Page 1 of Stolen by the Rival Scot (Tartan Trails of Love #2)

CHAPTER ONE

C astle MacGregor, 1578

“She has tae marry,” Laird Baird MacGregor declared. “If she wants tae rule as Lady Campbell, she hasnae any choice.”

Edward MacGregor was standing in his father’s study, his back against the cold, stone wall, his thick muscular arms crossed over his equally muscular chest, watching his father, Laird Baird MacGregor, address all those present.

He shared his father’s brown eyes and thick black hair. But while they were both tall, he had an imposing physique, with broad shoulders and a muscular build. He enjoyed sparring and, being a ferocious warrior, was often the first on the battlefield. On many occasions, he had been told that he exuded quiet strength and authority. Today was no different. The fleeting glances in his direction, some of consideration, others of concern, had not gone unnoticed by him.

“She was going tae marry,” said a member of the Campbell Council in reply. A Campbell clan councilman, he was a thin man with sharp eyes and a stern expression. “It was yer son who reneged on the agreement.”

The laird nodded. “I am very well aware o’ that. But yer clan chose tae go intae battle with us. Ye lost. Now, ye must face the consequences.”

Always a calm but decisive figure, the laird towered over the table, his brown eyes piercing all those who were gathered. He looked intently between the councilmen from both Clan Campbell and Clan MacGregor. He was also used to being in control, something that seemed to have slipped from his grasp over the last few weeks.

The group of men sat around the table in the laird’s study, doubt and concern dancing across many of their faces. The day was dreary as rain battered against the windows outside. But the raging fire that burned in the large fireplace warmed the room and all those in it.

The tension crackled as loudly as the logs on the fire. The same tension that had surrounded the castle for the preceding weeks, for nothing had gone to plan.

James, Edward’s older brother, had returned to Castle MacGregor after missing for many weeks. Upon his arrival, both clans were relieved, for they had feared that he had been killed and might never be seen again. The relief was short-lived, however.

When he returned, everyone had imagined that he would marry Evelyn Campbell, Laird Campbell’s niece. The arranged union had been agreed between the clans while he was away. He and his father had talked of him taking a bride, and although they had not chosen one yet, James had left to get the blessing from Saint Cuthbert’s relic before marriage, as all MacGregor future lairds did. Thus, his parents had had no doubt that James would acquiesce to their choice. Evelyn had arrived at the castle to meet her betrothed but had later been informed that he had gone missing, so her uncle had joined her there to be by her side during that time of uncertainty.

Instead, James had returned, and he had balked against the union, and blankly refused to marry. Having fallen in love with the lass who had returned with him, a village healer by the name of Freya, his brother's heart was now lost to another. Infuriated by the broken agreement, the Campbells had retaliated with a battle. As bloody and furious as the fight had been, it had not gone well for them.

Laird Alistair Campbell was now dead. Slain by James on the battlefield.

It was a mess. A mess that had left a power vacuum, for Clan Campbell was now without a laird. Without a leader, their clan was open to attack, and even a takeover.

In fact, that was the very reason the Campbell Clan councilmen were in that very room. There was only one solution, which had to be discussed. Evelyn Campbell was the sole remaining member of the Campbell family, and to save her clan and her people, she needed a husband.

None of the other councilmen offered a word after his father had spoken, and thus, the laird continued. “The battle is now over. It is time we came together and mended wounds. Fer us tae focus on both our clan’s futures. We have been steadfast allies fer years. There is nay reason that the alliance has tae end.”

Michael, one of the most senior and respected council men, sighed. “I cannae see how what ye propose is possible. If yer son willnae marry the lass, what are we tae dae?”

“Has yer son reconsidered the match, me laird?” Craig Ainsley offered.

At six and twenty, Craig was the youngest councilman for Clan Campbell. He had sandy brown hair and a sturdy, athletic build. Having spent some time with him over the last weeks, Edward had deduced the man was both loyal and pragmatic.

His father glanced over to Edward; his brow raised in an unasked question.

Continuing to lean against the wall, Edward shook his head. “Me braither has nay intention tae marry Miss Evelyn,” he said firmly. “I ken that isnae going tae change.”

Some of the men looked at him a second longer than the others. Eventually, however, they all turned their attention back to Laird MacGregor, as though he had the answer to the dilemma.

“There is only one solution,” his father said, reacting to their inquisitive expressions. “There needs tae be peace between the clans. As the defeated party, and tae safeguard yer clan’s future, Clan Campbell will offer Evelyn in marriage tae me son, Edward.” He gestured toward Edward with an open palm.

Edward stiffened, but swallowed any telling expression.

It had always been the likely outcome. Hearing it spoken aloud, however, felt different. James had known he was to be married. There had been time for him to become accustomed to the idea. But with James now determined to be with Freya, Edward was being thrown into a future he had been given little time to come to terms with.

Marriage had not been in his plans, and at four and twenty he thought he would have had more time and the freedom afforded him by being the second son and not the heir. Well, as much freedom he could have being a laird’s son, helping him run the castle and take care of the lands. Still, his life had been his own. He made his own decisions, decided where he wanted to go, what he wanted to do, and with whom he wanted to do it.

Not anymore.

On the other hand, perhaps the circumstance would give him an opportunity to show his worth to his father. As the second born son, he had always felt a little inadequate. Not that he had ever voiced that, of course. Those kinds of thoughts he kept firmly to himself. For the most part, though not today, Edward tried to see the lighter side of a situation.

“This union will strengthen the Campbell clan,” his father continued. “It will allow our alliance tae flourish. As Evelyn’s husband, Edward will become laird o’ Clan Campbell, uniting yer lands with ours.”

Murmurs dripped from the lips of the Campbell councilmen as they consulted each other in low tones. It was difficult to tell, by their expressions, how they felt about his father’s proposal. But Edward had his own ponderings.

