Highlander's Beautiful Liar A Scottish Medieval Highlander Romance Historical Novel - Adamina Young Page 0,1

became laird, I had to make several trips to London for some business. Yer mother made those insufferable trips enjoyable. I fell for her and offered to save her from that life. She rebuffed me and…” His voice trailed off.

“And you could not claim the illegitimate daughter of a whore until you had use for her?” she asked hotly. “If it were not for the summons of my own King, I would not be here. Do not mistake my compliance for daughterly duty.”

“I deserve that. And more,” Duncan said hoarsely. “I only hope that in time, ye will come to see how much I love ye.”

“Did you ask her to marry you? My mother?”

Duncan hesitated. “I was married at the time,” he admitted. “And I had a young son. The best I could offer her was to be my mistress. I would have kept her safe and comfortable.”

“That’s not love. You treated her no better than anyone else. How could I believe that you love me?” She shook her head angrily. “No. We shan’t speak of this again. I’ll do as I’ve been ordered to do, but I’ll not discuss your idea of fatherly love.”

“Cora, sweetheart.” He closed his eyes. “I’m so sorry. This is not what I had in mind when I went to my King. I hope, one day, you’ll forgive me.”

Ignoring him, she stared out the window. The sun had long ago set below the horizon, but she could still see the silhouettes and shadows cast by the full bright moon. They had passed the city and were well into the country. Cora had never been outside London and watched the passing landscape with fascination. Despite her hesitation, the idea of the adventure that waited before her was thrilling. She’d long ago suspected that she’d never marry, and now she’d have her chance. It wasn’t like she was leaving a slew of friends behind her, but leaving the Thistles did break her heart.

The carriage suddenly halted. There was a piercing scream that cut through the night. Cora gasped and pressed herself into the corner. “Highway robbery?”

“Not my carriage,” Duncan growled. He moved to protect her from the entrance. Filled with fear, Cora crumpled the letter in her hand and waited. Nothing happened. “Wait here.”

“No, don’t!” she cried out, but he was already exiting the carriage.

“Father,” another voice said cheerfully. “So good of ye to join us.”

“Seth? What the bloody hell are ye doing? What have ye done to my men?”

“Did ye really think ye could replace me? I’m wounded. Have I not been a good son?” There was a hollow laugh. “Yer desperate actions were for naught. All ye’ve done is secure the execution of my dear half-sister.”

“Seth, please.”

“Ye have never loved me. Ye think me cruel and reckless, but ye are just too weak to appreciate my ambition. Ye wanted to take my inheritance away from me, and now ye will pay the price. Goodbye, Father.” There was a horrible sound of a blade sinking into flesh followed by a guttural moan. Cora pressed her hand against her lips and stifled a cry.

It didn’t matter. The door flew open, and rough hands grabbed her and dragged her from the carriage. “Unhand me,” she demanded, but her bravery left her when she saw Duncan MacKay’s body.

The father that she’d only known for two days was dead. Slain by his own son. She was next.

Meeting the cold stare of Seth MacKay, she swallowed hard. Duncan had called him cruel, but that didn’t even come close to explaining the maniacal glee she saw in his eyes.

“So yer my English sister? Tell me, my dear sister, are ye a whore like yer mother?” he demanded.

She straightened her back. His friend was openly staring at her with lust in his eyes. “Go to hell,” she hissed.

“My, my, my,” Seth mocked. “Such a dirty mouth for a dainty English lady.”

“You just murdered your father! How dare you judge me?” she yelled.

Seth shrugged. “I don’t see ye shedding tears for our dearly departed father. Besides, I have my clan to think about.”

“You don’t care about your clan. You care about power. Don’t mistake the two, and don’t think that anyone else does.”

“Ye think that I care of yer opinion?” he sneered. “Time to join our father.”

He raised his sword, and Cora closed her eyes. She refused to give him the satisfaction of screaming.

“Wait!” his companion said suddenly. “I rather like her.”

She opened her eyes, and the other man stepped forward and grinned. He