Highland Love Song (DeWinter's Song 2) Read Free

man fell from his horse to be trampled beneath Warrick's steed.
    Warrick had no time to dwell on his first act of taking a human life. His motives were of the most noble, the most dangerous. He was fighting to regain family honor and to avenge the death of his sister.
    He fought valiantly beside his father amid the savage hordes, swinging his battle sword and mercilessly cutting down the enemy.
    But father and son were soon separated, and Warrick found himself facing two Maclvors. He thrust his weapon forward, wounding one in the shoulder, and then turned to the other. Their swords clashed in a struggle for life and death.
    Suddenly Warrick saw Ian Maclvors bearing down on his father. He yelled out a warning, but it could not be heard above the noise of battle.
    Ian Maclvors's sword plunged forcefully into James Glencarin's heart, mortally wounding him. The chief of Clan Drummond was dead before he hit the ground.
    Warrick fought like a man possessed to reach his fallen father, but too many Maclvors separated them. He felt searing pain in his head and he fell from his horse into blackness.
    It wasn't until Warrick was being carried from the battlefield that he regained consciousness to learn that the battle was over and his father was dead.
    Laden with grief, Warrick realized there had been no winner today, though both sides would ultimately claim the victory.
    It was with heavy sadness that Drummonds and Maclvors moved beside each other retrieving their dead and wounded. So many had been slain that only the dead were spared the anguish of mourning a friend or relative. As Warrick was being carried away from the scene of battle, he knew his family's honor had not been satisfied today. Not only had he lost his sister to the Maclvors, but now Ian Maclvors had slain his father. When his men would have lifted him onto his horse, he insisted on standing.
    He was so weak from loss of blood, Mactavish had to assist him. Silently the Drummonds watched as their young chief struggled to his feet, striving to remain erect. He took up his father's sword, pointing it toward the heavens, and cried out in agony, "I will see justice done. I swear that from this day forward, I will practice war on all Maclvors!"

 
     
    1
     
    Ironworth Castle, Scotland
    1833
     
    Warrick Glencarin, earl of Glencarin, chief of Clan Drummond, stood tall against the floor-to-ceiling window of his ancestral castle. He watched the gray October sea crash forcefully against the rocks, trailing foamy spray that immediately ebbed and swelled into another invading wave. The endless motion of the North Sea was repeated again and again while he watched with a scowl on his face.
    Lord Warrick pondered the unchanging sea and how, over the centuries, it had eaten at the limestone on which the castle stood, just as the bitter taste of anger was eating away at him. He had lived with resentment and hatred for so long, they were his constant companions.
    For years he had brooded over his sister's tragic death. And when he closed his eyes, he could still see the triumph in Ian Maclvors's eyes as he delivered the blow that had ended his father's life.
    His dark brows met across his aristocratic nose, and his lips thinned in a severe line. No matter what, he could not throw off his hatred for the Maclvors. So far, he had managed to keep them from taking possession of Kilmouris, but it was only a matter of time until they would occupy the land, as they held the legal deed.
    Today Warrick's mood was darker than usual. Forces were at work that would once more pit him against his old enemies. Perhaps this would be the final confrontation. He was so deep in thought that he did not hear Mactavish enter the room.
    Standing in the doorway, Mactavish observed his Chief. Warrick had become earl of Glencarin fifteen years ago at the age of seventeen. Now he was a man capable of leadership and admired by his clansmen. His hair was as dark as midnight, and his eyes were silver gray with