Chapter 1
CHAPTER ONE
N ovember 1714,
Journey to Moy Hall, Scottish Highlands
“Please, Moira,” Alina pleaded, gazing at her younger sister with soft eyes, as though that might help her cause.
Sitting across from her in the carriage, Moira firmly shook her head. “Absolutely nae. It is me necklace and ye cannae have it. I dinnae ken why ye’re so eager fer it. Ye have many beautiful ones o’ yer own. The one ye are wearing now is stunning.”
Absently, Alina lifted her hand to her throat, as though she had forgotten what was there. “Och, ye ken I have always wanted that necklace.”
“And every time ye ask, fer ye must have pleaded with me a hundred times or more, the answer remains the same. This is me favorite and I willnae give it tae ye.”
“Spoilsport,” Alina pouted, pretending to be annoyed, even as a smile danced in her eyes.
Moira giggled then, her sharp green eyes glistening with delight.
Alina smiled widely at her sister, even as she shook her head. “It is a good job I love ye, little bean.”
“Och, please tell me ye’re nae going tae call me that when we get tae Moy Hall,” Moira gasped. “I will be mortified.”
Little bean had been the nickname Alina had given her sister from the moment Moira could walk. With only two years between them, Alina had still been tiny herself. That seemed so long ago now, for her twentieth birthday had passed only a few months before.
“I swear,” Alina placed her hand on her heart. Visible relief washed over Moira’s face. Right until Alina’s next words. “Well, nae in public, at any rate.” She beamed a huge grin.
“It’s all right fer ye,” Moira pouted. “Ye glide along with effortless confidence. Naething bothers ye.”
“Being forced tae marry a stranger bothers me,” Alina countered with a firm look, sweeping her long, thick auburn hair behind her shoulder.
Moira sighed. “Och, well. There is that.” And then she smiled. “But I ken ye’re nae going tae mak’ it easy fer him.”
Moira knew her too well. She had no intention of going into this circumstance willingly. In fact, since they had left their father’s castle, three days ago, Alina had been scheming how the devil she could get out of this union. Kieran Mackintosh may well have been the future laird of his clan, and while she was expected to one day become Lady of the castle, she knew that by the time she was finished with him, he was going to be nothing more than a distant acquaintance.
When she had first discovered she was to be sent to clan Mackintosh as part of the peace negotiations being offered up as a pawn to bind the clans together, Alina had been shattered. She had cried for hours, and not left her bedchamber for four days. Even her sister’s warm words of sorrow had brought her no comfort .
“We will run away,” Moira had whispered, while Alina’s face had been buried into her soft pillow, soaking the linen with her sobs. “We will run so far that naeone will ever find us.”
But they both knew Moira’s words were empty. They could no more run away from their family, than Alina could choose her own suitor. Not that either sister desired marriage. Their older sister, Lilly, had been offered into marriage, forced to wed a man nearly twice her age and her misery was clear to see. It scared Alina and Moira to death. So much so, that soon after Lilly’s wedding, the two had made a pact.
Sitting together on Alina’s bed, they had entwined their little fingers together. Looking intently into each other’s eyes, Alina had said, “We will avoid marriage at all costs.”
“At all costs,” Moira had repeated, nodding her head vigorously.
They had bid farewell to their mother and father to make the journey they were currently on, and whilst travelling, Alina and Moira and repeated the pact.
“I dinnae care that I am tae be sent tae Moy Hall, or that I am tae be forced tae wed. I am going tae dae everything possible tae ruin this union. Moira, remember. At all costs.”
“At all costs,” Moira had repeated once more .
Now, as the carriage trundled over rough tracks, rocking back and forth as it continued, Alina was as determined as ever. While he thought he was meeting his future wife, Alina had other ideas. In fact, her only goal for this visit was to drive Kieran Mackintosh as far away as possible.
“If he thinks I’m going tae get tae ken him, he’s in fer a surprise. I’m going tae mak’ this so difficult, the man willnae want tae be anywhere near me,” Alina declared, her golden-hazel eyes sparkling with determination.
“This is a contract, Alina. Ye cannae just drive him away .”
