Highland Renegade (Children of the Mists) by Cynthia Breeding

Author:Cynthia Breeding
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: British Historical Fiction; Scottish Historical Fiction; Historical Fiction; Historical Romance; Romance; Highlanders; Scottish Highlands; Enemies to Lovers; Widow; Dowager Countess; Overcoming Odds; Eighteenth Century Historical Fiction; Eighteenth Century Fiction; Alpha Male; Scotland; Scottish Clans; Scottish Laird; MacGregor; Sexy; Trust; Women’s Fiction; Women’s Historical Fiction; Inheritance; Entangled Publishing; Amara Next; Cynthia Breeding; Highland Renegade; Children of the Mist Series; Stand Alone Romance; Single Title Romance
Publisher: Entangled Publishing, LLC (Amara)
Published: 2020-08-21T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Fifteen

“Thank you for granting my request,” Emily told Ian as they prepared to enter the Great Hall to break their fast the next morning. She’d taken a tray in her room last evening, but only as a compromise.

“I still doona think this is a good idea,” he grumbled.

Fiona gave him a poke with her elbow. “I thought ye said we needed to provide a united front.”

He moved out of range. “I ken that.” Turning to Emily, he exaggerated a bow, then offered his arm. “Allow me to escort ye, my lady.”

Behind them, Lorelei giggled. Emily could only imagine Juliana rolling her eyes at such a grand gesture. She gave both sisters a warning look over her shoulder, then smiled at Ian. “There really is no need to be so formal.”

“Aye, there is,” Fiona whispered. “Remember… It shows the clan ye are under their laird’s protection.”

In England, she’d legally been under her husband’s “protection,” too, although that really meant she was chattel…the personal property of an earl. No one had asked questions when that property had a bruise. Fiona had explained, though, that in Scotland “protection” meant something else entirely. A laird—even though the Crown had outlawed the term, Scots were defiant—didn’t inherit his title because of bloodline. He was chosen to lead his clan by his people. As their leader, he had a responsibility to protect and keep each of them safe. His word was also law, at least to his clan. A show of his support would go a long way to deter whomever—if there was someone—had tried to injure her.

“Well?” Ian tilted his head in question and she realized she’d been woolgathering again. She tucked her hand into his proffered arm, rather than laying her fingers on top as would have been proper. If this was going to be a show of solidarity, then she’d make sure everyone who watched them realized it.

Besides, she rather liked the feel of his solid muscle beneath her hand. That should shock her, but somehow it didn’t.

Conversation halted as they entered the hall, then soft murmuring began as they proceeded toward the dais where Ian’s brothers and uncles were already seated. The first thing she noticed when they got closer was that the smaller table where she and her sisters usually sat had been removed. She gave Ian a questioning look.

“Ye will sit beside me tonight.”

She widened her eyes. “Beside you?”

“Aye. ’Tis time.”

She had hoped he would finally seat her on the dais on one of the ends, but she hadn’t expected the place of honor beside him. His brothers, ranked by age, always sat to his right and his uncles to his left. She glanced at the high table. Were they willing to finally accept her? Carr’s and Alasdair’s expressions were neutral, Rory was staring pointedly, although she realized he was looking past her, probably at Juliana, and wondered what her sister had possibly done to irritate him this time. Devon looked sulky, but that wasn’t unusual. She slipped her gaze to the uncles, but they were conversing and not paying attention to them.

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