Prologue

1585, The Western Highlands, Scotland
The dungeons, Lennox Castle

Odhrán, son of Murphy, Laird Lennox, ran down the stairs into the chilly, malodorous dungeons of his father’s castle. At the bottom, he slowly walked to where he could position himself to see through the metal grill in the door of the first cell on the right. Then, he paused for several moments, just looking at the prisoner inside.

The sight of her made his heart stop. For though she looked tired and miserable, with her long dark hair, large dark eyes, and porcelain skin, Maddison Kincaid was without a doubt the most beautiful woman he had ever seen.

As he allowed his eyes to dwell on her, Odhrán was startled to hear the door above him open and someone come down the stairs. Scared it might be his father, he held his breath as he scrambled for an explanation as to why he was there. He only breathed again when he saw his best friend, the war leader Liam MacTavish, appear around the bend in the stairs.

Liam paused when he saw Odhrán standing and looking up at him, then he ran down the remaining steps as Odhrán came to meet him.

“Odhrán, what are ye doin’ here again?” Liam asked as the pair smiled and slapped each other’s backs in a hearty greeting.

“Naethin’ much,” Odhrán replied, feeling a little embarrassed to have been caught. “Just checkin’ on the prisoner.”

Liam glanced over at the cell containing Maddison and laughed. “I ken ye’ve been down here twice today already. I’ve seen ye. Checkin’ on the prisoner quite often, are ye nae? Anyone would think ye’re sweet on the lassie,” he said teasingly.

Knowing his cheeks were flushing a little, for Liam had hit the nail on the head, Odhrán laughed too and punched his friend on the arm affectionately. He did not mind Liam knowing the truth, for he knew all his secrets were safe with him.

“I’m just bringin’ her this book tae read,” he told Liam, lowering his voice and showing it to him. “The hours pass slowly fer her in here, so I bring her books tae occupy her mind.”

“Well, I’ll nae be the one tae say ye’re goin’ soft,” Liam replied laughingly, automatically lowering his voice to a mere whisper as well. He glanced at the book and nodded. “She’s a nice lassie. ’Tis a right shame yer faither hates her family and her clan so much that he would kill her parents and braither like that and then keep her locked up here.” He shook his head, the harsh planes of his face softening as he glanced at the cell door.

“Aye, tae tell the truth, Liam, I dinnae ken how I’ve managed tae persuade him tae keep her alive this long. There’s nae a day that passes when he doesnae say he wants tae kill her. I wish I kent why he hates her family so much and could get him tae stop this feud and let her go. I cannae see any real reason fer it. I mean, what have the Kincaids done tae hurt us? Naethin’. ’Tis another of Faither’s obsessions, I suppose.”

“Aye, ’tis a mystery all right,” Liam agreed. “Ye ken what he’s like, he holds a grudge, and once he’s set on somethin’, he’s like dog with a bone. He’ll nae leave off until he’s got what he wants, and that seems tae mean wipin’ out the Kincaid family and the whole clan. Mayhap we’ll never find out the truth behind the feud but at least ye’ve been able tae string him along thus far by tellin’ him it makes more sense tae keep her alive and use her fer a deal with her braithers than kill her outright.”

Odhrán nodded. “The trouble is, I dinnae ken how long I can keep it up. I’m afeared fer her life every day, Liam,” he confessed to his friend, drawing a little closer to him and lowering his voice even further. “She doesnae ken who I really am. She thinks I’m just a servant of the laird. If she finds out I’m the son of the man who murdered her family and imprisoned her, she’ll never forgive me fer it,” he confided in Liam. “Especially nae when she realizes how I’ve been lyin’ tae her all this time.”

“Aye, I see what ye mean. But what ye’re doin’ is very risky. If yer faither finds out what ye’ve been up tae, he’ll likely slit yer throat as well as hers. If ye go against him, he willnae care if ye’re his only son. Ye havetae think of yerself. Why must ye come down here tae see her so often?”

“I feel sorry for her, and I wantae dae everythin’ I can tae make her incarceration bearable.” He did not add that simply laying eyes on the girl for one second after her kidnapping had been enough for him to fall for her, nor that he could not go a day without seeing her.

