The Highlander's Destiny (Highland Rogues #2) - Mary Wine Page 0,1

instructed his secretary to write her a single letter.”

Rhedyn lifted her hand and waved as Cora mounted in a single fluid motion. The girl had grown into a young woman who was very adept at riding. “Perhaps Cormac Grant has no taste for the match yer father made with Cora.”

Buchanan looped his arm around the back of his wife and pulled her close. “Just as ye had no taste for Rolfe Munro.”

She shook her head. “I find Mackenzies more to my liking.” She rose up onto her toes and whispered. “Much, much more.”

Buchanan placed a firm kiss against her lips.

“Can ye no’ wait until we’ve departed, brother?” Cora demanded. Her tone was playful and full of excitement, as she looked forward to the trip her brother had granted her permission to join in on.

“I cannot,” Buchanan informed his sister. “Since ye are taking so very long in departing.”

Cora’s horse was eager to go. The animal didn’t care for being turned back to face the keep. It pranced in a wide circle before Cora gained firm control of it. But she mastered the animal, proving her skill as she managed to make it stand facing her brother. She sat forward, her knees angled in toward her mount, and her thighs tight around the animal. She was going to ride the beast, not just allow it to carry her along. No one missed the skill she displayed. Buchanan nodded toward his captain, silently agreeing with the man over not settling Cora on a more docile mare.

But his sister was watching him, her eyes narrowing as she caught sight of Buchanan and his captain scrutinizing her.

“We’ll celebrate Samhain when ye return.” Buchanan raised his hand in a formal farewell.

Cora narrowed her eyes for a moment but turned her mount toward the gate. A dozen Mackenzie Retainers joined her as they rode out of the stronghold.

“I don’t believe she got the point,” Buchanan muttered to his wife.

“Don’t doubt it,” Rhedyn argued quietly. “Cora has a sharp wit.” She held up a single finger. “And a care for not openly arguing with the laird, even if ye are her brother and baiting her.”

Buchanan drew in a long breath as the dust settled in the yard. The wind was blowing cold now. Around them, the fields were dry as the harvest had been brought in. Samhain would mark the end of the season. Snow would be falling soon after.

“Cora understands ye are giving her a chance to run free before ye must demand she settle into the place yer father promised her,” Rhedyn said what was on her husband’s mind.

Buchanan shook his head. “If the lass finds another man she’d rather wed…I would consider him. Seeing as the Grants have made no move. They can hardly argue too much if I inform them she’s set her sights on another.”

“Which is why ye have sent her to Munro land on a matter of little importance,” Rhedyn remarked. “To see if there is any spark between her and Rolfe.”

Buchanan locked gazes with his wife. “Cora has a need to be busy. If I do nae give me approval for something, she’ll think up one of her own.”

Buchanan flashed his wife a knowing grin.

“Besides, Rolfe is a good man. It’s time he took a bride. Because ye…” Buchanan placed a hand on her distended belly, “are my wife.”

Rhedyn felt her second child kick. She was truly wed and by her own choice. She looked out the gate where the Mackenzie riders could be seen just disappearing over the rise in the road. The Mackenzie Retainers had several words for Cora. They enjoyed her strength, but there were growing rumblings for her to shoulder the responsibility of making a match, which would secure a good alliance for the clan.

Rhedyn knew the burden too well. Fate had been kind enough to bless her with a husband she loved. Was it too much to hope Cora might find Rolfe Munro to her liking?

Who knew?

At least it was better to have a little hope left, even if Rhedyn recognized it was the last one that might be afforded to Cora. At twenty-two, the time had come. Rhedyn would have to pen the letter to the Grants herself as Mistress of the Mackenzies.

But for now, there was a possibility of something else. Rhedyn smiled and silently wished for good fortune for her sister-in-law.

One chance. Of course, life rarely offered even that.

*

There was gossip about her.

Cora wasn’t oblivious to the way the Mackenzie Retainers were