Heart of the Highlands: The Raven: Protectors of the Crown, #1

By April Holthaus

A Highland tale of mystery, murder and love.

Forced to wed a ruthless English Lord, Adelyn Scott welcomed death over marriage, but had no idea her wish would come true until she discovered her husband's body lying dead in his chamber on the night of their wedding.

As commander for the king's personal guard, Eamon MacLeish's loyalty has never been questioned. Until the day a mysterious woman arrived seeking an asylum and stole his heart.

As Adelyn and Eamon piece together clues surrounding her husband's murder, Eamon must choose between his loyalty or his heart. For one path would ultimately lead to her death, and the other path leads to his.

Heart of the Highlands: The Raven is the prequel to the Protectors of the Crown Series.

• Language: English
• Publisher: April Holthaus
• Release date: Jul 3, 2023
• ISBN: 9798223730880

Book preview

Heart of the Highlands: The Raven

Protectors of the Crown, Volume 1

April Holthaus

Published by April Holthaus, 2023.

Heart of the Highlands:

The Raven

The First Protector

Prequel to Heart of the Highlands Series:

The Beast

Protectors of the Crown: Prequel

April Holthaus

Edited by: One More Time Editing

Published by: Grey Eagle Publishing, LLC

Cover Design by Zak Kelleher

All rights reserved.

10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

Copyright © 2021 April Holthaus

This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and events are used fictitiously. Any resemblances to actual events or persons are purely coincidental. No part of this publication is allowed to be reproduced without the author’s written permission.

Contents

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

Chapter 19

Chapter 20

Preface

For hundreds of years, Scotland has battled the English for their freedom. Now, they face a new enemy. In a world divided by politics and religion, young King James V faces the threat of his own people rebelling against him. When civil war breaks out amongst the Highland clans, James recruits a secret group of warriors for protection. He called them the Protectors of the Crown.

Eight years before this secret society was formed there was only man James could trust, Eamon MacLeish, the first Protector of the Crown.

Chapter 1

October 1529

Edinburgh, Scotland

A plume of hot breath escaped Adelyn Scott’s lips. Please God, dinna let ‘em find me.

Holding the reins in a white-knuckled grip, she braced herself atop the speeding horse. The sound of hooves stamping the ground echoed in the night like a brewing storm. She didn’t know how far she had come or how much farther she would go, but she would ride her horse into the ground if necessary.

The farther she traveled the pitted terrain, the more the jutted rocks and uneven ground rose before her like judge and jury. Even the weather held its conviction. Adelyn raced northward using only the constellations as her guide toward refuge from the bitter cold, although she had more to fear than mere frostbite.

The cloak of darkness slowly lifted as the horizon changed from a star-pitted sky to hues of pink and orange.

As the horse reached the highest peak, the towers of a castle came into view. The dying light of the torches atop the ramparts illuminated the curtain wall that spread across the mountainside like majestic wings. Perched high on the hill, she felt as vulnerable as a field mouse under the watchful eye of a hawk.

This was not a mere homestead of some neighboring clan. She recognized this place. Edinburgh Castle. She had been there once before, though it had been many years since she last set eyes on it. This was home to the James, the Scottish King. The only man who could save her. 

Making the sign of the cross, she took in a sharp breath and veered her horse toward the castle village nestled between her and the outer gates. Without slowing, the horse weaved its way through the line of crofts at Adelyn’s command until they reached the castle gates. Adelyn pulled tight on the reins, bringing the horse to a sliding halt on the dirt road.

She kept a keen eye affixed on the guard manning the watchtower as she slowly dismounted. Pulling the reins, she guided her horse forward through the stone archway leading into a crowded, paved courtyard.

The courtyard was as busy as the streets of London. Carts piled high with furs, linens and late harvest fare were stationed near the entrance. And stacked along the castle walls were nearly two dozen barrels of ale. Preparations for the coming winter were well underway.

Adelyn’s senses were filled with the pungent aroma of manure that drifted along the southern winds from the freshly plowed fields, and of decaying remains from a corpse dangling at the end of a rope near the castle gate. Her hand flew to her mouth, her stomach roiling at the sight of a bird pecking at the dead man’s eyes.

She tied her mount to a post near the stable and scurried up the stairs of the gatehouse. She rapped hastily on the wooden door, nervously pulling at the pendant around her neck, until the door swung on its hinges. A loud echo sounded inside the empty foyer as a tall, round-bellied man stood in the doorway. He eyed her for a moment before peering over her as if she were some poverty-stricken beggar.

I beggin’ yer pardon sir, but I need to see the king at once!

Lightly tugging on his beret, he brought his attention back to her eyes but kept his silence. Did he not hear the distress in her voice or see the desperation in her eyes? Her heart began to sink as doubt slowly began to slip in. No, she told herself. She would not give up so easily.

Please, I ask again. I need to see King James at once. ‘Tis a matter of life and death!

Where are yer escorts?

I have come alone.

The king is no’ seeing visitors. Ye may try again tomorrow.

Tomorrow? But Sir, please, I must speak to him.

"Did ye no’ hear me the first time, ye wee chit? I said, no one sees the king." His growl, like a threatening dog, caused her to take a step back.

Is that how ye speak to a lady? another man asked as he emerged from a room across the hall.

His condescending voice was as alarming and intimidating as his predecessor’s. Adelyn noticed the quick gasp of the guard as he registered the other man’s unexpected presence. As the mysterious man stepped from the shadows and into the light, her eyes widened. He was tall as timber and huge as a bear, but his manner was as welcoming as a spring day.

My apologies, Baron. I did no’ see ye. I am only following orders. I was told to no’ allow anyone in. Lady or no’.

