Mysty McPartland

BLACK WA
RLOCK’S WOMAN

BY

MYSTY MCPARTLAND

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 permission in writing from the author, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in reviews.

Editor in Chief: Nik Morton

Cover art: Selectografix

Publisher’s Note:

This is a work of fiction. All names, characters, places, and events are the work of the author’s imagination.

Any resemblance to real persons, places, or events is coincidental.

Solstic
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Publishing - www.solsticepublishing.com

Copyright 2013 Mysty McPartland

              Chapter On
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So utterly shocked over her
father’s words, Trista could only stare at him in abject horror and disbelief. She was totally appalled at the command and the cold tone of his voice that she was left speechless for a minute or two. Never, had he ever spoken to her this way before. It took an extreme effort to shake herself free from the dread twisting inside her and speak.

Finally, she managed to let the words tumble out. “But, papa, how can you make me do such a terrible thing? How could you send me to this barbarian and force me to wed him? If you make me do this, papa, I will never forgive you.” She wrung her hands in fear. She let the tears fall as she stood staring pleadingly up at her father.

It was impossible
to hide her terror or how distraught she was over what he just ordered her to do. She still could not believe he would let such a monstrous thing happen to her. Surely, he would help her out of this horrendous situation. She did not want to think about what would happen to her if he didn’t. When he spoke harshly, her eyes widened even more. 

“Enough, Trista, the king, your godparent, has made his decision and you have no choice but to wed the Highland Scot.” Sadly, he turned his back on his beloved daughter, blocking out her tears and her pain-filled words
.
Lord Russell could not take any more, if his daughter continued on this way, he knew that he would most likely give into her pleas and defy the king’s command. 

Devastated at seeing her father move away from her, Trista’s shoulders sagged in utter defeat. She knew then that all was lost and no pleading with him would change what was about to happen to her.

To
o many times she had turned away the suitors the king sent to her, and now she would have to pay dearly for refusing their offers of marriage. The last one, a favorite courtier of the king’s, she now realized was a grave mistake. However, she shuddered at the mere thought of having to wed such a horrid man.

Though she knew it was a useless endeavor she would try once more to beg her father for his help.
After all it was her life and future that was at stake here and she wasn’t about to cave under the pressure without a darn good fight. Squaring her shoulders she prepared herself for one last battle. “Please papa, can you not try and talk to the king? If I am sent so far away I will never see you again. And to send me to such a monster as the wicked McKay, the Black Warlock, I doubt I will survive a week in his hands.” She tried to use every ploy she could to halt this madness, but when her father stiffened and refused to face her, she knew that her cause was truly lost.

“
’Tis far too late, daughter. Too often you have defied the king with your whimsies even though he does care for you. You have defied him one time to many, the last when you refused Lord Phillip’s offer of marriage.” Slowly, reluctantly, David turned to his daughter, a stern expression set on his face. “As for fearing your safety and future with the Highlander, you are being foolish. You will be the man’s wife and I am most assured that he would not let any harm come to you.

Hardening his heart he ignored the tears streaming down her face. He must not yield, he told himself.
“The hour grows late, daughter. Finish your packing and what cannot be taken will be sent to you in a few weeks.”He sighed sadly; perhaps it would not be so bad that his beloved daughter would leave England. It might be safer for her in the end
.
Lord Phillip was a dangerous man and, having been spurned, was now set out for revenge.

Heartbroken and frightened she ran from the room sobbing, how could her father let this happen to her? Did he not love her anymore? Entering her bedchamber, which overflowed with maids packing her possessions, she threw herself on to the bed to sob out her heartbreak. When the mattress dipped beside her, she knew her little sister had joined her.

Jaccy clasped her sister’s hand “Trista, don’t cry, it is not so bad. I think that you are so lucky to have such a delightful and exciting experience. Just think, you will be leaving England and going off on a wonderful adventure.”

With an effort she calmed down, she rolled over on to her back gazed at her sister and smiled sadly. “Oh, Jaccy, how greatly I am going to miss you. You are right it is in a way exciting. But to have the journey end by marrying the man they call the Black Warlock terrifies me. It is well known that he hates the English with a vengeance. What will become of me at his hands?”

