Highlander Medieval 06 - Her Highland Hero
Read Highlander Medieval 06 - Her Highland Hero Online
Authors: Terry Spear
Tags: #Highland romance, #medieval romance, #Historical Romance, #Scottish Romance, #Fiction, #adventure, #Love, #Mystery
The Highlander:
“Great characters, story, & a hot Highlander! I really enjoyed THE HIGHLANDER and look forward to more books in this series — especially Gunnolf’s story and Allison’s.”~~Miranda, Fresh Fiction
The Highlander: “
Adventure, danger, intrigue, deceit, passion, romance and love set against a backdrop of the rolling hills of Scotland make this story unforgettable.” –Dottie, Romance Junkies
Highland Rake: “Highland Rake
is a sure pleaser of an adventure. Yes, it has sexy Highlanders, some terrific Scottish brogue, some sword fights, quite a few surprises and a satisfying happy ever after, but it’s the romance that is the star of the novel.”~~
Xeranthemum,
Long and Short Reviews
Her Highland Hero
: “I fell in love with Isobel and Marcus because she was one determined woman, and he was one very receptive Highlander. This spirited lass would wed no other Highlander, no matter the danger or obstacles. A very vivid Highland Romance that makes you want more from Terry Spear.”~~Maria McIntyre
Her Highland Hero:
“
An absolutely delicious tale, HER HIGHLAND HERO, penned by bestselling author Terry Spear, is an enthralling, sensual historical romance that takes readers along on a fascinating adventure, transporting them into the Highlands of yesteryear for an exciting romp across Scotland.”~~Dottie, Romance Junkies
Her Highland Hero
Terry Spear
PUBLISHED BY: Terry Spear ISBN-13: 978-1-63311-000-7
Her Highland Hero Copyright © 2014 by Terry Spear All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without written permission from the author, except for the inclusion of brief quotations in a review.
Discover more about Terry Spear at:
http://www.terryspear.com/
Also by Terry Spear:
The Highlanders Series:
Winning the Highlander’s Heart,
The Accidental Highland Hero,
Highland Rake,
Taming the Wild Highlander, Her Highland Hero, (2014), The Viking’s Highland Lass (2014)
Other historical romances:
Lady Caroline & the Egotistical Earl, A Ghost of a Chance at Love
Heart of the Wolf Series:
Heart of the Wolf,
Destiny of the Wolf, To Tempt the Wolf, Legend of the White Wolf, Seduced by the Wolf, Wolf Fever, Heart of the Highland Wolf, Dreaming of the Wolf, A SEAL in Wolf’s Clothing, A Howl for a Highlander, A Highland Werewolf Wedding, A SEAL Wolf Christmas, Silence of the Wolf, Hero of a Highland Wolf (Aug, 2014), A Highland Wolf Christmas (Oct, 2014); A SEAL Wolf for Sale (April, 2015), A Silver Wolf Christmas (Oct 2015)
Heart of the Jaguar Series:
Savage Hunger
,
Jaguar Fever
,
Jaguar Hunt, Jaguar Pride (Feb 2015)
Heart of the Cougar Series
: Cougar’s Mate, Call of the Cougar (2014)
Vampire romances:
Killing the Bloodlust
,
Deadly Liaisons
,
Huntress for Hire, Forbidden Love
Romantic Suspense:
Deadly Fortunes,
In the Dead of the Night
,
Relative Danger
,
Bound by Danger
Further broken down into wolf pack series:
SEAL Wolves
: To Tempt the Wolf, A SEAL in Wolf’s Clothing, A SEAL Wolf Christmas
Silver Bros Wolves:
Destiny of the Wolf, Wolf Fever, Dreaming of the Wolf, Silence of the Wolf, A Silver Wolf Christmas (Oct 2015)
Highland Wolves:
Heart of the Highland Wolf, A Howl for a Highlander, A Highland Werewolf Wedding, Hero of a Highland Wolf, A Highland Wolf Christmas
Blurb
Her Highland Hero
Lady Isobel is a Norman laird’s daughter, living near the Scots border where her father, Lord Pembroke, is trying to keep the peace. But her mother was a Highlander and the man Isobel loves most of all is Laird Marcus McEwan, who has been bringing news of her mother’s people for years. But now Isobel’s father wishes her wed to an English nobleman, who will carry on his title. Isobel will wed no other man but her heart’s desire—and that is one braw Highlander from her mother’s homeland.
Laird Marcus McEwan has loved the feisty lass forever. For years, Marcus has tried to convince Lord Pembroke to allow him to wed his daughter. But the Norman lord will not allow it. Then ambushes and murders make it too dangerous for Marcus to reach a peaceful resolution.
Nothing goes as planned and keeping the lass for his own is fraught with danger, as they try to determine who was behind the killings. Isobel and Marcus will do everything in their power to ensure they are together as they have always vowed they would be.
Dedication
Thanks so much to Mandy Owen for your friendship and for all you do! May your world be filled with romance forevermore!
“He is already here, my lady!” Jane said breathlessly as the knight’s daughter burst into Lady Isobel Pembroke’s chamber in Torrent Castle, her dark hair plaited against her head, her dark brown eyes alight with excitement. She quickly curtseyed. When Jane saw Isobel’s maid, Mary MacArthur of Isobel’s mother’s Highland clan, give her a disdainful look, Jane flushed bright red and lowered her head a little.
“How do you know this?” Isobel asked, certain Jane couldn’t have seen this for herself—not as far as the loch was from the castle.