“Well, take me advice, Odhrán, dinnae be so careless as tae stand here gawking at her. If someone sees ye and tells yer faither, ye ken he’ll be furious. He’ll likely use it as an excuse tae give the lairdship tae that bastard cousin of yers, Rollo,” Liam warned him kindly.

Odhrán scowled on hearing the loathsome name. “Dinnae mention that dog tae me. He’s the bane of me life. Faither’s been on and on at me tae find a wife and get him some grandbairns, but ye ken I’ve nae wish tae marry just now. ’Tis true, nae a day goes by that he doesnae bang on about who’d make the better heir. His obsession with grandbairns and continuin’ the Lennox legacy makes him prefer Rollo because he is wed and already has a clutch of bairns tae show fer it. I’m right sick of it,” he complained, bile rising in his throat.

“I ken, and I feel bad fer ye. Rollo’s a right smug bastard, always suckin’ up tae him, tae be sure. I cannae stand him, and neither can most of the men. Besides, ’tis nae natural fer a faither tae treat his only son like that, in me opinion. But that only means ye have tae be extra careful about the laird findin’ ye down here so often, givin’ the lassie books, and so on.”

“Aye, I ken, me friend. I thank ye fer yer warnin’. Mayhap Rollo will nae live long enough tae inherit the lairdship that’s mine by rights, eh?” Odhrán said, with the usual tension he felt when thinking of his father and cousin gripping him. It always gave him a queasy feeling, as well as a feeling that time was somehow running out for him. He wished he dared tell Liam about his deepest thoughts, not just about getting rid of Rollo, but of his father too, permanently. He tried to push the unease aside and focus on the moment. “Anyway, I’m sure ye have plenty tae keep ye busy, me friend, so ye can push off. I’ll meet ye and yer braither fer a drink later on, eh?” he told Liam with a shove.

“All right, I’ll meet ye in the Blue Boar after dinner. But mark me words, Odhrán,” Liam said earnestly. “Be careful. Next time, it might nae be me comin’ down those stairs.” He sprang back up the steps on his powerful legs, and Odhrán was left alone. His heart in his mouth, he approached Maddison’s cell.

“Maddison, ’tis me,” he called softly. A pale ghost got up from the bed of straw where she had been sitting. She came up to the grill and regarded him with her big dark eyes.

“Hello. ’Tis good tae see a friendly face around here,” Maddison told him in her lilting voice.

“I’ve brought ye another book,” he said, passing it through the grill to her. ’Tis an adventure. It may help tae pass the time.”

“Thank ye,” she replied, taking the book from his hand and giving him a wan smile that made his heart skip in his chest. “I’ve almost finished the last one, so this will come in handy. ’Tis very boring and lonely in here.”

The sadness in her eyes as she spoke moved Odhrán deeply. He wanted nothing more than to tear down the cell door, grab her by the waist, and ride like hell with her back to her home and her brothers, anything to make her happy.

“How are ye bearin’ up?” he asked, leaning against the door to get a better view of her and the cell. To his relief, it looked fairly clean, and she had blankets. It was no more than Odhrán expected because he had been bribing the dungeon master for his cooperation and silence.

“As well as can be expected, I suppose. But the help ye give me is a great comfort, and yer company too,” she told him.

“I’m glad tae be of some help tae ye,” he said, wishing he could do far more.

“I dinnae wish tae get ye intae trouble by askin’ this, but can ye tell me if there’s been any sign of me braithers searchin’ fer me?” she suddenly asked, her face creased with anxiety. “’Tis been almost a year now since I’ve been locked up here, and I’ve had nae word of them.”

Odhrán’s heart dropped. Of course, he well knew that her brothers, Diarmaid and Ciarán, both formidable warriors, had been scouring the land far and wide for any sign of her for the last year. He guessed they had already worked out where she might be, and who had murdered their parents and brother before kidnapping her. But he was also sure his father was right: without proof they would not dare act.

Even if somehow they found proof, they would need help to attack the Lennox castle, for it held the largest clan army in the West Highlands. But he could not tell Maddison any of that, however much he wanted to comfort her. His father would kill the both of them if he did and he got wind of it.

“I dinnae ken, I’m sorry. I’m just a servant around here,” he lied, hating himself for doing it.

