X Marks the Scot (25 page)
Authors: Victoria Roberts
Gently, he eased her onto the bed, an eager affection coming from him. He pulled back and she noticed he was watching her intently. Something intense flared in his eyes and there was a tingling in the pit of her stomach.
“Say it again,” MacGregor said barely above a whisper. His smoldering gaze never left hers.
“Pardon?”
“What ye said when the guards took me away. Say it again,” he repeated softly.
Liadain was actually trembling now and her eyes were full of tears. She could feel her throat closing up. An inner torment began to gnaw at her. She had been truthful when she said the words, but she could not bear to look in her husband’s eyes when he rejected her. Her spirits sank even lower and she did the only think she could think of.
Moving her body, she was attempting to wiggle out from underneath him when a firm grip halted her in her tracks. MacGregor pinned her back down on the bed. They were so close that she could feel his breath on her lips. She gazed at him as a hot tear trickled down her cheek.
He wiped her wet cheeks with his thumb. “Healer, why do ye weep?”
She dropped her lashes quickly to hide the hurt that was sure to come. She shook her head but did not speak, trying to hide her misery. She was silent and defeated.
“Liadain…”
At the sound of her name, her eyes flew open. She was about to speak when he placed his finger over her lips.
“I want ye to listen to me verra carefully. I love ye. I loved ye from the first time I placed my dagger to your bonny throat. Ye are kind, gentle, everything I am proud to call wife. I surely donna deserve ye. The gods have truly blessed me. I was a daft fool for treating ye with such disrespect. I promise ye that I will try to be the husband ye so deserve. Let us start by ye calling me by my Christian name. Give me another chance to win your heart,
a
ghràidh.” My love.
“Declan, ye already have it. I love ye, Husband.”
***
Liadain was eager to depart, but the men wanted to remain until Dunnehl and Catesby met their demise. She could not say she understood the reasoning, but perhaps the men sought a bit of closure. For as much trouble as Lord Dunnehl had caused their entire clan, she guessed the MacGregors wanted to make sure the beastly man’s death was final.
Ciaran, Aiden, and Declan had received an audience with the king that morn and all charges against Declan had been dismissed. His Majesty even expressed his gratitude to the MacGregors for catching Percy. As Liadain waited in the courtyard for the men to depart, she summoned Robert.
When he spotted her, he approached her hesitantly. “Lady MacGregor.”
“Viscount Cranborne. I wanted to speak with ye before we departed. I know I threatened ye that I would speak with King James about your dealings if ye didnae free my husband. As ye see, there was nay need due to Archie’s papers.”
Strong arms encircled her from behind. “Are ye ready, Liadain?” asked Declan, giving her a gentle kiss on the neck.
Turning, she raised her hand and brushed her husband’s cheek. “Aye, could I have a moment?”
“Of course.”
She pulled Robert a few steps away from her husband. Then she reached into her bosom and pulled out a paper. “I see the way ye have changed. Your love for your wife and son is so clear. For that reason
alone
, I didnae speak of your involvement to my husband.” Her eyes narrowed. “Donna let me regret this decision. I strongly suggest ye donna let MacGregor see this as I cannae be responsible for his actions.”
She hesitated and then handed Robert the paper. “I believe this belongs to ye. Cherish your love for Elizabeth and your son, Robert.”
He took the proof of his wrongdoing and she turned on her heel.
She would’ve walked to the ends of the earth to free her husband. But she recognized love when she saw it. And Robert truly loved Elizabeth and his bairn. Perhaps love could change a person. At any rate, she couldn’t tear Robert away from his family if she didn’t have to. As she approached her husband, Robert called after her.
“Lady MacGregor!”
“Aye?”
“You are nothing like your brother.” A smile lit Robert’s features.
As she turned back, Declan nodded to Robert. “What was that about?”
“It was naught. I merely gave him some advice about Elizabeth.”
“Cranborne is right about one thing,” Declan said, pulling her close and kissing the top of her head.
“And what is that?”
“Ye arenae like the bloody Campbell. Ye will forever be a MacGregor, Liadain.”
A very special “thank you” goes out to the following people:
To my agent, Jill Marsal, for your endless encouragement.
