The Highlander’s Gift: Book One: The Sutherland Legacy

by Eliza Knight

  Niall caught her staring at the table. “They look happy,” he said.

  “Aye.”

  “I’m verra happy for my brother.”

  “I am, too. Everyone should experience love.”

  Niall stroked her spine as they approached her parents’ table where they would dine. “I’m not certain they’ll feel half the happiness we do, my love, but even still, half of it would be a good place.”

  She grinned up at him, about to tug him to her for another kiss when her mother and father interrupted them.

  Her father grabbed her up in a tight hug. “The castle has not been quite the same without ye, but we see ye’ve been verra busy, and we’re more than proud.”

  Bella blushed again. “I have missed ye both. Everyone.”

  When Bella hugged her mother, Lady Arbella glanced down at her middle, a broad grin covering her face. “Oh, my darling, ye’ve done it.”

  “What?” Bella glanced down to where her mother was looking at the small bulge of her belly. The one she’d been trying to forget she had.

  “Ye’re with child.”

  Bella whitened. “Nay, Mama.” She looked back at Niall, making certain he wasn’t listening. He was engaged with her father at the moment, so she whispered. “I fear I have…a tumor. I have been unwell, and there is a swelling in my abdomen. I didna want to tell Niall. I’ve been…living day to day and trying to make the most of everything.”

  Arbella laughed. “Oh, my love, I dinna think so.” She listed off all of the symptoms Bella had been having—nausea in the morning, sore breasts, insatiable hunger and aversion to some of her favorite foods, exhaustion. “Ye’re with child, several months if I were to guess.”

  “How is this possible?” Bella glanced at Niall, completely perplexed.

  Arbella shrugged. “I dinna know. I sometimes only have a tiny amount of bleeding, insignificant enough that I have thought to have missed my monthly. Perhaps that has something to do with it.”

  Bella touched the small bump in her belly that she’d thought would be the death of her up until now. “A bairn.”

  “Aye.”

  She hugged her mother tightly. “I have to tell him.”

  Turning to Niall, she grabbed hold of his hand and tugged him toward an alcove. She couldn’t keep the news from him, and if she didn’t get him into the semi-private area, she’d shout it to the entire great hall.

  “What is it?” Niall looked worried as he searched her face for answers.

  “I’ve just discovered the most amazing news, and while I know I should wait until we were alone tonight, I couldna keep it from ye.” She spoke fast, feeling flushed with excitement.

  “Aye, tell me.” He grabbed hold of her hand.

  Bella met his gaze, locking her eyes with his. She licked her lips and then burst out with it, “I am with child.”

  “What?” Niall blinked as though he’d not heard her.

  “My mother has just confirmed it. I am with child. We’re going to have a bairn.” She pressed his hand to her belly, and he splayed his palm over the ever-growing bulge. “Do ye feel that? It is our child.”

  Niall’s eyes widened, a smile forming on his face as what she told him dawned.

  “Together we make miracles, husband.”

  He wrapped his arm around her waist and hauled her up against him, kissing her tenderly. “God, I love ye.”

  “Am I dreaming?” Bella asked. “Is this real?”

  “Och, aye, sweetheart. This is real.”

  “Never in all my dreams,” she mused against his mouth, kissing him again and again.

  “Och, but ye see,” Niall said, his emerald eyes locking on hers. “That is where I did see it. In my dreams.”

  Bella laughed, and Niall let out a triumphant shout.

  Those who stood on the outside of the curtain did not know exactly what was going on behind it, but what they guessed at left no question that Laird Niall Oliphant was indeed a whole man, and that his wife was heartily satisfied.