Moira’s voice was level, as always. Clever, cautious, and fiercely independent, her sister always preferred strategy over confrontation. As loyal as Alina knew Moira was to the pact, her sister was also the steady, pragmatic one.
Well, Alina was not. While she carried herself with grace, she rarely behaved as a demure noblewoman ought to. In fact, those kinds of confines frustrated her, and, much to her parent’s chagrin, she was often found doing anything she could to carve out her own path. A path of independence and individuality. The kind of restless energy and the antics that were borne from it was the reason Moira was always having to find ways to get her sister out of trouble .
“Och, but I can,” Alina said, a sly smile dancing at her lips. “Just watch me.”
Again, Moira laughed and shook her head. “Ye are incorrigible, dae ye ken that?”
“Perhaps, but never boring,” Alina quipped back.
This remark sent the women into fits of giggles.
“I decree that we mak’ another pact,” Moira announced. Looking at Alina with a mischievous grin, she continued. “If ye can really make Kieran Mackintosh refuse the betrothal in the time we are there…”
“A month,” Alina confirmed.
“Aye. A month.” Moira nodded. “If ye can dae that, ye can have this silly old necklace.”
“Really?” Alina gasped, her eyes dancing with excitement.
“Really,” Moira said. Then she held her little finger out. “Whatever it takes. ”
Alina leaned forward in the carriage, entwined her little finger around Moira’s and looked her sister in the eye. “Whatever it takes.”
For a long moment, the sisters sat back in their seats, just looking at each other. A challenge was on the table, the air felt charged. And the prize? The long sought-after necklace. But the prize was so much bigger than that. The real prize was Alina’s freedom. Living a life she desired on her own terms.
Could it be possible?
But just as she was beginning to determine ways and means of making it possible, a thunderous sound of horse’s hooves danced on the air outside.
“What the devil is that?” Moira said, lurching forward to look out of the window.
Alina leaned forward too, and the sight before her sent a panic across her entire body, for two men on horses were approaching at great speed.
“Och, God. ”
She spun her head to look out of the other window, only to see another two coming from the opposite side.
“Who are they?” Moira cried. “What dae they want?”
“Naething good,” Alina replied, trying to hold the tremor from her voice. “We’ll be fine. We have four o’ Faither’s best soldiers with us. They’ll protect us.”
Her words were more for Moira’s benefit, for she could not know, given the even numbers, how this was going to play out. Nor did she have time to think about it. The men were soon upon them, and though they could hear much yelling, the sisters could see nothing of what was happening up ahead.
They did, however, hear the following and very distinct sound of swords, the clanging of the metal ringing out across the glen. The carriage then came to a stop, and Moira went into an even bigger panic.
“Och, may the gods help us,” she wailed, “fer we’re surely tae be killed.”
“Just stay down,” Alina ordered, pulling Moira to the floor of the carriage. “I’m going tae see what’s happening. ”
“Nay!” Moira cried. “Dinnae leave me.”
“I’ll be right back. Just stay low.”
“Alina.”
But Alina ignored her sister’s pleas, and, opening the carriage door, she started to slip outside. The sound of swords clashing continued as she tiptoed ahead to see what was going on. If she and Moira would need to run, they would do so, but first, she wanted to know how bad things really were.
Just then she felt herself being grabbed. She gasped in terror and looked at the man who had grasped her arm. He was filthy and dressed in rags and she could smell his foul breath on her. Her snarled at her and pulled her towards him, but one of her father’s men suddenly attacked him from the back. She screamed as she saw the guard’s sword pushing out of his stomach and watched him slump over. She was so shocked she couldn’t even thank the man who had saved her, but he was already turning to fight off another bandit.
She ran behind one of the horses of their carriage for cover, and watched the frightful scene. Her father’s soldiers were fighting with all their might, but the bandits, seemed to be pushing the soldiers back. As she continued to watch, fear washed over her. Things looked like they were going to end very badly. Just as she was about to turn and hurry back to the carriage, a sound caught her attention, the same sound as earlier; thundering hooves crashing against the ground.
More are coming?
