Azure Age: A Collection of Clean Historical Romance Short Stories

By Lucy Stanford

This collection of sweet historical romance will leave you wishing you had a time machine! No matter what the odds are, these stories prove that true love cannot be denied.

 

"The Highlander's Heart" tells the story of Leithe Àite Sithe, who returns home after five years to unexpectedly inherit the throne. In doing so, he must deal with a frosty and aloof Englishwoman, Eleanor, who can't seem to stand him. As Eleanor slowly warms up to Leithe, other difficulties get in the way of a happy life. Leithe is pursued by a woman who is determined to own him, and Eleanor has a dangerous secret.

 

Keaton Quinlan knows it's his destiny to be a knight. When he is young, Keaton is sent to the Earl of Lancaster to learn under the Earl's swordsman. There, he meets and befriends Rhoslyn Lancaster, who is strong and stubborn. She is as passionate as Keaton about learning to fight, and they become fast friends – and eventually fall in love. However, when Keaton goes to war, their love is truly tested. What would Keaton do "For the Heart of a Maiden"?

 

Ewan MacPhee and Claire MacClelland, both impulsive and strong-willed, share Forbidden Kisses in the Highland. Ewan becomes the chief of his clan after his father passes away in a hunting accident. Claire is betrothed to a man she hates and flees her own clan to avoid a marriage she doesn't want. Their love for one another is so powerful – and forbidden – it sparks a war between their clans.

 

Baroness Lavinia Whitfield is "A Baroness of Honor". She is the middle-aged daughter of the Earl of Whitfield, who perishes in the Napoleonic wars. Lavinia is married to the son of another Earl, George, who was wounded in the same war. However, when George and his father are killed in a hunting accident, the tragedy-ridden Lavinia is left alone again. She moves to London, hoping to find the love her parents had before it's too late. Read Lavinia's personal diaries and discover her journey to love towards a younger man.

 

In "A Highlander's Word", Isla MacGregor flees her cruel clan chief – who is also her father. However, she leads herself right into danger when she's attacked by bandits. Alistair Cameron, a handsome Scottish Highlander, rescues her from her assailants, and love blossoms. However, this proves even more dangerous, as their clans have always been mortal enemies. Can their love overcome generations of family hatred?

 

A collection of clean historical romance with themes of love among rivals all standalone and ending HEA. It consists of 1 Highlander Historical romance novel and 4 Clean Historical romance short stories or over 90k words of reading!

• Language: English
• Publisher: PN.Books
• Release date: Jun 7, 2020
• ISBN: 9781393015840

Book preview

Copyright © 2018 by Lucy Stanford (Editor)

All rights reserved. This book or any portion thereof may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever without the express written permission of the publisher except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

Some characters and events in this book are fictitious. Any similarity to real persons, living or dead, is coincidental and not intended by the author.

Thank you very much for reading this book.

Title Page

Title: Azure Age

Subtitle: A Collection of Clean Historical Romance Short Stories

Editor: Lucy Stanford

Table of Contents

Copyright

Title Page

The Highlanders Heart

For the Heart of a Maiden

Forbidden Kisses in the Highlands

A Baroness of Honor

A Highlander’s Word

The Highlanders Heart

Description

When Leith Àite Sìthe is summoned home after being away for five years, he does not expect to have to take the throne so quickly or to have to deal with the icy cold Eleanor. Nor does he expect to have someone after his blood.

Eleanor’s deep grey eyes are a telltale sign of her cool disposition. She finds herself shackled with highlander Leith who pushes each of her buttons without hiding his rakish-tendencies.

A roughish highlander and an English woman resistant to emotion do not make a very likely pair. It certainly does not help that Leith is steadily pursued by a woman desperate to own him. The two must find a way to tolerate each other and come to an understanding. But everything is more complicated than it seems and Eleanor holds a secret that is shocking and too dangerous to reveal. Leith must fight a battle against unseen forces and Eleanor must discover and protect this highlander’s heart.

Prologue

It was hot. It was always hot in these lands, Leith mused. It wasn’t like home. Thinking of home was something he has avoided doing for years, seven years to be exact. He had left home as a young man of twenty-five, eager to explore. In hindsight, he realized he had been running. He had been running from a lot of things he had been too young to handle. After all these years, he had matured. Age, however, hadn’t been what he needed, it had been the experience.

