Free The Fearless Highlander (Highland Defender Book 1) by Amy Jarecki Page A

looked from his one shoulder to the next. “I reckon I’ve put on two stone of muscle since March—shaved my beard as well. I doubt a soul would peg me.”
    “Och, you think so?” Da leaned forward. “What about your height? Not many men on this earth are as tall as a MacIain.”
    Hugh picked up his tankard and drank. “I’ll give you that. But I’m not allowing you near that place without my sword at your back.”
    “You’re not allowing me?” Da’s deep voice rumbled with a rueful laugh. “Next, you’ll be muscling me aside and collecting the rents.”
    “I already collect the rents on your behalf.”
    “Och aye, you have a set of cods, lad.” Da grinned. “A man bred from my own loins for certain.” Da picked up his cider and drank it down. “If you’re hell bent on riding with, be at the house afore first light. With the snow piling up, the going will be treacherous, mark me.”
    “All the more reason for me to have your back.”
    ***
    The evening of December 30 th proved to be miserably cold and snowy as Charlotte perched in the corner of her father’s study. For more than a week the weather had been dreadful, and this night had to be the worst of it with deep drifts formed by the howling wind. She inclined her embroidery toward the flickering candlelight, painstakingly making minute stitches in her effort to capture the hills below Ben Nevis abloom with heather as they had been last August. How long ago summer seemed now.
    Papa rigorously wrote missives to every person in Edinburgh and London he could think of who could possibly have some influence on the miserable state of affairs at Fort William. A payroll hadn’t been received in three months. The only food stores were borrowed on the weakening credit of the crown, and the Highlanders in the surrounding towns were becoming less and less willing to part with supplies they might need to see themselves through the winter, let alone accept a promise of payment to part with their food in support of the four hundred hungry men stationed on the lonely peninsula jutting out into Loch Linnhe.
    Entering with a rap on the door, the Captain of the Night removed his hat. “Governor, a Highland gentleman and his retinue has passed over the moat and through the main gate. He and his son now await an audience outside your door.”
    Charlotte cringed as she turned to look out the window. Though dark, snow had all but covered the panes. Indeed, the storm continued to usher in heavy snowfall. The gentleman’s need must be dire for him to travel to the fort in such a squall. She lowered her embroidery to her lap as her father asked for the Highlander to be shown inside.
    Heavy footsteps clomped upon the passageway floorboards until an enormous Highlander stood in the doorway. His bonnet, long white hair, and beard were covered with snow, as was the plaid wrapped tightly about his shoulders. His dark blue eyes shone proud over the fierce curl of his moustache. Yes, Charlotte had seen many a Highlander before, but none with such a commanding presence as this man. With bold strides he stepped into the drawing room, paying not a mind to the melting snow dripping around his feet while his large sword clanked at his hip.
    Behind him, another man remained in the passageway. The back of Charlotte’s neck prickled, making her sit forward and strain for a better look. However, the Highland gentleman posed too great an obstacle for her to make out the man behind him.
    Papa hastily stood. “MacIain MacDonald? What brings you all the way to Fort William in this abominable storm? You should be by the fire with your lady wife.”
    “I have ridden all the way from Glencoe to swear the oath.” The man’s voice was as menacing as his appearance. His gaze shot to Charlotte and his eyebrows arched as if noticing her for the first time. “Will you kindly administer it, that I may have King William’s indemnity?”
    “Me? I am but a soldier.” Papa snorted ruefully and