Months ago, in order to save his sister, Niall had sacrificed his honor when Sir Rupert Burney trapped him into coming to the Highlands to kill Cinaed Mackintosh. He’d known from the start it was a mission that would almost certainly cost him his life. But he would do it again for Fiona.
In his own mind, he’d salvaged his honor when he’d decided to take a different course. Forged his own plans. The villainous dogs who made and used laws to benefit themselves couldn’t be trusted, regardless of what he did, how far he went. One job would only lead to another, and he’d be forever their indentured servant. His sister would never be free of their grasp.
The new plans were as dangerous as the old. And his survival? Still doubtful. But dying was a necessary risk in his profession. Early, sudden death was woven into the fabric of every soldier’s fate. The only thing he’d ever truly regretted was losing the future he planned with Maisie.
And yet, here they were. Regardless of the odds, destiny had brought them together at Dalmigavie Castle.
Maisie, his wife. She challenged him, body and soul. She was the air, the water, the food that sustained him. They were lovers and friends. She made him want to live, to be a better man, to dream, to imagine that they could stretch the happiness of today into an infinity of tomorrows.
The days following the wedding melded into each other. They’d been left to themselves, and they spent the hours in bed, making love, and he encouraged her to talk of everything that had happened since they left Edinburgh. She and her family had been through so much.
She had many questions about him—the months that they’d lost in between. It was difficult to lie, so instead he changed the topic at every turn. He distracted her. He engaged her by asking about the articles she’d been writing. His interest in her politics was the best diversion.
Once they came out of their chambers and rejoined the world, Niall realized his family had expanded. Isabella and Cinaed took Morrigan and Niall and Maisie out riding. Together, they walked along the river. They visited the village and on market day, spent time going through the tents and stalls of vendors who had come up from Inverness. But they also stayed close enough that no danger could touch them. And all the while, Blair and a handful of his men hovered nearby.
During these jaunts, Niall could see that the relationship Maisie had with Isabella and Morrigan had changed dramatically from the time they were in Edinburgh. He recognized the new bond they all shared.
For all the time they spent together, Niall and Cinaed also began to know each other. The Highlander had many stories to tell about his time on Highland Crown, the ship he’d lost in a storm along the coast not too many months ago. His life before coming here had been a constant series of adventures.
It was also fascinating to learn how distant Cinaed was from all the glory that people attached to the “son of Scotland.” He loved the Highland people. He’d smuggled arms to rebels and borne the cost—and the risk—of transporting outlaws and displaced families to Canada. He’d been fighting for Scotland in one way or another for most of his life, and he was ready to shed his own blood to end the repressive occupation of the British military forces. But Cinaed was hesitant and distrustful of the pomp and glory of monarchy. And he didn’t believe he’d done enough to deserve the attention he was being showered with. Even if the royal bloodline was true, it wasn’t enough.
Niall found himself growing fonder of Cinaed for his own sake and not for how others perceived him. He’d served many commanders in his years of military campaigning, but no leader matched the quiet courage or the sure-handed confidence this man possessed. Niall didn’t know if it was Cinaed’s lineage or his maritime upbringing, but he’d never known a man better suited to leading others.
Those few short days of leisure came to an abrupt end. With little more than a week until the formal acknowledgment of Cinaed and Isabella’s marriage, riders began to show up from various Highland clan chiefs, indicating the times of their arrival.
Eight days before the ceremony, the laird called everyone involved with the queen’s visit to his study.
Niall leaned a shoulder against the wall near the door and listened. Aside from Lachlan and Searc, Woelk and Rainey were there, but Cinaed had decided not to join them.
“You’ve received no correspondence from the queen,” Searc asked Woelk. “Not once since you left the Borders.”
“Nothing. But she must be at sea right now. She’ll send an emissary when she arrives.”
An argument immediately ensued. Niall watched Woelk and Rainey.
“Move Cinaed to Inverness,” Rainey suggested. “The queen is probably there already.”
Searc waved him off, barking, “By the devil, Cinaed is not leaving here. Not until we know where he needs to go and how we can protect him.”
“The ceremony will come first,” the laird said sharply. “The clans will be coming from all over the Highlands to pledge their loyalty.”
“I don’t understand any of this.” Woelk gave up his position by the window and joined the group. “Is this ceremony to be a wedding or a coronation?”
Searc stomped across the floor, confronting the larger man. “They’re already married. This is the first chance Cinaed has had to stand before the clans and have them pledge their weapons and their lives when the time comes to fight.”
“And they’ll do that before the queen confirms his claim to the Scottish throne?” Woelk asked pointedly.
Searc frowned fiercely. “Here in the Highlands, we put our lives on the line when it’s called for.”
“If it’s called for by the right man,” Woelk said.
Searc’s brows bristled like daggers. “Every man worth his salt hopes for an independent Scotland. In this case, Cinaed James Stuart is the direct descendant of our Bonnie Prince, and no respectable Highlander will question that claim, with or without the queen.”
The laird stood and interjected. “The English fear this meeting more than the Scots need it, Mr. Woelk. Cinaed has a claim to the thrones of England, Ireland, and Scotland. With Queen Caroline’s affirmation, many more folk than Highlanders will rise in his support.”
“Exactly,” Rainey insisted. “This is why he should be ready to meet her as soon as she arrives in the Highlands. Her ship could drop anchor on one of our harbors only to be forced to sail off again. We’re not doing this for our own sakes but for everyone who’s waiting to rise.”
“We are ready,” Searc seethed. “But I’m not willing to put Cinaed on some blasted beach and wave a flag for her. I swear to you by the devil, he’ll not become a target.”
“I suggest you put aside the politics of it. My cousin’s own wishes should be considered here.” Woelk looked from one man to the next. “Caroline is not coming as queen to meet with a rebel leader. She is a mother, first and foremost. She wishes to reunite with her son. Remember who she is and what she risks in coming anywhere near the Highlands. That should be our priority when we are considering where and when these two meet.”
Searc huffed and stalked to the window. Rainey shook his head and planted his elbows on his knees. A momentary silence settled over the room.
Lachlan peered across the room at Niall. “Since arriving at Dalmigavie, Cinaed has remained distant from many of us. But you, Campbell, have been spending a great deal of time with him. You seem to have gained his trust quickly. Have you any idea what Cinaed’s wishes are with regard to his mother?”
Woelk and Rainey glanced up at him, both looking surprised by the laird’s words.
“I’m not betraying his trust in saying Cinaed still has a few doubts about his lineage. He told me he can’t help thinking the entire connection might be a mistake. But he understands how important this is for the Highlands and for Scotland. And he’s willing to meet her.”
Searc turned on his heel and faced them all. “But at the right time and at the right place. We’ll not be putting him in danger.”