Bestselling Highlanders, Howlers, and Heroes: Chapman, Mayhue, and Gideon by Janet Chapman Melissa Mayhue & Nancy Gideon

Author:Janet Chapman, Melissa Mayhue & Nancy Gideon
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Published: 2011-07-15T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 17

They met with no further incident on their journey to Connor’s home, but the men remained tense and vigilant as Cate now recognized they had been all day. She rested her head against Connor’s chest the entire way, his strong heartbeat a comfort as he held her tightly to him.

The land began to rise steeply. Sithean Fardach sat at the very top of a large hill. It looked like something created for a movie set, and Cate wondered briefly if it still existed in her time. Smaller in overall size than Dun Ard, it was a great square building with round towers at each corner. The entire structure was surrounded by a massive wall.

Cate realized just how massive the wall actually was as they started through the arch. They entered a tunnel at least ten feet long, which accounted for the thickness of the wall.

“The portcullis is open on both ends.” Duncan spoke uneasily.

“Aye. They’d no reason to hae it closed. See to it, Duncan. I want the gates and drawbars in place. No one in or out. I’ll speak to Niall.”

“Consider it done. I’ll see you inside.” Duncan grinned and hopped off his horse, heading back to the entrance archway.

They continued across the courtyard, stopping at the foot of some very impressive wooden stairs, which led to large entryway doors that appeared to go into the second story of the castle. When they reached the foot of the stairs, Connor dismounted and lifted Cate to the ground as a man hurried down the stairs toward them.

“Welcome home, lad.” The man threw his arms around Connor, slapping him on the back. He tilted his head toward Cate. “Is this yer lassie then? Margaret will be in a mighty fury. She’d no expected you until after the wedding.” He chuckled.

“Aye, Niall, this is my Cate.” He turned to her, his hand still on the older man’s shoulder. “Cate, this is my steward, Niall. He keeps the castle running for me.”

Niall laughed. “Dinna say that in front of my Margaret. She’s the one who does all the work.” He turned back to Connor. “Mairi dinna tell us you’d be coming when she was here earlier for Rosalyn’s healing basket.”

“She dinna ken we’d be this way tonight. I’ve left Duncan at the wall to close the gates. I want them to stay closed until we’ve had a chance to discuss a few things.”

The older man sobered immediately. “I’ll send help down to him.” He turned and yelled, “Ewan!”

A young man appeared from another building in the courtyard, running in their direction.

“Father?” He noticed them then, his face breaking into a grin. “Connor. You’ve returned.”

“Down to the gates with you, lad. Give Duncan a hand while I get these two inside to yer mother.” Niall smiled fondly at the young man as he ran off in the direction of the gates.

Margaret was waiting just inside the door. After greeting Connor, she immediately began to fuss.

“Och, laddie, they told me you weren’t to come home until after the wedding.

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