“Who shall govern the Alwyn clan?” said Niall, walking his horse closer. “Who shall possess these lands, and the castle at Burnbryde?”
A man’s voice interjected, loud and clear. “The Alwyn council will meet—and I vow, they will accept, Magnus, now known as Faelan Braewich of the Clan Kincaid, who was declared the Alwyn’s ceann-cath, just this morning.” Magnus recognized him as a member of the laird’s council.
“Who am I to question that choice?” Carrick answered. Looking at Magnus, he announced. “Have your vote, and I will see that the will of the clan is formalized. This Kincaid will henceforth be known as Laird of the Clan Alwyn.”
A cheer surged up from the men, rising up to fill the air. The men of the Pit, raised their swords into the air.
“No!” the Alwyn shouted, in the moment before soldiers seized him from his horse.
Buchan’s nostrils flared, as he too, was led away. Turning to look over his shoulder, he glared at Niall and Magnus, but said nothing.
Magnus heard his threat all the same. That he would return. That their conflict wasn’t over.
He shouted after him. “Aye, and we’ll be here waiting for you.”
*
At Burnbryde, the celebration lasted long into the night.
They had returned from the border, to find the Lady Alwyn in her carriage, emotional, but seemingly at peace with her husband’s defeat, prepared to depart for the priory, and no amount of persuasion would change her mind. She left with a small company of men who remained loyal to her husband. The Earl of Carrick remained as a guest, along with a goodly number of his men, to support Faelan Braewick’s assumption of power, but they encountered no resistance.
Niall leaned forward on the bench, holding Elspeth in the crook of his arm. “Buchan … in love with our mother? I still can’t believe it.”
Tara held Faelan’s arm close, her cheek resting against his shoulder. “Most certainly, she did not love him back. After all, it was he who caused her death.”
“Intentionally?” Faelan murmured. “Or did he think to kill our father and claim her?”
Niall frowned. “Perhaps we will never know.”
Faelan looked into his brother’s eyes. “I can’t suffer the thought that he and the Alwyn will escape punishment for it. I have to believe we will meet again.”
“You’re right, brother,” Niall said. “I know Buchan. I know this isn’t the last we will see of him.”
Elspeth stood. “Let’s not talk of that now. Let us just be happy tonight. Come, my love. Will you dance with me?”
When it was nearly dawn, Faelan drew Tara into his arms, and kissed her again, long and sweet, and best of all, in full view of everyone around them.
“It is late, my lady, my Bain-tigheanachd,” he murmured. “Come with me.”
She sighed, exhausted … and more happy than she could ever have imagined. She did not know where he took her—where their new chambers together, as man and woman, would be—but they did not go to the tower, which suited her very well.
It was not a private chamber where he led her. Instead, he paused at the door of the chapel, and drew her inside.
To her surprise … a priest waited there, at the altar, dressed in his vestments.
He wasn’t alone. Waiting there with him, their faces illuminated by candlelight, were Niall and Elspeth, Carrick, and all of the warriors of the Pit. Anna and Mary, too. Deargh. And the two young women she had already, in the hours before, claimed as friends: Laire and Kyla. Everyone smiled back at her. Some, with tears in their eyes.
“What is this?” she asked, her heart filled with love for all of them. Her new family.
“Will y’ marry me, Tara?” He looked at her, his blue eyes vivid with adoration and love.
She looked at him, her eyes filling with happy tears. “We are already married.”
He grinned. “But will y’ marry me again?” He took both her hands in his. “This time with love in your eyes? A smile on your lips? And a kiss after speaking the vows?”
“Aye,” she answered softly. “Aye, Faelan, my Kincaid rebel. That I will.”
Stay tuned for more Kincaid romance from Lily Blackwood with the
WARRIOR OF CLAN KINKAID
Coming soon from St. Martin’s Paperbacks
Also by Lily Blackwood
The Beast of Clan Kincaid
About the Author
Since her earliest days, Lily Blackwood has found a friend in books. Raised an Army brat, she moved often with her family, and books were constant companions which always smoothed the transition to a new location and a new set of friends. Now Lily lives in Texas, where she writes sexy historical romance novels about fierce Highlanders. She suffers endless (fun and always welcome!) interruptions by her two children. And like many authors, she writes with a cat—or two—wrapped around her legs. You can sign up for email updates here.
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Contents
Title Page
Copyright Notice
Dedication
Prologue
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Also by Lily Blackwood
About the Author
Copyright
This is a work of fiction. All of the characters, organizations, and events portrayed in this novel are either products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously.
THE REBEL OF CLAN KINCAID
Copyright © 2016 by Lily Blackwood.
Cover photo illustration by Patricia Schmitt (Picky Me)
Author Photo © Darla Guyton
All rights reserved.
For information address St. Martin’s Press, 175 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10010.
www.stmartins.com
eISBN: 978-1-250-08476-7
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St. Martin’s Paperbacks edition / December 2016
St. Martin’s Paperbacks are published by St. Martin’s Press, 175 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10010.
The Rebel of Clan Kincaid Page 28