We have just slain their laird, and now, I am tae replace him. I’m hardly going tae be welcomed with open arms.

He understood his father’s proposal, and the laird was not wrong about anything he had said. The Campbell Clan did need a laird, and it would be better for all concerned if the clans retained the alliance they had spent many years nurturing. But to have a MacGregor taking over as their laird?

And then, there is Evelyn.

She was a beautiful woman, no one could deny that. Long golden locks framed delicate features, and her bright green eyes radiated a mixture of determination and vulnerability. With a slender figure, she was graceful in her movements, her presence attracting the attention of many men in the castle. And yet, she appeared so very serious.

Besides all that, she would now be faced with marrying the brother of the man who had slaughtered her uncle. Edward could only imagine how well that was going to be received.

The councilmen were still muttering between themselves when his father spoke again.

“Without a marriage tae clan MacGregor, the Campbells’ rule is effectively over. I am being more than generous with this offer, fer I could have simply seized the Campbell lands after yer defeat in battle.” His father looked from one councilman to the other, and then sighed. “I dinnae want tae dae that. I would much prefer the Campbell Clan flourish, and we retain the alliance we have shared fer these many years.”

Moving away from the table, Baird limped over and joined Edward. The pained leg being the result of a wound from a battle fought many years ago. Looking at him intently he said, “I’m sorry, me son. I ken I ought tae have discussed this with ye first.”

Edward shook his head. “I kent it was coming, Faither. We both did. Besides, ye’re right. There is nay other way.”

His father nodded. “I ken that, but still. Yer braither has put me and yer maither in a precarious position. Ye, even more so.”

“He is in love, Faither. Anyone with eyes can see that. Besides, she did save his life. Though at this moment, I wonder if ye wish she hadnae,” Edward joked with a smirk.

The laird smiled weakly, but it did not reach his eyes.

His father was usually entertained by Edward’s lighthearted wit. But not this time. He was carrying a heavy burden on his shoulders. A burden he could not rid himself of until the councilmen came to a decision that only had one outcome. Even if they were taking their time to admit it, everyone in the room knew it to be true.

His father forced another smile. “On the other hand, this will be a great opportunity fer ye.”

As the second-born son, Edward would never have been laird. That would always have been James’ place, and then his heir after him. With circumstances as they were playing out, however, Edward would now take on that position, even if it meant leading another clan.

“Thank ye, Faither,” Edward replied evenly.

“Ye dinnae sound pleased, son.”

Taking a long breath in, Edward nodded. “I think I just need some time tae get used tae the idea.”

Baird nodded solemnly. “Aye. It has been pressed upon ye suddenly.”

Edward lifted the corner of his mouth. “Another thing I can thank me braither fer when I see him.”

Noticing the councilmen behind his father, Edward nodded. “I think they’ve made up their minds.”

The laird turned around and fixed his attention upon the men who now looked up at him.

“It is clear, we have little choice. This peace treaty is best for all,” Michael said, speaking for the others. “We dae, however, have some requests.”

“Please,” Baird said, gesturing for Michael to continue.

“We propose that the wedding tak’ place on our land, so our people can celebrate the union o’ the new laird and lady.”

“Agreed,” Baird replied.

“We also need tae send a message tae arrange the necessary formalities,” Michael added.

The laird nodded. “Indeed. I concur wholeheartedly.”

Michael looked around the table, and the men nodded their agreement. He then looked back to Baird. “Then I believe we have naething more tae dae other than begin drafting the terms o’ our treaty.”

“Very well.”

His father sounded satisfied, even relieved. If the councilmen wanted to keep their clan, this had always been the conclusion they would have had to reach. Clearly, his father had doubted that they would agree to it.

“Given that Evelyn is now betrothed tae me son,” Baird continued. “She will remain here at Castle MacGregor during her mourning period and she and Edward will then join ye back at the castle.”

Michael nodded. “Very well.”

For the next hour, the councilmen from the two clans worked together. They discussed each point in great detail, and, once agreed upon it, they penned it down on parchment. Edward could do little but look on.

The decision had been made, and he now had to come to terms with it. Of course, becoming a laird was a great opportunity, one that excited him. But excitement was not the only emotion swirling around him. Becoming a laird of one’s own people was different. James had grown up and was known by the people he would eventually rule at their father’s demise. Edward, on the other hand, would be faced with leading a people he did not know.

Then there was the small matter of his brother murdering their laird.

Winning them over was not going tae be easy. But never mind the people. What about his future wife?

It was a long and laborious undertaking, but when they were finished, the men congratulated each other. Each councilman stood and clasped hand against forearm with both the laird and each other in a ritual of unity and acceptance.

“And so, it is done,” his father finally declared.

Pushing himself off the wall, Edward said, “I will go and tell Evelyn the news.”

“Actually, Edward,” Craig stepped forward, “I think it might be better if she hears it from one o’ her own.”

The concerned expression dancing on Craig’s face told Edward many things, not least of which was how his soon-to-be wife was going to take the news. Craig and Edward had spent some time together since the battle. While at first there had been tension, given their clans had just fought so ferociously, the two men had since nurtured a mutual respect for each other. Edward might even go as far as to say that it was the beginning of a strong friendship. Which was fitting, for he was going to need a good advisor when he took on his role as Laird Campbell.

“This willnae be easy fer her tae hear,” Craig added.

Edward nodded. “I agree. Ye’re right. It will be better coming from a member o’ her own clan.”

Craig flashed a solemn smile, and then turned on his heels and made his way to the study door.

After he left, Baird approached Edward once more. “Soon, ye will be Laird o’ Clan Campbell, me son.”

Edward shifted and gave his father a steady look. “And may the gods be with me.”