Page 1 of Never Kiss a Highlander

Chapter One

October, 1662

Finn Mackay was again taken aback by the sight of Castle Varrich, set high on a hill, rising before him as he grew closer to his destination. The area surrounding the castle was covered with rolling hills of deep green and wet grass from the recent rains. Late autumn flowers were wilting, a sure sign that soon the weather would be colder as winter set in.

The majestic castle, overlooking the Kyle of Tongue and Village Tongue, always impressed him with its position. It would be almost impossible for another clan to attack without being seen for miles from the ramparts, making it one of the safest holds in the Highlands.

He patted the pouch tied to his waist where the note from his brother, Craig, sat. The message that thanked the Clan Chief for the offer to make him his second-in-command. As a newly married man, and Craig’s wife just now settled at Dun Ugadale, and expecting a bairn, Craig would not be accepting his offer.

It was Finn's job to deliver the message and then talk Laird Foster Mackay into allowing him to step into Craig's place ashis second-in-command. It was not the first time one of the Mackays took a brother's place.

Finn’s brother, Chieftain and Laird Robin Mackay, had been betrothed to Lady Lorena Gunn, but in love with the Mackay healer, Helena Ross. Craig Mackay was the one who delivered the news to the Gunn laird that Robin would not be honoring the betrothal, but, to avoid a major conflict and possible war, he was there to offer himself in Robin's place.

It had been a bad start to that marriage since Lady Lorena felt insulted and rejected, and Craig had made it known he was only marrying her to save his brother. Now they were so happily married that Craig behaved like a besotted fool, imitating their brother Robin with his wife, Helena.

Finn shook his head. That was not for him. Marriage was fine; he actually had no objection to it once the right lass presented herself, but his brothers had lost control of their senses when it came to their wives.

Control was everything to him, and he shuddered every time he remembered the one time he’d lost control and what had followed.

He pushed all of that to the back of his mind so he could do what he came for. He wanted this position. As the third brother at Dun Ugadale, he was needed at his brother's side, of course, but his duties could easily be replaced. Craig was the one who Robin relied on for most of the major decisions.

Finn felt the need to prove to himself that he was not just the “youngest Mackay brother,” but a man who could take control of clan warriors, see that they were trained properly, go into battle alongside his laird, and help make strategy decisions.

The sun was just making its descent when Finn arrived at the castle. "Who goes there?" a voice called from the ramparts, interrupting his thoughts.

Finn placed his hand over his eyes to block out the setting sun and looked up at the guardsman staring down at him. "Finn Mackay, brother to Laird Robin Mackay."

"Weren't ye just here a bit of time ago?"

It had only been a fortnight since Finn and his brothers, along with Craig’s wife, Lorena, had left Castle Varrich where they had gathered with the other chieftains for a clan gathering. It was then that the Clan Chief offered the second-in-command to Craig. With both his sons dead, he said he wanted a well-trained warrior, which he was sure the brother to Laird Robin Mackay would be.

"Aye. I am carrying a message for the Clan Chief. Would ye let down the drawbridge?"

No one answered, but it didn't take long for the creaking of the chains to announce the drawbridge was descending. Finn trotted across, the sound of his horse's hooves vibrating in the air.

He arrived at the outer bailey and jumped from his horse. A guardsman met him with his hand out. “I’ll take the message to my laird. I’ll have the stable lad take care of yer horse and ye may wait in the great hall for the laird’s answer.”

Although he would have preferred to present the message to the laird himself, and at the same time offer his services in his brother’s place, he handed the piece of parchment to the man and, since he was familiar with the keep, headed to the great hall.

He found a sweet lass finishing up her chores from the evening meal. She stopped and placed her hand on her hip giving him a very saucy smile. “Weren’t ye here only two weeks ago? With yer two handsome brothers?”

Finn placed his hand on his chest and offered her the smile that tempted many a lass to lift her skirts. “Ach, lass. Ye hurt my feelings. Are ye saying only those two big oafs are handsome?”

She sauntered closer to him with more of an obvious sway to her hips. “Nay. I dinna say that. But it appears yer head is big enough without me adding to yer opinion of yerself.”

He leaned back and crossed his arms over his chest and grinned “Ye best forget my two brothers, lass. They are both besotted with their wives.”

She licked her lip. “And ye? Are ye besotted with yer wife as well?”

“Nay. No wife for me.”

The lass picked up the last of the trenchers on the table she’d been cleaning. “My name is Brenda if ye find yerself looking for some company.”

Just then the man who had taken the note from him shouted, “Brenda, ye are no’ paid to stand around and flash yer charms at visitors. Get back to the kitchen.”

Instead of acting embarrassed, Brenda flicked her hair over her shoulder. “Ach, James, yer just a jealous mon.”

He shook his head as he reached where Finn sat. “I’ll bet the lass was so busy trying to get ye into her bed she dinna offer ye food and drink.”