âWho are you? Why have you done this?â she said as she looked from one man to another and to the next. âDoes my father know about this?â
Rob waited for her to bring her gaze back to him and then he smiled at her.
A silent moment passed, and then another, before the light of recognition flared in her forest-green eyes. Then she shook her head, though whether in disbelief or confusion he knew not. Lilidh opened her mouth several times but no words escaped. The distraction was all he needed to gain control of her, so he crossed the empty space between them in a few paces, grabbed her wrist and squeezed until she dropped the dagger. Kicking it aside, he still held on to her. As she probably had when Symon took her, she did not allow his hold to remain there. She began backing away, pulling and tugging, trying to free herself.
Lilidh just did not realise she had no chance of escape. As Dougal and some others returned to the hall Rob gave one sharp tug and pulled her close, wrapping his arms around her from behind. He noticed the smell of blood and saw the thick patch of it on her headâshe had been struck and knocked unconscious. Tightening his hold, he leaned down and whispered in her ear, so that only she could hear his words.
ââTis good to see you, too, Lilidh. Itâs been a long time.â
More than five years ago, while I was writing POSSESSED BY THE HIGHLANDER, the heroineâs daughter surprised me by grabbing her motherâs hand and declaring her intention to marry the young man who had been entertaining her during their journey to their now home. In a flash I saw Ciara Robertson as a grown woman, marrying Tavis MacLerie, the man she claimed in that moment! Fast forward to 2013 and Iâm thrilled to have had the chance to tell their story in my last book, THE HIGHLANDERâS STOLEN TOUCH, and now to watch as all the children born in the first three tales find their own love stories.
Connor and Jocelyn, Rurik and Margriet and Duncan and Marianâthe heroes and heroines from my first trilogyâmust find suitable matches for them ⦠and that leads to a challenge among the couples about the mothers or fathers finding the best spouses for their children!
So, I hope youâll enjoy returning to the powerful MacLerie laird, his lady, kith and kin as they face the challenges and rewards of life in Lairig Dubh, Scotland!
TERRI BRISBIN is wife to one, mother of three, and dental hygienist to hundreds when not living the life of a glamorous romance author. She was born, raised, and is still living in the southern New Jersey suburbs. Terriâs love of history led her to write time-travel romances and historical romances set in Scotland and England.
Readers are invited to visit her website for more information at www.terribrisbin.com, or to contact her at PO Box 41, Berlin, NJ 08009-0041, USA.
Previous novels by the same author:
THE DUMONT BRIDE
LOVE AT FIRST STEP
(short story in The Christmas Visit)
THE NORMANâS BRIDE
THE COUNTESS BRIDE THE EARLâS SECRET TAMING THE HIGHLANDER SURRENDER TO THE HIGHLANDER POSSESSED BY THE HIGHLANDER BLAME IT ON THE MISTLETOE
(short story in One Candlelit Christmas)
THE MAID OF LORNE
THE CONQUERORâS LADY* THE MERCENARYâS BRIDE* HIS ENEMYâS DAUGHTER* THE HIGHLANDERâS STOLEN TOUCHâ
and in Mills & Boon® HistoricalUndone!eBooks:
A NIGHT FOR HER PLEASURE*
And in M&B:
PRINCE CHARMING IN DISGUISE
(part of Royal Weddings Through the Ages)
*The Knights of Brittanyâ The MacLerie Clan
Did you know that some of these novels are also available as eBooks? Visit www.millsandboon.co.uk
Lilidh MacLerie, eldest daughter of the MacLerie laird and Earl of Douran, looked out her window and tried to sort through her options. This silent time between the gloaming and the night was her favourite when she needed to make decisions or choices. Remembering now that sheâd made the decision that had brought her to this time and place made her pause. Mayhap she should wait until morning instead?
Turning from the window and gazing across the large, well-furnished chamber, she knew she had little time or choice ⦠again. The parchment remained as sheâd left it and she lifted it, tilting it so that the light of several candles made it able to be read. For the fiftieth time, she said the words and could not yet decide what else to write, when so much more was needed.
To the Earl and Countess of Douran, it began, using their formal titles first. Father and Mother, next.
And then the words disappeared.
How could she explain the private misery behind the very public death of her husband of only two months? The MacGregorâs death had been kept quiet for now until his heir, his younger brother, was approved by the clan elders as chief. Her purpose in this marriageâto bind their clans and to produce an heir for the MacGregorâwas a failure. Though, even as an innocent young woman coming to this marriage, she understood that things were not as they should have been between her and Iain MacGregor.