ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

Iwant to acknowledge the efforts of my extraordinary editor Julie Sturgeon who shares my goal of bringing great stories to romance readers everywhere. You work very hard in pursuit of that goal, and I thank you most sincerely. Without you there would be no Knight Chronicles, no Wildfire Love Series, and no future books to engage and entrance our readers. I also wish to recognize my very hardworking personal assistant Alison Pridie. Thank you both. Your efforts bring to the public notice of this book's existence. Finally, and most important, those readers who have supported me over the years, I give my heartfelt thanks. You keep me writing.

DEDICATION

This book is dedicated to the ladies of MVRAI—you know who you are—you constantly inspire and motivate. Thank you!

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Acknowledgements

Dedication

Prologue

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Thirteen

Chapter Fourteen

Chapter Fifteen

Chapter Sixteen

Chapter Seventeen

Chapter Eighteen

About the Author

Find Rue Allyn On Line

PROLOGUE

MAY 1285, NORTHERN Scotland

Sir Colin Marr swallowed, then wiped sweaty palms on his breeches and approached the stone bench where sat the only woman who could tie his tongue in knots. He had long imagined finding Lady Sorcha alone within the walled herb garden of his home – her smile beaming, her Mackai gray eyes dancing with mischief and delight at his presence. But that was a fantasy. In reality, a quiet smile played on her lips, and her eyes were closed. She daydreamed he knew, nae of him but of his twin brother, Brice, while his father and her parents finished negotiating the betrothal pact for her marriage to his older twin.

Brice should have been with her, but the selfish whoreson had ridden off early to the nearest tabhairn. On this day of all days, neglecting Sorcha in order to carouse with drunkards and whores was the final straw. Of nearly one mind as lads, Brice had changed, trading their kinship for his own base needs, his own renown—and to Colin’s way of thinking—for the power their temperamental father would cede to a son who acted like a man. Colin could nae sit by and see the woman he loved distressed, but neither could he bring himself to purposely destroy her present happiness.

I . . . ah . . . I thought I might find you h-here.

Sorcha opened her eyes; her smile shone bright and warm, as if the stars had arranged themselves for a happiness that she near burst to share with all. It almost hurt that the smile would be the same for any man.

Colin, my soon-to-be-brother, how good to see you. Come sit with me. She patted the stone surface beside her and peered eagerly beyond him. Did you bring Brice with you?

N-nay, my brother is otherwise occupied. He winced inwardly. She always knew on sight which twin was which, yet she could never recognize Brice’s faults. The temptation to tell her of the cur’s faithlessness was strong. But he wanted to remember her happy and wouldna cause her tears. If he was lucky she’d grant him a kiss of peace to carry with him all his days.

Then you have news of him? Her smile did nae falter, but she sighed, gazing up at Colin.

Shaking his head, he sat next to her and took her hand. I’ve nae come to speak of Brice but to say farewell.

Above her smile her brows quirked. I dinna understand. Brice wishes to speak our vows here at Strathnaver. Surely you will stay for the wedding. ’Tis only a few weeks off, though I wish it were tomorrow, or better yet today. She nearly bounced with excitement.

His heart hurt. He delighted in seeing her so happy, so in love, but that love was nae for him. He must stay firm in his decision. I regret I canna linger. An opportunity has come for me to pursue life as a knight errant, and I must take it.

A momentary moue of disappointment claimed her features before her bright joy returned. She squeezed his hand. I am happy for you, but are you certain you must depart now?

Aye. King Alexander has requested a knight from each clan to accompany him on a diplomatic mission. ’Tis believed he plans to wed Lady Yoland of Dreux, Montfort’s daughter. Brice canna go, nor would our father miss his heir’s wedding. Hence I am chosen to represent the family and clan. Colin saw the message from the king as a sign that ’twas time he left, to seek his fortune and give his brother and Sorcha the chance to settle into marriage. Eventually the longing for Sorcha would fade, he hoped. Then he might return and be happy to see her surrounded by Brice’s children. When she was a mother, likely she wouldna mind her husband’s infidelity and drunkenness so much.

’Tis an honor for you, but I am sorry you must miss the wedding.

Colin forced a smile. I’ll return soon enough, he lied.

’Twill nae be the same at Strathnaver without you.

Brice will fill all your time. You’ll have nae a moment to miss me.

She blinked at him. I hope I will be busy. I could never be happy to miss you. I can talk to you, and I’m nae so sure Brice shares my understanding of what our marriage will be.

