The Highlander's High-Stakes Bride: Brides of the Highlands, #2

By Fiona Grant

Gareth and Brodie Hay have a not-so-shiny reputation in the highlands: brothers born just a twelvemonth apart, they are famous for their carousing in the local tavern: sampling the ale, teasing the wenches, and remaining unbeaten in games of chance.

But when their mother Anna Hay becomes seriously ill, their father insists that one of them must take a wife to help run the keep and tend to his precious Anna. Neither wants to give up their free and easy lifestyle—so they decide to let a throw of the dice determine who will be the unfortunate groom. But then, who will he marry?

The loser of the bet must choose from three young lasses presented by their eager families: Blair Menzies, Flora Forbes and Ailis Mackenzie.

Blair looks singularly unimpressed by both lads, but seems capable of looking after their mother. Flora is a charming flirt that promises any man a lively time—but can she run a keep? And Ailis, with her regal bearing and cool exterior, could handle any crisis…but will she be a willing partner in the marriage bed?

The ever-inventive Hay brothers come up with a solution that lands them in more hot water than they ever expected.

The lass who is chosen soon lets them know she is not one to meekly accept the role of a passive highlands wife, and leads her new husband a merry dance before summer returns to the Hay Keep!

• Language: English
• Publisher: Blue Gem Publishing
• Release date: Apr 2, 2018
• ISBN: 9781922772121

Book preview

Prologue

First light was not far away, and as always in the darkest hour, the highland air grew more frigid. Travellers unlucky enough to be spending the night sleeping on hard, cold ground tugged their furs more tightly around them and moved closer together for warmth while their horses lifted their heads and gazed around uneasily. In castles and cottages across the land, hounds whimpered in their sleep, and cats stared into shadowed corners, eyes glowing, tails twitching. 

The veil between the seen and unseen was thin this night, and twas not only animals that sensed it. Those humans who were sensitive to the unseen world emerged from sleep with a start, eyes wide, knowing deep down that change was afoot. 

In the Menzies keep, a stiff highland breeze pushed at the skins that covered the window of a small bedchamber and sent Blair Menzies scooting deeper under the covers. Dreaming of a shadowy male that held her in his arms, she resisted the insistent force tugging at her, whispering that she should wake and listen. In this lovely wee world of her own making, she was far away, and had no desire to return to reality. 

A ginger cat leapt up onto her bed and, with a purr, butted its soft head against her face. 

And poof, just like that, the dream was gone. 

Blair snapped awake and frowned, sucking in a deep breath as she rolled onto her back to greet the animal. He purred again, and she could not stay annoyed. 

Well, hello there, Laird Mouser. Were you lonely, down in the kitchens? She sighed and tugged the covers higher, almost covering the cat. Pray tell, why would ye wake me up from such a lovely dream? 

The cat meowed and butted her with its ginger head once more. 

Aye, ye want some love, I see. Well, I had some of that in my dream. Blair tried to recall the warmth of her dream lover’s embrace but could not. She could not even recall his face, which was odd, for someone who had somehow captured her heart. 

She sighed. Or twas something which felt very like love, though I cannot tell you just why that is. Do you know, Laird Mouser, I have had this same dream many nights now? But tonight… tonight it was verra insistent. She massaged the cat’s head. I do not know what it means. I am alone, dancing about in a grand hall. There is music and mead, and I swear, hiding in the shadows, just out of my reach, is a lad I feel I very much desire to meet. I do not know why he hides from me or what he wants. But I feel very much that I will know what this dream means soon enough. What say you? 

The cat purred and curled up against her side. 

Something is about to change, wee Laird. And the dancing… dance signifies movement, change… I am not normally one to believe in dreams, Mouser, but, deep in my gut, it feels very much as if something is coming my way. 

The cat had no more response but to mew once more. The lass stared at the window and shook her head. 

Something. Something was afoot. 

She gave up trying to make sense of her dreams and rolled over, wrapping her body around the cat. In another moment, she was once again asleep. 

Chapter 1

The Good Life

"Y ou are scoundrels! The both of you!" Robert Fraser scowled and pounded his huge fist on the table. A splinter flew up into the thick air of the tavern.

Now, Robert, what makes a fine Laird like you want to say such cruel things about my brother and me? Brodie Hay swept a lock of his bright auburn hair off his forehead with a nonchalant swish of his hand and smiled at his brother, Gareth.

