Captured by the Highlander (35 page)

“ye may remain, but I
will
have your loyalty, and you
will
swear
all
egiance to me as Laird of Kinloch!”

There was another long, drawn-out silence, until some brave soul spoke up.

“Why should we pledge loyalty to ye? You are a MacDonald, and we are MacEwens!”

The Lion was quiet for a moment. He seemed to be looking deep into the eyes of every man in the bailey below.

“Be it known that our two clans
will
unite!” He pointed his sword at Gwendolen again, and she felt the intense heat of his gaze like a fire across her body. “For I
will
claim this woman, who is your brave and noble leader, as my wife, and our son, one day,
will
be laird.”

Cheers erupted from the crowd of MacDonald warriors below, while Gwendolen digested his words with shock and disbelief. He intended to claim her as his wife?

No, it was not possible.

“There
will
be a feast on this night in the Great
hall
,” the Lion roared, “and I
will
accept the pledge of
all
men
willing
to remain here and live in peace under my protection!”

Murmurs of surrender floated upwards through the air and reached Gwendolen’s burning ears. She clenched her jaw and dug her fingernails into the cold rough stones of the tower. This was not happening. It could not be. Pray God, this was
still
the dream, and she would soon wake. But the hot morning sun on her cheeks reminded her that the dreams of a restless night had already given way to reality, and her father’s castle had been sacked and conquered by an unassailable warrior, and he intended to make her his bride and force her to bear children for him. What in God’s name was she to do?

“I do not agree to this!” she shouted, and the Lion tilted his head to the side, beholding her strangely, as if she were some sort of otherworldly creature he had never encountered before. “I wish to negotiate our terms of surrender!”

Her body began to tremble as she waited for his response. Perhaps he would simply send a man to slit her throat in front of everyone—as an example for those were bold enough, or foolish enough, to resist. He looked ready to do it. She could feel the hot flames of his anger from where she stood, at the opposite corner of the castle.

Then the oddest thing happened. One by one, each MacEwen warrior in the bailey below turned toward her, and dropped to one knee. They
all
bowed their heads in silence, while the MacDonalds stood among them, observing the demonstration with some uneasiness.

For a long time Angus stood upon the North Tower saying nothing, as he watched the men deliver this unexpected defiance. A raw and brutal tension stretched ever tighter within the castle, and Gwendolen feared they would
all
be slaughtered.

Then at last, the Lion turned his eyes toward her.

She lifted her chin, but his murderous contempt seemed to squeeze around her throat, and she found it difficult to breathe.

He spoke with quiet, grave authority. “Gwendolen MacEwen, I
will
hear your terms in the Great
hall
.”

Not trusting herself to speak, she nodded and resheathed her saber, then walked with pride toward the tower stairs, while her legs, hidden beneath her skirts, shook uncontrol ably and threatened to give out beneath her.

When at last she reached the top of the stairs, she paused a moment to take a breath and compose herself.

God, oh God.
…

She felt nauseated and light-headed.

Leaning forward and laying the flat of her hand upon the cool stones, she closed her eyes and wondered how she was ever going to negotiate with this warrior, who had already defeated her clan in a brutal and bloody campaign, and claimed her as his property. She had nothing,
nothing,
with which to bargain. But perhaps she and her mother could think of something—some other way to manage the situation, at least until her brother returned.

If only Murdoch were here now …

But no, there was no point wishing for such things. He was not here, and she had only herself to rely on. She must stand strong for her people.

She took one last look at them. Angus the Lion had quitted the rooftop and returned to his men. He was giving orders and wandering amongst the dead and wounded, assessing the magnitude of his triumph, no doubt.

A light breeze lifted his thick golden hair, which shimmered in the morning light. His kilt wafted lightly around his muscular legs, while he adjusted the leather strap that held the shield at his back.

He was her enemy, and she despised him in every way, yet she could not deny the awesome power of his strength as a leader.

Just then he glanced up and saw that she was watching him. He faced her squarely and did not look away.

Gwendolen’s breath caught in her throat. Even from this distance, he had the ability to hold her captive in his gaze.

Her knees went weak, and something fluttered in her
belly.

Whether it was fear or fascination, she did not know. Either way, it did not bode
well
for her future dealings with him.

Shaken and agitated, she pushed away from the
wall
and quickly descended the tower stairs.

Praise for Julianne MacLean …

“You can always count on Julianne MacLean to deliver ravishing romance that
will
keep you turning pages until the wee hours of the morning.”

—Teresa Medeiros

“Julianne MacLean’s writing is smart, thril ing, and sizzles with sensuality.”

—Elizabeth Hoyt

“Scottish romance at its finest, with characters to cheer for, a lush love story, and rousing adventure. I was captivated from the very first page. When it comes to exciting Highland romance, Julianne MacLean delivers.”

—Laura Lee Guhrke

“She is just an
all
-around wonderful writer and I look forward to reading everything she writes.”

—
Romance Junkies

… and Her Bestselling Romances

“Sparkles with life and emotion … delightful.”

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“A sizzling treat.”

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“Brimming with incredible passion.”

—Cathy Maxwel

“It takes a talented author to segue from a lighthearted tale of seduction to an emotional y powerful romance that plays on your heartstrings … a very special, powerful read.”

—
Romantic Times Book Reviews

“MacLean’s compel ing writing turns this simple, classic love story into a richly emotional romance, and by combining engaging characters with a unique, vividly detailed setting, she has created an exceptional tale for readers who hunger for something a bit different in their historical romances.”

—
Booklist

“Five hearts … a special kind of love story … truly compel ing.”

—
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—
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This is a work of fiction. All of the characters, organizations, and events portrayed in this novel are either products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously.

CAPTURED BY THE HIGHLANDER

Copyright © 2011 by Julianne MacLean.

Excerpt from
Claimed by the Highlander
copyright © 2011 by Julianne MacLean.

All rights reserved.

For information address St. Martin’s Press, 175 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10010.

ISBN: 978-0-312-36531-8

St. Martin’s Paperbacks edition / March 2011

St. Martin’s Paperbacks are published by St. Martin’s Press, 175

Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10010.

eISBN: 978-1-4299-6654-2

First St. Martin’s Paperbacks eBook Edition: March 2011