Highland Abduction Read online

  Table of Contents

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Epilogue

  Dear Reader

  The Ramsey Family Tree

  Other Books by Keira Montclair

  About the Author

  Chapter One

  1284, the Highlands of Scotland

  Anna MacGruder opened her eyes to darkness and a sense of foreboding. Lying flat on her back in a forest, surrounded by soft moss, twigs, and rotting leaves, she could barely catch her breath through the choking fear.

  She had no idea where she was or how she had come to be on the ground in a Highland forest alone in the middle of the night.

  Pushing her elbows against the dirt, she lifted her head, scanning the area, but she found nothing and no one to help her. The last thing she recalled was falling asleep in her chamber above stairs in MacGruder Castle, but she’d been in her night rail. Glancing down at her clothing, she had on a pale colored gown with a surcoat. Though they both belonged to her, she’d never worn them together. Who could have dressed her? She had no memory of anything after closing her eyes the previous night. Or was it the previous night…? Could she have been missing for more than a few hours?

  Anna had no idea. Her head fell back onto the dense carpet of moss underneath a large oak tree. She’d gone to bed early, unusually exhausted, after having a conversation in front of the hearth with her father, Lorne MacGruder. They’d discussed her impending nuptials to the love of her life, David Drummond. It was one of the better discussions they’d had about the wedding. She and her father had always had a good relationship until the day David had asked for her hand. Ever since then, something had changed between them.

  Her mother said her sire simply could not bear the idea of losing his daughter. But last night had been different. For the first time, her sire had acted as if he accepted the idea of the marriage, something he’d seemed uncertain about from the beginning. He’d made every excuse possible for his disapproval of the match—telling her she was too young, she could look higher, and she needn’t make a decision so soon. True, he’d accepted David’s offer after a few days, but he’d never appeared to be overly pleased with the prospect.

  It was another puzzle she’d yet to decipher.

  Of one thing she was certain. Her sire would come looking for her as soon as he discovered she was missing, and he had loyal guards who would search from coast to coast to find her. There was a full moon to guide a search party, so she she’d be discovered soon, wouldn’t she? She had to believe in them, because a heavy fogginess unlike anything she’d experienced before weighed her down.

  Though she kneaded her temple in an attempt to bring back the memories of how she’d come to be here, nothing surfaced.

  Nothing. How could that be? Weak, exhausted, and hungry, she fought the tears that threatened to drench her cheeks, instead forcing herself to be strong. She needed to do something to help herself. While she hoped and prayed she’d be found by her sire’s men, she couldn’t merely lie here waiting for them.

  If she had to, she’d walk home by moonlight.

  Again she attempted to push herself up, and this time she managed to sit. A few drops of blood marred her surcoat, but she did not sense any wound. Not wanting to succumb to terror, she ignored them, instead gripping a nearby branch to lift herself to standing. The hoot of an owl called out to her, and its familiar cry echoed the question repeating itself in her own mind. David had told her every time he heard the hoot of an owl, he interpreted it to be a warning about someone stalking the area. Hoo? Who? Hoo?

  She glanced around the periphery but saw no one.

  Who had left her here alone in the cold night air where any wild animal or wandering man could come upon her? She shivered, wondering where her cloak had gone. She was never outside without a cloak in late spring. Staring down at her clothing, something pushed her to lift up her gown under the surcoat. Well-hidden beneath the surcoat was her chemise and sleeping gown.

  The thought that someone had dressed her made her heart pound as though it were to jump out of her chest. What could have happened?

  Placing one foot in front of the other, she took tentative steps in one direction, hoping to find a clearing or some familiar landmark, but to no avail. A wave of dizziness overtook her, propelling her toward a majestic oak that helped her keep her balance. She fought the need to heave her insides all over the ground, instead leaning her back against the wide trunk to take full stock of her surroundings.

  A couple of bats squeaked above her, their shapes visible against the full moon, but they stayed away. Scottish pines waved their branches delicately in the night wind, wafting their fragrance to her as if they knew she needed something familiar to settle her queasy belly.

  How she loved the scent of pine. Closing her eyes, she breathed in the sweet scent and silently chanted, Papa will come, Papa will come, Papa will come.

  Once the dizziness settled, she trudged along until she came to a small meadow. The first rosy signs of dawn had appeared on the horizon, so she continued to push ahead, praying she headed toward MacGruder land and not away from it. The dryness of her mouth told her she needed to find a stream soon, but that expedition was postponed when the sound of horses’ hooves in the distance caught her ear. At first she thought to run in that direction, but what if the horses belonged to her attacker?

  The truth of that thought struck her. Her clothes were filthy, her muscles were sore, and there was only one reason someone would have left her alone in the woods. She accepted what she hadn’t wished to admit.

  She had been the victim of a brutal attack, and whoever had done it might come after her again.

  Anna stumbled across the meadow, tripping three times until she made it to a couple of trees to hide behind.

  How she prayed her attacker was not returning for her.

