Tempted by the Highland Warrior
HIS SILENT STRENGTH REACHED OUT TO HER… After years of brutal torture, Callum MacKinloch is finally free of his captors – but his voice is still held prisoner. He’d never let anyone hear him scream. Although Lady Marguerite de Montpierre’s chains may be invisible, they threaten to tie her to a loveless and cruel marriage.When Marguerite discovers Callum waiting to die, her heart aches for the warrior beneath the suffering – but they can have no future. Yet she is the one woman with the power to tame the rage locked inside him. Maybe he can find another reason to live…for her!The MacKinloch Clan Highland warriors prepared to fight fiercely for their country…and for love
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The troubled look in her eyes suggested that she didnât know the answer. When he removed the cloak sheâd given him his hand brushed against hers. Her lips parted and he wanted to kneel at her feet, like the goddess she was.
Callum didnât want her pity. Though his body and voice might be broken, he wouldnât allow her to believe that he was less than a man. His hands threaded with hers, cold skin merging with warm.
He brought her fingers to his ragged cheeks, absorbing the warmth. A few strands of her golden hair slipped from her veil, resting against her throat. And when he brought her hand to his lips she inhaled a gasp.
He released her instantly, expecting her to pull back in disgust. Instead, her eyes were shining with unshed tears, her fingers remaining upon his face.
âI wonât forget you,â she vowed, pulling her cloak around her shoulders. Then she picked up her skirts and disappeared into the night.
In the shadows, Callum caught a movement and turned his head. The Earl was standing there, watching.
And fury burned within his eyes.
AUTHOR NOTE
When I wrote the first book in my MacKinloch Clan seriesâCLAIMED BY THE HIGHLAND WARRIORâI was intrigued by the characters Callum and Marguerite. Their situation reminded me of the classic tale of Romeo and Juliet. As a broken hero who cannot speak Callum worships Marguerite ⦠and yet he believes he can never win the heart of a dukeâs daughter. Marguerite is deeply sympathetic to Callumâs plight, but as she loses her heart to him she has the challenge of standing up to her father and casting off the duties that bind her.
This book was quite difficult to write, especially since the hero cannot speak. It presented unique dialogue scenes, but I tried to give a strong sense of the emotions and words Callum wanted to convey. I hope youâll enjoy this third book in the MacKinloch Clan seriesâif this is the first book youâve tried, there are several other connected stories.
CLAIMED BY THE HIGHLAND WARRIOR is the first book, which tells the reunion story of escaped prisoner-of-war Bram and his childhood sweetheart Nairna. SEDUCED BY HER HIGHLAND WARRIOR is about the estranged marriage between clan chief Alex and his wife Laren, a stained glass artist. Finally, CRAVING THE HIGHLANDERâS TOUCH is a novella that gives Lady Alys of Harkirk her own chance at happiness with Finian MacLachor, a man seeking redemption.
Will Dougal MacKinloch ever get a story of his own? Time will tell â¦
Youâre welcome to visit my website at www.michellewillingham.com for excerpts and behind-the-scenes details about my books. I love to hear from readers, and you may e-mail me at [email protected] or write via PO Box 2242 Poquoson, VA 23662, USA.
About the Author
MICHELLE WILLINGHAM grew up living in places all over the world, including Germany, England and Thailand. When her parents hauled her to antiques shows in manor houses and castles Michelle entertained herself by making up stories and pondering whether she could afford a broadsword with her allowance. She graduated summa cum laude from the University of Notre Dame, with a degree in English, and received her masterâs degree in Education from George Mason University. Currently she teaches American History and English. She lives in southeastern Virginia with her husband and children. She still doesnât have her broadsword.
Visit her website at: www.michellewillingham.com, or e-mail her at [email protected]
Previous novels by this author:
HER IRISH WARRIOR
Available in Mills & Boon>® HistoricalUndone!eBooks: THE VIKINGâS FORBIDDEN LOVE-SLAVE THE WARRIORâS FORBIDDEN VIRGIN AN ACCIDENTAL SEDUCTION
And in Mills & Boon>® Historical eBooks: LIONHEARTâS BRIDE (part of Royal Weddings Through the Ages)
Did you know that some of these novels are also available as eBooks?Visit www.millsandboon.co.uk
In memory of Rafiq Salim Soufan,
with special thoughts for his wife Fatin and their children.
Chapter One
Scotlandâ1305
The sound of a man screaming awakened her from sleep.
Marguerite de Montpierre jerked upright, clutching the coverlet as she stared at her maid Trinette. âWhat was that?â
Trinette shook her head, her eyes wide with fear. âI donât know. But we should stay here, where itâs safe.â
Marguerite moved to the tower window, staring outside at the darkened moonlit sky. The manâs screams had fallen into silence now. Already, she sensed what that meant.
Stay here, her mind ordered. Donât interfere. What could she do, after all? She was only a maid of eight and ten. Both her father and Lord Cairnross would be furious if she went out alone.
