Left Behind

By Mia Jones

Charlene ran from her horrible uncle and the repulsive monster he wanted to give her to. Her faithful warriors escape with her only to be stopped by some Highlanders on their way North. She's in no danger, but her men decide it was safer for her to be left behind because of the war between clans.

Even though her heartbreaks, she makes due and tried to fit in only to have someone try to take her life, not once but twice.

The Laird of the Clan, Calan, is enamored with her but decides she wouldn't be happy with him, so he pushes her away time and again.

In a desperate attempt to find her family, she tries to escape to run from more heartache, only to find herself in graver strife.

When Calan finds her and accepts his feelings for her, she finally becomes content and safe and determined never to leave him again.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Fiery Vision Publishing
• Release date: May 29, 2022
• ISBN: 9798201807832

Book preview

A group of men wrestling Description automatically generated with low confidence

Chapter One

Charlene stared out the window of her estate in Graham, England, in 1602, right on the border from the southern part of Scotland called the Lowlands.

Since it was so close to the border, they had both Scottish and English people who lived around the castle's grounds. Some inside the high wall that surrounded the keep, plus the farmers and some of the craftsmen were outside.

Although they lived in England, they were so close to Scotland that they had a large group of soldiers to protect the people. It seemed the Scottish enjoyed feuding with each other and sometimes thieving, especially in the Highlands, and the people that lived in and around her castle had needed to protect their own.

The castle called Rosewood had been in her mother's family for a hundred years, and now it was hers.

Growing up in the castle had been magical. Her mother and father doted on her since she was the only child they’d been blessed with.

Unfortunately, her parents had died a few years past, and the only living male relative left was an uncle on her father's side. Uncle Earl Arnold Hammond. A man her father had never liked.

He’d been in her home for over four years and had pilfered as much as he could, knowing one day the man she would marry would take over the estate, and he’d have to leave unless he came up with another solution. He’d been in charge of finding a suitable husband for her as Queen Elizabeth was much too busy to bother. Charlene was told, but didn’t believe a word he said; yet she had no way to get word to the queen.

She gripped her hands together so tightly she could feel her fingers become bloodless as she saw a caravan working their way toward Rosewood. This would be the sixth man to come for her hand. The last five had been turned away because Uncle Arnold could not control them as he would like.

He needed to find a man with no backbone that would do whatever he was told to do, or Arnold would find himself out of a home, and he’d become fond of the way he was living was what he told her many times.

This one’s name was Earl Emory Burbridge. She didn’t know a lot about him besides the horrific rumors she’d heard from the household servants. They hadn’t known she’d been listening, so they’d been very graphic in the telling of their stories. She’d had nightmares about what she’d heard every night since.

Are you excited to meet Lord Burbridge, Milady?

Charlene looked over her shoulder at her lady’s maid, Jamie. Jamie had been with her for many years and could tell when she was lying.

No, I’m actually terrified.

Jamie gasped and rushed to her mistress and took her hand. Don’t listen to Lottie, Milady. She likes to stir the pot.

You’ve got to admit, every time, she’s more right than wrong.

Charlene squeezed Jamie's hand when she started to fuss. Her lady’s maid was twice as old as Charlene and didn’t need the stress of the meeting between her and Lord Burbridge.

Don’t fret. I’m sure everything will be just fine.

Jamie nodded vigorously. Aye, I’m sure it will, Milady.

Charlene turned back to the window. The newcomers had pulled into the courtyard and were out of her sight.

Milady, let’s get you dressed for supper.

Charlene sighed. Yes. She allowed her lady’s maid to dress her in one of her more beautiful gowns. She wouldn’t have picked it because it was a bit provocative, but it’s what her uncle had demanded.

She listened to Jamie with half an ear as she regaled her with tales of one of the kitchen maids and a knight that was attracted to each other but hadn’t yet talked to each other. She knew her lady's maid was trying to get her mind off the coming meeting and appreciated it even if it wasn’t working.

When she was dressed, she walked back to the window to wait.

Charlene jumped when a knock came at the door. She listened as Jamie answered it. They were ready for her. She drew in a deep breath and stood. She vowed not to show any emotions, because her uncle took great delight in bending them for his entertainment when she did.

It’ll be alright, Milady. Just wait and see.

Charlene squeezed Jamie’s shoulder. Of course, it will.

***

Jamie watched her mistress as she strode down the hall and mopped the tears from the corner of her eyes in fear. She knew not the truth of the Earl of Burbridge, but there hadn’t been anything she’d heard that had not been terrifying. She prayed for her mistress vehemently.

Lady Charlene was a gentle soul and so incredibly beautiful with her long dark hair and blue eyes. Her skin was clear of blemishes, and her teeth straight and white.

She also had a temper. She was a sight to see when she let loose of her tight hold on her feelings, although she kept them mostly hidden.

Jamie rushed after her mistress and carefully stepped down the stairs as she heard them be introduced. She peeked over the banister and gasped.

The Earl of Burbridge looked like a troll. A very large one. In height and girth. Jamie thought he’d eaten way too many tarts to get as big as he was. His nose was too large for his face, and it had a strange bend in it, but his mouth looked to have too many teeth. His eyes were small, and his brows were bushy.

There was nothing appealing about him.

Jamie hissed in anger.

Her uncle was a horrid man, but he couldn’t be thinking of giving his niece to that man. He just couldn’t.

Chapter Two

Charlene’s stomach dropped when she rounded the corner and got her first good look at the Earl of Burbridge. She could honestly say he was the most disgusting man she’d ever seen.

The Earl and her uncle sat at the table drinking the expensive wine Arnold preferred. Why not? The estate was paying for it, not him. They had a platter of sweetmeat pies and tarts in front of them, and they consumed it like hungry piglets, all the while conversing with each other. Did they bother to chew and swallow the food before speaking? No. That would have been too civilized.

She had taken a step back, wanting to give them time to finish their disgusting display before showing herself.

Ah, there she is, Uncle Arnold yelled. Come here, child.

She tried not to roll her eyes because he only called her that in front of visitors. She straightened her spine, gripped her hands together in front of her, and walked somberly toward the table that sat off to the side in the large hall.

She curtsied. Hello, Uncle.

Lady Charlene, I’d like to introduce you to the Earl of Burbridge. He is close friends with Queen Elizabeth’s cousin.

Charlene turned to face him and had to bite her tongue to keep from gagging. The Earl had drippings from the food around his mouth and stuck into the scraggly beard that framed his face.

She curtsied and bowed her head in submission. It’s a pleasure to meet you.

My my my. You told me she was beautiful, but this little bit is a gem.

When the lecher’s eyes roamed hungrily over her body, she imagined herself riding Thor across the countryside, with her hair flowing behind her. She would ride as far as she could to get away at that moment.

Arnold shrugged. I guess some might find her attractive. Maybe it’s because she’s extremely rebellious that takes away some of her charm?

The Earl of Burbridge belched and then wiped his mouth on his sleeve. That can be fixed very easily.

Her eyes flew to his and then her uncle’s.

Oh, and how might that be? Arnold asked and grinned.

A few good thrashings, and she’ll be right as rain.

Arnold threw his head back. Oh, Emory, I’ve thought about that a time or two, but this little slip of a girl or her faithful servants would likely kill me and bury me in the field in back.

Are you saying you’re afraid of this little piece right here?

"You’ll understand when you