“Oh, my lady, Sir Travon said a farmer had sent word that the Highlanders were near the loch.”
Jane was seven and ten, two years younger than Isobel. She enjoyed Jane’s company because she was just like Isobel loved to be—wild, impulsive, and adventurous. When Jane wasn’t helping with the sewing, she would spend time talking to Isobel about the knights she was interested in.
“Good.” Isobel smiled, gladdened that she would see Marcus again. Too much time had passed since the last. Nearly a year, in fact. And she couldn’t help worrying that a Highland lass would catch his fancy. That she would appeal more because she lived near him and he would see her so much more frequently.
Isobel had worked the notion up in her mind so much, that she fretted that one of these days, he wouldn’t return.
Eight knights served Lord William Pembroke, Isobel’s father, some of whom had manors of their own on the land surrounding Torrent Castle. Near there, the small village of Ancroft had built up close to the Scots and English border. Skirmishes between the Scots and English erupted from time to time, which was why King Henry wanted some of his loyal Norman lords living near the border. Marcus McEwan’s lands were in the Highlands and adjoined the MacArthur’s. His family had known her mother’s, which was how Isobel knew him. And loved him.
Her brown eyes wide with intrigue, Jane said, “I am so eager about the dance. Are you not also, my lady?”
“To see Marcus, aye.” Isobel didn’t want to dance with the English lords that her father hoped she’d consider favorably and choose one to wed. She only wished to dance with Marcus, whom she had known since she was one and ten. She intended to wed him and no other man, if she had her way. Which she planned to.
Constant trouble between the Scots and English dictated that Lord Pembroke have a ready force of men whenever necessary. But the border region had been blissfully quiet for a fortnight. Isobel prayed it would remain so forever. Only once was she unable to see Marcus when the fighting had broken out, and it had been too dangerous for him to cross the border without him getting embroiled in the fight.
Mary said, “Och, lass, you get your hopes up every time he comes, and I love seeing him myself, but you ken ‘tis folly. Your da willna allow you to marry the Highlander.”
Isobel would not hear of it. She loved him. Had always loved him. Would always love him. Just as her father had loved her Highland mother.
She let out her breath in exasperation as she attempted to sit still while Mary plaited her hair. Her own red hair properly pinned atop her head, Mary narrowed her green eyes and her mouth pursed in concentration as Isobel watched her comb her hair in front.
“You know ‘tis a waste of time for you to put my hair up right before I ride to the loch,” Isobel said. She gave Jane a brilliant smile, telling her in a silent way she was delighted to hear the news that Marcus McEwan was near there.
“You shouldna be riding to the loch to see the Highlander before the dance.” Mary was her mother’s age, just as slender, and usually just as cheerful as she had been. Mary had been like a mother to her since her own had died.
For now, Isobel wanted her hair left down to please Marcus, her long dark curls tossed in the breeze, not pinned to her head like some prim and proper lady. Not that Marcus hadn’t seen her both ways, but she was sure he delighted in seeing her as she truly felt in her heart… adventurous, fun-loving, wild, and free.
She couldn’t help herself. Ever since she’d seen him when she was but a young girl, he’d been trying to garner her attention. And she…his.
Although she had to admit, the way he tried to catch her eye when he was a lad was much more humorous than it had been for some years. Before, he’d do
anything
to make her smile. Now, his attention was that of a man’s.
Oh, how she loved the braw Highlander, his boldness as he’d regard her with his discerning gaze, and how she wished he’d touch her with his hands in the same places and not with just his eyes.
She was supposed to behave like a Norman earl’s daughter, stuffy and highborn, her chin raised high as she looked upon the Highlander. She was supposed to treat him as though he was beneath her.
But she hadn’t and wouldn’t. He was the man she’d always wanted to wed.
She’d dreamed of what it would be like giving in to the Highlander’s heated interest, to see how he turned his lustful thoughts into actions, to feel his hard body pressed against her soft curves.
Her face and throat and shoulders warmed at the notion.
She’d been far wilder than her father would have liked, if he’d known, if he’d seen her climbing trees, catching fish, or hunting with her bow.
Horrors, she’d even participated in mock sword fighting down by the loch with two of Marcus’s cousins while he’d watched, a small smile playing on his kissable mouth as he’d leaned against a tree.
“Do you no’ want to fight the lass?” Rob, his cousin had shouted. He was dark-haired, but not quite as dark as Marcus, a little taller, with swimming blue eyes.
She remembered it as if it was yesterday. The summer warming the glen. The smell of wet grass and fish in the loch. A soft breeze caressing her hair, tossing it about as she swung a wooden sword at Rob. They would not risk
fighting
her using real swords.
She thought Marcus would step up to the challenge. Instead, he had folded his arms across his chest, his blue eyes smiling back at her as she’d caught his hot gaze. His black hair had been windswept and he looked rugged and indomitable with his sword at his side, and his
sgian dubh
tucked in his boot.
“Nay,” he said, his voice throaty and dark. “The lass is made for loving, no’ fighting. I prefer to watch.”
His cousins had laughed, teased him for saying so, and yet, that was when she realized the change in him. He was no longer a lad with boyish interests, but a man who knew what he wanted.
Bringing her thoughts winging back to where she was now, Isobel winced as Mary accidentally pulled her hair while she tried to pin another section up.
“Mary,” Isobel said in exasperation, “if you are trying to keep me from seeing Marcus before the dance, it will not work!”
Mary stopped fixing her hair and Isobel swore a faint shimmer of tears clouded her eyes.