Sweetly smiling at her, Jaccy squeezed her hand. “Yes that is true, but you and I know he is a lot better choice than Lord Phillip.” She shuddered at the thought of her sister being married to such a man a horrible man, it was unspeakable.

Unhappily, Trista sat up and held tightly to her sister’s hand. “You are right, anything would be better than being married to a mean, detestable person.” Suddenly, she felt her body grow cold as a terrible dark premonition swept over her. Quickly, she reached and unclasped the jade cross that she always wore around her neck and pressed it into her sister’s palm.

“
Jaccy, I want you to keep this and if you ever have need of me give this to Steven and send him to me. I will do all that is in my power to either come to you or send someone in my place. And as long as they carry this, you can trust them.” Her voice was so laced with anxiety she relaxed slightly when she saw her sister nodding her head in agreement. Her gaze swung to the doorway when one of the servants called for her.

“
My Lady Trista you must come at once old Joseph has hurt himself and has need of you.” Ida the kitchen girl came rushing into the room breathless.

At once, she sprang off the bed and, rushing across the chamber, her only concern now was for the poor man that had injured himself. She stopped dead in her tracks when another servant arrived.

“
My…my Lady the… the Scots have arrived and you are to be ready to leave within…within the hour.” Henry stammered rushing into her bedchamber and when he gazed at her beautiful face, he wanted to weep. Nobody wanted her to leave.

Stunned into mobility, she paled at Henry’s words, but defiantly threw back her shoulders. “Well hell. You can tell the barbaric Scotsman that I have things to tend to before I can go. And whether it takes an hour or fifty, I will not leave until I have done them.” She was about to say more when a giant shadow fell across the doorway.

W
ith great reluctance, she forced herself to gaze towards the door and gulped. Never had she ever seen a man so tall, so large or so striking in looks. She felt the power emanating from him and she knew at once that this could only be the dreaded Black Warlock.

Her knees began to tremble and her heart was pounding so hard in trepidation, it took immense power just to keep herself standing. Somehow, she knew that if she cowered now before this giant of a man, she would forever cower and he would treat her as a weakling.

S
o, despite her terror she squared her shoulders, raised her chin and, taking a deep breath, willed her voice to come out strong. “I do not know who you are Sir, but I fear you have over stepped your boundaries. May I suggest that it would be in your best interest to leave at once?”

Not waiting for an answer or reaction from him, she turned her attention back to the maid. “Tell me, Ida, where is Joseph? I will go and tend to him at once.” She tried to block the stunned and worried expressions on everyone’s face from her mind as she waited for the maid to reply.

  “
In the kitchen my…my…my Lady.” Ida spluttered unable to tear her eyes off the giant standing negligently in the doorway.

“
Damn it what is wrong with the lot of you. You are all sitting around behaving like stunned fish. Get to finishing the packing, you heard the barbarian, we leave when I have seen to Joseph.” Trista thought the giant of a man had left, but when she turned back to the door seeing that he was still standing there and cringed inwardly.

Hiding her fear, she thought of old Joseph and marched up to him. “I thought I told you to leave, now remove yourself. I have things to do.” Pushing him aside, though she was shocked that it turned out to be so easy to shove him from the doorway and once she went passed him, hurried away in search of Joseph.

Laird Rieph McKay stood staring after the woman who would be his wife and he watched curiously as she rushed down the passage. One fair brow rose in amazement, she was a stunning looking woman, aye a right bonny lass and he could already feel his body tighten in lusty awareness.

Brow furrowed
, he wondered just what was going on here. Who was this Joseph and why would she be in such a goddamn hurry to see him? He pondered what the hell she could be up to. He turned back and his glance passed over all the worried and frightened faces that were still staring at him in abject terror. Unconcerned over their fear of him, with a grim smile and a slight nod, he walked away in search of his betrothed.

