A Highlander to Have and to Hold: Brides of Scotland Read online

  A Highlander to Have and to Hold

  Brides of Scotland

  Tammy Andresen

  Swift Romance Publishing Corp

  Copyright © 2020 by Tammy Andresen

  All rights reserved.

  No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

  Created with Vellum

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  www.tammyandresen.com

  Hugs!

  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

  Epilogue

  A Scot to Keep

  About the Author

  Other Titles by Tammy

  Chapter One

  Lady Rose Morningstar sat on the edge of the bed and pretended not to notice the cockroach crawling steadily toward the leather toe of her boot. Outside, the London streets teamed with activity despite the cold rain steadily falling on a gray March day.

  Across the room, her sister, Daisy, let out a long sigh. “Please just kill it. I don’t want it crawling on me while I’m trying to sleep.”

  Daisy turned back from the window, her slender shoulders pulled straight and tall for her small stature. “One bug isn’t going to make a difference, there are thousands of them in this place.”

  Lily shivered, her blue eyes squinting as her nose crinkled. “You’re not the one who has to sleep on the floor tonight.”

  Rose frowned as she lifted the boot and stomped the bug, its decided crunch echoing through the near-empty room. So much for pretending they weren’t in a seedy inn in London’s Docklands. “It’s just for one more night. Our escort arrives today and then we’ll leave for Aunt Edna’s tomorrow before first light.”

  Daisy shook her head. “We shouldn’t bother with the escort. What if he isn’t a nice man? It would be one thing if we knew him but we don’t.”

  Rose looked down at her hands. Daisy’s point was a fair one. Their father, the Earl of Rothberg, had passed a month ago. The new earl, a distant cousin, had all but tossed them bodily out of the house. Rose had been able to collect some pin money and jewelry, which she’d sold for a fraction of what it was worth, to live for the past few months and book them passage to their Aunt Edna in Scotland.

  Their one remaining friend in the city, Mrs. Fiona Mayweather, had urged them not to travel alone. She had a cousin, she’d said, who travelled regularly back and forth and could give them reduced-price passage and a safe escort as far as Glasgow. “He’s part of Fiona’s family,” Rose said. “He’ll have to do. It’s all we’ve got.”

  Lily spun back to the glass, not bothering to argue. They’d been over it a dozen times. One, Rose didn’t have enough money to book passage on a regular ship. Two, she didn’t dare travel on a merchant vessel without a real escort, and three, she didn’t even know if her aunt would take them in. It had been years since they’d had any contact with their mother’s sister.

  Nerves fluttered in her belly again. The room grew darker. It was likely getting close to sunset, not that she could tell with the thick cloud cover. Lily stood and crossed to the fire, holding out her hands. “Do we have any money for dinner now that the passage is booked?”

  Rose held in a groan. The truth was, not much. But their dresses were growing larger and larger as they shrank away. “I’ll go get a loaf of bread at least.”

  Lily didn’t look back. “We need to eat something other than bread soon, Rose.”

  “I know,” she answered. She could only hope they’d feed them better on the ship. As the oldest, she felt responsible for caring for her younger sisters and she hadn’t been doing a very good job, but she wasn’t certain how to do better.

  Making her way to the door, she unlocked the deadbolt. “Lock it behind me,” she said automatically.

  “We know,” Lily answered. “Hurry back.”

  With a single nod, she stepped into the dark hall and waited to hear the click of the lock before she headed down the stairs.

  The stairwell opened into a large common room where several sailors sat raising their mugs and loudly calling to one another as they swigged back their ale. Rose kept her head down and crossed to the innkeeper. “Pardon me, sir. May we trouble you for a loaf of bread?”

  He stood straighter, assessing her. “Bread? Shouldn’t you eat something else? You can’t live on bread.”

  Rose squeezed her hands together. She was aware of that fact. “Thank you for your concern.” Then she produced the single pence needed to purchase the loaf. It was one of the last few that she had.

  “Rose?” a feminine voice called from the door. “Is that ye?”

  Her chin snapped up. “Fiona?” Silly tears sprung to her eyes at the sound of her friend’s voice. Without thought to the attention she might bring herself, she lifted her skirts and raced to her friend’s side. “I’m so glad to see you.”

  Fiona held out her arms and the two embraced. She wasn’t even aware of the man behind Fiona until he let out a long breath. Pulling back, Rose glanced over her friend’s shoulder and square into a broad, leather-clad chest. “Oh,” she exclaimed as she gazed up to his exceedingly wide shoulders and across his thick neck to the ridiculously square jaw. His features were broad and strong with dirty blond hair and the sort of dark brown eyes that seemed to look into one’s very soul.

  “Rose,” Fiona stepped back. “This is my cousin, the one I was telling ye about. Colin MacFarland, this is Lady Rose Morningstar.”

  He gave a single nod, not even speaking as he crossed his arms over his chest.

  “Pleased to meet you.” Rose took a step closer. “I can’t begin to express my gratitude.”

  He frowned. “I have already explained to Fiona that my ship is no place fer a lady.”

