Highland Lies (The Band of Cousins Book 4) Read online

  The Grants and Ramsays in 1280s

  GRANTS

  LAIRD ALEXANDER GRANT and wife, MADDIE

  John (Jake) and wife, Aline

  James (Jamie) and wife, Gracie

  Kyla and husband, Finlay

  Connor

  Elizabeth

  Maeve

  BRENNA GRANT and husband, QUADE RAMSAY

  Torrian (Quade’s son from his first marriage) and wife, Heather—Nellie (Heather’s daughter from a previous relationship) and son, Lachlan

  Lily (Quade’s daughter from his first marriage) and husband, Kyle—twin daughters, Lise and Liliana

  Bethia and husband, Donnan—son Drystan

  Gregor

  Jennet

  ROBBIE GRANT and wife, CARALYN

  Ashlyn (Caralyn’s daughter from a previous relationship) and husband, Magnus—daughter

  Gracie (Caralyn’s daughter from a previous relationship) and husband, Jamie

  Rodric (Roddy)

  Padraig

  BRODIE GRANT and wife, CELESTINA

  Loki (adopted) and wife, Arabella—sons, Kenzie (adopted) and Lucas, daughter, Ami (adopted)

  Braden and wife, Cairstine—son, Steenie (Cairstine’s son from previous relationship)

  Catriona

  Alison

  JENNIE GRANT and husband, AEDAN CAMERON

  Riley

  Tara

  Brin

  RAMSAYS

  QUADE RAMSAY and wife, BRENNA GRANT (see above)

  LOGAN RAMSAY and wife, GWYNETH

  Molly (adopted) and husband, Tormod

  Maggie (adopted) and husband, Will

  Sorcha and husband, Cailean

  Gavin

  Brigid

  MICHEIL RAMSAY and wife, DIANA

  David and wife, Anna

  Daniel

  AVELINA RAMSAY and DREW MENZIE

  Elyse

  Tad

  Tomag

  Maitland

  Table of Contents

  The Family Trees

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  Chapter Thirteen

  Chapter Fourteen

  Chapter Fifteen

  Chapter Sixteen

  Chapter Seventeen

  Chapter Eighteen

  Chapter Nineteen

  Chapter Twenty

  Chapter Twenty-One

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  Chapter Twenty-Four

  Epilogue

  Dear Readers

  Other Books by Keira Montclair

  About the Author

  Chapter One

  The Highlands of Scotland, Autumn, 1284

  “Stop! Stop or you’ll go over the edge!”

  Rose MacDole squealed as soon as she heard the deep male voice call out to her. She spun around in time to see the intruder heading straight for her. A big man, he was reaching out his hands as if to grasp her.

  In a fit of fear, she spun on her heel and took off across the slippery rocks back toward her home, set high above the sea. She’d been warned not to speak with strange men. It was quite rare for her to even see a strange man because their castle was so isolated, and her mother preferred to stay at home.

  The trek back to safety was not an easy one, but she’d traveled this path many times on her bare feet, just as she did now, running and glancing over her shoulder as the big man pursued her.

  The best way to lose him was to follow the dirt path leading toward the sea, then sneak into the secret sea cave. Deep in its recesses was a secret door into the cellars of their castle, something her father had shown her years ago.

  Down the path she scurried, sending rocks and debris over the side of the path into the sea, the sound of their journey a reminder of how far down she would fall if she lost her footing.

  “Please stop! I’ll not hurt you. I thought you were planning to jump over the edge. I only wanted to help.”

  He sounded sincere, but Rose could not forget the warnings of the man she missed more than anything. Her dear sire, who’d passed on five years ago, leaving her alone with a mother whose moods were as violent and unpredictable as summer storms, had told her briefly about what men might ask of her when she grew into womanhood.

  And her first, and only, experience with a kiss had ended badly for her. After that horrid event, her mother had ordered her to stay away from all men. Nay, she would not wait to see what he wanted. It would only end poorly for her.

  Ignoring her mother always did.

  Choosing her steps carefully, she hurried down the path, turning around occasionally to see if the man gained on her. He couldn’t possibly catch her because she was more sure-footed than anyone along these cliff paths.

  His voice echoed with the wind. “Stop, I demand you to stop before you get too close to the loch and it sucks you under.”

  Snorting, she wanted to ask him what he knew of her homeland, of their castle built on the cliffs overlooking the sea, where salt covered your skin and your clothing, and the air was as sweet as any she’d ever tasted. The castle overlooked a long loch that led to the firth and emptied into the sea eventually. It was known as Loch Linnhe, or An Linne Dhubh, the black pool.

  She had been in and around the water as long as she could remember. Sometimes, she thought she was of the water.

  Continuing down the path, she finally reached the bottom and raced around the point that brought her to the cave, the torch at the entrance lighting her way.

  Her cave. She and her father used to come here together to sit in peace and quiet. It had always felt like a holy place, and they’d often talked to God and prayed in their private sanctuary.

  Oh, if only she could enjoy those days again.

