KIDNAPPED BY THE HIGHLAND ROGUE Read online

  The Highlander’s prisoner

  There’s more to hardened outlaw Niall Corbett than meets the eye. Despite his merciless reputation, he’s on a mission he must defend with his life. One that means taking beautiful Fia Mackintosh prisoner for her own protection!

  Fia may have dreamed of being swept away by a gorgeous Highlander, but never of being held hostage by a gang of outlaws! While her head screams for her to run, her heart beats a little too fast for her captor, a man she shouldn’t, yet can’t help but trust...

  “A gentleman would never...”

  “I would never count myself one of those, lass.” He leaned in closer. “So do not harbor hopes that I am anything but what you see before you.” He held out his hands and motioned around them.

  “A thieving ruffian who would take a woman’s virtue without thought or concern!” Even she looked surprised by the words she’d spoken.

  “I would not say there would not be thought or concern if I took yours, Fia,” he said, moving forward until their faces were a scant few inches apart. “I would be very thoughtful.” A becoming blush spread up her cheeks and she stammered something before speaking it clearly.

  “Is that the boon you claim?” she asked.

  A shudder trembled through her, making him realize that fear was taking hold. He lifted his hand and cupped her chin. Sliding his thumb across those tempting lips, he shook his head.

  “Nay. Not that,” he whispered. “Only a kiss.”

  Author Note

  I am so thrilled to bring you the third book in my A Highland Feuding miniseries—Kidnapped by the Highland Rogue! I confess, I am finding such inspiration from the true history of these two Scottish families and their centuries-long feud.

  If you’ve read the first two books, you’ve met the heroine, Fia Mackintosh. She was a young girl caught up in the dangerous feud in Stolen by the Highlander, and then we saw her as an insightful girl in The Highlander’s Runaway Bride. Now Fia is a young woman who thinks that the stories and experiences of Lady Arabella and Lady Eva are sooo romantic. And she’s dreamed of a handsome Highlander kidnapping her and sweeping her into a torrid love affair that would lead to a happily-ever-after of her own. But when it happens, it’s not at all how she thought it would be, and yet it’s so much more at the same time.

  Using the disguise of Iain Dubh, Niall Corbett cannot help himself when he meets Fia in a dangerous situation—he kidnaps her believing it’s the only way to protect her. As we romance readers know already, nothing is ever that simple or clear, and this situation goes from bad to worse quickly. This hero is much, much more than he appears, and there is simply no way that Fia Mackintosh can ever be his. Or is there a way for Fia to find her coveted happy ending with this enigmatic rogue?

  A hint before you read this—my next hero appears in this book. If you’ve read the first book, you’ve met him, too, but now he’s grown-up and in need of a heroine. When he entered this book, he acted quite heroically, so I just know he’s ready for his own story.

  Terri Brisbin

  Kidnapped by the

  Highland Rogue

  Terri Brisbin is wife to one, mother to three and dental hygienist to hundreds when not living the life of a glamorous romance author. She was born, raised and is still living in the southern New Jersey suburbs. Terri’s love of history led her to write time-travel romances and historical romances set in Scotland and England.

  Books by Terri Brisbin

  Harlequin Historical

  and Harlequin Historical Undone! ebooks

  A Highland Feuding

  Stolen by the Highlander

  The Highlander’s Runaway Bride

  Kidnapped by the Highland Rogue

  The MacLerie Clan

  Taming the Highlander

  Surrender to the Highlander

  Possessed by the Highlander

  The Highlander’s Stolen Touch

  At the Highlander’s Mercy

  The Highlander’s Dangerous Temptation

  Yield to the Highlander

  Taming the Highland Rogue (Undone!)

  The Knights of Brittany

  The Conqueror’s Lady

  The Mercenary’s Bride

  His Enemy’s Daughter

  A Night for Her Pleasure (Undone!)

  Visit the Author Profile page at Harlequin.com for more titles.

  Get rewarded every time you buy a Harlequin ebook!

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  I’ve had the honor and pleasure of working with many editors while writing my thirty-nine novels, novellas and short stories over almost the past twenty years. Each one has taught me something about writing or my abilities. Each one has advised and suggested changes to strengthen my work. I’d like to dedicate this book to my first historical editor, Melissa Endlich, and to my current editor, Megan Haslam.

