Falling for the Highlander, page 10
She saw the largest tent set in the corner of the campsite. Mustering all her courage, Isla started walking toward it. She knew this tent would be the Earl’s, which meant her father’s tent would be next to it. She couldn’t help but wonder if her father was alright and if his health was fine.
Isla felt bittersweet whenever she thought of her father, wanting to forgive him, but she also wanted him to give up this cause of his. He was destroying old relations over new economic ones, which weren’t going to win him much power.
The British would only trick her father into thinking he had power, while the real power would remain with them. Ewan and his father knew this, but Isla’s father was too naïve and trusting of the British.
Isla reached the entrance to the tent. She took a long breath, holding it in before walking inside. She found the Earl sitting on a chair and looking at a glass of whiskey, while her father stood in the side, with his hands folded in front of him, like a servant waiting for his next command.
The moment she entered, both men looked up at her. She was surprised to see a look of fear in her father’s eyes when he saw her, while the Earl sported an evil smile. She walked further inside, holding her head high as she let the cloak fall.
“I am here as ye wished. Now end this war,” Isla announced. “I’ll marry ye, if ye end this war.”
“Marry me? Oh no, dear. I have something far better planned for you,” The Earl grinned.
“Earl Edinburgh…” Laird Duggal tried to speak.
“Silence!” Earl Edinburgh shot him down as Isla shivered from the sudden sound.
“Guards!” Earl Edinburgh ordered, loudly.
Two guards appeared from the entrance behind her as if they were on standby. They moved to stand either side of her, each grabbing one arm to make sure she wouldn’t escape.
“I will make an example of you. The world will see what I do to those who defy me,” Earl Edinburgh shrieked, throwing a hard slap across Isla’s face.
“Earl Edinburgh…” Laird Duggal interjected, wanting to put an end to such behavior.
“Silence, leave!” Earl Edinburgh shouted as Laird Duggal shrank.
“Tie her to the center of the campsite! Tomorrow afternoon when the sun is at its highest, I will hang her,” Earl Edinburgh declared.
Isla didn’t pay any attention to what the Earl said and continued to simply look at her father. He gave an apologetic look before walking out of the tent. Isla knew then that she was on her own.
The guards dragged Isla out of the tent, without any protests from her. They threw her towards a group of soldiers sitting by the fire who laughed and tossed her around. A few minutes later one of the guards tied her to the pole in the center of the campsite. Isla had no escape. She lay on the floor quietly, not looking anywhere but at the ground. When the soldiers around her began disappearing, she allowed her head to lift.
Her eyes went directly to the moon, as the thought of it being her last night entered her mind. Surprisingly, there were no tears, nor were there any sad thoughts. A soft smile played on Isla’s lips as she enjoyed her last night with a sky full of stars.
* * *
Laird Duggal waited for the entire camp to go to sleep, before exiting his tent and checking his surroundings, making sure no one was there. He saw Isla on the floor, tied ruthlessly to a post, while men surrounded her from every side.
Laird Duggal’s resolve strengthened, and he began walking away from the campsite. He saw his horse tied away from the others in a more private space. Laird Duggal went to his horse and mounted it. He saw the castle wasn’t too far from him and began to ride toward the entrance.
* * *
Ewan felt the side next to him on the bed was empty and opened his eyes to check.
“Isla?” Ewan called out, anxiously.
He sat up straight when no reply came. Just then, there was a knock on the door and Ewan went to answer the door.
“Laird Duggal is here,” The guard announced, urgently.
Ewan suddenly felt. His mind was racing trying to figure out where Isla could be, but also pondering why Laird Duggal was here. Ewan walked down the staircase and headed toward the Great Hall. He saw both his parents were present, facing a very apologetic-looking Laird Duggal.
“What is going on here?” Ewan asked, “Where is Isla?”
Agatha was confused. “Is she not upstairs?”
“Nay,” Laird Duggal look forlorn. “She’s not here.”
“Where is she?” Ewan asked, fearfully.
“She gave herself to the Earl so that all of ye could be safe. Yet he doesn’t want to marry her anymore. He wants to make an example out of her,” Laird Duggal interrupted, remorsefully. “He wants to hang her.”
Agatha gasped as silence like a soft blanket fell over the room.
“Have ye no shame, Fergus? Yer own daughter!” Everyone was surprised to see it was Lady McDonald screaming at him.
“I have made a terrible mistake. I know,” Laird Duggal said, his heart heavy
“There is still time,” Jon offered his hand, “to call for a truce.”
“Ye will forgive me after everything?” Laird Duggal asked, surprised.