To my editor, Leah Hultenschmidt, for supporting my dreams.
To the unsung heroes at Sourcebooks: it truly takes a village.
To my girls, Mary Grace and Beth, my biggest fans, who could probably recite every manuscript I’ve written verbatim. Thank you for holding my hand through the blood, sweat, and tears. Mary Grace, you continue to be my rock.
To my husband, who escorts me to every Scottish and Renaissance festival under the sun to “research” and never complains—eye rolls, but never has complaints. I love you!
To my mother, who was so proud of her romance-writing daughter who finally found herself on this side of forty-ish. Although you are watching from above, Mom, I have comfort in the fact that you read my first two books. I will hold your praise close to my heart, your lessons not forgotten. And even though you begged me to write a most unpleasant fate for Lady Rosalia’s mother, I hope you are pleased with these
Bad
Boys.
And as I will never forget your words, I pray you will always remember mine. I love you, Mom. Always.
Victoria Roberts writes sexy, Scottish historical romances about kilted heroes and warriors from the past. An avid lover of all things Scotland, she simply writes what she loves to read. Prior to ever picking up a romance novel, she penned her first young-adult novella (never published) at sixteen years old. Who knew her leather-studded motorcycle hero would trade in his ride and emerge as a kilt-donning Highlander wielding a broadsword?
Victoria lives in western Pennsylvania with her husband of nineteen years and their two beautiful children—not to mention one spoiled dog. When she is not plotting her next Scottish romp, she enjoys reading, nature, and antiques. For more information about Victoria, visit her website at
www.victoriarobertsauthor.com
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Temptation in a Kilt
Victoria Roberts
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It’s a sign of Lady Rosalia Armstrong’s desperation that she’s seeking refuge in a place as rugged and challenging as the Scottish Highlands. She doesn’t care about hardship and discomfort, if only she can become master of her own life. Laird Ciaran MacGregor, however, is completely beyond her control…
He redefines dangerous…
Ciaran MacGregor knows it’s perilous to get embroiled with a fiery Lowland lass, especially one as headstrong as Rosalia. Having made a rash promise to escort her all the way to Glengarry, now he’s stuck with her, even though she challenges his legendary prowess at every opportunity. When temptation reaches its peak, he’ll be ready to show her who he really is… on and off the battlefield.
“Wonderful adventure with sensual and compelling romance.”
—Amanda Forester, acclaimed author of
True Highland Spirit
For more Victoria Roberts, visit:
To Wed a Wicked Highlander
Victoria Roberts
Torn between his duty and his soul mate, what will this Highland bad boy choose?
When a beautiful traitor is discovered under his own roof, Laird Alexander MacDonnell is faced with a decision he never thought possible. He’s sworn to protect his clan, but following his duty will mean losing his heart forever to the woman who betrayed him—his wife.
Lady Sybella MacKenzie is forced to search for her clan’s ancient seeing stone under the roof of her father’s enemy. But when she finally finds the precious artifact, ensuring her family’s survival will mean turning her back on the man who has captured her soul.
Praise for
Temptation in a Kilt
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“An exciting Highland adventure with sensual and compelling romance.”
—Amanda Forester, acclaimed author of
True Highland Spirit
“Filled with everything I love most about Highland romance…”
—Melissa Mayhue, award-winning author of
Warrior’s Redemption
For more Victoria Roberts, visit:
True Highland Spirit
Amanda Forester
Seduction is a powerful weapon...
Morrigan McNab is a Highland lady, robbed of her birthright and with no choice but to fight alongside her brothers to protect their impoverished clan. When she encounters Sir Jacques Dragonet, she discovers her fiercest opponent…
Sir Jacques Dragonet is a Noble Knight of the Hospitaller Order, willing to give his life to defend Scotland from the English. He can’t stop himself from admiring the beautiful Highland lass who wields her weapons as well as he can and endangers his heart even more than his life…
Now they’re racing each other to find a priceless relic. No matter who wins this heated rivalry, both will lose unless they can find a way to share the spoils.
“A masterful storyteller, Amanda Forester brings new excitement to Scottish medieval romance!”
—Gerri Russell, award-winning author of
To Tempt a Knight
For more Amanda Forester, visit: