1578, MacGregor Castle

Craig Ainsley stood along the wall just left of the raised dais. He had escorted the Lady Evelyn Campbell to meet with her intended. He had remained to guard and watch over her as the particulars of the marriage were worked out. With her uncle having died, this union was imperative to secure the future of the clan. Craig knew his duty and performed it with the utmost vigilance. The one distraction that he had not counted on was the raven haired, emerald eyed sister of the Lady Evelyn’s intended.

From the first moment that he had laid eyes on the Lady Morgana MacGregor, Craig knew that his life would never be the same. She was a stunning beauty beyond compare. She had a fire in her soul that blazed within her eyes. Her gaze was intoxicating and caused Craig’s body to instantly jump to attention. When the Lady Morgana entered the room, every man’s eyes turned to look at her. Despite being the beauty she was, she behaved as if she had no notion of the effect that she had upon the male species.

As if his thoughts of her had summoned her, the Lady Morgana entered the room and glided across the great hall to the dais. She sat down beside the Lady Evelyn and smiled warmly in greeting. The two women already knew each other, for the Lady Evelyn had been promised to the MacGregor heir, James, but that marriage had fallen through. She was now promised to the second in line, Edward. The women began to talk but Craig was too far away to hear their conversation over the din of all those gathered. In spite of himself, he could not tear his eyes away from her. A platter of apple tarts was set down in front of her and she smiled, biting into one of them with pure delight on her face. Tae be that apple tart…

 “A bonnie lass, aye?” Brodie Campbell, his most trusted man, came to stand beside him against the wall.

“Aye,” Craig agreed. He turned his eyes to Brodie. “What is yer report?”

“All is well. There have been nay incidents that warrant concern,” Brodie replied. He leaned back against the wall, scanning the assemblage.

“Aye,” Craig agreed. He eyed the laird’s family sitting upon the dais. “Keep a vigilant eye regardless.”

“Aye,” Brodie agreed. “Looks like ye are keeping a vigilant eye enough for all o’ us,” he teased, with a sparkle of amusement in his eyes.

Craig shot him a look. “She is nae meant fer the likes o’ me.”

“Ye underestimate yer worth, me friend,” Brodie reproached him. “Any lass would be blessed indeed tae have ye fer a husband.”

“I have naething tae offer her or any other lass. Ye ken that well enough.”

Brodie shook his head. “Ye are a councilman of the Clan Campbell. Ye are a respected warrior o’ renown. Ye have much tae offer.”

“A lady o’ her standing should wed a laird, nae a lowly bastard such as I,” Craig argued.

“Have ye even spoken tae her? Perhaps she feels differently on the matter.”

“Brodie, me friend, I appreciate yer words, but they are fer nae.”

Brodie shook his head. “As ye say.” He stood up, moving way from the wall. “I will return tae our men but bear me words tae mind. Ye are worthy o’ any lass, nay matter if she is a laird’s daughter.” Brodie walked away, his words ringing in Craig’s ears.

When the evening meal was over, the Lady Evelyn retired tae her bedchamber. Craig set two of his men tae stand guard over her and went out to the stable tae check on the horses. He walked over to the stall with his favorite horse and grabbed a brush. He entered it and ran the brush over the silken hide. “She is a bonnie lass,” a feminine voice praised.

Craig looked up to find the Lady Morgana standing in front of the stall beside him. She reached out and patted the forehead of the horse next to his. “Aye, a bonnie lass indeed,” he agreed, his words carrying more meaning than she knew.

“Daes she have a name?” The Lady Morgana turned her stunning green eyes to meet his gaze.

“Aye, Epona is her name.”

“After the goddess o’ horses?”

“Aye, one and the same,” Craig nodded.

“It suits her.” Morgana smiled in approval.

“Aye, I thought so.” Craig smiled back at her. Her smile was contagious. The moment grew warm with tension as their shared gaze turned intimate. Morgana looked away, blushing slightly. It suddenly occurred to Craig that they were alone and unchaperoned in the stables together at night. “Me lady, it is nae seemly fer ye tae be here alone with me like this. Ye should return tae the great hall.”

Morgana turned back to glare at him with fire in her eyes. “Who are ye tae tell me what I should and should nae dae?”

To Craig’s chagrin, she was even more beautiful when she was fierce. “I wouldnae presume tae dae such a thing, me lady. I am simply concerned fer yer reputation.”

“There is nay need tae fash o’er me. Allow me tae be concerned fer me own wellbeing. Yer concern is fer the Lady Evelyn Campbell, nae I.”

Craig admired her rebellious spirit. He hoped that whoever she wed did not try to break it. “Aye, me concern is fer the Lady Evelyn,” he agreed. “Which is why I ken that a lady o’ yer standing shouldnae be alone with the likes o’ me.”

“The likes o’ ye? Are ye a rogue, Craig Ainsley?”

Craig laughed. “Nae quite, me lady.”

“Dae ye intend me harm?”

“I would never harm ye, me lady.” The very idea that anyone would harm her caused anger to flare within his chest.

“Then where is the danger?” Her eyes challenged him, snapping and sparkling with energy.

If only ye kenned the truth, lass.

Craig sighed, shaking his head. “The danger is tae yer reputation, nae yer person.”

“Ye let me worry about that. I dinnae believe it tae be right that we ladies must dae everything that the men in our lives tell us tae dae. Ye are nay better than we. Why dae men get tae make all of the decisions?”

Craig shrugged. “I dae believe that the church blames it on Eve.”

Morgana shook her head. “Why should all women be punished fer the actions of one? That has ne’er made sense tae me.”

Craig’s admiration for her grew. He appreciated a woman who could think for herself. “Dinnae let anyone hear ye say that, especially the priests.”

Morgana snorted in a most unladylike fashion that made him laugh outright.

“Are ye laughing at me?” Morgana asked, her eyes fiery with consternation.

“Ye are nae as I expected,” he admitted.

Her expression turned quizzical. “What dae ye mean?”

“Ye have a fire in ye that burns brighter than the sun. It is a rare quality in a person. I admire yer fer yer spirit,” he admitted.

Morgana’s gaze changed to surprise. “Most people dinnae find it so admirable. Me maither especially daesnae believe it tae be so.”

Craig raised a brow in inquiry. “How so?”

“She deems me spirit tae be tae unladylike fer polite society. She wishes fer me tae be demurer, more like her, so that I can find a wealthy, titled husband.”

“What dae ye want?” Craig asked, temporarily forgetting his intention to leave and find her a proper chaperone.

Morgana paused, tilting her head to the side. “Nay one has ever asked me that afore.”

“Well, someone is asking it now.” Craig gave her a kindly smile. “What dae ye want?”

“I dinnae ken fer certain. I ken what I dinnae want, more than what I want. I have nae ever been given a choice in the matter. Me maither has dictated me every move since the day that I was born.”

“What dae ye nae want?” Craig found her to be the most interesting woman that he had ever met.

“I dinnae want an arranged marriage tae some auld, wealthy laird who cares more fer me ability tae produce him an heir than fer me. I dinnae wish tae be sold tae the highest bidder fer the sake o’ propriety. I believe that we women are worth more than being used fer some man’s pleasure.”

Craig bit back a smile. “Ye certainly ken what ye dinnae want, me lady. I am fair impressed.”

Morgana flushed, nodded, and turned to leave the stables. Craig watched her as she left, already regretting her absence. At the doors, she paused and turned her head to look at him one last time. Their eyes met and held for the briefest of moments, saying things that their mouths could not, then she turned and disappeared from sight.

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