My Highland Love: Highland Lords Series Read Online Free Page B

her mind has no' been
the same since Shamus died. We tried consoling her, but she will
have none of it."
    A tingling sensation crept up Marcus's back.
"What happened?"
    "We found him just over the border in Montal
Cove with his skull bashed in."
    "Any idea who did it?"
    "Aye," Cameron said. "Campbells."
    Marcus surged to his feet. He strode to the
wall, where hung the claymore belonging to his ancestor Ryan
MacGregor, the man who saved their clan from annihilation. Marcus
ran a finger along the blade, the cold, hard steel heating his
blood as nothing else could. Except… Campbells.
    Had two centuries of bloodshed not been
enough?
    Fifty years ago, King George finally
proclaimed the MacGregors no longer outlaws and restored their
Highland name. General John Murray, Marcus's great uncle, was named
clan chief. Only recently, the MacGregors were given a place of
honor in the escort, which carried the "Honors of Scotland" before
the sovereign. Marcus had been there, marching alongside his
clansmen.
    Too many dark years had passed under this
cloud. Would the hunted feeling Ryan MacGregor experienced ever
fade from the clan? Perhaps it would have been better if Helena
hadn't saved Ryan that fateful day so long ago. But Ryan had lived,
and his clan thrived, not by the sword, but by the timeless power
of gold. Aye, the Ashlund name Helena gave Ryan saved them. Yet,
Ryan MacGregor's soul demanded recompense.
    How could Ryan rest while his people still
perished?
    Marcus removed his hand from the sword and
faced his father. "It's time the MacGregors brought down the
Campbell dogs."
     
    Feminine laughter spilled from the kitchen
into the great hall during the evening meal. Marcus sighed with
contentment. Light from sconces flickered like a great, filmy
curtain across the room. Two serving girls carrying trays of food
stepped from the kitchen, and the men, who blocked the doorway,
parted. The sense of contentment came as an almost unconscious
realization. He had missed sharing the evening meal with his
clansmen. Marcus leaned forward, arms crossed in front of him on
the table, and returned his attention to the conversation with
Cameron and Daniel.
    "We will be ready at first light, laird,"
Daniel said.
    "The Campbells will not be expecting
trouble," Cameron put in.
    "If word has reached them that I've returned,
they may be," Marcus said.
    Cameron grunted. "Lot of good it will
do."
    The feminine voice Marcus had been waiting
for filtered out from within the kitchen. "Easy now, Andrea," Elise
said.
    The conversation between his father and
Daniel faded as Marcus watched for her amongst the men who crowded
between the door and table. The thought of seeing her beautiful
body heated his blood. Elise stepped from the kitchen, balancing a
plate of salmon. She passed the table's end where he sat and
carefully picked her way through the men until reaching the middle
of the table. She set the oval platter between the chicken and
mutton.
    "Beth, place the carrots to the left.
Andrea—" She took the plate of potatoes from the girl, then set it
to the right and turned toward the kitchen.
    "Elise," one of the young warriors called,
"come, talk with us, lass."
    Her mouth quirked. "If I play with you, who
will finish dinner?"
    The man's hearty chuckle gave evidence she
hadn't fooled him, and he approached with friends in tow.
    Cameron stood. "Elise," he called over the
men's heads, "come here."
    She turned. When her gaze met Cameron's,
warmth filled her eyes. She dried her hands on her apron and headed
in his direction.
    "Go on, lads," Cameron said to the men who
teased her. "You have better things to do than dally with the
lassies."
    When she came within arm's reach, he gripped
her shoulders. "Meet my son. He's returned today." He turned
her.
    Her gaze met Marcus's. Her smile faltered but
quickly transformed into polite civility. "We've met."
    "Oh?" Cameron replied, all innocence.
    "Yes. He came by when Tavis, Bonnie, and I
were on our way home this