The bearish man’s brow knitted in annoyance, but quickly dissipated the moment he glanced down at Adelyn. Had she not known better; she would have sworn just then she saw a glimmer of compassion in his eyes.

Keeping a soft gaze on her, the man replied, I am sure we can make this one exception. The lady is, after all, in apparent distress. As it is our Lord’s wish to help those in need, I see no reason to deny her. If ye wish, ye can tell yer commander that I have allowed the lady to enter. If he expresses concern over the interruption, he can take it up with me in my chamber.

Turning to the guard, commanding his full attention, he asked, Do ye understand?

The guard grunted before nodding his head, stepping aside, and returning to his duties.

Offering a half smile, Adelyn softly thanked her defender, making a small curtsey.

Ye must forgive my comrade. He knows not of compassion and has a great deal of ignorance. He was no’ wrong, though. The king has ordered no visitors today. He is entertaining guests from France and will be departing soon.

Departing?

He has business to attend but should return within a few days.

A few days? she replied in a strained voice. I do not have a few days.

My lady, I would be honored to fulfill yer request, but the king is no’ available for unscheduled visits. I, however, can deliver yer message if ye wish, he replied, his gaze fixed on the area of her ample, albeit cloaked, bosom. Uncomfortable at his ill-bred stare, she grabbed the collar of her cloak and wrapped it even tighter.

That is kind of ye, but this is a matter for the king’s ears only. If ye are certain the king will no’ see me, then I am forced to find refuge elsewhere. I have no time to waste. Good day.

Unwilling to risk her fate on a stranger, she turned toward the door, but as she reached for the strap the man stepped in front of her, pressing his back to the door.

My lady, I do no’ make it a habit to turn away those in need. Nor am I an ignorant mon to not have noticed the bruising along yer wrists or the fact that ye are favoring yer left side. Perhaps, a swollen ankle? Mind ye lass, I do no’ miss much. Ye have come here for help and I have offered ye assistance. But if ye wish to leave, may I at least suggest a warm meal, and perhaps if ye would allow, the castle’s healer should look at ye. You’d no’ get far wit’ an injury like that.

For a well-versed woman, Adelyn’s mind went blank. Was it possible the man had the ability to read her thoughts? It seemed improbable that in just a few short minutes, his evaluation of her was so accurate. Ye need no’ leave, lass. Ye are safe here. That, I promise. If ye wish, I will speak to the king myself on yer behalf. I may no’ guarantee ye an audience, but at least allow me to make good on my word.

You would do that?

Aye, I give ye my word on my honor as a Scotsman. I admire yer tenacity lass, and I respect yer reservation if ye still do no’ wish to trust me, but may I at least have the favor of yer name?

What for?

If ye wish to see the king, it might help to know who is asking for him.

For as long as she could remember, she had never met an honest man. Even a man of the cloth’s faith could be tested; even they could not prove they were without sin. As easily as a whisper, or the drop of a coin, the scale could tilt between politics and religion. It was not about honor or integrity, but loyalty. No matter what side one served, there was always compromise.

Adelyn. Lady Adelyn Scott. And what do they call you?

I am Eamon MacLeish, personal guard and advisor to the king. Well, Lady Adelyn, I will see to it at once that yer request is at least considered. While I speak to the King, I will have one of our housemaids attend to yer needs. Until then, there is no reason to stand in this drafty doorway. Ye may wait in the solar. Follow me.

Sheepishly walking behind him, she took a glance inside the commotion-filled chamber from which he had emerged when she arrived. Inside, a group of men sat around a wooden table. Cards were splayed across the top, and each man sat in front of a small stack of coins. Near the far end was an empty chair, which she assumed belonged to her champion. She heard coins clanging together. The sound seemed to be coming from a leather pouch that swung like a pendulum from his belt.

Eamon cleared his throat to gain her attention, and Adelyn peered up at the giant who now stood nearly a foot away. Gazing up at his indifferent smile, she quickly got lost in the depths of his eyes. His aurora-green irises were as clear as a summer brook, and his Nordic-bronze hair rested over his shoulders like a lion’s mane, soft and wild.

Try to keep up, he said in a gritty voice as he turned and led her down a long corridor.

Leading her to the room at the end of the hall, he held the door open allowing her to step inside. As she stepped further into the room, a wave of warmth encompassed her like a blanket as she neared the hearth where a roaring fire was ablaze.

The room was modest. To her left were two cushioned chairs and a small marble-topped table situated in front of the hearth. To her right, light peaked through two large windows partially covered with mahogany-colored fur. Royal portraits adorned the walls and the shelves proudly displayed chalices and trophies, evidence of the king’s many victories.  

She had never met the king in person but knew something of his character with his own disconcerting past. In truth, they were not much different. She could only pray that he would offer her the same sympathy she had in regard for him.

I heard we have a young lady in our midst, an auld woman exclaimed as she burst into the room.

How did ye...?

Oh Eamon. Ye should know by now that I know everything that goes on in this castle.

Pushing past Eamon, she walked straight to Adelyn. Oh, look at ye. Frightened like a wee mouse. Well, dinna ye worry lass. We will get ye cleaned up in no time.

Lady Adelyn, this is Mrs. O’Grady. She is our castle healer.

Oh, where are my manners? Call me Catherine, dear. No sense in formality ‘round here.

It is very nice to meet you and I thank ye for your concern, but I really don’t need to be fussed over.

Nonsense. Now, let me have a look at ye. Are ye injured? the healer asked as she began removing Adelyn’s cloak.

I may have twisted my ankle a bit.

"Mary, mother of saints! Ye got dried blood all over ye. There must be a wound festering somewhere with that amount of