Chapter One
Outside Glenliesh Village, Near Dunrangour Tower
12 March 1720
Mayra grinned at the days old dun calves frolicking in the meadow, gleaming as if blanketed with enormous emeralds. Early blooming Lady’s Smock added faint lilac patches here and there. And if she wasn’t mistaken, a few bluebells already bobbed their cheerful heads amongst the green bordering the Windlespoons’ estate.
She wouldn’t stop and say hello to her dearest friend, Gaira, today. Gaira’s doting parents had whisked her to Edinburgh for the Social Season; something Mayra would never experience.
Envy tried to jab her, but she resolutely tamped the dark sentiment down and focused on the lovely day instead.
After a surprisingly mild, if typically wet winter, spring had blossomed prematurely this year. As she expertly guided the dog cart along the muddy, rutted path still dotted with puddles from last night’s blustery showers, Mayra smiled for the sheer joy of the sun’s stroking rays and the vivid azure sky peeping between the ever-present silver-tinted clouds.
These were the days when she relished the Highlands; when spring promised new life, fresh hope, and possibly, even a wee romping adventure.
Och, so wonderful, if only it might be so.
She detested the rain—almost a treasonous attitude for a Scot.
Yet the dampness, as well as everything cloaked in grayish hues from palest ash to deepest charcoal—day after day, weeks on end—wore on her.
Especially, since her only regular reprieve from the keep—also pewter colored from its corbelling and crow-stepped gables to its corner turrets and bartizans—were these twice weekly visits to the village.
Always—always, God’s teeth—accompanied by someone.
Usually a clan member, one or two of her rapscallion teenage brothers, or Mayra’s diligent middling-aged maid, Bettie. On rare occasions, dear Mama joined Mayra, but since Da died two years ago, those instances had grown fewer and fewer.
The latter pairs’ keen regard seldom left her longer than a minute, so seriously did they take her chaperonage. Consequently, nothing the least bit exciting ever occurred on the jaunts. Unless Mayra counted her brothers’ penchant for regularly becoming embroiled in mischief of some sort in the village.
Today, Bettie sat in the dog cart’s rear seat, food baskets for the needy tucked inside the rectangular box beneath her. She snored softly as Mayra expertly guided, Horace, their mild-tempered going to fat gelding, along the well-worn, rutted path passing for a road.
“I promised Maggi MacPherson I’d stop in for a short visit and share a pot of tea today after I deliver the baskets. Do you want to go with me, Bettie, or would you rather take a cup with your sister and I can collect you afterward?”
Mayra spared a swift glance behind her.
Chin drooping, Bettie dozed, her cream kerchief-covered head bouncing with each jar of the cart. She stirred and blinked sleepily while yawning behind her hand.
“I’d like to see ye to the inn, and then walk to Agnes’s, but I’m feeling a wee bit waff.”
She sneezed and blinked watery eyes.
“If ye promise not to be more than a half an hour, Mayra, I suppose ye can see yerself there this one time. Straight to The Dozing Stag and back, ye hear? Nae dawdling or giving anyone cause to wag their tongue.”
Did anyone ever need cause to blether?
Not in Mayra’s limited experience.
“I dinna dawdle, as you well ken. Besides, I cannae imagine what could occur in such a short time that would raise even a single eyebrow hair.”
“Hmph.” Bettie made a mollified sound before sneezing again. Her plum-round cheeks slightly flushed, she pulled her shawl snugger. “And let’s be keeping it that way, shall we?”
Arching an indignant brow, Mayra directed her attention back to the road as the neat village loomed ahead. Honestly, a little tittle-tattle on her behalf might prove most invigorating given her wholly predictable and dull as a worn quill’s life.
However, Bettie did appear a trifle peaked. Rather wan about her mouth too.
Swallowing her disappointment, Mayra released a slow sigh.
Nae loitering in the village today.
After she made her excuses to Maggi, she’d see Bettie home and to her bed as quickly as possible. She’d take nae chances with her beloved servant’s health.
An hour later, having delivered food baskets to Widow Ainsley, the kind, but dotty Pinkerton sisters, Dunrangour’s deaf-as-a-turnip retired gardener, and four more to the kirk for other villagers in need, she drew the equipage before the MacPherson’s charming three-story lodging house.
Nearly a century of weather had worn the stone surface to a welcoming mellow, tawny-slate; a delightful contrast to the paint-chipped poppy-red shutters.
As always, mouth-watering smells wafted from within, and Mayra’s stomach gurgled in anticipation of enjoying one of Maggi MacPherson’s Scotch pies. Mayra had skipped breakfast, and now she’d have to bear a hollow middle until she returned home.
Pressing a hand against her rumbling tummy, she squared her shoulders. More than one unfortunate villager dealt with hunger daily these past months. Assuredly, she could certainly endure another hour or so.
“G’day, Miss Findlay.”
A ready grin split Reed MacPherson’s winter-pale face when Horace nudged his chest, demanding the boy rub his withers.