Leith lost his mother quite early in his life. He remembered being a young lad of 15 and wondering if his mam would ever kiss him goodnight again. She had suddenly taken ill in the summer of his fifteenth year and had never recovered. The whole clan had been thrown into mourning. Their chief had lost his wife and they had lost their clan mother. But as humans are bound to do, they forgot. It was a gradual process, Leith agreed, but it had been steady. They had learned to adjust to life without her and had moved on with their lives. But he hadn’t forgotten, he thought ruefully. What young boy forgot his mother, especially when his father had thrown himself into his duties as a clan chief with so much vigor that he had been left in the background?

However, that alone hadn’t made him run away. He ran away mainly because when he turned twenty-five, he felt the noose of the throne lowering dangerously to his neck and hadn’t felt he was ready to bear such a weight. And so when the opportunity for escape presented itself in the form of Egypt, Leith had been more than eager to leave.

He had left everyone and everything he had ever known and had journeyed down to the distant lands of Egypt where he set out to forget about Scotland and the highlands And he had been quite successful,

he mused. He had fought off every pang of longing and homesickness and forced himself to push on.

Yes, he had, until the messenger had come to the fields where he worked. There was a letter for him, the boy had said. The boy had not said who it was from but Leith knew it was from his father. No one else could have any need to write him a letter. As Leith walked up to the letter-room, he ran a list of reasons why his father could write to him and came up with no reason.

It did not matter anyway, he told himself. Like the letters before this one, he would read them and dispose of them without replying, things were better off that way.

Leith walked into the room and with a nod to the letter-man, he picked up his letter and walked out. He headed to the stables near the fields in which he worked because he knew he could be alone there.

With a resigned sigh, he ripped open the envelope. After seconds of reading, he cursed fluently. He had thought he had more time. The letter held the clan’s official seal and not his da’s. Well, well, well... Leith gave a half-smile to himself. ‘Tis time to return home.

He will be here soon. Her eyes shot open at the man's voice. She did not have to open her eyes to know who he was, but she did anyway. He will be here soon, woman. he repeated. For some reason, he has chosen ye for him. That matters nae. He will meet ye ready and willing. Or else... He let his words hang and walked out.

Oh, how she hated him. She hated every bone in his body and every hair on his flesh. She would be free one day. She would be able to escape and take that which mattered with her. With such thoughts, she rested her head back on her makeshift pillow. Soon, she promised herself, very soon.

Chapter 1

Leith walked into Àite Sìthe lands fighting off his emotions. Things were still the same here, he realized. The wee lassies and lads still played in the same places he had played as a child. The women still sold their wares in the same corners and the men were as hard at work as ever.

As much as he attempted to deny it, he was afraid. He would be seeing his da after seven long years. He had missed him, he finally agreed. He had missed Scotland, as a whole. But he was home, finally. He wondered if he had truly been selfish to leave his da all alone while he toured Egypt’s lands.

It didn’t matter, however, he told himself. He was home and he would make amends.

After pausing for the briefest of seconds, Leith stepped onto the castle grounds.

Who goes there?

Lei— He had started to give only his name but paused. These were the highlanders and things went differently. Leith Duncan Àite Sìthe of the Àite Sìthe Clan.

A guard’s head peeped from behind the gates before they opened.

Mi Lord. The guard’s bow was swift. We have been expecting you. Come.

Leith allowed himself to be led away towards what he knew to be the inner chambers."

Mi Lord. A woman’s high pitched exclamation sounded in the hallways and instantly, Leith knew who she was.

Mirabella. He hugged the plump cook with rosy cheeks.

Oh, Mi Lord, I didnae ken we would ever see yer face. She pinched his cheeks as though his and not hers were plump. So terrible that such a tragedy had to bring ye home. Ye have been missed Mi Lord.

What tragedy- Leith’s question was cut short by the deep baritone of another voice Leith recognized.

Mi Lord, after so many years. The man bowed deeply. Welcome home, Mi Lord.

Leith turned to face his father’s chief advisor and gave him a generous smile. Frazier, ‘Tis nice to see yer again. Does mi father ken I have arrived? he asked. The cook gave a gasp at his words.

