Lady in Sapphire: Secrets of the Zodiac

By Elizabeth Cole

When a Scottish lord finds an enchanting stowaway in his stolen cargo, he decides to keep her…

After failing to find a suitable wife, Lord Ian MacLachlan turns his attention to restoring his crumbling estate in the wild, remote Scottish Highlands. When his less scrupulous brothers rove the countryside, they bring back an unexpected prize: a beautiful woman wearing a priceless sapphire. The honorable Ian apologizes for the mistake and offers to return her home.

Home is the last place Miranda Worth wants to be. It took all her courage to run away from her intolerable situation, and she believes a lie is her only defense…even though Ian's eyes make her want to tell him everything. But if she waits too long for the truth, she may lose everything she loves.

Lady in Sapphire is a stand-alone novella set in the Secrets of the Zodiac world.

• Language: English
• Publisher: SkySpark Books
• Release date: Nov 30, 2015
• ISBN: 9781942316145

Book preview

Lady in Sapphire

Elizabeth Cole

After failing to find a suitable wife, Lord Ian MacLachlan turns his attention to restoring his crumbling estate in the wild, remote Scottish Highlands. When his less scrupulous brothers rove the countryside, they bring back an unexpected prize: a beautiful woman wearing a priceless sapphire. The honorable Ian apologizes for the mistake and offers to return her home.

Home is the last place Miranda Worth wants to be. It took all her courage to run away from her intolerable situation, and she believes a lie is her only defense…even though Ian’s eyes make her want to tell him everything. But if she waits too long for the truth, she may lose everything she loves.

NOTE: This book continues the story of characters from The Lady Dauntless. If you are interested in their origins or continuity, please consider reading the former before embarking on Lady in Sapphire.

SkySpark Books

Copyright © 2015

Cover design by James T. Egan, www.bookflydesign.com.

Edited by Amanda Valentine, ayvalentine.com.

Wallflowers of Wildwood by Elizabeth Cole

Get WALLFLOWERS OF WILDWOOD at elizabethcole.co/wallflowers-of-wildwood

Also by Elizabeth Cole

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A Heartless Design

A Reckless Soul

A Shameless Angel

The Lady Dauntless

Beneath Sleepless Stars

Swordcross Knights

Honor & Roses

Regency Rhapsody Novellas

Regency Rhapsody – The Complete Collection

Lady in Sapphire

Spring, Highlands of Scotland, 1811

The night wind was cold and strong enough to make most men stay inside. But Ian MacLachlan was not most men. He stubbornly waited outside, his eyes searching the darkened landscape until his brothers returned.

It had to be William’s fault. He was going to crucify William.

Ian’s vantage point was the tower of a castle, which sat at the heart of the MacLachlan lands. His lands. As baron, Ian was doing everything he could to hold those lands together, to provide for his family and his clan. He had plans to improve the flocks and the grazing, and to start a distillery. But it might not be enough.

Still, he did not give permission to his brothers to lead a group of men roving. He didn’t like it. But he could only stand and wait.

He knew exactly what his younger brother William would say when they returned. In tough times, only tough men survived. True, the theft of a few sheep or cattle from those better off was perhaps less of a sin than allowing his own people to starve. And really, the more pragmatic side of him argued, anyone fool enough to let their goods fall into the hands of the MacLachlan rovers didn’t deserve what they had in the first place.

But that didn’t mean it was right. And it didn’t forgive William and the others for sneaking off. Ian paced, anxiously searching for signs of the rovers. Now all he wanted was the safe return of his family.

The night grew colder. The moon had set long ago, leaving the whole world dark except for starlight. The great hall would still be warm, he thought, pulling his coat more tightly about him, and then the woolen blanket he wore over it more tightly still. It must be nearly dawn. It was time for them to come home.

He heard the sounds before he could see a thing. The faint jingle of a harness, the bleating of some animal. Ian took a deep breath.

Thank God, he said. Then he headed for the stairs, taking them as fast as he could go.

He saw them just as they passed through the gate, a small party of triumphant but tired men riding equally tired horses. They were leading several sheep and even a cart.

What the hell did you think you were doing? he yelled at William, who was in the lead. Did you honestly think I wouldn’t notice? Or care? Damn it, William, you’ve got no sense. Roving is wrong, and it’s dangerous, and you’re an idiot.

You’re not even going to inquire after our health? William asked, not ashamed at all.

Is everyone in one piece?

William nodded. Aye. We had no trouble at all.

Very quiet tonight, said Jack, the next oldest. He rarely spoke, and indeed was already getting the horses to move to the stable. He preferred actions to words.

Didn’t even have to pull a knife out, Jamie added. Bit boring, really.

Well, that’s a relief, said Ian. Then, unable to contain his curiosity, he asked, So what’s the haul?

Over half a dozen sheep, William said proudly, pointing to the best prize of the night. We saw a couple cows too, but Jamie thought them too old.

And too slow, the other brother confirmed. Though the youngest by five years, Jamie was a sharp, methodical thinker. The sheep alone made the raid worth it.

And the cart? Ian asked, eying it.

Bit of luck, said William, pleased with himself. We were already on our way back, and there it was at the crossroads. No sign of a driver, so we, you know, just took it along, nag and all.

Ian put a hand on the cart horse, speaking to it soothingly. He took a moment to unhitch the horse and pull off the bridle. 

Long day for you, girl, he said softly. You’ll soon be in a warm stable. Then he looked back at his brothers. Not in bad condition. We can use this one in the fields. And the cart looks sturdy enough. Good work.

No work at all! William said cheerfully. But first let’s see if there’s anything interesting in the cart. He walked to the back of the cart, which was covered with a heavy canvas tarp to keep out the rain and the muck.

Probably not, said Jamie, who had grabbed one of the lit lanterns from the gatehouse. We didn’t dare take a peek, in case the driver returned, but if it was anything of value, no one would have left it.

One way to find out. Take a corner, Jamie. 

The two brothers each seized a corner and yanked the tarp away.

Not too shabby! Looks like some firewood, a barrel of whisky and some crates, and…oh. William’s voice came out oddly.

What is it? Ian asked, not able to see the contents from his angle.

You’d best come over here, MacLachlan, Jamie said. His former smile was gone.

Ian took a breath. When his brothers addressed him that way, it never boded well. He handed the horse to a sleepy stable boy, then joined his brothers. Jamie held the lantern up higher, illuminating the stolen goods.

Ian took one look inside the cart, and knew it was worse than he dreamed.

She was little, and littler still all hunched up in the cart. But she wasn’t a girl. This was a full-grown woman, perhaps nineteen or twenty years old. Ian had a quick impression of a tangle of straw colored hair under a scarf tied around her head. The cloak was tattered, as was the visible part of the gown underneath. But most of all, he was caught by a pair of light blue eyes, meeting his gaze with a mix of fear and defiance.

He took a