Bride of the Black Scot by Elaine Coffman

all went well, they would retrieve their lass and be back at
Craigmoor within a few days, ready to celebrate a wedding.
    They had ridden less than half a league in a heavy mist that
turned to rain, when a rider suddenly emerged from the thick mist before them,
surprising Stephen, who reined in his horse with such sharpness the black beast
reared, pawing the air.
    “Who goes there?” Stephen shouted.
    “A MacAlpin,” the man called back.
    Stephen drew his claymore with a woosh , hearing a
similar sound as his men did the same. “You are a little beyond the boundaries
of MacAlpin land. Are you lost, or a fool?” Stephen answered.
    “Neither,” the man answered. “We are on our way to Craigmoor
Castle. We have business with the Black Scot.”
    “And what business would that be?”
    “We wish to return something that belongs to him,” the man
replied, coming closer.
    A long column of riders emerged from the mist behind the
rider. Stephen recognized Robert MacAlpin in the front. Juliette rode beside
him.
    The MacAlpin drew rein when he saw Stephen. “We have
something to return to you, Stephen.”
    Stephen looked at Robert, then rested his gaze upon
Juliette, satisfied that she looked well. “So I hear.”
    “May we come forward?”
    “You may send the lass forward,” Stephen said. “Return her
and you may go in peace, with no bloodshed.”
    “I would have a word with you before I hand the lass over to
you,” Robert said.
    “And you think I should trust you?”
    “Do you have any choice? You want the lass, I ken.”
    “Aye,” Stephen said, then he nodded and rode forward,
meeting Robert MacAlpin at the midpoint of the clearing between them.
    “Are the MacAlpins now taking women into battle to act as
their shield?” Stephen asked.
    Robert smiled. “I canna blame you for thinking that, lad,”
he said, “for if I told you the truth, you wouldna believe it.”
    Stephen remained silent.
    “After we took the lass from you at the abbey, we were attacked
by the MacBeans. Seems they thought they had a claim upon the lass as well.”
    “Go on.”
    “My only son and heir, Calum, was wounded. The blow would
have been a mortal one, if your lass hadna ridden her horse into the MacBean
deflecting his blow. While we continued to fight, she stanched the bleeding and
bound Calum’s wound with her petticoat. If it hadna been for the lass, he no
would have lived.”
    “And you rode all the way over here to tell me that?”
    “Aye, and to bring the lass back to you.”
    “You are returning her, simply because she saved Calum’s
life?”
    Robert looked a bit uncomfortable. “Weel, that and the fact
that…God’s bones, lad, I dinna ken the lass was so much trouble. She has a
tongue on her, she does. In truth, I never knew anyone who could talk so.”
    Stephen was finding it hard not to laugh. So, the MacAlpins
found her to be a troublesome lass. At least he spoke the truth. But a MacAlpin
was a MacAlpin and could not be trusted. Stephen forced a stern countenance.
“So, you are bringing the lass back?”
    “Aye, with my blessings.”
    “And how much do you ask for your kind gesture?”
    “You wound me, lad. I ask nothing in return. In truth, I
only wanted to show my gratitude, so I granted the lass anything she wished,
thinking she would wish to be re turned to her family in England. To my
surprise, she asked to be taken to you at Craigmoor.”
    His words pleased Stephen, but still he did not trust him.
“What is your real motive, Robert?”
    “As God is my witness, I came only to give the lass safe
conduct to your keep.” With that, Robert turned in his saddle and waved
Juliette forward. A moment later, she galloped up to them.
    She smiled when she reached Stephen’s side. “I did not think
I would have the good fortune to see you so soon. How have you been, m’lord?
Are you recovered?” she said, her gaze traveling over him, as if each part of
him were dear to her.
    He smiled back. “Well enough,”