Leith turned to stare at the woman and then at the faces of all present who had suddenly gone white. Frazier, where is my da? Leith asked.

Silence was the only response Leith got and it infuriated him. He disliked un-replied questions. Frazier, Leith repeated in a deathly cool voice, Where is my da?

Frazier turned to all the people present. Excuse us, please.

When the men and women had walked out, Frazier coughed and turned to Leith. Please come this way, Mi Lord.

Leith gave a dry laugh and followed him. I must warn ye that my patience grows very thin, Frazier.

Aye, Mi Lord.

Leith followed Frazier with multiple questions on his mind. Had his father refused to see him again? Had he disowned him? Was he no longer his heir/ Why wouldn't he want to see him?

Have a seat, MiLord, Frazier said as they stepped into the meeting room. He offered him the seat closest to the fireplace.

Leith lost his patience quickly. Frazier. He drew out the name like it had a bitter taste in his mouth. I have even littler patience than I had seven years ago. Where. Is. He.

He's dead, Mi Lord. Leith's eyes shot up to Frazier, who was looking everywhere but at him.

What? Leith’s voice was barely a whisper.

Our clan chief is dead, Mi Lord.

But that is not... When? Leith asked. When did he die?

A day after he sent the letter, Mi Lord. I am sorry.

Leith laughed quietly.  Suddenly the room seemed hotter than minutes before. How did he die?

In his sleep. We had him examined by the doctor, Peter, ye remember him?

Leith nodded his head but said nothing more.

I will leave ye alone while I prepare the meeting room for a meeting with all the advisors.

Once more, Leith nodded his head but said nothing. When the click of the door announced Frazier’s exit, Leith stood up. Like a man in a trance, he reached into his britches and pulled out his father’s letter.

Order ye to come back home. He read out. Of unequalled importance... The fate of Àite Sìthe... Expect you within... Leith crumpled the paper and threw it into the fireplace.

I should have left earlier, Leith told himself. He fought off the rational voice that reminded him that he had left the day after receiving the summons and that even though he had left the same day, it would would never had been soon enough.

Leith walked over to the wall and rested his forehead against it. He never should have left, he told himself. Leith threw his fists against the walls repeatedly, trying to feel pain anywhere except his heart where it hurt the most.

The knock on the door interrupted his punches. Mi Lord, the meeting commences soon. Can ye find yer way to the meeting room?

Aye, I can Frazier. Leith heard his footsteps as he walked away.

Leith walked into the meeting room like he had not a care in the world. He nodded at the greetings received on his way and even in the hall before taking his seat at the head of the table.

Welcome, Mi Lord. Frazier started, ignoring his bleeding fists. We called this meeting because there are things ye ought to ken. He paused. As ye ken already, ye are the Tainistear, the heir, and ye must begin yer duties soon enough. He looked at Leith who remained impassive. With yer approval, we will schedule yer coronation service three days from now.

Why three? Leith interrupted.

Well... Frazier coughed. To give you time to adjust to being home from all those years in Egypt. You see, there are certain aspects we are yet to touch...

Once more, Leith interrupted him. Frazier... Leith reached for an apple on the table and bit into it. Yer concern is generous, but I will be fine. The coronation holds on the morrow. That will be enough time, nay?

Aye, Frazier said with a hint of doubt. Ye should also ken that it was decided by yer father that ye will be wed on that same day.

Leith arched his eyebrow. As ye can see, Frazier, I came off that ship alone, I have no betrothed that I can wed at such short notice. That will have to wait.

Well, ye see... One of the other advisors stood. He was a beady-eyed and stocky man. Ye see, the Chief already had a woman picked out for ye.

When did this happen? Leith asked, apple forgotten.

She was captured three months ago-

Captured? I will wed no unwilling maiden.

She is nae- The stocky man started to say but was cut short by Frazier.

Originally, she was captured but the chief released from her slavery the moment he saw her. She is free and nae a slave. Some weeks ago, for reasons known only to the Chief, he asked her to sign a betrothal agreement which she readily did.

The woman has never lain her eyes on me. How could she want to- Leith paused. Surely this is revocable, Frazier, did he..?

Aye. Frazier nodded solemnly.

