Highland Fortitude (The Band of Cousins Book 5) Read online

  To others, he’s a misfit. To her, he’s a hero.

  Daniel Drummond fears no lass will want a one-handed warrior, but when he meets the bonny and spirited Constance at Sona Abbey, he dares to wonder if they could have a future together. The beautiful novice has a secret, however, and her reticence makes him fear she sees him as less than a man. Eager to forget her, Daniel throws himself into the Band’s mission to find and stop the underground kidnappers who ship lads and lasses across the waters.

  Constance loves Daniel, but she dares not tell him the truth about her background. Her sire sent her running from home, and she fears becoming a nun is the only way she can keep herself and the people she loves safe. Except the abbey isn’t as safe as she hoped, and she soon finds herself on the run from multiple pursuers.

  Daniel throws himself into an undercover mission, little expecting it will lead him straight back to the lass he loves, but do he and Constance have the fortitude to overcome the obstacles between them?

  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—daughter, 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

  Geva (adopted)

  Emma (adopted)

  ROBBIE GRANT and wife, CARALYN

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

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

  Rodric (Roddy) and wife, Rose

  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

  Simone (adopted)

  Beatris (adopted)

  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

  Chapter Twenty-Five

  Chapter Twenty-Six

  Chapter Twenty-Seven

  Chapter Twenty-Eight

  Chapter Twenty-Nine

  Epilogue

  Dear Reader

  Other Novels by Keira Montclair

  About the Author

  Copyright

  Chapter One

  Autumn 1284, the Highlands of Scotland

  He couldn’t let her go.

  Daniel Drummond tugged on the reins of his horse, branches slapping at his face because the beast balked, but he persisted. “We’re going back. I cannot leave her.”

  Constance was the first lass he’d ever cared about this much…so much it hurt. She’d told him she wished to become a nun. He’d intended to respect her wishes, but now that the time had come to walk away, he just couldn’t do it. What if he never saw her again?

  They’d met while Daniel and his cousins were in pursuit of the Channel of Dubh, a network of unscrupulous men that sold lasses across the seas. Roddy had fallen in love with Constance’s friend, Rose, a novice whose mother was involved in the network, and in helping Roddy, Daniel had spent time with the lass’s lovely friend. They’d been through some traumatic events together, but all had ended well—the wicked men and women helping the network had been killed or arrested and the novices they’d preyed upon had been saved. Roddy and Rose had married and returned to Grant land, and Daniel and a few of his cousins had stayed behind to ensure the abbey settled from the turmoil. Daniel had visited daily in the interim, seeking out Constance whenever he did, but the moment he’d dreaded had finally come.

  He no longer had any reason to visit the abbey.

  All was well in the area, and he needed to return home, but as soon as he began to ride east, the truth had hit him hard.

  He’d left too soon. He hadn’t said a word about how he felt, and he didn’t wish to spend a lifetime regretting his actions.

  Even if they had no hope of a future, he had to know if she felt the same way.

  He pushed his horse through the rain, slopping down the muddy path as fast as he could. When he arrived, he led his horse to the stables around the back, his chest heaving nearly as much as his horse’s. He patted the beast’s withers. “Good job, my friend. I promise to find you an apple when I return.”

  He reached the front gates and barreled through them, the guards saying nothing because he’d just left. Bounding toward the side door of the abbey, he flipped the drenched hair out of his eyes and flung the door open, standing inside the foyer until his eyes adjusted, the water drenching the floor he stood upon. His heart raced for fear he’d be rejected, but at least she would see him. He was certain of that.

  Daniel glanced up and down the passageway, but it was empty. He took two deep breaths, hoping to calm the storm racing through his body. Uncertainty had a way of doing this to him.

  Did he have a chance?

  “Constance? Where are you?” he yelled, not caring what the nuns would say.

  A red-haired lass, her long curls falling over her shoulders, appeared out of the door at the end of the corridor. “Daniel? What is it?”

  Her beauty nearly took his breath away, much as it always did. The mass of dark red hair, the dash of freckles across the bridge of her nose, the lilt of her voice, and her positive attitude all served to lift his spirits. He needed her in his life—desperately. Her essence always washed over him like the earliest spring breeze, promising warmth, birdsong, and sunshine to follow.

  How could he walk away and leave her forever?

