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Prologue

STEPHEN MONTGOMERY STILL SAT VERY STRAIGHT ON HIS horse even after the long night’s ride He didn’t like to think of the bride aited for hi for him for three days His sister-in-law, Judith, had had a few choice things to say about athe effort to send a ret at his lateness

But despite Judith’s words and the realization of the insult he’d paid his future wife, he’d been reluctant to depart King Henry’s estate Stephen had been hesitant to leave his sister-in-law’s side Judith, his brother Gavin’s beautiful golden-eyed wife, had fallen down a flight of stairs and lost the badly wanted child she carried For days Judith hovered between life and death When she woke and learned her baby was gone, one of her first thoughts was typically about someone other than herself Stephen had not reht to his bride Judith, even in her grief and pain, had reminded Stephen of his duties and the Scotswoman he was to marry

Now, three days later, Stephen ran his hand through his thick, dark blond hair He wanted to stay with his brother, Gavin Judith was ry with him Her fall had not been an accident but had been caused by Gavin’s mistress, Alice Chatworth

“My lord”

Stephen slowed his pace and turned to his squire

“The wagons are far behind us They cannot keep pace”

He nodded without speaking and reined his horse toward the narrow streah road He dismounted, knelt on one knee, and splashed his face with cold water

There was another reason Stephen didn’t want to travel toHenry oave the second brother a rich Scots bride Stephen knew he should be grateful, but not after the things he’d heard of her

She was, in her own right, the laird of a powerful Scots clan

He looked across the green meadow on the far side of the stream Damn the Scots anyway for their absurd belief that a h to leadman for his heir instead of a woman

He griined what kind of woman could inspire her father to name her chief She had to be at least forty years old, hair the color of steel, a body thicker than his own On their wedding night no doubt they’d aret on top…and he’d lose

“My lord,” the boy said “You do not look well Perhaps the long ride has made you ill”

“It’s not the ride that’s turned my stomach” Stephen stood up slowly, easily, his powerfulover his squire, and his body was lean and hard fro His hair was thick with sweaty curls along his neck, his jaw strong, his lips finely chiseled Yet now there were sunken shadows under the eyes of brilliant blue “Let’s return to our horses The wagons can follow us later I don’t want to put off er”

“Execution, my lord?”

Stephen did not answer There were still many hours before he’d reach the horror that awaited him in the solid, bulky shape of Bronwyn MacArran

Chapter One

1501

BRONWYN MACARRAN STOOD AT THE WINDOW OF THE Englishdown at the courtyard below The ainst the warhtly to catch a whiff of fresh air As she did so, one of the soldiers below grinned up at her suggestively

She stepped back quickly, grabbed the , and slarily

“The English pigs!” Bronwyn cursed under her breath Her voice was soft, full of the heather and hlands

Heavy footsteps sounded outside her door, and she caught her breath, then released it when they went past She was a prisoner, held captive on England’s northernmost border by men she’d always hated, men who now smiled and winked at her as if they were intihts