Leith cursed fluently. His father had signed the contract with the clan’s seal. Breaking it was unheard of.

Very well. Leith nodded. We shall be wed. Aught else?

The advisors looked at each other before Frazier responded with a shake of his head. Nay, that is all.

If that be the case, men, till the coronation tomorrow. The advisors stood and the meeting was annulled.

Have my private chambers been prepared?

Nay. As Tainistear and soon to be chief, ye are to inhabit yer father’s quarters. Frazier led him to the inner chambers. Ye will find that the chamber has been made ready for ye. He looked down at Leith’s hands. I will send a chamber maid with a cool rag for yer fists. He turned to go. When he got to the exit, he turned back. Mi Lord?"

Aye? Leith replied.

‘Tis a good thing yer home.

Chapter 2

Leith ran the sharp razor over his overgrown beard. Like the ones on his head, they were pitch black and shone from wetness. He had refused to let his father's valet tend to his dressing, preferring to groom  himself the way he had back in Egypt. He remembered how the first few weeks had been after he had arrived there. By choice, he had gone without servants to tend to him. He had always been a little bit muscular, but years of working in the fields and with animals changed all that. The muscles on his arms were now larger and intimidating. He supposed that he resembled a soldier more than the son of a chief.

Leith took off his shirt and stepped into the tub of warm water prepared by the same chambermaid who had brought him a dishcloth the previous day. If anyone had been with him, they would have watched as his beautiful back muscles flexed with the action.

He felt the slight sting on his fists as he settled into the water. Moments later, he was done and dressed himself up in the coronation clothes he had been given.

Leith met a decorated guard waiting outside his room. Mi Lord. He bowed low. I have been ordered to escort ye.

Very well. Leith nodded.

The music flitted to Leith’s ears as he walked towards the courtyard where the celebrations were being held. He would rather just have had the crown placed on his head while in the privacy of his chambers but he understood the symbolic meaning. The people needed a Chief and it was his destiny to be it.

The guard led him to one of a two decorated chairs. Leith sat down and observed the women who were now dancing. It had been years since he had seen a festival like this. The women’s dancing had him occupied until he noticed Frazier leading a woman towards him.

Bloody hell... he swore. She was so thin and slender, he first noticed but that bosom, it would be better suited on women double her size. Her figure was so easy to see through the dress she wore. It was made of light but rich silk that stuck to her curves, everyone could see them. He instantly felt pangs of jealousy slice through him. Leith noticed her hair next. The delicious-looking honey-colored strands had been piled on her head and held in place with a pin. She had woven some flowers that seemed to be lilies into her hair. He wondered what it would feel like to take out those pins from her hair. She looked like a goddess, he decided.

Briefly, their eyes met but she looked away quite quickly. Frazier led the woman to the decorated seat beside him and dropped a bow before turning back.

The woman sat quietly, seemingly immersed in the festivities until Leith could take it no more and turned to her. What’s yer name?

The woman turned to him and said Eleanor, My Lord. Eleanor.

The chit was English! Leith realized. What on earth had his father been thinking? What had he done?

The coronation and joining ceremonies went by in a haze for Leith. He was absolutely absorbed in the woman by his side. She just seemed to watch the festivities and do nothing more. During the celebratory meal, Leith observed her as he ate. She didn’t say a word to anybody who did not speak to her. When it was time for the ceremony to come to an end, Leith was shocked that the time had gone by so fast.

Wife, He called to her, we should leave now. Her response to him was a simple nod.  He led his new bride to the outer chambers first and then to her chambers. Leith knew she would like to wash after spending hours in the sun. When he left her there, he decided, he would go back into his chamber to have a wash himself.

Yer maids have filled the tub. He suddenly felt too big looking at the tiny woman and when she gave him another one of her nods, he walked out.

Eleanor let out a sigh on being left alone. He was so big with all that muscle, she noted. If he had courted her years ago, she would have felt on top of the world. He was truly a handsome man. But all of it didn’t matter; nothing did except James.

She took off her dress which Frazier had given to her. She liked it; it reminded her of something she and Annette would have worn to a ball back in England. Walking tentatively into the bathroom, she stepped into the tub and felt the gloriously warm water all over her body. The Highlander was handsome, she agreed, but that was little of her concern. When she was done washing her body, Eleanor stepped out of the tub. She shrugged into one of her petticoats just before he came in.

