Throughout the Highlands she is known as Keely, the
witch woman. She is a great healer-a woman whose dreams come true. Ian MacPherson is a man who puts honor, loyalty and
duty above everything. Their
lives are entwined when Ian is sent by the Scottish King to bring Keely to
trial for witchcraft. He is attacked and left for dead, but Keely rescues him.
When he wakes, he discovers he has no memory. As he remembers his lost past,
Ian finds that his need to protect the woman who has saved his life eclipses his
duty to his king and country. He is a man torn between honor and duty to his
country and the woman he loves.
EXCERPT: Highland Miracle
"Look,
Tia," Reagan said as she pointed toward a nearby hill.
"What
is it?"
"A
handsome stranger," Reagan giggled, instantly transfixed by the man.
"Coming to dance around the May Pole?" Reagan looked a little more
closely. "Oh, it's the Laird of Sterling Castle. Why is he on foot?"
"You
are not thinking what I think," Tia said. "You dinnae know who he is.
He looks like the laird but then he doesn't."
"How
do I look?" Regan asked, ignoring Tia and smoothing her skirts then hoping
she looked beautiful enough to snare this man. She wanted to sweep the laird
off his feet. This might be her one and only chance.
She
heard the celebration in the background and watched as all eyes rose to meet
the Laird's. Her brother William's eyes were startled then guarded and
thoughtful. Tia's were intrigued. Some of the others gazes were wary and
distrustful. They were a superstitious lot here in the Highlands. But even as
she watched the people around her, she could not fully keep her attention from
the Laird who had never attended this celebration before.
She
felt a curious draw as she met his piercing gaze. She had only once before seen
the man. He was an illusive creature, usually keeping inside the walls of his
castle. Rumor had it the castle was haunted and the ghost was a woman who kept
him from finding true love or happiness.
"Who
do you think he is and where did he come from?" Tia asked peering intently
at the man. "I really don't think it's the Laird. No one has spoken to the
man in years. He is so withdrawn. A few months ago people were saying he had
died."
The man
possessed a calm air as if he knew and recognized all the people in front of
him. His dark gaze was mysterious, and when he stopped walking, he stood as
still as a rock, striking and in clothes she had never seen anyone wear before.
She had thought then, though, it would not have mattered what he wore.
Reagan
could not draw her eyes from his and felt her flesh grow warm. The way he
stared at her was unnerving. Her heart thundered beneath her chest. It seemed
as if she knew this man from some long ago time.
But
that wasn't possible.
It was
May Day. The very air was filled with such excitement, and now this man was
here as if sent for her and her alone. In the meadow maids and youths already
danced around the Maypole. A man with a bear had the animal dancing circles
upon his hind feet, and a marionette show was in progress. A flutist played in
honor of King James, a group of Highlanders played the bagpipes. Noise and
confusion flourished. The day was bright, clear blue, and so very beautiful.
She saw
a strange gold dusting swirling and dancing in the air around her. Instantly,
she felt compelled toward the stranger. For a moment she thought someone spoke
to her, encouraging her onward.
Reagan
was grateful she'd taken so much time with her clothes. Her hose were white
silk, and her little leather slippers were blue decorated with glass stones.
Next to her flesh she wore a soft silk shift and over it a binding corset and
three different petticoats. The dress was blue brocade, with stomachers in
velvet, low-cut bodices, and half sleeves with scores of blue lace. Her
facemask was covered with feathers and plumes. Her golden hair was done in
ringlets, tied through with blue satin ribbons.
When she'd looked at herself in the mirror, she had been quite pleased
with the results.
So lost
in thought, she had lost track of the man.
Until
he stood next to her.
"A...hi," he said.
"I'm Sean Michael Sterling." He stared at her with dark dangerous
brown eyes as he crossed his arms on his chest.
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