Was she starting to have doubts? Shall I stay to see if the betrothal fails, and if so, be her comfort in hope she will turn to me? He shook his head inwardly. Nae, if she didna love him now, she wouldna in the future. ’Tis normal to feel so. But I believe those feelings will disappear once you are wed.

Thank you. I will miss your comforting counsel.

You have greater blessings than my puir words, so I would beg a boon of you. He wanted her to believe that he was truly happy for her. And he was. It was just ... Better nae put too much into precise thought, lest he speak his mind.

Anything for my brother in marriage.

Regardless of my hopes, I may no be able to return for some time, he hedged, unable to admit even to himself how much he regretted leaving. If only she wasna wedding Brice. Please, I beg you, grant me a kiss of peace to bless my travels?

Of course. When Brice and I are wed, I’ll have the Strathnaver priest say masses for you every week, as well.

Thank you. He stood, pulling her up with him.

She tilted her face, and he lowered his mouth to hers.

He intended only the lightest brush of lips, but she lifted herself onto her toes in the same moment, and her soft flesh yielded beneath the added pressure. She opened, and impulsively, he took the chance to taste her, to lick and savor her sweetness.

Her arms went around his neck, and she answered his advance with an artless passion that he wanted to believe came from her heart. She trembled against him. He embraced her, crushing her breasts to his chest. Her tongue’s small forays tantalized him. Desire raced in his heart, and his head swam. Could she love me? How could that be? He dinna know, but he would share this joy with her for as long as heaven allowed.

Brother, release my betrothed. Audible but slurred, the menacing whisper pricked his ears the way Brice’s blade stung Colin’s neck.

Moving with great care, he lifted his head, released Sorcha, and guided her behind him.

Colin, what’s wrong?

Evidently that kiss had caught her too greatly for her to notice Brice or the dagger her betrothed held to the soft flesh just below Colin’s earlobe.

Sit. Gently he urged her toward the bench before easing one sidestep away from the dagger point. Brice is here.

She stood fast and stared at his twin, blinking rapidly while she stroked her braid.

I . . . I . . . Brice you’ve returned, and . . . Her brows snapped together. Why do you hold a blade on Colin?

Her features trembled. Was she as confused as he by what should have been an innocent kiss of peace, to say nothing of being discovered by Brice?

Go inside, Sorcha. Colin and I must talk. Brice’s eyes blazed and remained locked on his twin.

From the corner of his eye Colin saw Sorcha pale. Her frame shook, from fear or determination, he could not tell.

Nae! You’ll nae push me aside so the two of you can brawl like bulls over a heifer.

The denial came out with more force than he expected. But Sorcha had ever been a stubborn girl, and Colin wasna too surprised.

Brice’s fury spilled over onto his intended. He swung to backhand her. Colin leapt to stop him. The dagger sliced Colin’s upper arm, and the wound forced him backward.

Sorcha dodged the blow, and her left fist smashed Brice’s nose.

Bitch, you’ll pay for that. he screamed and slashed at her.

Colin stuck out a foot, tripping his brother. Brice teetered. One arm pinwheeled. The other hand anchored itself on Colin’s wounded bicep.

Pain dropped him to his knees. Brice fell with him.

Empty hands reached for Colin’s neck. Grappling, they rolled and came to a bone- crunching stop against the foot of the stone bench with Colin on top, one arm raised to strike. Sweat blinded him, but he released his grip on a motionless Brice.

What have you done? An unexpected body blow knocked Colin away from his brother. You’ve killed him!

Colin blinked where he lay then wiped perspiration from his eyes with a torn, bloody sleeve while he regained his breath. Huh? What do you mean? All I did was defend you. He tried to hit you.

And I hit him. ’Twas a mere misunderstanding.

He scrambled to his feet, staring dumbfounded at the scene on the ground before him.

Pale as death, his head covered with blood still flowing from a wound at his temple, Brice lay cradled in Sorcha’s lap.

Sorcha pressed kisses to his face as she wept.

Sweet Mother Mary, Queen of Heaven, help us. Brice, you’ll nae die, do you hear me? I’ll nae have it. Fiend take it, wake up. Finally she ceased weeping and lifted her gaze to Colin.

Brute! I pray that wound he gave you festers and scars so all will know you are marked like Cain.

He canna be dying. Let me . . .

Nae. She howled then clasped Brice tighter to her bosom. You’ll nae touch him. I’ll hate you forever. I will see you hunted down, drawn and quartered for this treachery.