Eleanor. It was the first time he had said her name.

My Lord.

I am yer husband now, ye  need nae address me so formally.

Alright. Eleanor cast her eyes towards the windows which let in the cool evening breeze. The day was already darkening and the noise had reduced.

Where do ye come from? Leith took a seat at the end of the bed. Frazier has told me very little. Leith for the first time was able to get a glimpse of her eyes. They were grey colored and seemed cold.

From England, My Lord.

Leith

From England, Leith.

Leith felt his patience drain out. Hadn’t Frazier said she wanted to marry him? He had never wanted a dull wife, and dull she was.

Eleanor stole a look at the highlander’s face. He had sat away from her and that was good. She noticed a vein on the right side of his neck tick. Even better, she smiled to herself, I exasperate him.

Did ye enjoy the ceremony? He almost smacked himself for asking such a daft question.

Yes, Leith.

That was enough for Leith. He could not stand being ignored and as far as he was concerned, she was ignoring him.

I bid ye goodnight. He stood up to walk out not expecting any response which was lucky, for he got none.

Eleanor crawled into the warm covers of the bed. She had not expected him to be tall. He had the physique and stature of a warrior.

She glanced around. This room was much better than the one in which she had been sleeping previously. She planned to have a goodnight’s rest.

Leith entered into his chambers and slammed the door. Of all the women in the world! He bit out. Why in the blazes did he pick her? She would not speak to him, she would not look at him. Then why had she agreed to marry him? It was probably for his title, Leith decided. But with beauty like that, she could have married highly ranked men in England. He had never wanted a boring wife. How was a man supposed to be faithful with a boring wife? Of what use was her glorious body if every inch of it could not care less about him?

With a shake of his head, he got into his bed. Mayhap the lass is shy.  That it was it, , he told himself, she was just shy. He knew how to woo the ladies, he smiled. His bed had not lacked them in Egypt. Besides, he asked himself, what man did nae like a challenge? Tomorrow, he decided, he would speak some more to her. Womenfolk loved him.

Chapter 3

Leith walked to the dining room the next morning. Before setting out to break his fast, he had requested a chambermaid for a small task. He had the perfect way to sweeten up his new wife. He had the chambermaid retrieve a particular item from where it was stored.

He would be meeting with Frazier today; the clan did not run itself.

Eleanor was already seated at the table when he got to the dining room.

Good morn, My Lord. She greeted him. barely sparing him a glance.

Good morn, Mi Lady. Leith walked to the table where the cook had set out a buffet for breakfast. He took his seat and proceeded to fill a plate for Eleanor. After he was done, he set a plate for himself and then passed Eleanor’s to her. He took a few bites and stopped to look up at Eleanor who was filling out another plate for herself.

I filled a plate for yer. Leith pointed a fork at the plate.

Thank you, my Lord. In the future, save yourself the bother.

Ye can nae- Leith bit back what he had wanted to say. I see. Ye are right, I should have sought yer permission. Eat up, Eleanor.

Eleanor looked up at him sharply. How could he have taken her harsh words so calmly? Was he playing with her? She stood up. I regret that I have no stomach for food this morn, My Lord. If you would excuse me.

Hold. Leith wiped his mouth with a napkin. For the first time all day, he stared at her. Well, Mi Lady. Ye look exceptionally exquisite this morn. Pray, give me a moment. Leith produced a small ring from his breeches. It was mi ma’s. Mi da had it made for her six days after they met. He gave her a dashing smile.

Eleanor stared at the ring in shock. He wanted her to have a ring? His mother’s ring? She looked up to his face and met his eyes. Leith gave her another smile and a wink. Your finger, Mi Lady?

Perhaps you should keep it, sir Eleanor gave him a stiff smile. As you pointed out, this ring was given years ago as a symbol of love. Do not devalue it by giving it to me. Good day, My Lord.

Leith stared in shock as she flounced out. The little minx! He stood up as followed her right into her chambers.

Eleanor heard the knock at the door but ignored it until it came again twice as loud.

My Lord? She said upon opening the door.