  Rose’s eyes darted to Fiona’s. Was he going to abandon them after all? Her breath caught in panic but Fiona’s gaze back didn’t look worried or sad, just annoyed. “And I told him that he had to take ye anyway.”

  He grumbled out a sound of dissatisfaction but didn’t argue the point further. Rose stood perched between fear and relief. Would he take them to Scotland?

  “Ma’am.” The innkeeper tapped her shoulder. “Your bread.” Then he paused. “Come down to the kitchen after dinner is finished. If there are any leftovers, you can bring them to your sisters.”

  Her shoulders sagged in gratitude and Rose nearly tossed herself into the man’s arms. Which was highly inappropriate, considering that she hardly knew him. “Thank you.”

  “You can’t live on bread alone.” The man grimaced. “Not even I am cold enough to watch three girls starve.”

  “Yer generosity is most appreciated but not necessary today. Bring them each a large bowl of stew, please.” Colin’s deep voice vibrated through her the words making her limp with relief. “In fact, set up a private dining room. We’ve much to discuss after they’ve eaten.”

  The innkeeper rushed off to do as the large Scot bid.

  Rose’s breath caught in her chest. He had the sort of imposing size a woman should either hide behind or run from. Was t
his man her savior or the villain Daisy feared?

  * * *

  Colin stared at the delicate beauty of the woman in front of him and cursed a string of violent curse words under his breath. What had his cousin gotten him into this time? Fiona was a plague upon him, he was certain of that.

  Fiona had a penchant for saving things. It had started when they’d been children when she’d made him climb no less than three trees to save cats. He’d been scratched all to hell each and every time.

  Then there had been the time during their teen years when she’d found a lost horse. Not able to find its owner, she’d tasked him with the job. He’d nearly been hung as a horse thief. Once she’d married, and moved to England, he’d had a reprieve. But now, once again, Fiona was on a mission to save three somethings. Daughters of an earl, as he recalled. The question was, why for feck’s sake, did he keep saying yes?

  But the answer lay in a pair of soft violet eyes that stared up at him, filled to the brim with worry. He had a soft damn heart, even now after everything. Fiona knew that and extorted him with her knowledge.

  He looked at the lass currently nibbling her lip as she held the loaf of bread in her hands. Every rescue mission Fiona assigned him to meant trouble for him. He was sure Lady Rose wouldn’t be the exception. “Would ye like to get yer sisters, my lady?” he asked, pointing toward the stairs.

  “Oh.” She blinked at him, a blush climbing into her cheeks. It was a lovely shade of pink, not unlike the flower she was named after. “Why yes. Thank you.” Then she turned and hurried up the stairs.

  As soon as she’d disappeared, he looked at Fiona. “Why must ye torture me so?”

  Fiona huffed, “Don’t be so selfish. I’m not trying to torture ye but save them.”

  He straightened, crossing his arms and narrowing his gaze. “Ye say that but I’m the one that always ends up battered and beaten.”

  “Don’t be ridiculous.” She sniffed. “And ye can’t expect me to leave them here in this place eating nothing but a loaf of bread between the three of them.”

  “No.” His shoulders sagged then. “I suppose I can’t.” He raked his fingers through his hair. He didn’t have the best luck when it came to pretty English misses and he preferred to stay far away from them as a general rule. “I just wish ye could stage your rescues without my help.”

  “What would be the fun in that?”

  Pinching the bridge of his nose, he shook his head. “And Thomas? Why can’t he help them?”

  Fiona’s lips pressed together as she looked up at the ceiling. “He likes the Morningstar sisters so he did give me a purse to help feed them, but he is indisposed at the moment and can’t accompany them to Scotland.”

  Colin narrowed his gaze. “Ye mean he’s gotten wise to yer schemes and refuses to participate.”

  “Schemes?” She gave an exaggerated harrumph. “I don’t scheme. I lend aid.”

  “For which we are eternally grateful,” Rose said from just in front of him. He hadn’t heard her return with the noise from the inn but there she was, two blonde women standing just behind her. Well, at least she knew he was an unwilling participant in this ridiculous plan. If he could find any sort of loophole, he certainly would take it.

  He skimmed his gaze down her length, his body tightening in the most unwelcome way. The situation was bad enough without attraction coloring it further.

  “Your table is ready.” The innkeeper joined the group gesturing them forward. He led them into a private room. Not much nicer than the common room they’d left but at least it lacked the boisterous sailors. Granted, he spent his life with those rough and tumble men but they were poor company for ladies. Another reason this plan was a terrible idea.

  They each sat and a pot of stew was produced, steaming hot. The quality left much to be desired but no one would have guessed the way the ladies emptied their bowls. His heart began to soften again. Even as they ate, color flooded their cheeks. The innkeeper had left a Dutch oven hanging over the fireplace and when the women finished eating their first serving, he stood and used a cloth to grab the pot, ladling out another bowl for each of them.

  “Thank you,” the smaller blonde said. “My stomach says no, it must have grown quite small, but who knows when we’ll eat like this again?”