  Melissa, your humor and gentle approach helped me through good and bad times of writing and life. Megan, your insightful comments helped me stay true to my stories, and I’m glad we got the chance to work together (and again). I am so glad I’ve had the chance to work with each of you, and thank you for your efforts in making my stories work!

  Contents

  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

  Chapter Nineteen

  Chapter Twenty

  Chapter Twenty-One

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  Chapter Twenty-Four

  Epilogue

  Excerpt from Mistaken for a Lady by Carol Townend

  Prologue

  Brodie Mackintosh, chief of the mighty Chattan Confederation, smiled grimly at his cousin. The acrid smell of burning crops and dead animals made his eyes burn as he surveyed the damage.

  ‘When?’

  ‘Last night,’ replied Rob, his cousin and the commander of all Mackintosh warriors.

  ‘Any injuries?’ Brodie waited for the worst. These incidents had escalated in recent days from simple mischief into unmistakable attacks. He waited for the inevitable.

  ‘They chased most of the crofters out and away, but Old Angus would not leave.’ Brodie cursed under his breath and Rob nodded in agreement. The old man was stubborn, so he’d stayed behind on purpose and not because of age or infirmity.

  Brodie walked away then, examining some of the footprints on the soft ground. Crouching down, he stared off into the trees, thinking about the progression of the attacks.

  This was the fourth incident in the last fortnight. Each one in a different place across their lands. Each one destroying crops and livestock but very few of the crofts and never harming any of the villagers.

  Until now.

  Until Old Angus.

  ‘What are you thinking, Rob?’ he asked as he walked back to where his cousin waited. ‘What or wh
o is behind these?’ When Rob didn’t reply, Brodie met his gaze and saw the answer that neither of them wished to think let alone speak aloud.

  Years, nay decades, of clan hostilities had ceased on his marriage to Arabella Cameron. Well, if truth be told, they had eased with that strategic marriage and ceased in the six years since. Part of their success had been due to skilful negotiation and monetary reward, but for many of the elders, weariness and loss had been the biggest and best motivation.

  ‘Could it be, Brodie?’ Rob asked. ‘Would they be violating the peace?’ Rob used his favourite words at the very thought of it and Brodie winced at his vehement choice. ‘But, who among them would lead such an effort?’

  ‘I know not, but I will seek out more information before making such an accusation to The Cameron.’

  Brodie hated even the possibility that The Camerons were rising once more against them. Everything they’d accomplished in the time of peace between their clans and everything they’d suffered to attain that peace would be for naught.

  ‘Send our trackers to see where they went.’

  Rob nodded and went off to send the men on their assignment. Brodie walked back to edge of the forest and studied the perimeter. A small fragment of cloth clung to a broken branch where the path led away from the small cluster of cottages. He tugged it free and held it closer.

  The colours and warp and weft were familiar to him for he’d seen his beloved Arabella wear it. In a shawl around her shoulders. In a sash across her bodice. In the blanket that lay at the bottom of their bed.

  The pattern favoured by The Cameron’s clan weavers.

  Glancing at the piece of torn cloth, Brodie shook his head, partly in resignation and partly in regret. Nodding at Rob, he mounted up and rode back to the keep, still grasping the bit of wool in his hand.

  He wanted to be the first one to reveal this to his wife. If her family was betraying their honour and their agreement, she needed to know it first. He owed her that much.

  Chapter One

  Fia Mackintosh tried to turn her glance away but failed. Oh, she would be the first to admit that her efforts to avoid staring at the intimate scene before her were not her best. But truly, the sight before her was one she would admit she wanted to experience for herself. Not with the man involved—God forbid!—but with a man who would look at her the way her cousin the laird looked at his wife.

  Brodie towered over Arabella even more so than he towered over most of the men of the clan. The lady was petite and known throughout the Highlands of Scotland as the most genteel and beautiful woman who lived there. And yet, not for a moment did Arabella seem intimidated by the huge man standing so close to her, leaning down over her. When Brodie pressed his lips to Arabella’s, Fia’s own lips tingled. But that was not the worst thing.

  The worst thing was when a loud sigh escaped her control and echoed in the silence of the chamber.

