The Highlander's Canny Lass: Highland Heroes, #2

By Fiona Grant

Mairead Hay is excited when her parents break the news that it is, at last, time to put her training as a spy into practice. She is not so sure, however, that her partner is to be a young man assigned to learn more from her father.

"A man I dinna know?" she says. "How can I be partners with such a person?" Her father had brought home many such young men before, men who had dreams of being a hero and ears too proud to listen to a lass…

But Tam Mackenzie is neither a callow youth nor too proud to recognize Mairead for the skilled spy she has become. Having already proven himself in service to the King, he has no need to strut like a peacock in front of a lass—even one that instantly captures his heart like this one.

Mairead, her father and Tam set off for the Buchanan Keep to find out why it has been so easy for English prisoners to escape while in Ailbert Buchanan's care. Is he truly loyal to the King, or is there treachery afoot?

They have scarcely set foot in the Keep before trouble breaks out yet again. Mairead finds herself a captive, with only her wits and training to get her out of trouble… and a new partner who vows that he will protect her at all costs.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Blue Gem Publishing
• Release date: Jul 30, 2018
• ISBN: 9781922772220

Book preview

Chapter 1

Back Home

T is a sight for sore eyes, is it not, Colby? Mairead Hay reached down to pat her garron on his sleek, grey neck. The horse stamped his foot in reply, sending up a splash of mud up under his belly. Mairead paid him no mind. The horse could not know, after all, how her heart flew at the sight of her parents’ keep. 

She looked down the hill to where the castle sat, nestled in a curve of the River Tay, almost entirely surrounded on three sides by slow-flowing water. Behind it, more hills rose, and somewhere to the east, Mairead knew, rolled the salty waves of the sea. If she closed her eyes, she could almost hear them now. Twas a sweet home, given to the Hay family in thanks for their loyal service to the king and country. Mairead wished it could have been the home she grew up in, but as it was, it was a nice enough place to visit now that her parents had finally settled down and she no longer had to rely on her aunt Crissa’s hospitality for a home. 

Are ye ready, M’Lady? her manservant, Calum, asked, breaking her out of her reverie. 

Mairead looked to the man, who sat impatiently on his own fat pony. No doubt his backside was aching, and he was surely in need of a cup of ale. Calum was not an adventurer like the lass he had been charged with safekeeping. 

Mairead smiled. Aye. Let us go, shall we? Before that storm on the horizon sweeps in. 

They made it to the keep just before the rain. Mairead, her heart swelling at the thought of seeing her parents, smiled as she reached the courtyard, tilting her face up to catch the cool droplets. She had always loved a good storm, and today was no exception. Lost as she was in her pleasure, she forgot about poor shivering Calum until a well-timed cough brought her back to earth. 

She opened her eyes to see her mother standing in the yard, a bairn on her hip and a laugh on her lips. Daughter of mine, will ye stop gazing at the rain long enough to let this poor man help ye down? I dare say he would like some hot soup and a dry seat inside. 

Mother! Mairead exclaimed. Then, realizing what Owena had just said, she looked down to the patient man who stood waiting for her, manners dictating that he did not move until his mistress had set foot on the ground. My apologies, Calum, she whispered hurriedly and leapt off her horse. He mumbled something about the weather and tromped off, Colby in tow. 

Mother, Mairead said once more, moving toward the vibrant woman who stood in the doorway. She had aged since Mairead had seen her last. Her flaming red hair was now tinged with streaks of grey, and yet, there could be no doubt that Owena Hay was one of the loveliest—and fiercest—women Mairead had ever known. With the child balanced on her hip, she only looked more powerful, not less. Mairead kissed her mother on the cheek, and the bairn on the head, before following them inside to the shelter of a solar room and a warm fire. 

How does my dear sister Crissa handle my niece? Owena asked once they had seated themselves and exchanged a proper greeting. I have heard Anne takes more after me than my twin. If that is true, she would be a sore trial to her mother! She looked up at Mairead, a twinkle in her blue eyes. 

Mairead laughed, shaking her head. Aye, mama. Anne is forever testing her mother, as I have been told you did your own. She dreams of a life of adventure, and I believe she shall not be happy until she has tried her hand at spy-work.

She does sound like me indeed. Owena bit back a smile and bobbled the bairn in her arms. My poor sister, always wishing for a simple, quiet life, and instead, she has been reining in wild young lasses! I confess, though, few people are as qualified as Crissa to do so. She was always adept at calming my fancies.

Aye. Aunt Crissa keeps a firm hand on Anne. She has insisted that the lass continue her education in weaponry and survival skills, and— Mairead couldn’t help a chuckle—that she also master all the duties of a future lady of the keep!

That sounds reasonable. If a lass wishes to take on this work, she must be prepared for all that comes with it. Owena nodded as she listened to her daughter. The bairn cooed in her arms, his eyes locked onto the flames dancing in the fireplace. 

That is what I said. Mairead’s lips twitched. But you know Anne. She put up quite a fight about being confined to mornings of needlework when she would much rather be tramping about in the heather. My aunt Crissa held her ground, though. She has given Anne one year to learn all the skills necessary to be a wife and spy. If she cannot, her father has agreed that she shall not be allowed to leave and join in service to the king. She shall instead have to choose between marriage or a priory.

I am sure she was most pleased to hear that. Owena sent her daughter a wide smile. 

Aye, as pleased as you could expect a wild boar to be when it finds itself locked in a pen. Still, Anne has never been one to back down from a challenge. She has thrown herself into her studies with abandon, and I must say, I think she shall surpass even her mother’s expectations.

I am glad to hear it, Owena said. We need more young lasses who are eager to slip into such work. The men, of course, are valuable assets to the King… but there is something about being a lass that opens so many more doors for you as a spy. No one expects ye to be deceitful. And, my lass, tis sometimes too easy to deceive men. One exposed ankle or shoulder, and I am sure you or your cousin would have even the King of England on his knees before you. Tis funny, how easily they forget that women can be deadly too.

Like Jael in the Bible, Mairead agreed. 

Aye, put a man’s head in your lap, and he shall let ye drive a tent peg through his skull without so much as a whimper. 

The bairn in Owena’s arms began to squall and thrash about, his wee face turning a bright red as he tried his hardest to reach for the dancing flames. 

Och, what is it, wee man? Owena cooed and bounced the bairn in her arms. Ye dinna want to touch that, Kenneth! Tis no good for a bairn such as yourself to dance within the fire. Your aunt and I are your protectors, but I canna keep ye safe if ye do not stay calm in my arms.

The bairn, too young to understand what she said, kicked out again.

He misses his mother, I am afraid, Owena sighed. 

As do I, Mairead said. I wish I could have seen my brother and sister before they left off on their mission. How are they, by the way? 

Owena smiled with pride as she answered, Firtha has taken to the work like a duck to water. Her hair has grown back, and with Jane’s help, we have been able to heal some of her scars. Even the worst of them are only a whisper of red now, instead of that angry purple they were when the poor lass first walked into my chamber. She is bright and vibrant and full of love for your brother. He chose well with her.

Aye, he did. And look at this bonnie bairn they have left for us to play with. Mairead reached over and took the squalling bairn from her mother’s arms, cooing to him and bouncing him up and down. "Kenneth, your auntie loves you, sweet thing. Dinna