As the lad reached for the reins before obliging the persistent horse, she smiled.
Standing on his toes, Reed scratched Horace’s coat, just below his mane.
“Ho, Horace. Ye like that, do ye?” Reed patted the gelding’s side. “He’s gettin’ fatter, Miss.”
“Indeed, he is. Which is why it takes me so long to make the journey, though it’s barely three miles. He’s a lazy laddie, he is.”
She adjusted her bergère hat—sadly in need of a fresh ribbon—to a slightly jauntier angle. But how could she justify a new embellishment when villagers went without necessities?
“I’ll only be a few moments, Reed—just long enough to give your mother my apologies. My abigail ails, and I must see her swiftly home.”
“Aye, miss. I’ll keep ’im company for ye. Saved ’im a carrot, too.”
Horace—his eyes half-closed in contentment—blew out a shuddery breath, and bent his right leg. He’d nae be pleased at having to turn right around and head for home. Too much exertion for one morning for the auld boy.
“You spoil him, Reed.”
Giving a soft laugh, Mayra stood, and after pulling her wide skirt to the side, prepared to descend the cart; a task she usually managed well without assistance, despite wearing panniers.
Searc MacPherson exited the inn, neck bent and shaking his head slowly at something a striking man she’d never seen before said.
The stranger’s arresting hazel eyes meshed with hers, jarring her to her toes. And then he smiled—a dazzling flash of teeth in his tan face.
In a twinkling, her mind went blank as a sheet of fresh foolscap.
In a completely foreign fashion, Mayra become all gangly limbs, caught her toe on her hem, and with a strangled squawk—somewhere between a crane’s whoop and a sheep’s bleat—toppled right off the cart.
Into his arms.
Oh, curdled custard.
Leaping forward, somehow, he’d managed to close the distance in a blink of an eye.
She found herself clasped to a marvelously, solidly muscled chest, while equally impressive firm arms cradled her shoulders and legs. Gazing at his neck and jaw—mere delicious inches away—the barest hint of mahogany whiskers shadowed the angular breadth, and she forgot to breathe.
What a magnificent specimen of manhood. And he held her in his arms.
Quite the most marvelous accident ever to befall a maiden.
When her faulty lungs decided to function again, the most pleasant masculine scent filled her nostrils. Not a heavy fragrance, but a fresh, crisp, yet slightly musky scent—perhaps a hint of ale and tobacco too.
She inhaled a thorough, prolonged breath. Probably indecorous, that, although neither Mama nor Bettie had ever specifically warned her against sniffing gentleman.
Who was he?
Why hadn’t she seen him in Glenliesh before?
Perhaps he only traveled through their unremarkable hamlet?
Och, of course he did. The small village offered little in the way of entertainment or commerce.
Why did the thought cause such profound disappointment?
Mayra wasn’t free to harbor romantic notions; not even in the most secret, most remote recesses of her mind. Well, fine perhaps in the most clandestine, most isolated niches that even she daren’t peek at except once or twice.
In the dark of night.
With her head buried beneath her thick coverlet.
From the cuaran boots enclosing the gentleman’s feet to his nutmeg colored jacket and dark blue waistcoat, the stranger’s attire shouted quality. Hatless and tartan free as he was, she couldn’t hazard a guess as to his clan, or if he even boasted Scottish heritage at all.
Might he be a Sassenach?
A Frenchman?
Perhaps, but his vivid coloring implied Scots or Irish.
He cocked his russet head, and his eyes, an unusual, but enthralling shade between summer moss and toasted almonds, glinting merrily at her. An unhurried smile bent his strong lips, revealing a charming dimple in his left cheek and further crimping the corner of his twinkling eyes. From the creases also framing his strong, still upturned mouth, it appeared he smiled habitually.
Instead of mortification engulfing her—as would be appropriate—of its own accord, her mouth swept upward, accompanied by a wave of sheer, and wholly foreign, giddiness.
And by rumbledethumps, she, Mayra Effie Lilias Findlay, was not the giddy, gay, flibbertigibbet sort.
Perfectly content, she made nae effort to leave the blissful security of his arms, and he seemed disinclined to release her as well. And at five feet eight inches, she wisna a wee sprite of a lass either Yet, his arms didna tremble or shake with the exertion. In fact, she might’ve been a child, so effortlessly did he hold her.
Rather made her feel dainty and feminine.
And ever so naughty.
She peeked over his wide, sturdy shoulder.
Och and rot.
Bettie—Mama, as well—would cluck and fuss something awful, when they learned a man had held her; in public too.
They would ken soon enough since a few villagers had seen her ungraceful tumble, and even now, stood gawking at the attractive stranger in their midst. The young ladies in particular seemed enthralled. They stared brazenly whilst striking provocative poses and thrusting their bosoms out, the whole while tittering about the braw mon with the wavy auburn hair.
How could Mayra blame them, when even though each scandalous moment she lingered in the ‘braw mon’s’ embrace heaped scoops of coal on the gossip fires, she couldn’t bring herself to move an inch?