  ***

  David Drummond headed back to his land, a smile on his face. He’d gone to Edinburgh to find a wedding gift for his bride-to-be and found the perfect necklace, a pendant of a white rose. Anna loved her flowers, and they’d spent some time picking bouquets together.

  He’d met up with his cousins Will and Maggie briefly. The couple had married about a moon ago after bringing justice to a dastardly predator in Edinburgh, Randall Baines, an English earl who’d attempted to sell wee lasses for profit. Even so, there was quite a bit of work yet to be done. They’d taken down one criminal, aye, but there were many more who needed to be stopped. The kings of Scotland and England had commissioned Maggie and her husband to form a group of protectors to put a stop to the infernal trade. David was gratified to be one of them, along with several other cousins. Maggie and Will had been doing their best to uncover new information in Edinburgh, but they hadn’t come up with much yet.

  Once the two created a plan, they’d contact all the members of their newly formed group, the Band of Cousins. Until then, he planned to marry his sweet Anna and get settled on Drummond land.

  Visiting with Maggie and Will had been beneficial. Their talents and ideas had invigorated him, pushing his own imagination into overdrive. He had to believe they would accomplish everything they set out to do, but it wouldn’t be an easy task.

  His friend Sweeney headed directly toward him. “‘Twas a good journey, aye? I’ve been waiting on you.”

  David nodded. “Aye. I found the perfect wedding gift for Anna, and I had the chance to meet with Maggie and Will again.”

  “Och, the Wild Falconer and his lady. He’s built quite a reputation for himself, has he not?” Sweeney asked.

  “Aye, however, most of what they say is exaggerated. He only trains two falcons, not one hundred beasts like the rumors suggest. I watched him train them for a couple of hours just to see how he does it. The birds are amazing.”

  “Sounds interesting,” Sweeney said. “You may fill me in on the details later, though I’ve heard some tidings from your sire that may take precedence…” Sweeney’s wide-eyed expression put him on alert. This news wasn’t good, and something told him it was related to either his parents or his betrothed, Anna MacGruder. They were due to marry in a moon. He’d only begun officially courting her three moons ago, but they’d fallen in love quickly. David had requested her hand in marriage a moon ago, hoping they could marry within a fortnight. Her sire had convinced them to wait for a while, just to be sure.

  “What’s wrong?” He wouldn’t waste any more time asking questions. “Out with it. No hedging, Sweeney.”

  “Fair enough. A messenger arrived at the castle with news. Anna has gone missing. She was not in her bed this morning. In fact, they were worried enough that they wished to search the Drummond keep.”

  “And?” he choked out. A sick feeling rose in his throat at the thought of anything happening to his Anna.

  “And your mother refused. The brother was insistent, but when he was informed that you were away to Edinburgh, he calmed down.” Sweeney glanced over his shoulder as if he expected someone to attack them.

  “What
is it? Why are you acting so strangely?”

  Sweeney lifted his chin. “Because I don’t like that brother. He makes my skin crawl.”

  “He thought I had her hidden in my chambers?” The audacity of it!

  “Aye, he suggested as such, but when he learned you were not present, he changed his attitude.” Sweeney turned his horse around, and the two rode side by side back toward the keep.

  “Which brother was this? Must have been that fool Ossian.” How David hated the bastard. They’d had bad blood since the beginning. He didn’t mind Anna’s other brother, Filib, but he and Ossian had learned to stay away from each other a long time ago.

  He recalled one journey he’d taken to MacGruder land after forming an interest in Anna. Ossian had challenged him to swordplay in a hidden spot not far from the stables. Their sires wouldn’t notice them there—or so Ossian said. David had heartily agreed because he’d often sparred with his sire and his uncle Logan, a man known as the beast. He’d tested his skills with his cousins, too, both the Ramsays and the Grants. They’d all made him a better swordsman. He was proud and anxious to show off his prowess with a sword.

  Of course, once they were in the spot near the stables, Ossian attempted to change the game.

  “Allow me to choose the weapon, Drummond?” he’d asked.

  David wasn’t that foolish. “Nay, I parry with my own sword.” As did everyone else he knew. What was MacGruder’s game?

  “You cannot beat me unless ‘tis your own weapon?” A crowd of Ossian’s friends had fallen in around them, and a few of them tittered mockingly. “Or is it that you’re afraid to use another weapon?” He chuckled and urged the onlookers to join him.

  Sweeney had been there, along with a few other Drummond guards, and he came to David’s defense. “The only person who asks a lad to give up his weapon for a strange one is a person who wishes to play an unfair game.”

  Ossian came out swinging then, hoping to catch David offguard.

  Only he didn’t. David was ready for him and parried with him to wild hoots from both sides. One of his swings knocked Ossian to his knees, but Anna’s brother quickly regained his ground and proceeded to almost knock David’s weapon out of his hands.

  Once he regained his sword, David went after Ossian with a fierceness that had surprised them both, but not because of anything Ossian had said. He’d been fueled by a glimpse of Anna—her hazel eyes had met his from behind a nearby tree.

  David grunted and growled, spinning and swinging to the best of his ability until he sent Ossian’s weapon flying to the ground. Ossian immediately tried to cover his defeat by saying he conceded to their guest as any good host should.

