Isobell shivered, and Aine hustled them to the hearth where a large fire crackled.
“Great to see you, brother.” Suibhne rose from one of the chairs. “May I return to university now?”
Archibald drew the young man into an awkward embrace, overjoyed to see him. The lad stiffened, never having been comfortable with familial affection. “You will stay for the feast and return to Glasgow tomorrow.”
“As you wish.” He inclined his head then smiled shyly at Isobell and bowed before dropping back into the chair and picking up the book he had been reading.
Suibhne had trained in fighting, yet preferred his studies. Frustrating. Archibald could use another strong arm with a calm head for the insecure times ahead. War with England was certainly on the horizon.
Dark thoughts for a bright day. Fortunately, Isobell’s gentle fingers settling on his arm brought his attention to his lady-love.
“Shall we?” He escorted her to the head table where they partook of the holiday feast with the clan.
As the last course was served, the heavy oak door grated open, revealing Duncan and several other lads. Duncan strode to the dais to report. “Welcome back, my chief, my lady.” He bowed.
“What have you to tell of Maclay and the reivers?” Archibald asked.
“We smoked them out of a hell-hole where they hid near the disputed lands. They won’t be stealing anyone’s cattle any more. Most of the reivers are dead.”
“And Maclay?”
Duncan shook his head. “I am damned sorry. He escaped.”
Would they never capture that bastard?
Isobell gripped his thigh, her nails digging into his skin through the wool of his plaide. He placed a hand over hers and leaned close. “Nae worries, sweetling. Maclay can’t evade us forever and since we already ken of his rebirth, there is nae reason for the man to come after you.”
She nodded then smiled at Duncan. “Please, sit. Enjoy your Christmas meal.”
Archibald watched Duncan walk away then whispered so only Isobell could hear, “We will get through this. All will be well as long as we are together.”
Her relieved smile melted his heart.
Later in their chamber, after making love, Archibald enjoyed the way she drew little circles on his bare arm. He felt more relaxed than he had since Patrick left. Maybe it was the kenning of what happened to his family. And the comfort of having his lady-wife with him…finally.
“I have something for you.” He placed the ruby ring she’d left behind in her palm.
“Oh. Thank you.” Her beautiful violet eyes misted then she frowned. “I left your ruby in the future with Patrick. I asked him to sell it for money to live on. I did not wish to be dependent on your family. With all that transpired after, I forgot to ask what happened to it.”
“I have the ruby. He returned it to me.”
“I am verra glad. It will be the envy of every warrior when it winks from your sword.”
“And the target of every thief.”
They both laughed.
“Would you like your other Christmas gifts?” Archibald asked.
“Later.” With a sparkle in her eyes, she moistened her lips, and stole his breath with a kiss filled with promise.
They would be together. Forever.
ALSO FROM DAWN MARIE HAMILTON
Just Beyond the Garden Gate
Book One, Highland Gardens Series
by Dawn Marie Hamilton
Time Travel Fantasy Romance
Determined to regain her royal status, a banished faerie princess accepts a challenge from the High-Queen of the Fae to unite an unlikely couple while the clan brownie attempts to thwart her.
Passion ignites when a faerie-shove propels burned-out business consultant Laurie Bernard through the garden gate, back through time, and into the embrace of Patrick MacLachlan. The arrogant clan chief doesn’t know what to make of the lass in his arms, especially when he recognizes the brooch she wears as the one his stepmother wore when she and his father disappeared.
With the fae interfering at every opportunity, the couple must learn to trust one another while they battle an enemy clan, expose a traitor within their midst and discover the true fate of the missing parents. Can they learn the most important truth—love transcends time?
Journey from the lush gardens of the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina to the Scottish Highlands of 1509 with Just Beyond the Garden Gate.
Just Once in a Verra Blue Moon
Book Two, Highland Gardens Series
by Dawn Marie Hamilton
Time Travel Fantasy Romance
What happens when a twenty-first century business executive is expected to fulfill a prophecy given at the birth of a sixteenth-century seer? Of course, he must raise his sword in her defense.
Believing women only want him for his wealth, Finn MacIntyre doesn't trust any woman to love him. When, during Scottish Highland games, faerie magic sends him back in time to avenge the brutal abduction of his time-traveling cousin, he learns he's the subject of a fae prophecy.
Elspeth MacLachlan, the beloved clan seer, is betrothed to a man she dislikes and dreams of the man prophesized at her birth, only to find him in the most unexpected place—facedown in the mud.
With the help of fae allies, they must overcome the treachery set to destroy them to claim a love that transcends time.
Journey from the lush gardens of the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina to the Scottish Highlands of 1511 with Just Once in a Verra Blue Moon.
Sea Panther
Book One, Crimson Storm Series
by Dawn Marie Hamilton
Paranormal Romance
2013 Golden Heart® finalist for Best Paranormal Romance
Can love mend a fractured soul?
After evading arrest for Jacobite activities, Scottish nobleman Robert MacLachlan turns privateer. A Caribbean Voodoo priestess curses him to an eternal existence as a vampire shifter torn between the dual natures of a Florida panther and an immortal blood-thirsting man. For centuries, he seeks to reverse the black magic whilst maintaining his honor. Cruising the twenty-first century Atlantic, he becomes shorthanded to sail his 90-foot yacht, Sea Panther. The last thing he wants is a female crewmember and the call of her blood.
Although she swore never to sail again after her father died in a sailing accident, Kimberly Scot answers the captain's crew wanted ad to escape a hit man. She's lost everything, her fiancé, her job, and most of her money, along with money belonging to her ex-clients. A taste of Kimberly's blood convinces Robert she is the one woman who can claim the panther's heart. To break the curse, they travel back in time to where it all began—Jamaica 1715.
FUTURE WORKS
Time Travel Fantasy Romance
Just Wait for Me
Book Three, Highland Gardens Series
Paranormal Romance
Raven’s Revenge
Book Two, Crimson Storm Series
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Dawn Marie Hamilton dares you to dream. She is a 2013 RWA® Golden Heart® Finalist who pens Scottish-inspired fantasy and paranormal romance. Some of her tales are rife with mischief-making faeries, brownies, and other fae creatures. More tormented souls—shape shifters, vampires, and maybe a zombie or two—stalk across the pages of other stories. She is a member of The Golden Network, Fantasy, Futuristic & Paranormal, Celtic Hearts, and From the Heart chapters of RWA. When not writing, she’s cooking, gardening, or paddling the local creeks with her husband.
Email:
[email protected]
Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/authorDawnMarieHamilton
Blog:
http://dawnmariehamilton.blogspot.com
Twitter:
http://www.twitter.com/dawnm_hamilton
Dawn Marie Hamilton - Highland Gardens Page 10