Free Beneath a Highland Moon (The Highland Moon Series 1) by Gwyn Brodie Page A

with the highwayman, and Jillian's head throbbed more and more with each stride of the horse. She reached up under the hat, finding a lump the size of a hen's egg. Her hair was matted with blood, both dried and fresh, that slowly trickled down the back of her neck. She was thankful that Ian couldn't see the blood from where he sat. Lightheaded, Jillian was glad they didn't have much further to go.
    " Is that Ravenskull, Jilly?" Ian asked, excitement apparent in his voice.
    " Aye, 'tis." The massive castle of black stone loomed before them in the distance. It stood in dark contrast to the pale blue sky, and immense beauty of purple heather and yellow gorse covering the hills surrounding it. The knot that'd been in Jillian's stomach all day tightened at the realization that soon she'd come face to face with Kade. "You're to behave yourself and not give Laird MacLachlan any trouble."
    " I'll be very good. Is the laird a nice man?"
    " Aye, he was very nice when I last set eyes on him, and I'm quite certain that he still is. But it's been some time since we've spoken," she said, tamping down old emotions as the memory of his handsome smile came to the surface.
    " I'm so very hungry, Jilly. My stomach is growling and so is yours. I can hear it."
    She hugged him tight against her. Jillian was sorry that Ian was so hungry. He'd eaten naught but the tart since the night before. "The very first thing I'll do once we reach Ravenskull is to ask for enough food to fill your belly, but I'm not certain if any place has that much food," she teased him. "Can you wait a bit longer?"
    He smiled up at her and nodded.
    As the y drew nearer the castle, her dizziness worsened. Clenching her teeth, she held on tight to the reins and fought off the feeling. Jillian didn't dare give in to it now. She had to get Ian safely inside Ravenskull.
    When they reached the gatehouse, they were stopped by two guards. "What be ye business here, lad?" asked the younger man with flaming red hair and a multitude of freckles.
    Jillian drew herself up as tall as possible. "We've an important message for Laird MacLachlan."
    The older man rubbed his graying beard. "What sort of message would a young lad like ye'self and that wee one there have for the laird?" Both the guards chuckled, but kept a wary eye on her.
    Jillian reached up and removed the hat, grimacing, as it—along with several strands of her hair—tore away from the dried blood. Raking her fingers through what hair was not matted together, she said, "I'm Lady Jillian MacRae, daughter of the recently deceased Laird Angus MacRae of Lochstorm. The lad here is my brother, Ian MacRae, who became the Laird of Lochstorm upon our father's death. 'Tis urgent I see your laird as soon as possible."
    The guards stared at her as if she'd sprouted horns. Without taking his gaze away from her, the older man said, "Get Logan," and the other man immediately disappeared inside the castle.
    Jillian knew of Logan, but he'd not ken her by sight. When her family had sought hospitality at Ravenskull during the snowstorm, he'd been away from the castle. She'd heard he was a good man. Her father had spoken very highly of him on several occasions. She prayed he'd permit them entrance. Jillian was tired and hungry, and the back of her head now constantly throbbed. The dizziness was almost unbearable. Jillian didn't ken how much longer she could keep herself upright on the mare. She held on tightly, digging her fingernails into the saddle.
    Ian turned his face up to hers. "What if they'll not let us inside, Jilly? Does that mean we have to go back to Lochstorm? We don't have any food, and I'm really, really hungry. I can smell bread."
    Jillian 's own stomach growled as she inhaled the wonderful aroma. "Don't fash yourself, wee one. I ken you're hungry. We'll be inside before you ken it."
    The young man reappeared with a middle aged man beside him that Jillian assumed to be Logan, and with a female servant in tow. The man studied