  Daniel took a deep breath and strode down the passageway. “I’m not going away. I want you, Constance. I like you, mayhap I even love you. I know you intend to stay here, but I couldn’t leave
without telling you I want you in my life.” He stood in front of her, panting, and stared down at her beautiful face. Her face was tipped up to him, her eyes on his. He’d hoped to see some indication his feelings were returned, but her expression was unreadable.

  “Constance…” He grabbed her hip, tugging her close, and she squealed and wrapped her hands around his biceps.

  “Constance, if you don’t wish to be kissed, you better say so now, because once I start, I may never let you go.”

  Then he knew. Her eyes assessed him with something different, and deeper, than surprise and she parted her lips and said, “Do not stop.”

  His lips descended on hers with a growl. He ravaged her mouth, his hunger for her overpowering his thoughts. Had he had any sense, he would have approached her more cautiously, with a tender kiss, but he’d dreamed of this moment ever since they met.

  “Constance,” he rasped. “I should slow down, but you make me daft with need.”

  Her response was to thread her fingers through his hair and hold on tight, tugging him back for more. She kissed him with abandon, parting her lips to give him access to the deepest crevices of her mouth. His tongue delved deep, teasing her, stroking her until she moaned, and suddenly she gasped for breath. When she tipped her head back, he took advantage of her position to ravage her neck, kissing a trail down to the neck of her gown.

  She whimpered as she clung to him, her body plastered against his wet clothing in a sensual tease that made him wish to strip down and tear the clothes from her body. He longed to bury himself deep inside her and never let her go again.

  Aye, he was sure of it now. They belonged together, forever.

  “Constance!”

  Constance stumbled back, and Daniel caught her before she lost her balance completely. “Aye, Sister Murreall.” She turned to face the nun, whose face and neck were red with fury. “Forgive me. I lost myself.”

  Daniel kept his hand at the small of her back in case she lost her balance again. “Sister, ’twas all my fault. I came inside and did not give her a chance to refuse my advances, but I love her.”

  “Young man, I understand you were a part of the group of warriors that saved our lasses from being sold across the seas. We granted you the freedom to come and go from the abbey for several days, but that does not give you license to attack our novices. Constance, I came to get you because Mother Abbess wishes to see you in her office. Please do not dally.”

  Constance dropped her gaze to stare at the floor, clearly ashamed of her actions.

  When Daniel didn’t leave at once, the nun turned toward him with a swish of her hand and said, “Begone, lad.”

  Daniel forced himself to leave, though he mouthed the words, “I’ll be back,” at Constance as soon as the nun had her back turned. She glanced at him, her eyes sparkling, before she followed the nun as she’d been instructed. That wee green sparkle gave him hope.

  He stepped back outside, discouraged to see the heavy rain continued, but the weather wouldn’t keep him away. Once the sun dropped, he’d find her again inside the abbey—no guard could keep him out.

  ***

  Constance followed the nun down the passageway, the sister’s silence grating on her nerves more than if a squawking bird had been perched on her shoulder pecking at her ear. Her thoughts were muddled, and no wonder—she didn’t know if she’d ever be normal again after that onslaught of maleness and passion.

  Daniel had returned to the abbey for her.

  For her!

  What a sight he’d looked, his clothes plastered to his muscular chest from the rain, his eyes full of passion. She’d been kissed before, but never like that. Why, it was a wonder she hadn’t melted in a puddle at Daniel’s feet. She reached into the pocket sewn into her novice’s gown and rubbed the dark red stone she kept hidden there. Her good luck charm had served her well. She’d hoped he would return at least one more time, and so he had.

  Her feelings for Daniel were stronger than anything she’d ever experienced before. She wasn’t ready to have him walk away forever.

  Once they reached Mother Abbess’s chamber, Sister Murreall told her to stay in the corridor and entered the room alone. Constance’s cheeks burned as she listened to the murmuring voices, knowing the nun was telling the abbess about Daniel. Would her trials and tribulations never end? Finally, Sister Murreall reappeared and nodded for her to enter the chamber. Despite her shame, she kept her head high as she sat in the chair across from the woman’s desk.

  “Forgive me, Mother Abbess. I was caught up in the moment. ’Twas my fault and ’twill never happen again.” She folded her hands in her lap and allowed her gaze to settle on her now twiddling fingers, doing her best to look contrite. Would she be forgiven this one time or punished and sent to the cellars?