Leith kissed her on her lips as he had imagined doing since he saw her. He held her close as if she would melt away if he left her. He expected her to slap him, to bite him, or, if the heavens were on his side, to kiss him back. He did not expect her just to stay. She did not even stiffen, she just let him kiss her. Leith imagined he would get more reaction from a rock.

Leith stepped away from her feeling at loss for what to do.

Your conjugal rights are yours to perform, My Lord. I have no power to deny you that, but in the future endeavor to shut the door first.

She was daring him, Leith realized. With a glance at his mother’s ring in his hands, he shook his head and walked away. He had never bedded an unwilling woman and he wouldn’t start now.

Eleanor closed the door feeling lower than she had in a while. Oh, Eleanor.  She hit her head lightly against the door. She had been too short with him. But she could not blame herself. She had to be. He was a Highlander anyway, and with the way he looked, he would not lack women to warm his bed. It was safer that way.

HE IS BEHIND IN THE payments for his land. We served him a notices some weeks before. He has just today left to pay his rents,  or... The man trailed off as he informed Leith. Leith was holding a meeting with Collin, whom Frazier told him was in charge of collecting rents.

Why is he behind? Leith asked.

He has three wee lads who took ill in the previous winter. It affected his rent money, Mi Lord.

If we turn him out, where would the lads live?

Well- The man started but was cut short by Leith this time.

On the streets, that's where! ‘Tis my duty to ensure that every man living in Àite Sìthe is well cared for. Have him come to see me on the morrow, we will work a deal out.

Yes, Mi Lord. The man took out a handkerchief to wipe his now-sweaty neck. But, Mi Lord, Frazier has given orders for him to be evicted today.

Cancel them, Colin. Cancel them.

Very well sir.

Leith watched the man leave and shook his head. He did not like the look of him. With one last glance at the door, Leith prepared to leave. It was time to go back to his ice queen of a wife.

Leith stepped into the outer chambers feeling quite pleased with himself, what lass did nae like flowers? He had never understood why the womenfolk were so enamored by such plants. What was even more exasperating was that their love for nature did not extend to all plants. A woman would blush over some flowers but a man would be a fool to expect the same reaction over some leaves that came from the same plant. Heavens forbid he presented a caterpillar either. It was a phenomenon he did not understand or even care to. He would just be grateful that there was something his new wife was sure to like.

Eleanor opened up the door soon after she heard the knocks.

Where is yer maid? Leith asked looking around the room.

I have no need of one. The last one had little understanding of the differences between a Scottish woman and an English one. I would much rather not be reminded of how many more pounds I need every morn.

She does nae ken much, I dare say.

Pardon?

The maid. She does nae ken much. Ye do nae need to add any weight, Mi lady. Ye are simply beautiful.

Thank you sir. How often do you practice saying that? You seem quite the professional.

Leith gave a laugh. I do nae need to lie to a woman to make her willing to come to mi bed. ‘Tis unnecessary and false. When Eleanor said nothing in reply, Leith hastily presented the flowers to her. A beautiful bunch of flowers, for a beautiful lass. Leith added a small bow for effect.

Eleanor gave Leith a cold smile. You should know that I am perfectly allergic to most flowers, especially those. She pointed at the lilies he had offered her.

If she had expected an enraged or infuriated response, she was mistaken. Leith leaned on her door frame and gave a deep laugh.

Pray tell, what amuses you so, My Lord?

Ye had these same flowers in yer hair when we were married, Mi Lady. He passed the flowers from his right hand to his left as though observing them.

You must be mistaken, My Lord. How had the insufferable man noticed? Eleanor however, held a nonchalant expression as though he were truly mistaken. 

Nay, Eleanor. He drew her name out.

Eleanor hated the way he said her name. He seemed to caress every syllable as he spoke. As if that were not enough, he smiled broadly at her.

Would Mi Lady care to know what I have just discovered? Leith asked, still grinning.

Not really, no. Eleanor portrayed her best ‘bored’ look.

Ye fear me. Leith smirked roguishly at her.

Eleanor gave a dry laugh. You are sorely mistaken my Lord. I fear a lot of people. I do not fear y-.

Without warning, Leith took a step closer to her. He took her face in his right hand and softly caressed her jaw. She felt his rough hands; the hands of a warrior. She wondered what he had done to keep so fit