Her screams rained down like blows; Colin stumbled backward. But I didn’t . . .

You did! She looked wildly about, scrabbled with one hand in the dirt beneath the bench, and gripping Brice’s dagger, raised it accusingly above him. Come one step nearer, and I’ll gut you myself.

Colin kept moving, uncaring, unknowing of where he went. What have I done? Was Brice truly dead? If so it was an accident caused by the fool’s own drunkenness. Colin dinna approve of his brother’s choices, actions, and beliefs. Regardless, the man was still his brother. His selfish lout of a brother who had everything Colin would never have and took scant care of any of it, especially Sorcha’s love. But even that was nae cause for murder.

He bumped into a wall and found himself in the stables. Drunk or sober, their father was as volatile as Brice. It might be best to leave until time cooled hot tempers and the earl was willing to listen. ’Twill allow me to find the best words to explain this disaster, once I figure it out for myself."

WHAT’S HAPPENED? THE question came from the Strathnaver chamberlain who held the gate wide. Sir Colin ran past us toward the stables; he was wounded.

Sorcha! Her mother and father burst past the chamberlain.

My son! The Earl of Strathnaver ran to his heir. Who did this?

Brice, who’d begun to stir, was snatched from Sorcha’s arms. At a loss, she lifted her tear-dampened face. Her parents’ concerned expressions gazed back at her.

Why? she cried.

Their arms stole around her shoulders from both sides and helped her rise to sit on the stone bench.

We dinna know, daughter. Can you tell us what happened?

The horrifying vision flashed in her mind of Colin, fist raised, a bleeding Brice pinned beneath him. She shivered with combined terror and relief. Colin, her friend, had killed—nae, had tried to kill—his twin brother, the man she loved. How could he? Even worse, he’d tricked her into a kiss that Brice couldna help but think a personal betrayal. Revulsion at Colin’s manipulation knotted her stomach.

On either side, her parents embraced her, warmed her, and comforted her.

Brice will be fine, said her father. But you must help us understand what happened here.

She swallowed, nodded, and related the events as best she could. She still did nae quite understand what had occurred during that kiss. ’Twas supposed to be a kiss of peace, but it felt more like . . . like passion. That couldna be right. She tried to clear her head. Her passion belonged to Brice, nae Colin. But she had felt so overwhelmed, and Brice had been very angry. She would never betray him, so it must have been a trick Colin played, since he’d always been jealous of his brother.

Are you certain ’twas Brice who tried to hit you? Her mother’s voice was gentle, encouraging. We must be sure where the fault lies, so we dinna falsely accuse anyone.

Sorcha rested her head against her mother’s shoulder but looked at her father, whose expression grew colder by the moment.

Aye, in a fit of temper, Brice lashed out at me with the back of his hand.

Her father frowned. I canna approve of my daughter’s marriage to a man who would lose control and hurt her, even on an impulse.

But father, he dinna hurt me, and we are betrothed.

Nae after this incident. Wife, take our daughter to the stables while I inform our host that no marriage will join Marr with MacKai.

Sorcha’s mother cast her father a sidewise glance. Perhaps you should wait? The earl is no in the most reasonable frame of mind.

They clasped hands across Sorcha.

Fear naught, her father said. Do as I have told you. Take Sorcha to the stables and have our mounts readied. I’ll join you shortly.

He rose and went to where the earl stood berating Brice who cradled his head with his hands in the way of drunks the world over.

Sorcha and her mother moved toward the garden gate and heard her father interrupt the harangue.

I have changed my mind, Fergus. Nae betrothal will take place between Marr and MacKai.

You canna mean that! the earl shouted.

I most certainly do. Baron MacKai replied in a level voice. I’ll nae allow my daughter to wed your son. Hence, these agreements are null and void. He withdrew some vellum sheets from within his jerkin and tore them in half and half again then dropped the pieces to the ground.

Naaae! Fergus cried. He knelt and scrabbled to gather the torn contracts. What about Colin? ’Twas him she was kissing. One brother’s as good as another, and I want that breeding stock you promised.

Any promises are void because nae betrothal, nae marriage will occur, and without the marriage I’ll nae trade a mule with you, let alone fine MacKai breeding stock.

Sorcha’s jaw dropped. Why are you wasting your time with horse talk? Brice’s assassin is escaping.

The earl cast her an angry glance and motioned her to silence. Think man, you’re destroying your daughter’s happiness.

