara stumbled back from him, looking around at the chamber like a frightened deer. Ronan’s anger subsided; she seemed genuinely frightened.
“I’ll not hurt ye, lass,” he said gently. “I’m Ronan of Clan Macleay, laird of this manor. Now I ask ye only for the truth. Who are ye?”
“I told you—"
“The truth.”
Kara blinked, and her eyes glistened with tears. His heart softened with that sympathy, but he reminded himself of the ill omen he’d received the night before. How could it be mere coincidence that she’d shown up the morning after he received it? He needed to be on guard.
“All right,” she said, taking a deep breath. “I’m—I’m here to look for my family.”
He studied her. He suspected she was still withholding something, but this statement seemed truthful.
“I—I arrived at a village. Somehow, I made a wrong turn, and I ended up here. I’m—I’m sorry I trespassed on your grounds, but I didn’t know where I was. I just—I just want to be on my way.”
“Yer family? What are their names?”
“Suibhne and Orla,” she said. “They’re farmers. They have two young daughters.”
Ronan searched his mind, but the names were not at all familiar, and he knew dozens of the villagers by name. Her face fell, which confirmed for him she was telling the truth—at least about searching for her family.
“I’ll need tae confirm yer telling me the truth,” he said. “And then . . . perhaps ye can be on yer way.”
“Perhaps?” she echoed, stiffening with alarm.
“Aye."
“And until then?” she demanded. “You can’t mean to keep me prisoner here?”
“As ye were trespassing on my property, ’tis my right,” he growled. “’Till I can confirm what ye say is truth . . . ye’re my captive.”
Ronan’s Captive
The story continues in RONAN’s CAPTIVE. Grab your copy today!
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I hope you enjoyed Eadan’s Vow, the first book of the Highlander Fate series. The story continues in Ronan’s Captive.
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About the Author
Stella Knight writes time travel romance and historical romance novels. She enjoys transporting readers to different times and places with vivid, nuanced heroes and heroines.
She resides in sunny southern California with her own swoon-worthy hero and her collection of too many books and board games. She’s been writing for as long as she can remember, and when not writing, she can be found traveling to new locales, diving into a new book, or watching her favorite film or documentary. She loves romance, history, mystery, and adventure, all of which you’ll find in her books.
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Also by Stella Knight
Highlander Fate series
EADAN’S VOW
RONAN’S CAPTIVE
CIARAN’S BOND