The Laird's Right

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Authors: Mageela Troche

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THE LAIRD’S RIGHT

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mageela Troche

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Historical Romance

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sweet Cravings Publishing

www.sweetcravingspublishing.com

 

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A Sweet Cravings Publishing Book

Mainstream Romance

 

The Laird’s Right

Copyright © 2014 Mageela Troche

E-book ISBN: 978-1-63105-108-1

 

First E-book Publication: February 2014

 

Cover design by Dawné Dominique

Edited by Susan Toth

Proofread by Stephanie Kinne

All cover art and logo copyright © 2014 by Sweet Cravings Publishing

 

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED:
This literary work may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, including electronic or photographic reproduction, in whole or in part, without express written permission.

 

All characters and events in this book are fictitious. Any resemblance to actual persons living or dead is strictly coincidental.

 

PUBLISHER

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Dedication

For my brother, who has always been my hero. I love you.

 

 

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THE LAIRD’S RIGHT

 

Mageela Troche

Copyright © 2014

 

Chapter One

 

 

Edinburgh, Scotland, 1259

 

Alec hated Edinbur
gh. He hated the castle and the machinations occurring in the walls. He’d rather pick up his sword than play courtier. He hated the long road along the crag. He hated that King Alexander III ordered the Clan Chattan from the land. He hated that Laird MacKintosh planned to feud for it. Clan Cameron would not crumble under them. His father would have machinated to get that charter. Alec had other plans to get what he wanted and increase the power of Clan Cameron.

The journey from Lochaber to Edinburgh wasted his time. Time he could have used to war against Clan Chattan, steal their cattle, burn some cottars, and have a good fight. The land belonged to him—Laird Alec Cameron. The clan needed the land claim more now since the MacMartins, MacSovlies, and MacGillonies have added to Cameron’s numbers. That land would be plenty for the new members to sow a boll of oats and keep a cow maybe even two. Time had come to strengthen the clan.

“Coming here was a mistake. We should have let MacKintosh come then attack him on his way home.” Alec knew Quinlan spoke of another reason for his desire to remain back with the clan and especially his wife.

“Edinburgh stinks.” Quinlan scraped bloody muck from his soles and kicked aside a fish bone.

“Nothing like animal blood, tanning leather and stale ale to clear the nostrils,” Hurley said, his tone relaxed, as he waved away a bread seller.

“Don’t forget the crap.” Ronan clapped Quinlan on his back. Quinlan turned his hard gaze to him and earned an easy grin from Ronan.

“I agree with Quinlan. I rather be home as well.” Alec wished to feel the soft spray of Loch Lochy blow across his face.

“Laird Cameron,” a high-pitched male voice stammered behind him.

Cameron turned away from the offender clamped in the jougs and the crowd shouting abuse at him. A bare-faced boy stood behind him, a Ranald. The boy gulped as Cameron and his warriors circled him. The whites of his eyes drowned his brown eyes. His lips trembled before he said, “Laird Randal sends word that MacKintosh and his sept are plotting against your clan.” The boy spit out the rest of the message.

Cameron nodded and thanked the boy. The boy vanished into the crowd. Alec shoved his way through the people. His attention was set on the castle dominating Edinburgh. “His numbers match our own.” Ronan drew closer to Alec.

“I have no misgivings about cutting the bastard down. We will war soon.” There was a chance of losing the land he needed. As the new laird, Alec had to mend the bonds his father had destroyed.

“Let’s learn more about this plan,” Hurley, his first in command, advised.

“The voice of reason,” Quinlan sneered. “I say we kill him now.”

“The king will not like that. Alec, listen to me—let’s use our heads. Besides, he’d demand something the Chattan chieftain might not be willing to give.”

“That bastard wants the land and us dead,” his second in command, Quinlan, retorted through a snarl. “Kill him and weaken the MacKintosh.”

“Quinlan, we shall but without the king’s ire. Alexander can ignore an attack in the highlands but here…we will have retributions.”

“He means to test Alec as the new laird.” Ronan voiced Alec’s same thought, not a surprising one since they shared blood as cousins.

Many in the highlands held the same belief as they tested Alec’s rule. His father was one who believed it more than most and proclaimed it to any who listened. As chieftain to the Camerons of Dessary, Ronan was his last family tie, the one person in Alec’s life who understood Alec in a way that his two commanders could never comprehend.

When his father was alive, Alec spent many a night attacking the Chattan. That was where Alec’s talent lie—wielding a sword. Through the passing years, the Chattan lost their hold and most importantly, their numbers. Now the chieftain sought the protection of the Clan MacKintosh. This was Alec’s chance to deliver the final, deadly strike to rid himself of the pests.

MacKintosh swore Alec was weak, an advantage for Alec. After, his brother, Connor's death, his father fretted the fate of the clan in Alec’s hand. Alec planned to use that preposterous notion to get the land. All he waited for was the right opportunity to strike.

“A test I will not fail.”

With his men at his side, he slipped in to the great hall. Courtiers crowded the space. Whispered discussions rumbled with the king’s voice dominating. MacKintosh was somewhere in the crowd. Alec left his spot from the fringes of the crowd and slipped in then halted. He breathed in the wood fire and its heat upped the warmth of his back, which added to the temperature of his simmering anger.

MacKintosh spotted him at the moment Alec landed his gaze on him. The man grabbed his wife’s arm and dragged her from the hall. Alec waited then went after him.

“The chieftain has been cozying up to the MacKintosh. He is a Comyn man,” Quinlan said.

“Aye, but Comyn would not gather favor with Cameron only to betray him,” Hurley retorted. “He has plans to build his standing as well. He did kidnap the king already.”
At his majesty’s orders
.

“Comyn is unimportant. MacKintosh wants to wipe out my clan,” Alec said on his way from the hall to learn of MacKintosh's plans.

“Camerons are hated.” Alec smiled along with his men. No better compliment could be paid to a Highlander.

Once free from the crowd, Alec headed to the right, away from the gathering seeking favor or scheming for favors to the corridors were plots were concocted. A gravelly scheming voice came from around the corner—MacKintosh. Just outside the candlelight’s reach, Alec took cover and leaned against the wall.

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