  The man in pursuit of her didn’t give up easily, still yelling at her to stop her forward progress. But she wouldn’t. When she slipped into the cave, he’d have no idea what had become of her, the entrance too dark for him to see the secret door.

  She counted her footsteps.

  Breathing a sigh of relief, she slipped into the shadow of the cave, slowing her steps as she moved across the wet stone bottom. The stones overhead managed to glitter even in the dark. She was nearly at the door when his voice echoed inside the cave, the deep timbre bouncing off the cave walls. The man would not give up.

  “Please, I just wish to help you.”

  The secret door was just ahead. The sound of his footsteps told her he was falling in behind her, unsure of the rocky bottom. She said a quick prayer for the Lord to guide her safely to her haven inside the door.

  A minute later, she stepped inside the door, locking it behind her with a deep sigh of relief.

  She’d made it.

  So why did she feel a brief pang of regret?

  ***

  Roddy Grant struggled with indecision. He was unsure of whether to continue his pursuit of the lass whom he’d first seen on the cliff, looking as though she were about to leap to her death, or to give up and assume she’d probably relinquished her dark quest.

  He stopped to gather himself, to slow the beating of his heart, and then decided to halt his pursuit. For now. Although he longed to help the girl, he was a stranger here, far from home, and it wouldn’t do to break down the door.

  This place was known as Loch Linnhe, the black pool, according to his cousin Braden, who’d taken over h
is wife’s castle not far from here. How had it gained such an ominous name? Glancing over the edge, he answered his own question as he stared down at the darkness at the base of the caves, the sound of the water hitting the sharp rocks the only clue a loch sat beneath him. Being a sea loch, it was unlike the one he’d grown up on at the edge of his beloved Grant land. These were treacherous waters.

  He’d come to be here on a mission for the Band of Cousins. His cousin Maggie had started the group with her husband Will. He and the others had dedicated their lives to putting an end to the despicable practice of selling humans across the water to other lands. Since then, they’d been able to save several bairns, lassies and laddies both, from their captors. Some were returned to their families, others adopted because their families hadn’t wanted them.

  After the cousins’ last meeting, Roddy and his two Grant cousins, Connor and Braden, had decided to focus on the northwestern parts of Scotland. Roddy and Connor had drifted toward the coast with the intent of finding places where boats could land and take on human cargo. Braden had not joined them on this trip because he was newly wed, but he’d accompany them on the next jaunt.

  Their journey had led him toward this castle. It was a small one not far from Sona Abbey, so it was entirely possible that it supported a small family instead of a clan. The rocky terrain was not likely to grow many crops, though one could build a small garden.

  They’d almost decided not to investigate the castle due to its negligible size, but Roddy had been drawn there by some inexplicable force. He’d insisted on taking a closer look while Connor rode on to explore another area. They would meet later.

  From a distance, they hadn’t known the castle sat directly on Loch Linnhe, which made it a point of interest for the Band of Cousins. Braden had told him the loch wasn’t far, which was exactly why they’d headed in this direction, but he hadn’t mentioned the castle.

  From a distance, they hadn’t seen her.

  Roddy skidded and wobbled his way back across the dangerous landform to the cliff he’d been standing on when he’d first seen the lass. The castle was quite beautiful, but it was completely surrounded by water on three sides, perched high above multiple rocks and cliffs, which were presumably too steep for invaders to use as points of attack. Roddy stood a short distance away, the early autumn breeze cooling him, thinking of the lass.

  The image of her standing there would stay with him always. The lass was gloriously beautiful, her hair so dark, it could be called black. Long strands had escaped her braid, whipping in the wind as she stared down at the tumultuous waters beneath her.

  Had she really been intent on throwing her life away?

  Or had he only thought so because that idea of tumbling from the cliffs had been on his mind as he stood overlooking the rough, brutal waters of the dark sea? True, he hadn’t considered jumping to his death—quite the opposite—but those who knew him would be surprised to hear the unusual direction his thoughts had taken.

  The fear of death had niggled at the back of his mind for as long as he could remember, but it had roared to life after his uncle Alex, the greatest warrior in the Highlands, was nearly cut down in battle. Watching Braden fight in their most recent battle had stirred his fear even more, so much so he could no longer ignore it. In fact, the fear had grown so strong that he pondered requesting not to fight as a Clan Grant warrior in the future.

  But what would his clan think of him then? Every lad dreamed of becoming a fine warrior, especially if they could fight for one of the strongest forces in all of the Highlands.

  The recurrent dream of drowning in deep water that assailed him night after night only made matters worse, forcing him to wonder what exactly had brought all of this upon him.

  Had his nightmares somehow pulled him here to Loch Linnhe? Did the black pool have a message for him? No matter how much he searched his mind for answers, he came up empty.

  Then the lass had appeared, distracting him from his thoughts.

  He made his way back to the main path he’d followed before pursuing her. He would go to the castle. Since his goal was to patrol the area, it would be courteous to introduce himself—to go to the gates and request entrance in the name of Clan Grant—and it would also allow him to inquire after the girl.

  To his surprise, the guard at the gates allowed him in without much of an interrogation. After the stable master took his horse, he made his way to the keep, surprised to see a woman awaiting his arrival.

