"How I missed you, mon coeur," she said in a French accent.
"Not as much as I missed you." Dugald lifted her into his arms and kissed her.
She laughed and caressed his face affectionately. "Stop it, Dugald! We have guests."
He set her to her feet. "I would like for you to meet my lovely wife, Lady Camille Bouchard MacKerrick. My love, you may remember my sister, Mairiana. You said you saw her at the inn in Perth."
"Oui, I heard you two arguing. Enchanté." Camille smiled and curtsied.
Mariana did as well. "It is a pleasure to meet the woman who has turned my beast of a brother into a wee lamb."
"Ha!" Dugald said.
Camille laughed. "It was no easy task, I assure you."
Rolling his eyes at them, Dugald said, "This is Darack, Mairiana's new husband."
"A great pleasure to meet you, m'lady." He bowed then kissed the back of her hand.
"Enchanté, monsieur." She curtsied again. "But I thought—"
Leaning down, Dugald whispered something into her ear and she smiled.
"So, how on earth did you two get together?" Mairiana asked to fill the awkward silence.
"He has not told you?" Camille looked to her husband with a perplexed frown.
"'Tis a long story." Dugald shrugged. "We've been busy with Lindsays and whatnot."
"Well, I am not too busy. Your roguish brother kidnapped me." Camille glanced at him and lifted a brow.
Shocked, Mairiana could not keep her mouth from dropping open. "You didn't!"
He gave a sheepish grin. "Aye. I'm ashamed to admit I did."
"He is not ashamed." Camille challenged with a smile.
"Nay, 'tis the smartest thing I've ever done. Look, 'tis time for supper." He motioned toward the high table where maids were waiting to serve the meal. "Please, sit down. Eat. You must be starving, as am I."
Mairiana chuckled, easily seeing through her brother's diversion tactic. Darack helped Mairiana onto the dais and pulled out her chair. "I hope we can retire soon," he whispered, his warm breath softly touching her ear. "Are you not tired, mo chridhe?"
"Very much so." Mairiana smiled and squeezed his knee under the tablecloth, for she was not too tired for what he had in mind.
He growled into her ear, then kissed her cheek.
Camille directed the servants to bring more food and wine, then she joined them, sitting between Dugald and Mairiana.
"Where is Tòmas, by the way?" Dugald asked about his twin brother.
"The MacVay chief sent a missive asking him to come and help with some problem," Camille said.
Dugald frowned. "What problem?"
"I have no inkling, but he said it was nothing to worry over."
"'Tis strange," Dugald mused.
After Mairiana took a sip of spiced wine, she asked Camille, "Why did Dugald kidnap you?"
As Camille told the story of how Dugald had stolen her from the inn in Perth, Mairiana could hardly eat for laughing. Dugald alternately blushed, shook his head and grinned. That was another first. She had never seen her brother blush before. Obviously, Camille had tamed his surliness.
"You are a miracle worker," Mairiana said. "I have never seen my brother smile so much."
"Enough about me," Dugald said. "Mairiana and Darack, I wanted to wait until you two were here at Rornoch to let you in on the good news."
"What good news?" Mairiana asked.
"Your dowry includes the small estate and abandoned castle of Northmoor."
"Northmoor?" Mairiana asked, excitement racing through her. "You jest! I love Northmoor. 'Tis one of the most beautiful places on earth."
"Da must have added it just before he passed. I think he wanted it to be a surprise for you. And I only noticed it as I was going over the contracts recently. The castle is in need of a lot of work. 'Tis almost derelict, but it is not entailed. And as you know, it came from our grandmother's side of the family."
Mairiana looked to Darack and he grinned. "You didn't know of this?" he asked.
"Nay. How could I?"
"'Tis astonishing. I never really thought we would own property." He kissed the back of her hand and the intimate look he gave her made her crave dragging him up to her bedchamber.
She yawned, making a grand show of it. "I find suddenly that I'm exhausted from the long trip. Aren't you, Darack?"
"Aye, indeed." Looking excited about the unexpected exhaustion, he stood. "I thank you for the delicious meal."
They said goodnight and excused themselves from the table while her brother and his new wife gave smirking grins.
Once Mairiana and Darack were in her bedchamber two floors above, she barred the door, then pulled him toward the bed.
He picked her up, kissing her, and deposited her on the soft mattress. "My lady, you have completely enchanted me."
She stroked his face. "No more than you have enchanted me, my laird."
He smiled and shook his head, bemusement entering his dark eyes. "I never expected we would own property. 'Tis an amazing honor, but certainly not why I married you."
"I ken it."
"'Tis because I love you," he whispered.
"And I love you."
The Highland Adventure Series
My Fierce Highlander (Alasdair and Gwyneth)
My Wild Highlander (Lachlan and Angelique)
My Brave Highlander (Dirk and Isobel)
My Daring Highlander (Keegan and Seona)
My Notorious Highlander (Torrin and Jessie)
My Rebel Highlander (Rebbie and Calla)
My Captive Highlander (Shamus and Maili)
Highlander Unbroken (Neacal and Anna)
Stolen by a Highland Rogue (Dugald and Camille)
And more coming soon!
About the Author
Vonda Sinclair is a USA Today Bestselling Author of award-winning Scottish historical romance. Her favorite pastime is exploring Scotland, from Edinburgh to the untamed and windblown north coast and taking photos along the way. She also enjoys creating hot, Highland heroes and spirited lasses to drive them mad. She lives in the mountains of North Carolina where she is creating another Scottish story. Please visit her website to learn more. www.vondasinclair.com
Defended by a Highland Renegade (Highland Adventure Book 10) Page 13