“Aye,” Ewan said, supporting his father.
“Let Duggal’s and McDonalds ride together, to save our princess,” Agatha stated, encouraging everyone.
Ewan felt determined to bring an end this war instantly and make Earl Edinburgh pay. The men headed outside to gather gear and armor, and head out to solve this matter at long last.
* * *
The McDonald army galloped towards the opposing campsite. The soldiers exited their tents and startled to hear the sounds and see their enemy approaching. Ewan led the army, alongside his father and Laird Duggal.
Ewan and his army entered the campsite, along with Laird Duggal. When the Duggal soldiers saw their Laird standing tall with Ewan, they scrambled to switch sides, to follow their leader. Ewan was out for revenge and blood. He hunted down each and every last soldier of the Earl’s battalion, not showing any mercy. Those who fought him saw the end of their life, and those that threw their arms, were taken captive.
He saw the Earl exiting the tent, looking eager to fight, which irritated Ewan further. The Earl quickly mounted his horse and aimed for Ewan who was now galloping toward him with his sword hoisted. Ewan pulled his horse away just in time, as he himself swung his sword and struck the Earl’s back.
The Earl howled in pain as the blade pierced his clothing and his skin, squirting blood from the cut. With a thud, he fell from his horse, onto the ground.
Ewan slipped off his own horse, tossed his sword into his other hand and walked toward the Earl. With his free hand, he grabbed the Earl’s by the collar and forced him up. He brought the Earl close to his own face, looked into his eyes, glared at his face and spat out his next words, “How dare ye hurt a Scottish man’s Princess?”
“Go to Hell,” Earl Edinburgh said, his eyes slowly closing from the pain.
Ewan threw him away, but not before striking him with his sword once again near his torso.
Ewan saw the Earl fall, as he raced through the many men battling to locate Isla. He searched in all the tents but found her nowhere.
He ran into Laird Duggal, now dueling with another soldier.
“I can’t find her!” Ewan told him, frenzied.
“She’s in the center,” Laird Duggal shouted.
Ewan turned to find a tall post in the center of the campsite that became the battlefield. He readied his sword as he ran towards the center, fighting off whoever dared to stop him. When he finally made it to the center, he saw Isla tied to the post, looking baffled by all the men fighting around her.
Her eyes fell onto Ewan and widened; spotting something scary behind him. He untied her and she tried to warn him, knowing she had been late in doing so.
“EWAN!” Isla screamed, “BEHIND YE!”
He turned and saw Earl Edinburgh behind him, swinging his sword to harm Ewan. Out of nowhere, Laird Duggal jumped in, pushed Ewan aside to take the attack for himself.
Ewan picked himself up and thrust his sword into the Earl’s chest, effectively ending his life.
He tossed the Earl aside and ran to Laird Duggal’s side as Isla joined them.
“Ye’ll be fine, papa,” Isla said, sobbing.
“I know, lass. It’s just a scratch,” Laird Duggal comforted her. “Perhaps a penance for what I did to ye.”
“Nay, Da,” Isla cried, feeling a bit sad.
“Forgive me and let me give ye me blessing,” Laird Duggal said, breathing heavily.
He took Isla’s hand and gently placed it into Ewan’s.
“She is yers to guard,” Laird Duggal declared.
Ewan turned to give Isla a dazzling smile as her tearful one grew and amplified. The lovers stood up, as Jon helped Laird Duggal onto his feet. Immediately, guards came forward to help the wounded Laird Duggal while the Earl’s army surrendered to the victors.
“Let’s go home,” Ewan whispered into Isla’s ear.
“Home is wherever ye are, Ewan,” Isla corrected him.
Kissing her forehead, Ewan vowed, “I love ye, me Princes.”
Isla stood in his arms, with no worries to be addressed. Ewan held her and would continue to hold her for as long as she wanted. They loved each other, and their love prevailed.
The End
About the Author
Lydia Kendall has always been passionate about medieval romance. Having travelled to the Scottish Highlands several times as a young girl, she has always been drawn to their unparalleled beauty and history. A history that inspired stories of love and passion, mixed with tradition in the most appealing way for every hopeless romantic - much like herself.
Born in Denver, Colorado, Lydia Kendall has a degree in English Literature and Creative Writing, and over the last decade she has been writing non-stop for several clients - that is until she decided to start publishing her own work. When she isn’t writing, Lydia loves spending her time on the beautiful outdoors with her loving husband and baby daughter.
Follow Lydia on this sensational journey of hot highlanders, bonny lassies and fierce passion...and find sheer pleasure in the magnificent world of the Scottish countryside - one that will sweep you off your feet and keep you begging for more!