  Mother Abbess sighed. “Child, I understand you’ve been through some trying times. Those lads from Clan Ramsay and Clan Grant did an admirable deed when they saved Rose and our other lasses from being sold across the water. Even so, they are lads like any others and do not belong on a pedestal. You are here to take your vows as a nun, to become a novice, or have you forgotten your purpose in life?”

  Constance lifted her gaze and stared at the wall next to her. What should she do? True, she desperately needed to hide, but was she prepared to take her vows? At one time she’d considered the nunnery the only safe place for her, but now she wasn’t so sure. After all, if Daniel and his friends hadn’t intervened, she and the other lasses might have suffered a horrible fate. What if she changed her mind? “Forgive me, Mother Abbess, I am confused at the moment.”

  The older woman clucked her tongue. “As anyone would be in your position, my dear. I’m sure it also weighs on you that you’ve lost your dear friend. Rose has found her voice and married Roddy Grant. I could not be more pleased for her happiness. Do you also wish to marry? Have you changed your mind?”

  She shook her head, doing her best to choke her tears down. “I’m not sure.”

  “You need not make a decision right away. You have plenty of time before you will be asked to take your vows. You are one of the few who can read, so I ask that you study the Bible and beg for forgiveness for your transgressions. This will help you to learn God’s way—and His will.”

  Constance was so confused and flustered she couldn’t even look at the abbess. She didn’t know what she wanted.

  The abbess continued, “While you search your soul, will you not consider being truthful with me?”

  Constance jerked her gaze back to the abbess’s. “Truthful? I don’t understand.” Her hands began to tremble, so she clasped them together in an attempt to hide the fine movement.

  “Lass, you’ve told us that your family could no longer feed you because you had seven brothers and sisters. Yet you’ve had no contact from anyone in your family. Indeed, you’ve had no missives or visitors at all. My suspicions tell me there is much more to your story than you’ve told us.”

  “I don’t know what you mean, Mother Abbess,” she stuttered. “May I please be excused? I suddenly feel ill, like I may be sick. I…” She bolted out of her seat, freezing in her spot as she awaited permission to leave.

  “Aye, you may take your leave, lass. I pray you will think on what I’ve said.” Her kind eyes gave Constance solace. When she’d first met the small, rotund woman, she’d been afraid of her, but Mother Marion had a warm heart. Still, she could be quite strict when necessary. She prayed the abbess wouldn’t continue to press her about her background.

  Because Constance wouldn’t be able to tell the truth. Her very life might depend on her ability to lie.

  She turned and raced out the door and down the passageway toward her chamber. She wished Rose or Daniel were here to console her.

  More than anything, she wished for her dear mother.

  She wanted to go home.

  However, that was quite impossible.

  Chapter Two

  Daniel paced in a clearing less than an hour from the abbe
y. He had to see Constance again. He had to find out if she still planned on taking her vows. If she wasn’t certain she wanted to be a nun, mayhap she’d agree to go to Braden’s castle with him. The best thing he could do right now was get her away from the abbey to see if they would suit. The abbey was no environment for romance. The red-faced nun was proof of that.

  Maybe she’d give him a chance to court her.

  God’s bones, but he loved her. Tasting her, feeling her in his arms—it had convinced him they had a special connection, something most other people never found.

  He shouldn’t have kissed her the way he had. He’d held her so tight it was a wonder she hadn’t pushed him away.

  But she hadn’t. She’d deepened their kiss and pulled him closer. They had a passion together that was uncontestable, just as strong as he’d guessed.

  As he’d hoped.

  He and his cousins had just saved seven lasses bound for Western Europe on a galley ship. Their group, which they’d named the Band of Cousins, aimed to put an end to the sale of young lasses and lads to unscrupulous bidders across the water. Their latest success was due to the efforts of his cousin, Roddy, who’d fallen in love with Constance’s friend, Rose MacDole. They’d discovered Rose’s mother, Lady MacDole, and a priest from the abbey were involved in a wicked scheme to sell young novices through the Channel of Dubh, a network that harbored and sold unknowing lasses for coin. The abbess had been devastated to learn some of the lasses under her care had been so mistreated.

  Rose had married Roddy at the abbey and departed less than a sennight ago for Roddy’s homeland, Clan Grant. Daniel and his other cousins had stayed to ensure the network at the abbey was properly put to rest. Will and Maggie had escorted the villains to the magistrate. Connor, Gavin, and Gregor had gone on to Braden’s keep, Muir Castle, to celebrate. They’d judged this day to be the end of their most recent venture with the Band of Cousins. He’d join them on the morrow.