Their accuser fumed at them from across the rickety wooden table. Tis not possible to win as much as ye do. Yer both cheats! I know it. He glared at them. And never fear, I shall prove it one of these days.

Robert, Gareth drawled. He placed a firm hand down on the table and leaned forward to look the man in the eye. You know as well as Brodie and I that tis impossible to cheat at Hazard. Tis a game of chance!

Aye, Robert growled. And tis beyond strange how oft chance favours the Hay brothers!

I have no better answer for you, Robert. It must just be that God and His angels above have a particular fondness for my brother and me. Gareth shrugged his shoulders and flashed Robert his best roguish smile while his brother reached out and swiped the dice from the table. This move was well-practised and had not failed them yet. One of them distracted the disgruntled loser, while the other swept the evidence, the weighted dice, from the table and swapped them with a clean set that looked identical in every way.

The trick was, both brothers knew, not to use the dice every time. Otherwise, suspicions would surely be aroused.

Robert leaned back in his seat, crossing arms as thick as small trees over his chest, eyeing the brothers through lowered lids. I dinna trust you two. I am not sure just how you do it yet. But you wait, I shall figure out your scheme.

Gareth held out his hand invitingly, with the clean dice balanced on his palm. Robert, Robert. My feelings are hurt. Just one more game?

In answer, Robert just glowered and took a swig of his ale before slamming the empty tankard down on the wooden table.

Gareth shrugged and tipped the dice onto the table, feigning indifference. If any of Robert’s friends who were watching got any ideas about testing the dice, they’d find nothing.

Nay? How about we buy you another round of ale to make up for the loss?" Brodie smiled. The brothers turned their matching sets of blue-grey eyes on the man, waiting, expectantly for his answer.

Och! Robert laughed and hit the table with the flat of his hand. I canna stay angry with two lads who buy me an ale. He turned and called to a lass industriously wiping down a table. Maisie! Be a sweet lass and bring me another ale! Gareth and Brodie have paid for this round.

Aye, Laird Robert. The wee lass, in the first blush of womanhood, nodded her pale head and started to turn away.

One for my brother as well, lassie! Brodie called after her. And myself! He watched her go and turned to whisper to Gareth, Do you think she heard me?

Gareth could not help but laugh, amused at the light in his brother’s eye. Brodie was ever after the lasses. Aye, brother. I think you terrified her. Did you see how she jumped when you called out to her?

Ah, no. Brodie looked genuinely surprised. Not wee Maisie. She knows me too well.

They had been coming to this tavern for many years now, long enough to have known Maisie when she was nothing more than a brand new bairn. Though she had grown up under her mother’s skirts, and therefore about the tavern, she was new to working the floor by herself. The shock of her new public position, combined with the bee sting breasts that were starting to pop from under her chemise, seemed to have overwhelmed the poor lass.

Brodie’s fears were assuaged when, a few moments later, Maisie returned, three full tankards of ale clutched precariously to her bosom.

Thank you, lassie, Brodie said with a wink as he took one of the tankards out of her grasp. The poor girl flushed bright red and scurried away before any of the men could speak further to her, an action which elicited raucous laughter from the three men about the table.

So, while you two scamps are here, where’s your brother? Robert raised an eyebrow along with his ale.

Keith is away, fighting for our Honorable King Alexander. Gareth took a long draw of his ale. He did not like to be reminded of his responsible older brother or the wars out on the front. Sometimes, he thought he should be out there. Such thoughts were recurring more often these days, along with a twist of guilt. But he would never admit that to Brodie.

Brodie caught his eye. We have better things to occupy our time, Robert. Such as this bonnie lass right here! He reached out a quick arm and wrapped it about one of the barmaids who slipped about the tavern on swaying hips. How are you today, lassie? Without waiting for her answer, Brodie pressed his mouth to hers in a teasing kiss.

She squealed and pushed him away. Brodie Hay! When will you learn to keep your hands to yourself?

When you stop being so pretty, sweet Kirstie. He winked and kissed her hand before letting her escape.

If you were not so charming, Brodie Hay, I should slap you for that comment. I hope you are being kind to my sister? Tis wee Maisie’s first week working.

Aye, Lady Kirstie! Brodie has only scared poor wee Maisie a little, though I assure you, he meant no harm. He cannot help that his face is monstrous! Gareth laughed and took a