Crimson Heart by Heather Mccollum

Author:Heather Mccollum [Mccollum, Heather]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Highland
Published: 2014-06-24T07:00:00+00:00

Chapter Ten

Le 15 Septembre 1554

To my brother, Francis, Duke of Guise,

I hear only pride from King Henry when he speaks of your military brilliance. I wish that you were here in this dreadfully damp Scotland with me. Certainly you could ferret out the traitorous backers of that slippery Lord Arran. I fear it will never be safe for my Mary to claim her throne, not with him alive. Perhaps I should consider remarriage. Perhaps to a strong Scottish warrior who can command my armies here and sire strong children on me. Lord Arran would surely die by a rugged Highlander’s sword.

Genuine wishes for continued health and happiness to your wife Anna and your children.

Votre soeur, Marie de Guise, Reine de Ecosse

A fire crackled on damp peat and new wood in the great hall. Even in the summer, the French were cold. Searc sat at a small table across from Marie and Henri and wiped a hand over his forehead. He set clenched fists on the table before him.

“Such strength.” Marie perused him from her seat, her gaze pausing on Searc’s exposed forearms. The woman practically licked her stained, red lips. “Do all Highlanders fight with such intensity as you, Searc Munro?”

“We train from the cradle on a daily basis at Munro Castle as they do at Druim where the Macbains live.”

“’Tis cold in the mountains,” Henri mentioned as Searc pushed his chair back from the flames.

“Aye, with much mist and rain. Treacherous for those who haven’t cut their teeth upon it.”

“Like I have said, Marie, you would not find it hospitable.” Henri tapped his fingers against the table.

“I find very little of Scotland hospitable.” She pouted in thought. “But it is my daughter’s realm, and I would not leave it for her in disarray. The people must learn to trust us, trust her, and to do so I must understand them, what is important to them.” She leaned closer to Searc and, if his instincts were correct, which they always were, the woman wanted him in her bed. Apparently his marital status didn’t matter to her. “Tell me, Master Searc, what do you want most?”

A tilt of Marie’s lips and half-lidded eyes made the statement seem carnal. From the corner of his eyes Searc noticed a frown tighten Henri’s face. He certainly didn’t need to make an enemy of the French ambassador.

“Mostly,” Searc answered and leaned back in his chair. “I want to be left alone.” He continued on quickly so as not to insult the regent. “Just as any Highlander. Freedom is like water to us. The land is hard and the land makes the man.”

“Hard?” Marie asked with a renewed grin.

“Rugged,” he countered. “A brutal foe to meet. But if respected and left unhampered, like the land, a Highlander will be loyal to his death.”

“Loyal to one woman as well?” Henri took a sip of his wine as if joking, though Searc was certain the man was trying to decipher his intentions. “I have heard that a Highlander will…how should I say it…try out a woman for a year and then decide if he will keep her.

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