It wasn’t every day a lass found herself in such a wonderfully awkward predicament.
Still, she ought to make some effort to leave his embrace.
Mayhap, she’d contracted Bettie’s ailment, and fever had addled her reason.
Mayra touched her cheek, aware his startling, amused greenish gaze trailed the movement.
Aye, verra warm.
That explained the languid heat encompassing her. Like warm honey trickled through her veins and turned her muscles to the consistency of hot-off-the-stove porridge.
And inarguably, nae one had ever witnessed either warm honey or fresh porridge ever standing upright.
Finally clicking his gaping mouth closed, Searc trundled to her, his apron strings flapping against his ample behind.
“Lass, I feared ye were about to take a nasty fall.” He slapped the other man on his broad shoulder. “Good thing, Mr. Wallace’s quicker on his feet than I am, aye?”
“Indeed. I’m most grateful.” Must she sound so dafty and breathless? “You may put me down now, sir.”
Or not.
I dinna mind staying in your arms a trifle longer.
Mayhap, a week or so.
As if he’d heard her, the handsome stranger’s grasp firmed, pulling her minutely closer, his fingers pressing into the undersides of her thighs in a most thrilling way. A way that made her yearn to nestle closer, nuzzle his strong, delicious smelling neck, and press her backside into his palms.
Another heady wave sluiced her.
Was it her imagination, or did he seem almost as reluctant to release her as she was to have him set her down? After lowering her to the ground, one of his hands lingered between her shoulder blades for a scrumptious, protracted moment. The heat burned through her clothing, and she wouldn’t be surprised when she disrobed tonight to find his palm imprinted on her back as if branded by his touch.
The urge to lean into his chest so overwhelmed her, she bit her lip.
What in highland heather had come over her?
She’d been too shielded from young, devilishly attractive men, that’s what. Other than family members, nae male had ever embraced her. Good thing, too, if this was her doaty reaction.
Except…
Mayra doubted she’d respond like this with just any mon.
A flush singed her already heated cheeks, and she set about righting her rumpled gown and lopsided hat, taking care to avoid the curious glances of the passersby. She must be above reproach, she well kent. Hadn’t that been drilled into her, over and over and over from the time she was a wee lass?
Aye, and Mayra always did what was expected of her.
Nonetheless… Mightn’t a scandal be just the thing to put her betrothed off?
Would her intended then, finally grant her request to end their arrangement?
Perhaps…
She paused with her fussing as the idea took root.
Aye, an innocent flirtation was just the thing.
Oh, and when word reached—
“May I ken whom I’ve had the pleasure of rescuing?” Her hero raked a big hand through his gingerish locks, ruffling the curls atop his head.
Ach. Bless Mayra’s darned and mended stockings, Scots after all.
The way Mr. Wallace said pleasure, the word rolling from his tongue in a low, mesmerizing brogue-turned-purr, wrenched her attention from her ministrations to his much too enticing lips.
Since when did a man’s mouth fascinate her so?
That same mouth notched up a trifle before her gaze inched higher to lock with his.
Her heart frolicked about behind her ribs like a litter of frisky kittens.
Lord help me.
A flirtation with this man might prove much too dangerous. Given her uncharacteristic, dazed response he might be much too dangerous.
“Allow me to introduce ye.” Searc, beamed, his wide face wreathed in an enormous smile. “Miss Mayra Findlay, may I present Mr.—”
Searc scratched the back of his bulging neck, his face folded into confused creases. “I dinna recollect if ye told the missus yer first name when Mags registered ye.”
Her hero dragged his attention from Mayra for an instant. “Och, aye… Coburn. Coburn Wallace.”
As Mr. Wallace respectfully dipped his head, polite but not the least subservient, the sun caught the bronze streaks ribboning his russet hair.
“Mr. Coburn Wallace, Miss Mayra Findlay,” Searc finished, another broad smile stretching his kind face as if he’d been granted the highest honor in introducing them.
Mayra adjusted her sleeve, smoothing the cuff over her glove.
Ach. Not done.
Searc only meant to be helpful, but in introducing her to the stranger, he overstepped propriety. Mama and Bettie wouldn’t be please.
Mayra ought to nod her head and sweep past the men without another word. Most peculiar thing, though. Her feet stayed fixed where Mr. Wallace had deposited her and seemed as loath to move as Glen Coe’s majestic mountains towering beyond the horizon.
“Miss Findlay? Of Dunrangour Tower?”
A different glint, more keen and assessing rather than appreciative, entered Mr. Wallace’s interesting eyes. His hot gaze leisurely crept to her scuffed half-boot clad toes, and then made the reverse journey over her midnight blue and hunter green arisaid to rest on her hair secured in a simple knot beneath her hat.
“Aye, I am.” Mayra’s stomach renewed its frolicking when he’d said her name. Mindful of the intrigued onlookers, she inclined her head in what she hoped was regal manner.
“May I ask what brings you to our fair village, Mr. Wallace?”