“I ken. I shouldnae have asked ye,” she apologized. Then, he saw a spark in her eyes, and she clenched her small fists at her sides. “Ach, there’s nae one I hate more than Murphy and his son, fer what they’ve done tae me and me family. Every day, I pray me braithers will find me and put an end to those two monsters,” she murmured.

“Aye, that’s understandable,” Odhrán replied, feeling like his poor heart was breaking for her, and for himself. He was unused to feeling so much emotion for anybody. There had never really been anyone for him to care about that much. His mother had died shortly after giving birth to him, and the only affection he remembered receiving was from his old nursemaid, now long dead.

Nevertheless, it physically hurt him to know Maddison was suffering. He so wanted her to know how much he cared about her, but the whole situation was impossible, thus he had no choice but to keep it all secret from her. And from everyone, except perhaps Liam and his brother Tadhg.

But that did not mean he did not think about it, and about how much better his life would be without his father and Rollo in it.

But even if I was Laird Lennox, it would nae change a thing. If Maddison ever learns who I really am, she’ll nae forgive me. She’ll never be me wife, however much I want her.

Chapter One

1586, Lennox Castle

Odhrán took his place as Laird Lennox at the head of the council table feeling deeply uneasy. He was well aware that only five months after the death of his father and the lairdship passing to him, he was still on thin ice. His position as laird was by no means certain. And as always, he had his father to thank for it.

“Well, let’s get down tae business, gentlemen,” he said, making sure to sound strong and determined as his eyes swept around the table, where his councilmen were taking their seats. “There’s nae time tae waste.”

“Aye, me laird,” intoned Angus Bowman, who had been his father’s chief advisor for many years, shuffling the papers in front of him. “The most important matter is that of yer faither’s will.”

“Aye, I ken it,” Odhrán said with a sharp nod, exchanging a look with Liam and Tadhg that expressed his impatience and their sympathy. “Get on with it then.”

Angus cleared his throat and spoke up clearly. “As ye ken, the old laird left a will saying that if ye dinnae have a wife and a bairn on the way a year after taking the lairdship, the council should gather and decide if ’tis better fer yerself tae continue as laird or fer Rollo tae take over.” The old advisor paused to look at Odhrán before he went on, “’Tis already five months since ye became laird, and there’s nae sight of a wife, let alone a bairn.”

Angus’s words drew a collective muttering from the councilmen, though Odhrán found it impossible to tell whether they were happy or not about the terms of the will. He’d been fuming ever since he’d first heard of them. Even in death, it seemed his father continued to torment him.

“So, what d’ye all think on this?” Odhrán asked through gritted teeth. Once more there were hushed murmurings around the table.

“Frankly, me laird, there’s nae many of us are happy about it,” piped up Renly Cooper, who dealt with the clan’s finances. “But the will is a legally binding document, and ye can be sure Rollo kens about it. Yer faither kept his counsel, so even if we destroy it, he’ll challenge yer right tae inherit.”

“Aye, none of us can see a way tae prevent him legally takin’ over the lairdship except by ye marryin’ and trying tae get a bairn started in the next six months,” Angus added, sounding surprisingly downcast.

“Wheesht!” Liam put in with some impatience. “He’ll nae be able tae inherit if he’s dead. If we dinnae want him as our laird, why nae just kill him?”

“I’d be happy tae dae the job,” Tadhg said, nodding vigorously. “The man’s a snake. He’s nae even a good master tae his own folks. All the headway we’ve made as a clan in improving relations with our neighbors over the last few months with Odhrán here at our head will be lost if he takes over.”

“Aye, even his wife doesnae much like him, the poor lass, so I hear,” Renley said, eliciting nods and words of agreement from his fellows.

“Ach, I wish it was that easy, me friends,” Angus told them , shaking his head morosely. “But ’tis a legal matter. If we just go and kill him, I reckon everyone will ken who’s responsible at once. He has many allies. It could mean war.”

“I’m touched by yer support,” Odhrán said, meaning it. He had not really expected to learn so much about how they all felt about the matter. It was encouraging that they liked his style of lairdship, which was so different to that of his father.

However, there was more than one important thing the council was so far unaware of, bar Liam and Tadhg. He did not want to marry. Or, more specifically, he did not want to marry just anyone. In fact, the only woman he wanted to marry hated his guts. The only solace for his broken heart in the whole mess was knowing that Maddison was back home safe with her family again, following a violent attack on Lennox Castle by her brothers and their allies that had ended in his father’s death.