  Also by Eliza Knight

  The Sutherland Legacy

  The Highlander’s Gift

  The Highlander’s Quest — coming soon in the Ladies of the Stone anthology

  Pirates of Britannia: Devils of the Deep

  Savage of the Sea

  The Sea Devil

  A Pirate’s Bounty

  The Stolen Bride Series

  The Highlander’s Temptation

  The Highlander’s Reward

  The Highlander’s Conquest

  The Highlander’s Lady

  The Highlander’s Warrior Bride

  The Highlander’s Triumph

  The Highlander’s Sin

  Wild Highland Mistletoe (a Stolen Bride winter novella)

  The Highlander’s Charm (a Stolen Bride novella)

  A Kilted Christmas Wish – a contemporary Holiday spin-off

  The Highlander’s Gift — coming soon!

  The Conquered Bride Series

  Conquered by the Highlander

  Seduced by the Laird

  Taken by the Highlander (a Conquered bride novella)

  Claimed by the Warrior

  Stolen by the Laird

  Protected by the Laird (a Conquered bride novella)

  Guarded by the Warrior

  The MacDougall Legacy Series

  Laird of Shadows

  Laird of Twilight

  Laird of Darkness

  The Thistles and Roses Series

  Promise of a Knight

  Eternally Bound

  Breath from the Sea

  The Highland Bound Series (Erotic time-travel)

  Behind the Plaid

  Bared to the Laird

  Dark Side of the Laird

  Highlander’s Touch

  Highlander Undone

  Highlander Unraveled

  Wicked Women

  Her Desperate Gamble

  Seducing the Sheriff

  Kiss Me, Cowboy

  Under the name E. Knight

  Tales From the Tudor Court

  My Lady Viper

  Prisoner of the Queen

  Ancient Historical Fiction

  A Day of Fire: a novel of Pompeii

  A Year of Ravens: a novel of Boudica’s Rebellion

  About the Author

  Eliza Knight is an award-winning and USA Today bestselling author of over fifty sizzling historical romance and erotic romance. Under the name E. Knight, she pens rip-your-heart-out historical fiction. While not reading, writing or researching for her latest book, she chases after her three children. In her spare time (if there is such a thing…) she likes daydreaming, wine-tasting, traveling, hiking, staring at the stars, watching movies, shopping and visiting with family and friends. She lives atop a small mountain with her own knight in shining armor, three princesses and two very naughty puppies. Visit Eliza at http://www.elizaknight.comor her historical blog History Undressed: www.historyundressed.com. Sign up for her newsletter to get news about books, events, contests and sneak peaks! http://eepurl.com/CSFFD

  Excerpt from The Highlander’s Temptation

  Prologue

  Spring, 1282

  Highlands, Scotland

  They galloped through the eerie moonlit night. Warriors cloaked by darkness. Blending in with the forest, only the occasional glint of the moon off their weapons made their presence seem out of place.

  ’Twas chilly for spring, and yet, they rode hard enough the horses were lathered with sweat and foaming at the mouth. But the Montgomery clan wasn’t going to be pushed out of yet another meeting of the clans, not when their future depended on it. This meeting would put their clan on the map, make them an asset to their king and country. As it was, years before King Alexander III had lost one son and his wife. He’d not remarried and the fate of the country now relied on one son who didn’t feel the need to marry. The prince toyed with his life as though he had a death wish, fighting, drinking, and carrying on without a care in the world. The king’s only o
ther chance at a succession was his daughter who’d married but had not yet shown any signs of a bairn filling her womb. If something were to happen to the king, the country would erupt into chaos. Every precaution needed to be taken.

  Young Jamie sat tall and proud upon his horse. Even prouder was he, that his da, the fearsome Montgomery laird, had allowed him to accompany the group of a half dozen seasoned warriors—the men who sat on his own clan council—to the meeting. The fact that his father had involved him in matters of state truly made his chest puff five times its size.

  After being fostered out the last seven years, Jamie had just returned to his father’s home. At age fourteen, he was ready to take on the duties of eldest son, for one day he would be laird. This was the perfect opportunity to show his da all he’d learned. To prove he was worthy.

  Laird Montgomery held up his hand and all the riders stopped short. Puffs of steam blew out in miniature clouds from the horses’ noses. Jamie’s heart slammed against his chest and he looked from side to side to make sure no one could hear it. He was a man after all, and men shouldn’t be scared of the dark. No matter how frightening the sounds were.

