Page 1 of When a Highlander Vows (Enemies to Lovers #1)

1

The Lands of Clan McDougall, Scotland

Summer 1650

“ A re ye all right, Miss?”

“I am just fine, Rachel. Just give me a little time to practice my steps. I’ve got to learn sometime, daenae I?”

Caitlin MacLennan took a few steps on her own on the loneliest side of the market in Taobh Cnuic Village. There were people about, and the sounds of sellers calling out to interested buyers, but she knew she had enough space to try to navigate the area.

Her helper, Rachel Carton, from down the road, was watching her with concern. Caitlin didn’t have to look back or even see her clearly to know that Rachel was wincing and holding her hands out as if she could catch Caitlin from afar.

Beginning to lose her sight a few years ago, just before she turned eight-and-ten, seemed like it would be the end of the world, but Caitlin didn’t want it to stop her. Now that her brother, Seamus, was always gone on his merchant trips, she didn’t want to feel so helpless that she couldn’t do a few things on her own.

“Well done, Miss!” Rachel called as Caitlin made it to the edge of the market. She also heard the call of a few villagers, yelling out in greeting.

She waved in their general direction, their figures only fuzzy blobs among the market stands. At the edge of the market, she turned back to Rachel and held out a hand.

“We can go home now, Rachel. I just wanted to try a few steps and see how the market looked while I did it by meself.”

Rachel said, “I ken it, Miss Caitlin, but I daenae wish ye to rush. Ye are in me charge now that yer brother is off on another voyage.”

“I ken it, I ken it.” Caitlin took Rachel’s arm, and together, they made their way up the sloping road to Caitlin’s home.

She breathed in slowly and could smell the sweet fields in the distance as well as fresh bread coming from the nearby bakery. Since her sight had begun to fail her, with things being fuzzy unless held up close to her face, Caitlin’s world of smells had grown immeasurably. It was a veritable adventure of delights, or so she had to keep telling herself.

“Is it nae a lovely day, Miss?” Rachel asked at her side.

“So it is. Nae too hot, either. Nae that Scotland is ever very hot, but occasionally, the weather can still surprise ye. How does McDougall Castle look in this light?”

“Perfect. Like a mighty fortress ready to fight back against any who come against it.”

Caitlin giggled, looking off to where she knew the castle was. The fields around it were green, and the gray of the ocean was just beyond. In the center of it all was a tall, gray shape off in the distance. She could remember what it looked like as a child, when her father would often take her close by as they walked together. The current laird, a young man, and her brother were the very best of friends, at least in recent years. But she’d never met him, nor had she been close enough to the castle since.

“I told ye, Rachel, ye should write these words down! Ye are an author. I think it is in yer blood. Ye have such a way with words.”

“Oh, Miss,” Rachel laughed. “A woman cannae be a writer. We are far too busy with other things. Besides, I have nae finished me education. I would struggle with the writin’.”

Caitlin smiled to herself. “Yes, but I told ye that I would teach ye. We have the time ye and I, with Mary to come for the cleanin’ and cookin’ of the main meals. We are simply one another’s companions. I can see things quite clearly close up. It wouldnae be hard.”

Caitlin could sense Rachel’s blush as well as her excitement about that prospect. “I daenae ken that me faither would like it. He doesnae like it very much that I am workin’ instead of searchin’ for a husband. He believes it will hurt me chances of a good marriage. All a lass can hope for in this world.”

Caitlin frowned, and she squeezed onto Rachel’s arm. “I am so sorry, Rachel. I dinnae ken. Why did ye nae tell me?”

Rachel shrugged, and the sounds of the marketplace died away the further they walked up the hill. Now, Caitlin could only hear a soft breeze as it moved over the grass.

“I dinnae want ye to feel any guilt. But I also want ye to ken that I would love to learn. I just daenae wish to deal with an angry faither.”

“Perhaps, Rachel, ye may find the love of yer life, and he will take ye away from him, and ye can learn as much as ye like.”

Chuckling, Rachel shook her head. “A girl like me cannae dream of such things, Miss.”