And there was more than just the will. When going through his father’s desk, which now belonged to him, he had found a letter from his father addressed to Rollo. Furious, he had torn it open and read it.

If ye become Laird Lennox, ye must finish what I started and kill all the surviving Kincaids. Me spirit willnae rest until ye have wiped out the whole family and clan tae the last man.

Odhrán had almost choked on his hatred for his father as well as his fear for Maddison on reading those words. He knew Rollo would enjoy carrying out his father’s wishes should he ever become Laird Lennox. But Maddison’s life and her clan had to be protected at all costs against this new threat. Immediately, he had thought the best way to do that would be to have her close, ideally as his wife. But he had known with a sinking heart that it was out of the question. She, her family, and the whole Kincaid clan despised him. They would never countenance such a union.

But though he hated his father and Rollo as much as Maddison and the Kincaids hated him, he was still his father’s son. He had never been one to give up easily, however bad the odds seemed.

There must be a way.

Now, standing before the council and hearing what they had to say, he was encouraged to put forth the plan that had been slowly forming in the deep, dark depths of his mind for some time.

“There’s only one lass I’ll consider as a wife,” he said in a tone that, he hoped, brooked no argument.

The councilmen’s ears pricked up, and they all looked at him with a mixture of curiosity and expectancy.

“Oh? And who might that be, me laird?” Angus asked.

“Maddison Kincaid.”

He might as well have thrown a fox into the henhouse for all the furor that caused. Only Liam and Tadhg appeared unsurprised.

Angus spluttered out, “I’m sorry, me laird, but did ye say Maddison Kincaid?”

“Ye ken I did,” Odhrán confirmed with a nod, creating fresh turmoil amongst his advisors.

“The lass yer faither kept locked up here fer a year until her braithers attacked us and killed him and took her away?”

“Aye, the very same.”

“May we ask why her in particular, me laird?” Renley asked.

“It’ll put an end tae this feud me faither had with the Kincaids once and fer all. It’ll be of benefit tae all of us if it’s done with,” Odhrán explained, growing bolder as they seemed receptive to his idea.

“Well, fair enough,” Renley said after a few moments of quiet discussion among the councilmen. “If that’s the lass ye want, me laird, then we’ll back ye. But d’ye nae think it likely her braithers will nae countenance such a match, even if she agrees tae it? Which I dinnae think there’s much chance she will. Nae counting that they killed yer faither…”

“If the laird’s willin’ tae put that aside fer the sake of improvin’ relations between our two clans then we should support him. After all, the old laird was nae much of a faither tae him, and he didnae exactly act in ways tae improve our relations with other clans either,” Angus pointed out. “That wasnae good fer any of us.”

Once again, Odhrán was touched by the councilmen’s understanding of the difficulties he had faced when his father had been alive. The old man had been a bully and a brute. The only trouble was, they were lacking a vital piece of information that may have radically changed any decision they might choose to make about their future laird.

The council did not know that the Kincaids had not killed the old laird. It had been Odhrán himself who had ended his father’s life, all to protect Maddison. Odhrán was that most wretched of creatures—a parricide. It was such a horrible thing to have done that, however bad his father had been, he could not even reconcile it with himself, let alone tell anyone else the truth about what he had done. All but his best friends, that was. Thus, deep down, he knew he’d never be at peace with what he had done.

“True enough. But other clan feuds that have lasted decades have been ended by such marriages, and both clans have prospered,” Renly said. “There’s nae harm in tryin’ if that’s what the young laird wants.” Murmurs of agreement came from the others.

“So, d’ye have any ideas how we could go about securin’ their agreement, then, me laird?” Tadhg asked, looking at Odhrán with a hint of encouragement in his eyes. He and his brother already knew a little of Odhrán’s thoughts and plans on this subject.

“Aye, as it happens, I dae,” Odhrán replied, flashing a grateful glance at Tadhg.

“Well, let’s hear it then, me laird,” Renley said. “If there’s any chance of it workin’, we’ll back ye all the way rather than have Rollo as our laird.”

“All right,” Odhrán replied, optimism welling up inside him and replacing the guilt he felt as the man who had killed his father. “So, here’s me plan.”

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