Highland Jewel by Greiman Lois

Author:Greiman, Lois [Greiman, Lois]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Fiction, Romance, Historical, Scottish Romance, Highland Romance, Highland HIstorical, Scotland, Historical Fiction
Publisher: NYLA
Published: 2011-11-23T02:00:00+00:00

Mist rolled like the magical smoke of ancient dragons in the glen below. Through the predawn fog Rose could see little of MacAulay Hold. And yet she felt as if she had seen it all before, the gray timber of the wall, the weathered, rough-hewn stone of the tower.

It was an eerie feeling, but a feeling that was no longer unfamiliar. Perhaps, she thought, this was indeed her calling, for each step she took seemed to bring her deeper and deeper into that strange, almost visible world of her mind. That world where she could sense things without seeing them, could feel emotions almost like tangible objects.

Downward they rode, with Leith leading the way until they halted their horses before the wall that surrounded the MacAulay castle.

"Who comes to our gate at this early hour?" shouted a man from above the uneven wall.

Leith waited only a moment, not letting his eyes fall to the girl, for her image was clear in his mind. She rode like a princess, clothed in velvet green, with her head and shoulders covered by the red MacAulay plaid.

“I am the Forbes, of the Forbes," he called, his voice strong in the stillness, and even from this distance Rose could hear a sharp intake of breath from behind the wall.

"Ye are na welcome here, Forbes," shouted the man in return. "As ye well ken."

Leith straightened slightly, his expression somber, and his tone deepening a bit. "We have come at yer laird's request. Let us enter or be assured ye will feel the auld man's wrath."

There was stillness behind the wall and Leith scowled. His dreams had been evil and frightful on the previous night, and he had insisted they come early, lest all should be lost.

"Have the MacAulays become so weak that they canna dare a single Forbes into their midst?" he asked, his voice rising in vehement insult.

There was a shuffling above and then stillness, but finally the gate swung open to allow the guard through. Behind him the portal closed with a rusty rumble. The guard raised his lance in arrogant challenge, but beneath his flattish, woolen cap, Rose noticed his pale, strained face.

What did they know of this laird of the Forbes that made them fear him so?

"Ye will drop yer weapons," ordered the guard, but his voice shook slightly.

"And ye will guarantee us safe passage through yer hold?" asked Leith, his back ramrod-straight, his expression hard.

"Aye ... laird." He gave the title grudgingly, but he gave it nonetheless, offering some respect with that single word. "That I will, if ye promise ye will make na trouble."

Leith pulled his sword from its scabbard, his dirk from his belt, and, turning the blades, handed them to the man on the ground. "We come in peace," he said simply, and with a nod the guard lowered his lance and took the weapons.

Leith willingly forfeited his trusty bow and arrows as well, which were kept feathers-up in a leather pouch against Beinn's pearly flank.

The gate swung

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