All that talk about being good and noble hadn’t lessened the pain of rejection. She stabbed at another weed and tossed it into the growing pile. Maybe he’d thought to spare her, but all he’d done was make it worse.
She heard a sound, like a child’s laughter, and lifted her head to peer at Gwenellen’s winged horse, Starlight, soaring high above. Puzzled, she lifted a hand to shield the sunlight from her eyes. Were there two figures on the steed’s back?
“It isn’t a shadow you’re seeing, my love. It’s Hamish.”
At the sound of that deep voice Allegra whirled, to find Merrick standing behind her.
He stood perfectly still, drinking in the sight of her. “He begged for another ride, and your sister was kind enough to accompany him.”
“I thought you...” She tried again. “I saw you depart. How did you... ?”
He flexed his hand. “My fault. Your mother warned me that Hamish and I would have to link hands until we were home, or we’d end up back here.”
“A mistake?”
“Nay. It was deliberate, I fear.” He took a step closer, staring into those sad green eyes. “I’ve failed my first test.”
“Test?”
“Of nobility. I wanted to leave you here, Allegra, where you’d be safe from all evil. I know it was the right thing to do, but I found I couldn’t.”
“You couldn’t?” She was babbling, she knew, but she couldn’t seem to stop herself.
He shook his head. “I know I can’t stay here, even though it’s paradise. My people need me. But if I could persuade you to go with me, as my wife, I’d do everything in my power to make Berkshire as close to paradise as possible.”
“Your wife? You wish us to wed, Merrick?”
“More than anything. If you’ll have me.” As she opened her mouth he lifted a hand. “But I warn you, Allegra, I’ll often be away fighting invaders, leaving you alone with a castle to see to, and servants who won’t always do things as you wish. When I return I’ll be bloody and weary, not fit for such as you. But I give you my word that I’ll fight with my last breath to keep you safe, my love. And if we’re blessed with children, I’ll raise them up to be good and noble, and to honor their mother above all else.
If you agree to leave your home and embrace mine, I promise to love you, Allegra, only you, and cherish you for all the days of my life.”
“Oh, Merrick.” She dropped the hoe and crossed the space between them, wrapping her arms around his waist, pressing her mouth to his. “It’s all I’ve ever wanted. More than I could have ever dreamed of.”
“Truly? You’d leave all this for me, Allegra?”
At her nod he drew her close and kissed her long and slow and deep. Against her lips he whispered, “Your unselfish love humbles me, Allegra. Now I know I’ve truly been given back my life.”
Merrick stood in the field of heather, his son beside him, watching as the cluster of women, dressed in gowns of jeweled colors, made their way from the cottage. In their midst was Allegra, in a gown of delicate white lace that could have been spun by angels. Her fiery hair hung down her back in a riot of curls that were fastened here and there with sprigs of wildflowers.
The others were chanting as they approached. Ancient words that resembled a hymn of joy. Merrick didn’t hear. The women were smiling, though there were tears in their eyes. Merrick didn’t see. He was deaf and blind to all but the woman who owned his heart. He had never believed such a woman existed. But here she was, reaching out her hands to his.
As he took them he noted the blisters from the hoe and gave her a heart-stopping smile. “What’s this, my little healer?”
She glanced at the blisters. “I was too busy to notice.” She closed her eyes a moment, then opened them to find him staring in surprise, for the blisters had disappeared, leaving her flesh as smooth and soft as a newborn’s.
“You never cease to amaze me, Allegra.”
She smiled. “May it be ever thus, my love.”
Love. The word did such strange things to his heart.
Wilona stepped forward, catching their joined hands in hers, and stared into the eyes of this man, who had come to their shores as a threatening stranger and would now become one of them. “There are many gifts that are given to us.”
Kylia’s voice joined in. “The gift of prophecy. Seeing the past. Foretelling the future.”
Nola’s voice chimed in. “The gift of healing. Not only the body, but the heart and mind and soul.”
Wilona nodded. “But the greatest gift of all is love. Its power is greater than all others. For love can forgive the past, and make clear the future. Love can speak, better than words, to the heart of the beloved. And love can heal. Not only the heart, but the mind and soul, as well.”
She placed her hand on their bowed heads. “And now, this day, you give your love to one another. In so doing, you are bound for all time. If you are blessed, you will live to see your children’s children. And when this life is over, your love will continue through eternity.”
She took a step back. “Take your son in your arms, Merrick, and join your hand with Allegra’s, and we will send you back to your home. We ask only that you return often. For you now have two homes. You and yours will, for all time, call the Mystical Kingdom your home. We are your family. Your people ours. And the gifts we’ve been given will pass on to you and yours, as well.”
Merrick lifted Hamish in his arms and closed his hand around Allegra’s. As her family began to chant, he watched the ground seem to drop away as, ever so slowly, they drifted heavenward.
As they floated over mountaintops and caught glimpses of tiny villages below, he drew his wife close for another lingering kiss. Against her lips he whispered, “I love you, my wonderful little witch. And will, for a lifetime and beyond.”
Allegra was too overcome to speak. This all seemed like some wonderful, magical dream. This man, who had come to her in anger, was now her noble hero. But he was real. As was the love she felt in her heart. Love.
It truly was the greatest gift of all. Pure magic. And she would cherish it, and this man, for all time.
* * * * *
In August 2003 be sure to read THE BETRAYAL,
the second story in Ruth Langan’s enchanting MYSTICAL HIGHLANDS series!
Turn the page for a sneak preview!