  Carried on the wind were the deep tones of men shouting and the shrill of a woman’s screams. Prickles rose on Jamie’s arms and legs. They must have happened upon a robbery or an ambush. When he’d set out to attend his father, he’d not counted on a fight. Nay, Jamie merely thought to stand beside his father and demand a place within the Bruce’s High Council.

  Swallowing hard, he glanced at his father, trying to assess his thoughts, but as usual, the man sat stoic, not a hint of emotion on his face.

  The laird glanced at his second in command and jutted his chin in silent communication. The second returned the nod. Jamie’s father made a circling motion with his fingers, and several of the men fanned out.

  Jamie observed the exchange, his throat near to bursting with questions. What was happening?

  Finally, his father motioned Jamie forward. Keeping his emotions at bay, Jamie urged his mount closer. His father bent toward him, indicating for Jamie to do the same, then spoke in a hushed tone.

  “We’re nearly to Sutherland lands. Just on the outskirts, son. ’Tis an attack, I’m certain. We mean to help.”

  Jamie swallowed past the lump in his throat and nodded. The meeting was to take place at Dunrobin Castle. Why that particular castle was chosen, Jamie had not been privy to. Though he speculated ’twas because of how far north it was. Well away from Stirling where the king resided.

  “Are ye up to it?” his father asked.

  Tightening his grip on the reins, Jamie nodded. Fear cascaded along his spine, but he’d never show any weakness in front of his father, especially now that he’d been invited on this very important journey.

  “Good. ’Twill give ye a chance to show me what ye’ve learned.”

  Again, Jamie nodded, though he disagreed. Saving people wasn’t a chance to show off what he’d learned. He could never look at protecting another as an opportunity to prove his skill, only as a chance to make a difference. But he kept that to himself. His da would never understand. If making a difference proved something to his father, then so be it.

  An owl screeched from somewhere in the distance as it caught onto its prey, almost in unison with the blood curdling scream of a woman.

  His father made a few more hand motions and the rest of their party followed him as they crept forward at a quickened pace on their mounts, avoiding making any noise.

  The road ended on a clearing, and some thirty horse-lengths away a band of outlaws circled a trio—a lady, one warrior, and a lad close to his own age.

  The outlaws caught sight of their approach, shouting and pointing. His father’s men couldn’t seem to move quickly enough and Jamie watched in horror as the man, woman and child were hacked down. All three of them on the ground, the outlaws turned on the Montgomery warriors and rushed forward as though they’d not a care in the world.

  Jamie shook. He’d never been so scared in his life. His throat had long since closed up and yet his stomach was threatening to purge everything he’d consumed that day. Even though he felt like vomiting, a sense of urgency, and power flooded his veins. Battle-rush, he’d heard it called by the seasoned warriors. And it was surging through his body, making him tingle all over.

  The laird and his men raised their swords in the air, roaring out their battle cries. Jamie raised his sword to do the same, but a flash of gold behind a large lichen-covered boulder caught his attention. He eased his knees on his mount’s middle.

  What was that?

  Another flash of gold — was that blonde hair? He’d never seen hair like that before.

  Jamie turned to his father, intent to point it out, but his sire was several horse-lengths ahead and ready to engage the outlaws, leaving it up to Jamie to investigate.

  After all, if there was another threat lying in wait, was it not up to someone in the group to seek them out? The rest of the warriors were intent on the outlaws which left Jamie to discover the identity of the thief.

  He veered his horse to the right, galloping toward the boulder. A wee lass darted out, lifting her skirts and running full force in the opposite direction. Jamie loosened his knees on his horse and slowed. That was not what he’d expected. At all. Jamie anticipated a warrior, not a tiny little girl whose legs were no match for his mount. As he neared, despite his slowed pace, he feared he’d trample the little imp.