Her heart thumped in her chest as she peered out over the glen, where she was surprised to see a lone rider galloping in their direction. With a loud battle cry, he unsheathed his sword, and, to her further astonishment, he attacked the men that were attacking her father’s soldiers.
She could hardly take her eyes off him, for not only was he swift of sword, he was undoubtedly the most strikingly handsome man she had ever seen in her life. Blonde hair was tied at the back of his head. He was as broad as a door, his muscular frame difficult to ignore. Even mounted upon his horse, she could see he was tall, and while he wielded his sword in her defense, she could not help but feel mesmerized by his striking jawline and defined cheekbones.
With renewed vigor, thanks to the energy with which this man attacked, her father’s soldiers fought back even harder. As a result, sensing they were both outnumbered and outdone, the bandits retreated, galloping at great speed in the direction they had first come from.
Relief washed over her, but she was also feeling something else as she gazed up at their savior. Her heart thumped for a very different reason, for never before had she been so struck by a man’s actions and appearance.
Only after the bandits were out of sight did the man turn to speak to the soldiers, but as he was about to, he caught sight of Alina.
Frowning deeply, he said, “What the devil are ye daeing? Ye should be in the carriage where ye will be safe.”
As handsome and attractive as he was, Alina did not appreciate his tone, and lifting her chin, she said, “Who dae ye think ye are, speaking tae me in such a manner?”
Dismounting, he approached her.
“Me name is Kieran Mackintosh, son o’ Laird Mackintosh o’ clan Mackintosh.”
Alina swallowed a gasp as her whole body swayed. She gazed into his stormy gray eyes while feeling her heart drop to her stomach.
“And ye are?” he pressed, given that Alina struggled to respond .
“I am Lady Alina Cameron,” she said, finding her voice and pride at the same time. “And I dinnae appreciate being ordered about by a stranger.”
Kieran Mackintosh’s eyebrows hitched. “Me lady,” he said. “Ye are on the way tae Moy Hall.” His words and expression betrayed his surprise, for clearly, he too had come to their rescue not knowing who it was he was defending.
“We are.”
“’Tis a very interesting way tae meet me betrothed,” he said in the same taken aback tone.
“It is indeed,” she replied again.
For a second, neither of them said anything. This was not exactly how Alina imagined their first meeting would go too. But then, nor had she imagined she would be so affected by the man she was being forced to marry.
He broke the tension first.
“It is best if ye return tae yer carriage, Lady Cameron. I will escort ye and yer people the rest o’ the way. ”
“Thank ye,” she replied, for she could think of nothing else to say.
Kieran accompanied her to the carriage and opened the door. His eyes widened at the sight of Moira crouching on the floor.
“Everything is fine now,” Alina reassured her. And with a look only Moira would understand, she said, “This is Kieran Mackintosh. He came tae save us.”
Moira was already on her feet. At the sound of his name, her jaw fell open. She then looked from Kieran to Alina and back again.
“Oh,” was all she could manage.
Kieran then offered Alina his hand to help her back into the carriage. “Me lady.”
His hands were rough, no doubt from his ability to wield a sword so very well. They were also large and warm, and nearly swallowed her hand whole.
“Thank ye,” she said, once she was seated .
He nodded once, closed the door, and then disappeared.
The girls sat in silence for a long while. Moira just stated quietly into nothing, her eyes as wide as saucers. Her hands were clasped together and she was clenching and unclenching them nervously. Alina reached out a slightly trembling hand to comfort her and her sister gratefully took it and squeezed it.
They travelled like that, holding hands, for a while like longer, letting their heartbeat slow down and their nerves to calm. Then Forsythe called down into the carriage. “We have almost arrived, I can see the castle ahead.”
Both Alina and Moira let out a sigh of relief and leaned out of the window to admire it. They commented on it and slowly started conversing again.
“So that is yer betrothed?” Moira said, a smirk upon her lips.
“Apparently,” Alina replied.
She might have said more, but she was still too stunned about everything that had happened to really answer.
Dinnae kid yersel’. Ye like him .
She did her best to ignore her inner dialogue, and instead, listened to Moira who was already gushing.
