Free Highland Hellion (Blades of Honor #1) by B.J. Scott

“Thousands of men, women, and bairns were put to sword that day. Somehow, the three of us managed to survive, but I’ve often wondered why the Almighty spared us.”
    Scotia clutched a hand to her throat. “I never knew for certain what happened to Andrew. I had my suspicions, but when he dinna come for me, I thought perhaps he’d just changed his mind. A short time later, I learned I was breeding.”
    Bryce’s mouth gaped open. “Are you telling us our father sired a babe? What game are you playing?”
    Scotia nodded. “Aye. He fathered a lass.”
    Taken by surprise, Garrett found himself wondering the same things as Bryce. And if what Scotia claimed was true, was Arya, the woman he secretly loved, actually the daughter of his sworn enemy?
    Bryce threw his hands in the air, then began to pace. “This is all a load of cow dung and I dinna believe a word of it. Our father would have told us if he’d met someone new and had a daughter. I have no idea what this woman hopes to gain from this ruse, but I say we get out of here while we still can.”
    “Calm done, brother, and let her finish,” Connor ordered. “Why has no one has ever heard about this until now, Scotia?”
    “When I found out I was going to have a babe out of wedlock, I dinna know what to do. I had a friend in the village, a loving man who had asked me to marry him on more than one occasion. Ronald MacEachan offered to take me as his wife. But he made me swear I wouldna tell anyone the truth about Arya. It seemed like the only option at the time, and I knew he would be a good husband and father. I wasna wrong. Ronald was an amazing man, and Arya and I were very lucky to have him in our lives.”
    “Why do you choose to disclose this secret now?” Connor asked.
    “Aye,” Alasdair added. “If your life was happy and he was good to the lass, why wait twenty summers to say something?”
    “Ronald was killed at Bannockburn, after which, our clan’s land was taken and given to the Campbell, leaving us destitute.” Scotia replied softly.
    “Your leaders should have thought of the consequences before siding with the English,” Bryce said.
    Connor held up his hand and scowled at his brother. “Let her finish.”
    Scotia sucked in a slow, shallow breath then continued. “As you can see, I am dying, and dinna want Arya to be alone. She has been a good daughter and deserves so much more than the hardships life has dealt her so far. Besides, I thought you had as much right as she does to know the truth.” No longer able to hold back her tears, she sobbed uncontrollably, bringing on another fit of coughing.
    Connor grasped her hand, patting the back of it. “You must try to calm down. Does she know?”
    Scotia shook her head. “Nay. She adored Ronald, and I saw no point in telling her. However, when I became ill, I decided to contact you. But I was waiting to see if you responded to my letters before telling her I’d been living a lie. And now it may be too late.”
    “Why do you say that?” Connor asked.
    “Because she is being held prisoner by Laird Campbell and they plan to execute her for reiving.”
    Connor turned to Garrett. “What is she talking about?”
    Garrett stepped forward. “Members of our clan went on a raid of the Campbell’s stronghold. We thought we had a reliable person on the inside. A former clan member who was going to let us into the castle. We intended to take only what we needed to see us through the winter, then leave without issue. But it dinna turn out as planned.”
    “And a woman went on a raid with the men?” Connor crossed his arms over his chest and glared at Garrett.
    “You havena met Arya.” Garrett answered. “If you had, you wouldna ask that question.”
    “Damnation, man, she’s a lass not a warrior. Are you out of your bloody mind?” Connor asked.
    Garrett shook his head. “One might think so, but Arya is not like other women. She can outride, outshoot, and wield a sword better than most men.