A little over three weeks later, the weather in Durness had calmed a bit, though it was still cold out. The MacKenzies and MacLeods left just before dawn, heading for their homes many miles to the south. Dirk, Isobel and several in the MacKay clan had seen them off after breaking their fast.
Dirk climbed the turnpike stairs behind Isobel, knowing she was sad to see her brothers leave. He disliked the tears in her eyes and had tried to comfort her with an arm around her shoulders as they watched her brothers ride out through the gates. Dirk was glad to have gotten to know her family better. They were good men, the lot of them.
"We'll visit them in the summer," Dirk said at the top of the stairs as he tucked her arm around his elbow.
"I would like that. Or 'haps in the spring and then again in the fall." She gave a hopeful grin.
"'Haps. I'm sure Torrin would allow us to spend a night at Munrick along our journey if we go partway overland."
She shivered. "Munrick Castle gives me the creeps, but if you're by my side every minute, I wouldn't mind so much."
"I'll never leave your side, lass. Ever. And certainly not around the MacLeods."
"Good." She smiled.
Dirk had forgiven Torrin MacLeod for not being present at Munrick in order to protect Isobel, but he couldn't see himself becoming best friends with the man. Torrin was a bit too cocky and devil-may-care about many things. His brother, Nolan, had not shown himself again. Chances were he'd returned to Munrick.
Haldane and McMurdo also had not shown their thieving faces. Dirk had sent out search parties to arrest them and the remaining outlaws, but they must have left the area. They would no doubt return in spring. He couldn't imagine McMurdo relinquishing his expensive tomb in the church, nor Haldane giving up on being chief of Clan MacKay.
"You wouldn't believe what Torrin asked me last night," Dirk said, closing their bedchamber door once they were inside.
"What?" Isobel asked, her eyes wide and curious.
"If I would consider a trial marriage between him and Jessie."
"What? Nay!" Isobel gasped with a shocked grin. "'Twas obvious he was smitten with her, but Jessie only wanted to avoid him. Have you told her?"
"Not yet. I told Torrin I would think on it and give him an answer in the summer. In truth, I'm not certain I trust him."
"Jessie was already in one handfast trial marriage for a year and a day." Isobel grimaced. "It did not go well."
"In truth? I didn't know that." How could he have missed such an important bit of information about his sister?
"Aye, you'll have to ask her about it."
"I will, but right now I intend to take my wife back to bed." Dirk unclasped the brooch holding her arisaid together. "My very naked, beautiful and delectable wife." He kissed her neck, relishing her soft skin.
"Oh," she breathed, tugging at his clothing until he wanted to rip them from his body. Soon enough they were both naked. He lifted her and lay back on his huge bed. He loved the sensation of her light weight upon him, her silken skin brushing across his. Framing his face with her hands, she kissed him deeply and thoroughly, her tongue toying with his. He was the luckiest man on earth to have a wife that he treasured beyond all things, even beyond his own comprehension.
He flipped her over so that he was on top. He gazed down at her in the candlelight, hardly able to believe she was here with him and that they were married.
"I always knew you were special, from the first moment I saw you twelve years ago," he said. "We were too young then, but your dark eyes bewitched me just as they do now."
She smiled. "I didn't ken you were such a sweet-talker, my gorgeous and brave warrior husband."
"You inspire me."
"I confess that I couldn't forget our first meeting either. Your piercing blue eyes haunted me. Have I told you today that I love you?" she whispered.
"Aye, but I must hear it again, as many times as you're willing to say it." He grinned.
"I love you."
Every time she said that, a hot, potent mixture of desire and emotion slammed into his chest. "And I love you, my lady, my wife," he murmured against her lips, then kissed her.
___
Please look for other books in my Highland Adventure series. My Fierce Highlander and My Wild Highlander are the first two. I will be adding more stories to this series in the future, including stories about Torrin & Jessie, Rebbie, and others.
If you enjoyed this book, I hope you will consider leaving a brief review for it at the site where you purchased it. Thanks so much!
About The Author
Vonda Sinclair's favorite indulgent pastime is exploring Scotland, from Edinburgh to the untamed and windblown north coast. She also enjoys creating hot, Highland heroes and spirited lasses to drive them mad. She is a past Golden Heart finalist and Laurie award winner. She lives with her amazing and supportive husband in the mountains of North Carolina where she is no doubt creating another Scottish story. Please visit her website to learn more. www.vondasinclair.com
Author's note
Donald McMurdo was an actual villain from the mists of history, a highwayman who lived in the Durness area in the early 1600s. He allegedly murdered eighteen people and tossed some of them down into Smoo Cave to drown. He died in 1623 and was buried in Balnakeil Church, just as he requested. It was reported that he paid a thousand pounds for this burial site.
I changed a date to fit my story. Balnakeil Church was rebuilt and completed in 1619. A much older church sat on the site prior to this. Balnakeil is Gaelic for "bay of the church."
Table of Contents
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Seventeen
Chapter Eighteen
Chapter Nineteen
Chapter Twenty
Chapter Twenty-One
Chapter Twenty-Two
Chapter Twenty-Three
Chapter Twenty-Four
Chapter Twenty-Five
Chapter Twenty-Six
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Epilogue
Table of Contents
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Seventeen
Chapter Eighteen
Chapter Nineteen
Chapter Twenty
Chapter Twenty-One
Chapter Twenty-Two
Chapter Twenty-Three
Chapter Twenty-Four
Chapter Twenty-Five
Chapter Twenty-Six
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Epilogue