Lydia Kendall, Falling for the Highlander
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Isla felt bittersweet whenever she thought of her father, wanting to forgive him, but she also wanted him to give up this cause of his. He was destroying old relations over new economic ones, which weren’t going to win him much power.
The British would only trick her father into thinking he had power, while the real power would remain with them. Ewan and his father knew this, but Isla’s father was too naïve and trusting of the British.
Isla reached the entrance to the tent. She took a long breath, holding it in before walking inside. She found the Earl sitting on a chair and looking at a glass of whiskey, while her father stood in the side, with his hands folded in front of him, like a servant waiting for his next command.
The moment she entered, both men looked up at her. She was surprised to see a look of fear in her father’s eyes when he saw her, while the Earl sported an evil smile. She walked further inside, holding her head high as she let the cloak fall.
“I am here as ye wished. Now end this war,” Isla announced. “I’ll marry ye, if ye end this war.”
“Marry me? Oh no, dear. I have something far better planned for you,” The Earl grinned.
“Earl Edinburgh…” Laird Duggal tried to speak.
“Silence!” Earl Edinburgh shot him down as Isla shivered from the sudden sound.
“Guards!” Earl Edinburgh ordered, loudly.
Two guards appeared from the entrance behind her as if they were on standby. They moved to stand either side of her, each grabbing one arm to make sure she wouldn’t escape.
“I will make an example of you. The world will see what I do to those who defy me,” Earl Edinburgh shrieked, throwing a hard slap across Isla’s face.
“Earl Edinburgh…” Laird Duggal interjected, wanting to put an end to such behavior.
“Silence, leave!” Earl Edinburgh shouted as Laird Duggal shrank.
“Tie her to the center of the campsite! Tomorrow afternoon when the sun is at its highest, I will hang her,” Earl Edinburgh declared.
Isla didn’t pay any attention to what the Earl said and continued to simply look at her father. He gave an apologetic look before walking out of the tent. Isla knew then that she was on her own.
The guards dragged Isla out of the tent, without any protests from her. They threw her towards a group of soldiers sitting by the fire who laughed and tossed her around. A few minutes later one of the guards tied her to the pole in the center of the campsite. Isla had no escape. She lay on the floor quietly, not looking anywhere but at the ground. When the soldiers around her began disappearing, she allowed her head to lift.
Her eyes went directly to the moon, as the thought of it being her last night entered her mind. Surprisingly, there were no tears, nor were there any sad thoughts. A soft smile played on Isla’s lips as she enjoyed her last night with a sky full of stars.
* * *
Laird Duggal waited for the entire camp to go to sleep, before exiting his tent and checking his surroundings, making sure no one was there. He saw Isla on the floor, tied ruthlessly to a post, while men surrounded her from every side.
Laird Duggal’s resolve strengthened, and he began walking away from the campsite. He saw his horse tied away from the others in a more private space. Laird Duggal went to his horse and mounted it. He saw the castle wasn’t too far from him and began to ride toward the entrance.
* * *
Ewan felt the side next to him on the bed was empty and opened his eyes to check.
“Isla?” Ewan called out, anxiously.
He sat up straight when no reply came. Just then, there was a knock on the door and Ewan went to answer the door.
“Laird Duggal is here,” The guard announced, urgently.
Ewan suddenly felt. His mind was racing trying to figure out where Isla could be, but also pondering why Laird Duggal was here. Ewan walked down the staircase and headed toward the Great Hall. He saw both his parents were present, facing a very apologetic-looking Laird Duggal.
“What is going on here?” Ewan asked, “Where is Isla?”
Agatha was confused. “Is she not upstairs?”
“Nay,” Laird Duggal look forlorn. “She’s not here.”
“Where is she?” Ewan asked, fearfully.
“She gave herself to the Earl so that all of ye could be safe. Yet he doesn’t want to marry her anymore. He wants to make an example out of her,” Laird Duggal interrupted, remorsefully. “He wants to hang her.”
Agatha gasped as silence like a soft blanket fell over the room.
“Have ye no shame, Fergus? Yer own daughter!” Everyone was surprised to see it was Lady McDonald screaming at him.
“I have made a terrible mistake. I know,” Laird Duggal said, his heart heavy
“There is still time,” Jon offered his hand, “to call for a truce.”
“Ye will forgive me after everything?” Laird Duggal asked, surprised.
“Aye,” Ewan said, supporting his father.
“Let Duggal’s and McDonalds ride together, to save our princess,” Agatha stated, encouraging everyone.
