Free Much Ado About Highlanders (The Scottish Relic Trilogy) by May McGoldrick

you deserted my cousin.”
    “I didn’t think it was necessary to keep you in the dark. I don’t know why I should be the target of your wrath. Your father could better explain when you return to Craignock.”
    Father.
Kenna’s words came back to her. They were nothing but brainless, senseless property in the eyes of their fathers.
    “My father will never see me again unless you explain.” She rose up on her toes, looking him directly in the eye, making certain he understood she meant every word.
    He stared back long enough that Emily felt a kick deep in her belly. Something changed in his gaze. Their faces were a hand’s width away, and time froze in the room. They both felt it. The argument was forgotten.
    James broke the spell and moved to the window. The sea breeze pushed through his dark red hair. Emily studied his broad shoulders. Her gaze moved uncontrollably down his back to the narrow waist and along the length of his kilt to powerful calves that disappeared into boots. The warmth rising into her face was unexpected.
    “The ship,” he said finally. “The Macpherson ship was never part of your dowry. That was only part of the plan. It was a ruse to bring Alexander to Craignock.”
    Emily covered her burning cheeks with cold hands. She was embarrassed by the thoughts rushing through her a moment ago. Sir Quentin Chamberlain. She repeated the name in silence. Her future husband.
    “I’m relieved about that,” she managed to say. “But I’m certain there’s a great deal more you haven’t told me.”
    “Our ship was never actually taken. The kidnapping was simply to bring Kenna and Alexander together. If they reconcile, then that puts the MacKay and Macpherson clans back on their arranged path. We accomplished exactly what we intended. The only complication is the English.”
    She pressed her fingers to her temples, trying to shut out her momentary lapse of judgment and focus on what was at stake. “Alexander knew nothing of all this?”
    “Nothing. Those two are so bullheaded that if either one knew, then the plan was doomed. And we carried it off brilliantly, when you think of it. I don’t believe Alexander or Kenna suspected a thing.”
    “So this is not another Macpherson prank?”
    “Absolutely not,” he said defensively. “The clans stand to lose a great deal if those two go through with an annulment. We had to try, and your father was most agreeable in allowing us . . . allowing me to use your wedding for the plan.”
    “My father . . . allowing you . . . and use my wedding,” Emily repeated. Her head was beginning to pound. “Why wasn’t I told?”
    “Very few people know the truth. We couldn’t chance failure.”
    “Failure? What kind of success would it be if Kenna stabbed one of your men at the river yesterday? And you know that was a strong possibility. Because I wasn’t told, I didn’t stop her from climbing down the wall at the abbey, where she could have fallen on her head and died. And that was a possibility, too.”
    “Well, there’s still the distinct possibility that she’s already stabbed Alexander and he’s strangled her in return,” James offered. “But these were hazards our families were willing to take.”
    “Our families.
Our
. Including the MacDougalls. And you still don’t believe there was anything wrong in keeping me ignorant of the plot? You had so many chances to explain.”
    Before he could answer, a knock on the door drew their attention.
    “A company of MacDougall warriors,” a Macpherson warrior called out. “They’re at the tavern on the harbor.”

    The current was strong. The rushing water broke Alexander’s hold on Kenna as soon as they were dropped at the first bend of the river. She was carried ahead, bobbling under and above the racing stream. Alexander’s ribs and legs banged against submerged objects as he sailed by them. The sword at his belt threatened to pull him under or snag on branches lodged in the rocks, but he wasn’t