Sealed with a Kiss

By Ruth Ryan Langan

A Novella from the Once Upon a Kiss Anthology
In return for protection from barbarians, Arianna's father has pledged her hand to a fearsome laird, but on the journey to his castle, his trusted warrior captures her heart. How can she find the courage to follow her heart without bringing dishonor upon her father?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Ruth Ryan Langan
• Release date: Aug 12, 2022
• ISBN: 9781005943066

Ruth Ryan Langan

New York Times best-selling author Ruth Ryan Langan, who also writes under the pseudonym R. C. Ryan, is the author of over 100 novels, both contemporary romantic-suspense and historical adventure. Quite an accomplishment for this mother of five who, after her youngest child started school, gave herself the gift of an hour a day to follow her dream to become a published author. Ruth has given dozens of radio, television and print interviews across the country and Canada, and has been quoted in such diverse publications as THE WALL STREET JOURNAL and COSMOPOLITAN. Ruth has also been interviewed on CNN NEWS, as well as GOOD MORNING AMERICA.

Book preview

1

T he invaders have fled, my laird. The Highlanders routed them. A lone rider cupped his hands to his lips and shouted to the stooped figure standing high above on the castle tower. Praise be. Once more our land is safe from the barbarians.

Gordon Douglas gave a long, deep sigh of relief as he turned away. But before he could go below and survey the damage done to his keep, his eldest daughter, Arianna, stepped out onto the parapet.

Her father could tell by the look in her eyes that she’d heard the news. ’Tis true, then, Father? The Highlanders are victorious?

Aye, lass. At his words he saw a shudder pass through her slender frame.

This should have been a time of rejoicing, for once again the villagers had been spared. The Douglas keep, which had kept guard over this soil for generations, had withstood another assault. Despite the destruction of stables and outbuildings, and the loss of animals trapped by the fire of the invaders’ torches, many more had managed to break free. Flocks of sheep still grazed on the hillsides. Crops waved, full and lush, in the fields.

Only Arianna and her father knew the price that must be paid for their good fortune.

Please, Father. Though she struggled to hold the tears at bay, her eyes swam and her lower lip quivered. Release me from this hellish promise you made.

Sorrow etched his features as he shook his head and reached out a hand to her. She shrank back, avoiding his touch.

Seeing her reaction, he spoke on a sigh. I’ve given my word to Duncan MacLean.

Aye. She’d seen the man when last he visited their keep. A bloated goat of a man, with watery eyes and a beard as white as the snows that dusted the Highland peaks.

Arianna shivered. The thought of being wed to such a man, and sharing his bed, is more than I can bear.

Her father swallowed back his own revulsion at the image that came to mind. Can you bear the thought of your sisters being brutalized by barbarians, lass? For that is what would happen without the MacLean’s warriors. Our land stands at a crossroads, between lowland and the hills beyond. We have no natural fortifications, as do the Highlanders. Worse, I am without sons, and therefore am at the mercy of invaders. Out of the goodness of his heart, Duncan MacLean gave his word to defend my land against the barbarians. In return, I promised him that he could take as wife my beloved firstborn.

Arianna knew, by the gruff tone, the depth of her father’s emotions. He had entered into this agreement in desperation. The invasions by barbarians were growing more frequent; the invaders more determined. She understood that her father had made this bargain to ensure the safety of those he loved. Not only his family, but also those villagers who looked to him for protection. But that knowledge did little to make her sacrifice less painful.

The old man’s tone softened as he turned away to look over the fields. So much destruction. This time the barbarians advanced to our very doorstep. Had it not been for the courage of our Highland protectors, we would have surely lost not only our home but our very lives.

Arianna knew that her father spoke the truth. She had watched from the tower as the Highland warriors had engaged the invaders in battle. Even from this distance, she’d seen the flash of sunlight as sword met sword. Had heard the bloodcurdling shrieks and cries, and later the moaning of those who lay dying. Had witnessed the mangled limbs, smelled the sharp, acrid stench of death that permeated the air. Through it all she had marveled at the courage of those who had come to protect strangers.

Now, with the battle won, and the villagers burying the dead where they lay, an eerie silence spread over the land. No birds cried. No insects buzzed. Even the breeze had gone still.

As Arianna and her father descended the stairs and walked into the gardens, her younger sisters, Glenna and Kendra, came dashing through the tall grass.

Glenna shouted, Father! They’re coming.

For the space of a heartbeat the old man went deathly pale, and Arianna could feel the tremor that shot through him. So soon the Highlanders come?

Aye, Father. Look. The lass pointed to the long column of riders just topping a nearby ridge. Even from this distance they were an awe-inspiring sight.

As they drew near the girl lowered her voice. Giants they are. Look at them. Their shoulders wider than broadswords.

And their faces, sighed her sister Kendra. So fierce.

That remark brought a sharp rebuke from their old nurse, Nola, slightly out of breath from her efforts to keep up with her young charges. Hush, now. ’Tis unseemly to say such things about our protectors. The two of ye step back here out of the way now and mind yer tongues.

Properly chastised, the two younger girls followed the old woman to stand slightly behind their father and older sister.

Since the death of their mother four years previous, Arianna had taken charge of the household, overseeing the cleaning and cooking and acting as her father’s hostess whenever he entertained the lairds and ladies from neighboring clans. For years she had been more of a mother to the two younger girls, since their own mother’s health had been fragile.

Arianna thought herself prepared for any situation, but the sight of these Highlanders filled her very soul with terror.

As the mounted men halted, their leader slid from his horse. He was so tall that both father and daughter had to lift their heads to see his eyes. Fearsome they were, like the sky before a storm. His cheeks and chin were covered by a growth of stubble. Dark hair fell to his shoulders. Shoulders so broad they blocked the view of the men behind him. He was dressed no better than the barbarians, his arms and legs bare, his torso barely covered by a bloodstained length of plaid. On his feet were sturdy boots, laced with strips of hide that crisscrossed his powerful calves. The jeweled hilt of a sword glinted from the scabbard hanging at his waist.