Ewan felt determined to bring an end this war instantly and make Earl Edinburgh pay. The men headed outside to gather gear and armor, and head out to solve this matter at long last.
* * *
The McDonald army galloped towards the opposing campsite. The soldiers exited their tents and startled to hear the sounds and see their enemy approaching. Ewan led the army, alongside his father and Laird Duggal.
Ewan and his army entered the campsite, along with Laird Duggal. When the Duggal soldiers saw their Laird standing tall with Ewan, they scrambled to switch sides, to follow their leader. Ewan was out for revenge and blood. He hunted down each and every last soldier of the Earl’s battalion, not showing any mercy. Those who fought him saw the end of their life, and those that threw their arms, were taken captive.
He saw the Earl exiting the tent, looking eager to fight, which irritated Ewan further. The Earl quickly mounted his horse and aimed for Ewan who was now galloping toward him with his sword hoisted. Ewan pulled his horse away just in time, as he himself swung his sword and struck the Earl’s back.
The Earl howled in pain as the blade pierced his clothing and his skin, squirting blood from the cut. With a thud, he fell from his horse, onto the ground.
Ewan slipped off his own horse, tossed his sword into his other hand and walked toward the Earl. With his free hand, he grabbed the Earl’s by the collar and forced him up. He brought the Earl close to his own face, looked into his eyes, glared at his face and spat out his next words, “How dare ye hurt a Scottish man’s Princess?”
“Go to Hell,” Earl Edinburgh said, his eyes slowly closing from the pain.
Ewan threw him away, but not before striking him with his sword once again near his torso.
Ewan saw the Earl fall, as he raced through the many men battling to locate Isla. He searched in all the tents but found her nowhere.
He ran into Laird Duggal, now dueling with another soldier.
“I can’t find her!” Ewan told him, frenzied.
“She’s in the center,” Laird Duggal shouted.
Ewan turned to find a tall post in the center of the campsite that became the battlefield. He readied his sword as he ran towards the center, fighting off whoever dared to stop him. When he finally made it to the center, he saw Isla tied to the post, looking baffled by all the men fighting around her.
Her eyes fell onto Ewan and widened; spotting something scary behind him. He untied her and she tried to warn him, knowing she had been late in doing so.
“EWAN!” Isla screamed, “BEHIND YE!”
He turned and saw Earl Edinburgh behind him, swinging his sword to harm Ewan. Out of nowhere, Laird Duggal jumped in, pushed Ewan aside to take the attack for himself.
Ewan picked himself up and thrust his sword into the Earl’s chest, effectively ending his life.
He tossed the Earl aside and ran to Laird Duggal’s side as Isla joined them.
“Ye’ll be fine, papa,” Isla said, sobbing.
“I know, lass. It’s just a scratch,” Laird Duggal comforted her. “Perhaps a penance for what I did to ye.”
“Nay, Da,” Isla cried, feeling a bit sad.
“Forgive me and let me give ye me blessing,” Laird Duggal said, breathing heavily.
He took Isla’s hand and gently placed it into Ewan’s.
“She is yers to guard,” Laird Duggal declared.
Ewan turned to give Isla a dazzling smile as her tearful one grew and amplified. The lovers stood up, as Jon helped Laird Duggal onto his feet. Immediately, guards came forward to help the wounded Laird Duggal while the Earl’s army surrendered to the victors.
“Let’s go home,” Ewan whispered into Isla’s ear.
“Home is wherever ye are, Ewan,” Isla corrected him.
Kissing her forehead, Ewan vowed, “I love ye, me Princes.”
Isla stood in his arms, with no worries to be addressed. Ewan held her and would continue to hold her for as long as she wanted. They loved each other, and their love prevailed.
The End
About the Author
Lydia Kendall has always been passionate about medieval romance. Having travelled to the Scottish Highlands several times as a young girl, she has always been drawn to their unparalleled beauty and history. A history that inspired stories of love and passion, mixed with tradition in the most appealing way for every hopeless romantic - much like herself.
Born in Denver, Colorado, Lydia Kendall has a degree in English Literature and Creative Writing, and over the last decade she has been writing non-stop for several clients - that is until she decided to start publishing her own work. When she isn’t writing, Lydia loves spending her time on the beautiful outdoors with her loving husband and baby daughter.
Follow Lydia on this sensational journey of hot highlanders, bonny lassies and fierce passion...and find sheer pleasure in the magnificent world of the Scottish countryside - one that will sweep you off your feet and keep you begging for more!
Lydia Kendall, Falling for the Highlander