  She was tall and thin, her dark hair pulled into a tight bun. “Come inside, young man. How can I assist you? Are you lost? ’Tis not often we have visitors to our cliffs.” Her broad smile appeared sincere and she beckoned him inside with a wave of her hand. As he followed her through the door, she turned quickly to address a serving lass. “Please find a simple repast for our guest. I’m sure he has quite a thirst, wherever he is from.”

  Roddy took a brief glance around the great hall, at the rich tapestries, the weaponry, the rich woodwork. This was a castle built from great wealth. “I’m from Clan Grant.”

  “Clan Grant?”

  “Aye, of Dulnain Valley.”

  “Then you are quite a distance from home. Have a seat, lad.”

  Roddy sat at the nearest trestle table, accepting the ale and bread brought by the serving lass. He waited for the woman to take a seat in a cushioned chair near the table before he spoke. “I hope I’m not prying, but I was drawn by the sea, and I found my way to a cliff just south of your castle. I happened to see a young lass standing in a precarious position. I feared she was about to leap or fall to her death. Do you know of her?”

  “A young lass about to leap to her death?” Her hand moved to her throat in shock. Moments later, her expression relaxed. “Oh, you must have seen my daughter, Rose, but she would never attempt such a thing. She loves to walk out across the cliffs and has been doing so since she was a bairn. She’s as surefooted as any animal, trust me. You must have seen her during her morning walk. She’s such a sweet thing. Believe me, she was not about to leap to her death. The girl just loves the sea, and the more the waves pound against the rocks, the longer she remains. I never worry about her on the bluff. Her sire taught her how to cross the cliffs many years ago. ’Twas their morning ritual.” The woman waved her hand to the serving lass and said, “Please ask Rose to join us.”

  She smiled again and said, “I’ll let you see her with your own eyes if you are so concerned.”

  He nodded, listening to the woman’s slight English accent. What would have brought an Englishwoman so far north in the Highlands? “My thanks,” he said. “I would feel better if I saw she was hale with my own eyes. I’m Roddy Grant. And you?”

  “Oh, my pardon. I’m Jean MacDole. My husband Walter passed on several years ago. Rose and I have struggled with his loss. She walks the cliffs to keep her father’s memory fresh in her mind. We both adored him.” Her eyes misted as her hands fell into her lap. “Young man, you need not be concerned. Now tell me why a Grant lad is in our area.”

  “Just traveling north. My cousins and I enjoy traveling, meeting new people and making connections with other clans. We have a cousin who is now in Muir Castle, so we wished to get to know his neighbors.”

  “You’re a distance from Muir Castle.”

  “Mayhap a half day’s ride or less. Are there any large clans in the area?”

  “A few. But I do not associate with them. If you cannot tell, I am English. Our marriage was arranged, and I did as I was told to do. Fortunately, Walter and I grew to love each other. And our sweet Rose is the result of our dear love. Ah, here she is now.”

  She smiled and stood to greet her daughter, who’d grown wide-eyed as soon as she entered the hall. Her gaze had gone to her mother briefly, but now it remained on Roddy. Her eyes were a haunting shade of dark blue, nearly purple. When had he ever seen eyes that color?

  Roddy also stood, then took a step closer to her, a strange force compelling him. “Greetings to you, my lady. M
y apologies if I frightened you a few moments ago. ’Twas not my intention, but I feared for your safety. ’Tis a long way down to the turbulent loch. You call the sea loch the black pool, aye?”

  She smiled, a beautiful but hesitant smile. Her hair showed evidence of her travel outside on the cliffs. The strands of hair he’d seen whipping in the wind now fell in soft curls about her face. She had lips that matched her name, as rosy as they came. He waited for her answer, but she stared at the floor.

  “Are you hale? You were not hurt on the rocks? I thought you were barefoot. Those craggy rugs must have been mighty sharp on your tender skin.”

  Still she did not reply, instead wiggling her toes in the soft blue slippers now on her feet. She wore a dark blue gown that set off her eyes. Roddy had to admit he’d never been as taken with a lass’s appearance as he was with hers. How he wished to touch the soft skin of her cheek or have one sweet taste of her lips. But more than anything, he wanted her to tell him she was fine—not because he worried about her health, but because he wished to hear her voice.

  Would the tone be low and husky? Would it be high and soft?

  How could he get her to answer him?

  He’d ask her a question that required an answer instead of a simple nod of her head.

  “What was that path you followed?” When she didn’t respond, he forged ahead. “And what is your favorite flower?” Ridiculous, but he couldn’t think of anything else that would force her to speak.

  Her mother replied, “My lord Grant, my daughter is deaf and does not speak.”

  Chapter Two

  Rose had to listen to her mother lie. This was her destiny. She was to allow everyone to believe she could not hear simply because she could not speak.

  Sometimes it was a blessing, but in this case, she wished she could converse with the man standing in front of her. Her disability did allow her to stare at people at will, something she was rarely questioned about, and she used that to her advantage now to watch this fair-haired man who stood close enough to touch.