  He leapt from his horse and chased after her on foot. The lass kept turning around, seeing him chasing her. The look of horror on her face nearly broke his heart. Och, he was no one to fear. But how would she know that? She probably thought he was after her like the outlaws had been after the man, woman and lad.

  “’Tis all right!” he called. “I will nay harm ye!”

  But she kept on running, and then was suddenly flying through the air, landing flat on her face.

  Jamie ran toward her, dropping to his knees as he reached her side and she pushed herself up.

  Her back shook with cries he was sure she tried hard to keep silent. He gathered her up onto his knees and she pressed her face to his leine shirt, wiping away tears, dirt and snot as she sobbed.

  “Momma,” she said. “Da!”

  “Hush, now,” Jamie crooned, unsure of what else he could say. She must have just watched her parents and brother get cut to the ground. Och, what an awful sight for any child to witness. Jamie shivered, at a loss for words.

  “Blaney!” she wailed, gripping onto his shirt and yanking. “They hurt!”

  Jamie dried her tears with the cuff of his sleeve. “Your family?” he asked.

  She nodded, her lower lip trembling, green-blue eyes wide with fear and glistening with tears. His chest swelled with emotion for the little imp and he gripped her tighter.

  “Do ye know who the men were?”

  “Bad people,” she mumbled.

  Jamie nodded. “What’s your name?”

  She chewed her lip as if trying to figure out if she should tell him. “Lorna. What are ye called?”

  “Jamie.” He flashed her what he hoped wasn’t a strained smile. “How old are ye, Lorna?”

  “Four.” She held up three of her fingers, then second guessed herself and held up four. “I’m four. How old are ye?”

  “Fourteen.”

  “Ye’re four, too?” she asked, her mouth dropping wide as she forgot the horror of the last few minutes of her life for a moment.

  “Fourteen. ’Tis four plus ten.”

  “I want to be fourteen, too.” She swiped at the mangled mop of blonde hair around her face, making more of a mess than anything else.

  “Then we’d best get ye home. Have ye any other family?”

  “A whole big one.”

  “Where?”

  “Dunrobin,” she said. “My da is laird.”

  “Laird Sutherland?” Jamie asked, trying to keep the surprise from his face. Did his father understand just how deep a
nd unsettling this attack had been? A laird had been murdered. Was it an ambush? Was there more to it than just a band of outlaws? Were they men trying to stop the secret meeting from being held?

  There would be no meeting, if the laird who’d called the meeting was dead.

  “I’ll take ye home,” Jamie said, putting the girl on her feet and standing.

  “Will ye carry me?” she said, her lip trembling again. She’d lost a shoe and her yellow gown was stained and torn. “I’m scared.”

  “Aye. I’ll carry ye.”

  “Are ye my hero?” she asked, batting tear moistened lashes at him.

  Jamie rolled his eyes and picked her up. “I’m no hero, lass.”

  “Hmm… Ye seem like a hero to me.”

  Jamie didn’t answer. He tossed her on his horse and climbed up behind her. A glance behind showed that his father and his men had dispatched of most of the men, and a few others gave chase into the forest. They’d likely meet him at the castle as that had been their destination all along.

  Squeezing his mount’s sides, Jamie urged the horse into a gallop, intent on getting the girl to the safety of Dunrobin’s walls, and then returning to his father.

  Spotting Jamie with the lass, the guards threw open the gate. A nursemaid rushed over and grabbed Lorna from him, chiding her for sneaking away.

  “What’s happened?” A lad his own age approached. “Why did ye have my sister?”

  Jamie swallowed, dismounted and held out his arm to the other young man. “I found her behind a boulder.” Jamie took a deep breath, then looked the boy in the eye, hating the words he would have to say. “There was an ambush.”

  “My family?”

  Jamie shook his head. He opened his mouth to tell the dreadful news, but the way the boy’s face hardened, and eyes glistened, it didn’t seem necessary. As it happened, he was given a reprieve from saying more when his father and men came barreling through the gate a moment later.