A grin tugged at the corners of his mouth and he shook his head as he ambled along. Never had he seen a bonnier female. Dark as he was fair, her grey eyes were as deep as any loch in winter. Her lips red as a rose and just as dewy. Her heart-shaped face was porcelain smooth. She was utterly entrancing and her small delicate body was tempting as a siren’s.

Och, d
amn it, what nonsense was he thinking? The woman was already trouble, making him ponder such idiotic thoughts; he shook his head once again. He was just in time to catch sight of the back of her blue skirt going through the door of the kitchen. Noiselessly, he pushed it open, his hand on his sword.

If he found her in another man’s arms, he would have to kill the fool. Even though he could not afford to anger the king and he did not want a wife he would protect what was his. He did not want the marriage at all, however, to keep the peace and save his clan, it seemed he would have very little choice but to wed the lass.

A grimace crossed his face
, no decent Highlander would want to be married to a weak Sassenach woman, but there was nothing he could do about it. As the door opened, he relaxed when he saw his betrothed fussing over an old man who had hurt his arm.

He stood silently
watching, unobserved and for some time he was able to study the woman who would soon be his wife. The longer he watched, the more surprised he became. He never expected an English lass would have a soft or caring heart. Satisfied that there didn’t seem to be anything to be concerned about, he let the door close and walked away to wait for the very bonny lassie who would soon be his bride.
Even if she was a Sassenach.

Midafternoon,
he stood impatiently waiting for his bride; he ignored his men’s grumbling and stood alone. It had been four hours since he’d first seen in her room and now he would give her only a few more minutes, before he went in and dragged her outside. Enough was enough; he had given her more than an adequate amount of time to adjust to leaving but no more.

As he straightened to go and fetch her, he saw the front door open and watched the whole household step outside. Family and servants and as he glanced around, he noticed her clan filled the grounds close to the house. It surprised
him to see so many come to bid farewell to one wee lass. He rolled his eyes when he noticed most of them were weeping quietly.

Trista fought back the tears as she saw all
her friends come to say farewell, she hugged her father. “I love you, papa and I know it is not your fault.”

David Russell wrapped his arms around his daughter and kissed her brow. “Do not be frightened my
dear, just know that I will always love you.” Letting his daughter go was one of the hardest things he ever had to do, nevertheless, he knew it would be for the best and, besides, he had little choice in the matter.

Tears burning her eyes she turned to her sister and forced a weak smile. “Remember what I said; send me word if you need me.” Then hugging Jaccy tightly, she stepped away.

Rieph waited for her to say goodbye to her family before he stepped forward. “Come
, Lady Trista, the hour grows late and we must start our journey.” He was not surprised at her hesitation; he stood with his hand outstretched and his face blank.

Nervously swallowing,
she lifted her chin. “As you will my Lord.” And ignoring his offer of assistance, moved passed him to her horse. She heard the soft gasps from his men at her rudeness; she tilted her chin defiantly in the air. When one of the Scotsmen went to aid her on to her horse, she shrugged away his help and mounted herself.

She let out a loud whistle and smiled when her dog came boundi
ng up and jumped up to place the big paws onto her thigh, placing her hand on the animal’s head she pattered her gently. “Are you ready for a fine adventure Zana? Come let us begin.” Once the dog dropped back on all fours, she gazed around at the ones she loved. With a soft sad smile and a wave of her hand to her family and friends, she nudged her heels against the sides of her horse and raced away.

“Bloody hell, dinnae just stand there gapping like fools, get on ye damn horses and go after her.”
He bellowed at his men, he was about to bound down the steps to his own stallion but, found himself delayed after only taking one step.

“One moment if you will
, Laird McKay.” David Russell moved forward. “I would have you take great care of my daughter, sir. Trista is not one to suffer violence or hate. She is gently reared and, sir, if you will I would like you to read this when you have time. Mayhap, it will explain a thing or two for you about my daughter.” David knew he probably angered the giant Scotsman, but his daughter’s welfare came first. He held out the letter and waited to see what the young man would do, one glance at the dark scowl on his face, he knew his words had offended the man by the dark scowl on his face.