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

is safe from their lechery."
    "Then it's well that you're meeting with the king's man, Warrick. You can put your grievance before him and therein may be hope."
    "You advised me to petition King William when Lady Helena was abducted before our wedding. The king did nothing, and now she is married to one of those devils."
    "Think you Lady Helena was forced to marry against her will? I've heard she went willingly enough into Jamie Maclvors's bed."
    "And that," Warrick said in a voice laced with ire, "makes the insult more intolerable."
    Mactavish knew the shame Warrick had suffered when his betrothed had been abducted on her journey to Glencarin. It mattered not that Warrick had hardly known Lady Helena, having seen her on only one occasion. Even the loss of land and the large dowry she brought with her had not been as bad as the insult to Warrick's pride.
    "The confrontations between our two clans have brought the English king's wrath down on Drummond and Maclvors alike, Warrick," Mactavish said. "I suspect the old chief distrusts and dislikes the British as much as we do."
    "Dislike for the British is the only thing we agree upon. There will be no end to the hatred between us. Not until my honor has been satisfied. We both know that no Maclvors has honor, so how can they recognize it in others?"
    "Nothing you do will bring back your sister or your father, Warrick. And you wouldn't want Lady Helena back now—this I know."
    "No, I wouldn't take her back, but I owe it to her to find out if she's satisfied with her marriage."
    "Then it's decided, you'll go?"
    "Aye, I'll attend if for no other reason than to find a weakness in Lord Gille. If there is a way to strike at the heart of that devious bastard, I'll find it. I will have my revenge, Mactavish."
    The older man nodded. "Aye, of that I've little doubt."
    "My sister's soul calls out to me from her unconsecrated grave. I will not rest until she is honorably buried beside our ancestors!"
     
    Calais, France
     
    Lady Arrian DeWinter, daughter of the duke of Ravenworth, stood on deck of her father's yacht, the Nightingale , staring at the storm clouds gathering in the east. The ship, manned by Captain Norris and a crew of seven, was taking Arrian six hundred miles across the North Sea to the shores of Scotland, where she would be reunited with the man she was to marry. The captain had assured her that if the winds were favorable they would reach Scotland within a week.
    A heady sea breeze tossed her long golden hair, and she relished the taste of salt air on her tongue. Happiness burst within her heart as she thought of what would be waiting for her at the end of the voyage, or rather, who: Lord Ian Maclvors.
    Did he love her as much as she loved him? Was he counting the days until they would be joined together as man and wife?
    Arrian thought about the summers she and her brother, Michael, had accompanied their aunt Mary to Scotland to visit her great-grandfather. In those years, Ian had hardly noticed her at all.
    Her mind began to drift back to the occasion of her thirteenth birthday, and the first time she had realized she loved Ian . . .
     
    He had been so gallant and attentive that day. That night she had walked in the garden and he had found her there, and placed an armload of wild heather in her arms.
    "I saved my present to you until we were alone," Ian said, smiling down at her.
    Arrian touched a soft blue petal. "It is a wonderful gift," she said, glancing up at him in awe. He was so tall, so handsome.
    "Some would not consider it a great gift, Arrian. But to me, it is given with great affection and for a special reason."
    Her heart stood still as he took her hand and raised it to his lips. "What is your reason?" she asked, trembling with pleasure at the warm kiss he placed on her wrist.
    "I want you always to remember Scotland and me."
    Her eyes were shining. "I will never forget either of you."
    "You are so young. Can I make you understand how I have waited for you