  “Daisy,” Rose admonished. “The thank you would have been enough.”

  Daisy waved her hand giving him an airy smile. “We can be more honest with each other, can’t we? Is it Captain MacFarland?”

  “It is,” he answered, realizing he’d been so preoccupied with feeding them they had yet to introduce themselves. “And ye’re Lady Daisy?”

  “Somehow being a Lady seems inappropriate here. Perhaps for the rest of my life.” Daisy gave a small shrug. “Being a lady doesn’t mean much when you haven’t eaten in days.”

  “Daisy,” the other blonde cut her off. “Enough already. I’m Lily and you’ve met Rose.” She leaned forward. “Can you take us to Scotland, Captain?”

  He grimaced. “There aren’t any other options fer ye?”

  Rose shook her head. “Our guardian won’t support us and we have no other family here.”

  “Marriage?” he asked, clenching his hand under the table. For some reason it irritated him to think of their guardian mistreating them, being unkind to Rose. Marriage to a gentleman was the easiest way for a woman to raise her circumstances and as he didn’t really want to complete this job, it seemed like a good solution to him.

  All three women dropped their heads. “We tried that too,” Rose answered softly. “It was a disaster.”

  Her statement made his eyebrows lift up. What had happened to them? He shook his head and then rubbed his face with his hands. He knew in this moment, he couldn’t leave them, not that he hadn’t known that from the beginning. But he’d have to stay away from them. He didn’t want to like these ladies. And besides, the less he knew the better.

  Chapter Two

  Rose realized she was holding her breath waiting for a response. Perhaps that wasn’t fair considering she hadn’t asked a question, though it was implied.

  “Ye tried to marry?”

  Lily pursed her lips. “As the oldest, Rose tried. The problem with having no male protector is that her would-be suitor attempted to take advantage.”

  Rose gave a tiny shiver. That would-be suitor had also been her guardian. The one man who was supposed to be her protector. A member of the noble class and responsible for thousands of lives, he’d not only tried to take advantage of her, he’d tossed her and her sisters out when she’d refused. Granted, Daisy had made sure he’d paid for his transgression but that was another matter.

  “And so now ye’re willing to put yer safety into a stranger’s hands?” He sat back in his chair as Fiona smacked his arm.

  “Ye’re not a stranger, ye’re my family. And I know fer an absolute fact ye’ll take care of them.” Fiona turned to Rose. “He’s a Highlander through and through. Rough exterior and a kind and noble heart. He puts on a good show, but underneath all that muscle is pure goo.”

  Captain MacFarland frowned, his brow furrowing. “Stop spewing such nonsense.”

  Rose studied his façade. He looked hard as granite sitting across from her. Strong, capable and, well, handsome. “Captain.” She spread her hands before her on the table. “We’ll stay in our cabin. We’ll hardly eat. You won’t even know that we’re there. We simply need to get to our aunt.”

  The lines creasing his face deepened. “Where does yer aunt live?”

  She swallowed then. This was a bit tricky because he would likely not be docking directly in Glasgow. “What town are you docking in?”

  He let out a deep gurgle of dissatisfaction. “Answering a question with a question is usually an indicator that I won’t like the answer.”

  “Then don’t ask,” Daisy replied. “It’s our business where we go—”

  Rose gave her sister a good hard elbow in the ribs. Which likely hurt considering how thin they’d
become. But Daisy needed to keep her thoughts to herself. “We’re to travel to Glasgow after we reach Scotland.”

  He scrubbed his jaw and she heard the scratch of his stubble. For some odd reason she had the urge to scrub on that same spot to see what his face felt like. His words, however, drew her back to the conversation.

  “So after I safely bring ye to Scotland, ye’re just going to frolic off on yer own through the countryside with no money and no escort?” he asked.

  She drew in a sharp breath.

  But Fiona responded before she had a chance. A purse of coins clinked on the table. “Thomas has graciously agreed to pay fer their carriage ride from the docks to their aunt’s.”

  He rolled his eyes up to the ceiling. “Just when I thought Tom had wised up.”

  Fiona hit the man again. The playful gesture actually made Rose relax a bit. She pressed her hands together in front of her face as though she were praying. More likely she was begging. “We’re in desperate need of help.” Then she took a deep breath. She’d almost added that they’d starve if he didn’t intercede, but that wasn’t entirely true. One or all of them could start the only trade available to them. But at the point she considered selling her body, she should just return to her cousin, Michael, and become his wife. If he’d still take her. She shivered in revulsion.

  He fiddled with his utensil, not speaking. Rose found herself holding her breath again. “And if I don’t give ye passage to Scotland. What will happen to all of ye?” he asked.

  Lily, who’d been quiet, leaned toward him. Of the three, she had the most delicate features, almost pixie-like. Her wide blue eyes pleaded now. “Can you tell us how we might leave this place if you don’t? London has rejected us. It’s obvious we don’t belong here any longer.” She looked around at the room they sat. “I’ve spent hours wracking my brain for a way out…”