I doubt that Sorcha’s happiness rests in a union with either of your sons, the baron stated.

The baroness tugged on Sorcha’s arm. Come, we must take our leave.

Stumbling with tear-clouded vision and swiping at her eyes with her sleeve, Sorcha went with her mother.

Good day to you, my lord, Sir Brice. I’m sure you’ll understand if we dinna linger.

Behind her, her father’s footsteps sounded.

You’ll regret this, MacKai! We’ve a signed contract, and if you leave like this, I have every right to take those horses, marriage or nae.

Try, and you’ll have a feud on your hands. The king willna stand for that, and when he holds an inquiry, he’ll see the MacKais are in the right.

Fergus cursed. If none reports a wrong, ’twill be no inquiry.

The earl’s erratic temper and his ability to hold a grudge were legendary. But Sorcha was numb to that knowledge. She dinna understand her parents’ reasoning. But she knew when her father had made up his mind. For causing that decision, for hurting Brice, for killing her every hope of joy and love, may God curse Colin Marr and his entire clan from this day forward.

CHAPTER ONE

JANUARY 1295, NORTHERN Scotland

Once she thought she’d loved him. She’d been wrong.

Moonless night poured in through the two large windows of the earl’s bedchamber at Strathnaver stronghold. Sorcha MacKai-Marr, reluctant Countess of Strathnaver, hung her dark red cloak on a peg, bolted the door behind her, and with halting steps returned to her husband’s bedside. The earl no longer breathed; he’d died while she was out. She sighed, turned from the husk on the bed and sat to warm herself by the hearth. She wished she could weep and moan, but she was no a hypocrite. She’d hated Brice Marr for the past ten years, moreso in the short month they’d been wed. She would mourn the passing of a human soul and pray for it as she ought. However, for the man who’d been Earl of Strathnaver the kindest emotion she could feel was relief and a great deal of worry.

What was to become of her? She had rights she was certain and nae doubt some inheritance from her husband, but she knew none of the details. In this stronghold of enemies, whom could she trust? She would have sought counsel and shelter from her brother, Baron Raeb MacKai, had she nae defied him to marry a hated Marr. She’d had her reasons and chose nae to share them. Now that choice left her without recourse for as a Marr she was nae welcome at her childhood home.

Nor would she remain at Strathnaver; she hated the Marrs as much as did any MacKai. Mayhap, if she were lucky, she might receive an inheritance large enough that the church would take her in. The life of a nun was nae what she’d dreamed of, but what other choice had she? She’d sealed her destiny when she agreed to marry Brice Marr. Nothing would change it now.

She closed her eyes against the bleak and empty future. Worry and regret would serve no purpose, fear and bitterness must be banished or ignored, and the dead must be honored. Time enough to find solutions to her troubles during the three days of vigil over her husband’s body. Resigned to the uproar the death announcement would cause, she opened her eyes and screamed.

Her husband’s hand covered her mouth before more than a squeak sounded. His free arm snatched her from her seat and banded her against his torso—a torso far too well muscled to have been wasted from weeks of fever and bloody flux. At least she thought it was her husband until a wild glance at the bed showed his body still lay there.

But the face looming above hers was ...? Colin?

Only a muffled gurgle emerged.

Shh. Do you want the entire clan to hear you? The cold, green eyes studying her held a warning.

She nodded as vigorously as possible. Of course she wanted to be heard—she was alone with a man who had betrayed her, caused her parents’ deaths, cast her clan into poverty, killed her dreams, and broken her heart.

Nae. Before you tell anyone of my presence or Brice’s passing, we must talk. He released her and stepped away.

Hand to her throat, she stumbled backward. You canna be here. You are dead.

He smiled, took her fingers and pressed them to his chest. Does this feel dead to you?

His heart beat strong and steady. Even through his dark jerkin his heat burned into her palm. She snatched her hand away.

But. . . She looked from him to the body on the bed and back. Brice said you died in France these eight years past.

One corner of his mouth kicked up. You never did wish to admit he lied more often than he told the truth. Now you have proof. However, we have more important matters to discuss than my brother’s treachery.

His treachery? What of your own?

Colin closed his eyes and clenched his jaw. I never meant to hurt you, muirnean.

She snorted her disgust at his lie.

I have naught to say to you, she hissed, turning her head away. She would nae allow him to hurt her again. Would nae allow his deep voice, his slumberous green eyes, or his clever