“Did ye see him?” she was saying, her eyes still wide.
“I did,” Alina replied, trying not to laugh at her sister’s astonishment.
“He’s so handsome. And he’s yer betrothed. The one ye’re going tae marry.”
Those words pulled Alina up short, for the conflict sat deeply in her stomach. Indeed, she was determined not to be forced into marriage, but the striking man who had saved them, and the feelings he had already evoked in her, were certainly going to make that all the more of a challenge.
“We are here.”
There in front of them were the tall gates of the castle walls, which yawned open at their approach. A moment later, they were travelling through neatly cut lawns and tall trees on either side of them.
The castle was large enough, though Alina imagined no larger than her father’s. The main house was flanked with two wings on either side. Windows reached up for three stories, though she imagined, just like home, there were servants’ quarters in the roof.
When the carriage came to a final halt, Alina looked at Moira, and her sister looked back.
The door opened, and a servant stood there waiting for them. As the sisters stepped out, they saw the second carriage that had followed behind. It contained both their maids and all their luggage.
A second later, a very well-dressed man and woman about the same age as her own parents were there to greet them.
“Och, it is so good tae finally meet ye,” the woman said. “I am Lady Kira Mackintosh.”
“And I am Laird Alec Mackintosh,” the man beside her said.
Alina was a little surprised at the laird’s appearance, for she had never seen a man of his stature wearing his long, blond hair wild and loose as he was. He was a large man, broad and tall, with a warm and welcoming smile.
Lady Mackintosh was slender, her brown hair pinned to her head in two braids. Her eyes were a soft blue, and while she appeared welcoming, Alina immediately sensed that there was a strength about this woman.
The woman squeezed Alina’s shoulder gently, while looking kindly at Moira as they all entered the castle. Alina could not help but look behind her, for she expected the arrival of Kieran Mackintosh at any moment. However, he was nowhere to be seen.
“I’m sure the two o’ ye must be half-starved,” Lady Kira added. “I will send for refreshments straight away.”
“And tired,” the laird said, with genuine concern in his eyes. “That is quite some journey. Did ye have any trouble on the way?”
Alina’s mind was working overtime. She had decided, after making the pact with Moira, that she was determined not to like anyone who had a say in this ridiculous arrangement. And yet, already, she was warming to the laird and lady, and they had hardly been in their presence for more than a minute.
“Actually,” Moira said, “we were attacked on the road.”
“Och, me God,” Lady Kira gasped .
Moira was nodding. “It’s true. Only fer the arrival o’ yer son, we might nae have arrived at all.”
“Our son?” the laird frowned.
Their guests were leading them down a corridor when someone walked around the corner. The laird immediately addressed the man, but Alina barely took notice of his words, for she was astonished. She was certain Kieran had not made it into the castle before them, and yet, there he was, standing before them. Immediately, however, she sensed something different about him, although she could not put her finger on what it was.
Eventually, Alina pulled herself back to the moment, just as the laird was turning toward her and Moira.
“…they are only arrived. What wonderful timing.” The laird turned and with an outstretched hand, he said, “Lady Cameron, I would like tae introduce me son. It is actually a surprise he is here.” The old man smirked. “Usually, he’s off galivanting across the country someplace or other.”
But Alina was confused, for they had just told the laird that this man had saved them. Why was he now introducing him? She was utterly confused, to say the least. Had it not been for him, however, she and Moira might not have been there at that moment. The least she could do was show her gratitude .
“Thank ye again fer saving us,” Alina said. “If it wasnae fer ye, we might never have made it here at all.” She forced a smile. “I suppose it’s one way tae meet yer betrothed.”
A flash of confusion crossed Kieran’s face, and then, the laird suddenly jumped in.
“Me goodness. What a fool I am. This isnae yer betrothed, me dear. This is his braither, Devon. I dae beg yer pardon. I introduced him without telling ye his name.” He then turned to speak to Devon. “Lady Alina and Miss Moira were attacked on the road. Apparently, only fer Kieran’s bravery, did they escape unscathed.”
Devon frowned. “But ye are all right?” he asked.