For the next few minutes, Caitlin was thoughtful. She too could have turned out just like Rachel after her parents died. There had not been enough money for her and Seamus, but then Seamus had been able to secure work as a merchant, and everything had changed. They were able to live mostly as they pleased, although Caitlin always missed her brother terribly when he was away.

“Here we are,” Rachel said cheerfully, despite the sadness of their conversation. “Come, let’s have tea, and I bought a few things at the market for us to eat.”

“Thank ye, Rachel,” Caitlin said, feeling a little more tired than usual.

She enjoyed smiling, laughing, and trying to look at the world in a happy light, but it was difficult when faced with such sadness around her. Her own grief and sadness were difficult enough but to hear of others as well made it all seem so hopeless.

She sat in the small main room while Rachel walked off to make tea. Sliding a book into her lap, Caitlin began to read. It was one of her many pleasures, since her eyesight was still quite good when something was near her face. She twisted a strand of bright blonde hair around her finger as she got lost in the book. A little while later, she heard Rachel returning to the room.

“Tea is ready. I have laid out a few of the baked goods from the market, and—”

A sharp knock at the door made them both gasp. Rachel turned around, and Caitlin squinted at the door.

“I wonder who that could be?” she asked. “We daenae often get visitors.”

Rachel hurried to the door, opening it with slight trepidation. Caitlin sat tall and pushed the long plait of blonde hair behind her back. She tried not to squint her light-brown eyes too much at their visitor.

“Miss Caitlin MacLennan? Sister of Seamus MacLennan?” a man’s voice said from the doorway.

“Aye, I am she.”

“I have come with a message, Miss,” he replied, and then by the way he paused, Caitlin noted that he seemed uncomfortable.

“Do come in and have a seat, Sir,” she said, motioning in front of her.

“Nay, thank ye, Miss, but I will come in.” He walked in, and Caitlin could hear by the sound of his boots that the leather was worn, as if he’d walked a long way.

Soon, he was standing before her, and she could see him more clearly. He was young but looked a bit weathered, and his dark hair was ruffled. A leather hat was in his hands, and he folded it over and over between his fingers.

Rachel waited nearby; her eyes wide with curiosity. It was strange for Caitlin to ever receive male visitors, especially when her brother was away.

“How may I help ye, Sir?”

“I am sorry, Miss, to be the one that is here before ye with a duty to dispatch. But I am a sailor, and I sailed many times with yer merchant brother, Seamus MacLennan.”

“Och,” Caitlin smiled. “Rachel, he sailed with Seamus! Sir, please tell me everything ye ken about yer adventures. Seamus never tells me very much. Would ye like tea?”

“Nay,” he shook his head and took a long breath.

“Ale, perhaps, to calm ye and refresh ye after yer journey?” she suggested, wondering why he seemed so uncomfortable.

Her lack of good eyesight had embarrassed her for years, especially when people would act awkwardly in front of her because of it. He nodded, and Rachel left. Caitlin could hear the rattle of clay pots in the kitchen.

“Tell me, what is yer news of me brother?”

Caitlin waited with a smile, even though a little tingle of dread began to grow in her belly.

Something is wrong.

She did her best to keep the dark thought at bay. Thankfully, Rachel returned hastily with the ale, and the man drank back his glass in one swift movement before wiping his mouth with the back of his hand.

He started speaking quickly, getting everything out in one breath. “I am sorry to tell ye, Lass, but our ship sank as we were returnin’ from France.” He swallowed again and sounded breathless. “Yer brother died, Lass. Only a handful of us were able to survive. I am the one charged with informin’ the families.”

He glanced down at his glass wistfully, while Caitlin’s ears rang.

Seamus. Dead. Nay, that cannae be. Me brother is more alive than anyone. More vibrant, full of life. Death doesnae…make sense.

She couldn’t remember what happened in the next few minutes. There were mumbled voices, the movement of footsteps, and the shutting of a door, but Caitlin was in her own head. She was alone now in the world. Quite alone. And even though Rachel picked up her hand and leaned in to embrace her, Caitlin could feel a chasm of grief stretching open inside her.