Highlander's Charm (Highlander Heat #3)

’Twas best he leave before he no longer could. Quietly, he closed the door behind him and trod down the passageway. His heart grew heavier with each step he took away from her.

At the base of the winding stairs, he beckoned a serving maid forward from where she wove around his men seated at the trestle tables.

She dipped her head as she approached him.

“There is a lady making use of my chamber. Ensure she is given adequate clothing, a meal and a bath.”

“Aye, sir.” She hurried away.

He stepped across the great hall and entered the chief’s solar. His brother stood near the hearth, his hair an unruly mess and his fur vest damp with the morning dew. He clasped Colin’s shoulder. “I see you rode hard through the night.”

“Aye, I left Neil watching Mingary. What’s this I hear about you bringing a lass into the keep?”

“I fished Lila Cunningham from the sea and have offered her my aid in finding her grandmother. Mistress Jean journeyed through here a month past. Do you recall her?”

“I do. She spent a great deal of time with Margaret.” His brows drew together. “Lila? That is the name inscribed on your coin.”

“The old woman’s prophecy has come true. Lila also holds an identical charm to mine, one her grandmother gifted her after receiving it from a fortuneteller.” He reached into his pocket and palmed his charm. It hummed with warmth, alleviating a touch of the dark mood that had invaded him since leaving Lila upstairs. “Some form of magic has brought her to me from the future, the year twenty-fourteen, and since her arrival, the two of us have had visions.”

“Twenty-fourteen? That’s over four-hundred years from now. How is that possible?”

“I cannae say. I only know there is magic at work. Our bond is strong.”

“You must take care. The clan wouldnae understand.” With a concerned look, Colin scraped out a chair from under the table littered with the seneschal’s accounts and sat.

“Aye, neither of us can speak of what I’ve learnt.” He took the seat opposite. “What news do you bring from Tobermory?”

“MacIan continues to build his ranks. A birlinn bearing Angus MacDonald’s flag arrived at Mingary the first night I arrived. It remains berthed at their sea-gate.”

“Then it appears MacIan intends to have his MacDonald kin aid him.” No surprise, yet not news he wished to hear with their ranks so severely depleted from their battle on Islay. “Readying our men has become imperative.”

“Which means you’ll no’ have time to find your lady’s grandmother with what’s about to come.”

“Aye, she can wait.” He’d certainly never allow her to travel with the danger of war in the air, not when she was his to care for.

His clan and Duart must come first.



“Hector, show yourself now.” An anxious female voice filtered through the window.

Lila flung the wooden shutters open.

Below, a woman with long locks of red-gold raced through the inner courtyard, her red velvet skirts flapping behind her. She braced her hands against the trunk of the towering tree right under her window. Peering upward, she searched through the thick branches sweeping the side of the castle. “I know you’re up there, Hector. Please, this isnae the time for play.”

“I’m keeping an eye out for Father.” A muffled voice called back from somewhere within the dense golden foliage. “He promised he’d come home. I’ll see him better from here, Mother.”

“I’ve explained he’s in Edinburgh. ’Tis too far away to see.”

“Why did the king have to steal him?” The leaves rustled and a lad with a mop of red curls and big blue eyes crawled out along the branch leading toward her. He glanced at her then wobbled. “Who are you?”

“I’m Lila, and be careful.” She wedged sideways out the window and offered him a hand. “Let me help you.”

“I need Calum.” He clawed the branch. “He’ll fetch Father home. He’s no’ afraid of the king.”

“Hector!” The woman clutched her chest. “Down now. This second.”

“I—I—” He tried to back up but his arms shook.

“Wait. I’ll be right there.” Lila swung her legs over the stone windowsill then shimmied onto the branch. The child must be no more than seven, and far too young to be climbing trees of this height. She crawled toward him. “I’ll help you find Calum.”

“I miss Father.” Tears swam in his eyes.

“I’m sorry your father’s not here.” She grasped him around the waist.

“Hector, I’ll be right back with Calum.” The woman dashed into the keep.

“How do you know Calum?” A spark of curiosity crossed his face.

“Last night, he rescued me.” She held the boy close.

“From this tree?”

“No.” She smiled. “The loch. I was out swimming, and got into some trouble.”

“Calum’s teaching me to swim. He’s strong.”