Alina’s consternation had now reached crazy levels. No one had told her that her betrothed had a twin brother. They were identical in almost every way. Though, it did explain her earlier feeling.
“We are. Thank ye,” Alina eventually replied, trying to maintain her composure.
He beamed a wide and charming smile at her. “Good. I’m glad tae hear it. ”
“Come,” the laird said. “We will relax with refreshments in the drawing room. I’m sure ye both could dae with a wee dram after such an ordeal.
The laird took the lead, with Devon and Lady Mackintosh following behind. Devon and his mother began conversing, leaving Alina and Moira to follow at the rear.
“Well, I’ll bet ye werenae expecting that,” Moira said quietly, so the others ahead couldn’t hear them.
Alina was still struggling to come to terms with the development when she shook her head. “Nay,” she said absently. “Indeed, I wasnae.” Shaking herself, she continued. “He’s as handsome, but there’s something different about him. I reckon he’s a charmer, and has all the lasses hanging on his every word.”
“Ye should be careful. Yer betrothed might be exactly the same.”
Alina cast her sister a sideways glance. “And what if he is? I dinnae care if he’s bedded half the castle.”
Moira opened her mouth to speak again, when a voice came from behind them .
“Ye need nae worry. I havenae bedded half the castle.”
Alina and Moira both spun around to see Kieran Mackintosh standing behind them. Heat flooded Alina’s entire person, from the soles of her feet to the top of her head at her words being overheard by the man she was going to marry, of all people.
“Och, I…” she gasped.
Alina looked to her sister for help, but Moira was as useless as she, for she was standing with her mouth gaping open, looking like a dead fish.
“Er, I… er,” Alina floundered, her face feeling hot as coal, while the man before her just watched on in what looked like amusement.
“What me sister means,” Moira said, the fish now back to life, “is that… whatever happened before daesnae matter…” But Moira had clearly not recovered either, and her rescue mission was in vain.
Taking a deep breath, and trying to swallow her mortification, Alina eventually gathered herself .
“O’ course, ye havenae. We were just making a little lightness out o’ this whole ordeal.”
It was a poor and pathetic excuse that likely did not fly at all, but she could think of nothing more to say.
“Indeed,” he replied. Kieran then gestured with a nod. “It appears ye are being waited upon.”
When Alina and Moira turned to look, the laird, Devon, and Lady Mackintosh had all stopped a little further up the corridor.
Och, me god! Did they hear all that?
And in that second, Alina’s mortification only multiplied.
“Ah, there ye are, Kieran,” Laird Mackintosh declared, making his way back toward them. He came to a stop at Alina’s side.
“I hear it was only because o’ ye that the ladies arrived in good health. Well done, son.”
“It was naething,” he replied, clearly not comfortable with his father’s praise .
“It was far more than naething,” Alina pressed, still trying to steady her thumping heart.
“Indeed. I agree,” the laird said. “Let us convene in the drawing room, fer I am certain we could all dae with a drink.”
Alina did not follow straight away, and understanding her sister’s desire, Moira also held back, allowing Kieran to walk ahead and join his father.
When they did eventually continue on, Moira leaned in closely to her older sister.
“Well, that was just awful.”
“I think I now want tae die,” Alina replied.
Moira gave her sister a curious look. “So, is yer plan still on?”
Alina hitched her eyebrows. “Why wouldnae it be?”
“Well. Look at him,” Moira gushed. “Besides, he did save us from certain death.”
Alina rolled her eyes. “We cannae ken that. Faither’s soldiers may well have fought them off without his assistance.”
Moira lifted her eyebrows, expressing her disbelief that Alina actually thought that was true. Her sister knew her well.
“This changes naething,” she said. “Carved by the gods or nae, in a month’s time, Kieran Mackintosh will be running fer the hills praying he never had tae set his eyes on me again. As fer me and ye, we will be on our way home, victorious after being saved from an unwanted union.”
But even as those words left her lips, Alina knew she had a battle on her hands. She was supposed to ruin this union, and yet, Kieran Mackintosh had already made an impression she could not ignore.