  No one believed him. It was clear to everyone present that David had won fairly. His friends pounded his back while the opposition returned to the bailey. He sent his friends after Ossian’s group to keep an eye on them.

  However, that wasn’t the only reason he’d sent them away. Once he was alone, he said, “You can come out from behind the tree now.” He peeked over his shoulder just as Anna stepped into his view. “Are you always so timid?” he teased.

  Anna shook her head. “Nay, I’m not timid, but I’m not allowed out here. This is where lads belong, not lasses. My sire decreed that many years ago. He’d thrash me if he found out I’d broken his rule.”

  “Then why are you here?” At the time, David hadn’t known her admiration went deep enough for her to risk a thrashing to watch him in a duel.

  Anna ran into the stables and returned a moment later dragging a heavy sword. She handed it to him and said, “This is the weapon Ossian wished you to use.”

  Anna stood back while he studied the weapon. He sighed when he found what he’d expected—someone had taken a tool and placed a cut where no one would see it, in a place that would definitely cause the sword to break if it were used in a serious duel.

  Ossian had aimed to hurt him.

  He lifted his gaze to Anna and said, “My thanks to you.”

  The corners of her mouth curled up just a touch. He could see how pleased she was with her revelation, but something still bothered her.

  She was afraid she’d be caught, and rightfully so, for Ossian bellowed, “What are you doing?” He had apparently turned around for some reason, then sprinted across the field, the fury in his face growing as he drew closer. When his gaze fell on the sword, his face turned a deep purple. “I’ll tell Papa and he’ll thrash you until you cannot sit for weeks.”

  Anna turned to run away, but David grabbed her wrist. He said to Ossian, “If you do, I’ll thrash you until you cannot sit for weeks, and I’ll show both of our sires how you tried to hurt me using a deceitful move the likes of which I haven’t seen in a long time.” David tipped his head toward the sword Ossian had meddled with, pleased to see the man’s eyes narrow. He wanted to upset Ossian’s composure, make him realize it wouldn’t be wise to continue challenging him—or Anna. Fortunately, David was much bigger than Ossian and much more muscular, which gave credence to his threat.

  Ossian whispered, “As you wish. Get the hell out of here, Anna.”

  Anna had run away like the sleekest deer he’d ever seen.

  Aye, it could only be Ossian who had dared to come to Drummond land and suggest he would steal Anna away.

  Sweeney nodded. “‘Twas Ossian who was here looking for you. Something is not right with that one.” Sweeney said nothing more, waiting for him to absorb the information.

  That was how they usually conducted their friendship. Sweeney knew that David preferred to consider his options before he made a plan. His mother had taught him the importance of making sound decisions since he was heir to her lairdship. His grandsire, David Drummond, also his namesake, had taken the unusual step of passing the lairdship on to his only daughter.

  His mother had done a fine job with Clan Drummond. David was proud of his prospering, growing clan, even more so because it would be his someday.

  But he couldn’t do it without Anna by his side. “She is still missing? When was this?”

  “Near dawn. They’d just discovered her missing. Her sire has sent out three groups of guards to search for her.”

  David glanced up at the sun as it approached the highest spot in the sky. Several hours had passed. Fortunately, the weather was fair for a spring day in the Highlands. The skies were gray, but the temperature was warm enough. If she was outside, exposure wouldn’t harm her.

  But what the hell could have happened? Anna MacGruder was not typically a risk taker. As much as he hated the thought that someone might have taken her, he couldn’t imagine she’d wandered off on her own. “I’ll head home, greet my parents, and then ride hard for the MacGruders. You may gather the guards while I update my parents.” If he had to, he’d search from coastline to coastline.

  Sweeney said, “I doubt she was stolen out of her keep. I pity the lad who would be fool enough to touch your betrothed.”

  David quirked his brow at Sweeney. He couldn’t disagree with his friend. If anyone dared to touch Anna, the guilty party would regret it.

  He had to find her.

  Chapter Two

  Fortunately, the horses that had come over the crest were familiar to Anna. Once the horses came into a view, she breathed a sigh of relief at the sight of their MacGruder plaids. Her sire and her brothers had finally come for her. She vowed not to cry, instead stepping out into clear view so they could see her.

  Her sire was in the lead, and as soon as he set eyes upon her, she heard him shout, “There! She’s over there.”

  Her voice croaked out a small, “Papa,” just as she collapsed into a heap, her legs buckling beneath her.

  The next time Anna opened her eyes, she was in her chamber, her mother fussing around her. She moved to sit up but found herself sore in multiple places, as though she’d been tossed off a horse.

  Her mother spun around as soon as she moved in her bed. “What are you doing, lass? Stay in your bed. I’ve called for the tub to be brought up. You are a filthy mess.”

  Stunned by her mother’s comments, she looked down at herself. Would that it had been a dream… Her gown was still covered in dark smudges, and her hair, partly freed of its plait, was full of leaves and twigs. She reached up to pull some of the offensive pieces of shrubbery from it.