Prologue
Mystical Kingdom—1547
“Allegra. Gwenellen.” Six-year-old Kylia Drummond raced to the edge of the Enchanted Loch, shouting to her sisters over her shoulder. “Come swim with me.” Without waiting for them to catch up she began stripping off her gown. Wearing only her chemise, she stepped into the water. When it reached her shoulders she pushed off and began swimming.
She’d always loved the water. Like a lover it called to her. Though there were all manner of deadly creatures in the Enchanted Loch, she had no fear, for such creatures were friendly to her and her family. It was only strangers who needed to beware. The dragon that guarded its shores, and the other monsters that dwelled in the deep, were fiercely loyal to the ones who lived in peace with them here in the Mystical Kingdom.
Seven-year-old Allegra and four-year-old Gwenellen took their time stripping off their gowns and stepping gingerly into the frigid water. With squeals of delight they slowly made their way to where Kylia was treading water.
Kylia was holding a piece of netting her mother had fashioned. She paused when she saw sunlight glance off a school of fish that darted by. Moving quickly, she scooped up one from their midst and watched as the school changed direction, the fish quickly disappearing with a flash of light. “I promised Gram I’d bring her some fish for our supper.”
“I’ll help.” Allegra peered into the depths of the clear water. Moving with lightning speed, she caught a fish and deposited it alongside her sister’s catch on the shore.
“My turn,” Gwenellen cried. She chased several schools, always coming up empty. In desperation she tried one of the spells she’d been learning. But i
nstead of a fish, she found herself holding a dish, which had her sisters giggling. Her smile soon turned into a little pout.
“It doesn’t matter.” Kylia was quick to soothe her little sister. “We’ll have more than enough to
fill Gram’s pot before we’re...” As her words trailed off, she stared into the water with a look of surprise.
“What is it?” Allegra hurried to her sister’s side.
“Here.” Kylia pointed. “That face. Do you see it?”
Though Allegra and Gwenellen followed her direction, they both shook their heads.
“I see water. Fish. Some rocks far below.” Allegra looked up with a frown. “What do you see, Kylia?”
“A man’s face. Here.” She dipped her hand into the water, then withdrew it hastily when she touched something soft and warm. Human form and flesh shimmering just beneath the waves. “Can you not see?”
When she caught sight of the puzzled looks on her sisters’ faces, her tone lowered. “So, he’s here for my eyes alone.” She accepted her unique gift with the same characteristic matter-of-fact nature that the others accepted theirs. “No matter. I see him clearly. His hair is dark and long, to his shoulders, and his eyes gray and unfathomable. His nose is straight, his chin firm, with a little cleft in it.” She sighed as she studied the image. “There’s a sadness about him.”
“Why is he sad?” Gwenellen asked in hushed tones.
“I know not. But his heart is heavy.” Kylia skimmed her fingers over the ripples of water, then drew back abruptly at the tingle that raced along her arm. “But this I know.” She watched as the image shimmered, then dissolved until there was nothing left but rippling water. “One day he and I will meet. And I will learn all the secrets of his heart”
* * * * *
Will Kylia meet her fantasy man?
Find out in August 2003!
THE BETRAYAL
Harlequin Historical 670
RUTH LANGAN
traces her ancestry to Scotland and Ireland. It is no surprise, then, that she feels a kinship with the characters in her historical novels.
Married to her childhood sweetheart, she has raised five children and lives in Michigan, the state where she was born and raised. Ruth loves to hear from readers and can be reached by e-mail at
[email protected] or on her Web site at www.ryanlangan.com.
The spirit and joy of #1 Harlequin Romance
author Betty Neels lives on in four special novels...
HARLEQUIN HISTORICALS®
• BEAUTY AND THE BARON
by Deborah Hale, author of LADY LYTE’S LITTLE SECRET
Lucius, Lord Daventry retreated from society after being disfigured in the war. But in order to satisfy his grandfather’s dying wish,
Lucius proposes a temporary engagement to Angela Lacewood, with the understanding that she’ll break it once his grandfather dies. When the old man rallies, will their engagement become a reality?
HH #655 ISBN# 29255-4 $5.25 U.S./$6.25 CAN.
• SCOUNDREL’S DAUGHTER
by Margo Maguire, author of NORWYCK’S LADY
When prim and proper Dorothea Bright comes home to reconcile with her estranged father, he is nowhere to be found. Instead, she encounters Jack Temple, a handsome archaeologist who is intent on dragging her along for the adventure—and love—of her life!
HH #656 ISBN# 29256-2 $5.25 U.S./$6.25 CAN.
• WYOMING WIDOW
by Elizabeth Lane, author of NAVAJO SUNRISE
Desperate, widowed Cassandra Riley Logan claims that the missing son of a wealthy Wyoming rancher is the father of her unborn child. His family takes her in, and Cassandra finds herself drawn to Morgan, the missing man’s brother. But when her secret threatens to tear them apart, will their love be strong enough to overcome Cassandra’s reluctant deception?
HH #657 ISBN# 29257-0 $5.25 U.S./$6.25 CAN.
• THE OTHER BRIDE
by Lisa Bingham, Harlequin Historical debut
Though Lady Louisa Haversham is married by proxy to a wealthy American, she isn’t ready to settle down. Instead, she convinces her maid, Phoebe Gray, to trade places with her. As Phoebe, Louisa must now masquerade as a mail-order bride. Gabe Cutter, the trail boss escorting several mail-order brides to their grooms, proves to be a thorn in her side—and a constant temptation!
HH #658 ISBN# 29258-9 $5.25 U.S./$6.25 CAN.
KEEP AN EYE OUT FOR ALL FOUR OF THESE TERRIFIC NEW TITLES
Ruth Ryan Langan, Highland Sword
(Series: Mystical Highlands # 1)
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