  Loud enough to draw Brodie’s attention from his wife. Loud enough to draw his attention to her instead. And even loud enough that Ailean, the lady’s cousin and companion, laughed aloud. Thankfully, Aunt Devorgilla was not here to witness her embarrassment. Once again, Fia had broken the rule that servants were never to be seen or heard from when not being addressed. It was a lamentable failing that her mother had long bemoaned and, once more, it had gotten Fia into trouble.

  ‘I beg your pardon, laird, my lady,’ she began in a soft voice and without lifting her gaze towards him. ‘I did not mean to intrude on a private moment.’

  ‘If he wanted a private moment, my husband would have sought me in our chambers earlier, Fia,’ Arabella said, laughing. She dared a peek now and watched as the lady pushed against her husband’s chest, barely moving him an inch. Even so, he stepped back and crossed his arms over that chest. ‘Brodie, I am well. You do not have to look in on me every hour of every day.’

  Fia caught Ailean’s gaze and the truth struck her from the knowing look there—the lady was carrying another bairn. Daring a glance at them, Fia realised the laird was being protective, now more than before, because of the lady’s condition. Another sigh escaped as she hoped a man would hold her in such regard. Ailean laughed again at the sound and Fia felt the heat of a blush creep up her cheeks.

  ‘Go on now,’ Arabella said to her husband, who did not move a muscle in response. ‘You have embarrassed our Fia and I need her attention on her tasks.’ The mending lay forgotten on her lap. Fia grabbed for it to look busy and not lost in her thoughts which only made the laird laugh loudly.

  ‘I think our Fia understands, my love.’ Brodie leaned in and kissed Arabella’s forehead. ‘But I will leave you to your tasks.’

  The wicked glint in his eyes warned Fia that he would not go quietly. So, when he reached out and pulled his wife into his arms and kissed her passionately, Fia had a moment to look away...

  And she could not.

  It was so romantic. So passionate. So...what she longed for in her own life. At least the next sigh that escaped went unnoticed by the others in the chamber.

  ‘Good day, Arabella,’ Brodie said as he set his wife back on her feet. ‘Good day, Ailean. Fia.’

  He nodded to both of them and left the chamber, his long legs crossing the floor quickly. When the door slammed, it startled all three of them. The lady smoothed her hands down her gown and then tucked a few loose strands of hair back in the braids that hung down past her hips. Ailean stood and filled a cup for the lady. Fia, well, all she could do was smile at the wonderful news she’d gleaned from this encounter. When Arabella caught sight of her expression, she smiled, too.

  ‘I am not sharing the news yet,’ the lady said softly, her hand sliding over her belly in a protective gesture. ‘Not for a few more weeks, I think,’ she added. ‘But if Brodie continues his behaviour, everyone will realise it.’ The last pregnancy had been too brief and ended sadly, so it did not surprise Fia that they would wait on any announcement.

  ‘I will not speak of it, my lady,’ she promised. Serving as the lady’s maid often put Fia in situations where she would hear or see things not meant for others and she’d learned quickly how to keep confidences.

  * * *

  The remainder of the day moved quickly, as her days usually did, filled with tasks and duties, seeing to the lady’s needs, accompanying her wherever she went through the keep and beyond. Fia could not help but smile as the laird seemed to appear out of the mist several times as Arabella walked in the village or saw to her duties around the keep or to her bairns cared for in the nursery. The anger or rather frustration in the lady’s eyes always dissipated quickly as she gazed on her husband.

  And each time that happened, Fia sighed.

  Ailean and the lady took to laughing at the sound of it, but neither one took her to task over her naivety. The strange thing was that this was new to her. She’d worked for the lady for nigh on two years and, at first, took little notice of the goings-on of the romantic sort between Brodie and his wife. Only over the last several months had she begun to hear the whispered words and see the caresses and kisses.

  Her mother had laughed the first time she’d witnessed Fia’s reaction. According to her mother, it was because she was nearing the time to consider marriage and she was now noticing ‘those matters.’

  The truth was that Fia had noticed from her childhood days that there was something different...and lovely between Brodie Mackintosh and Arabella Cameron. Even when their clan suffered from the strife that divided them into two factions, forcing her and her family to live in exile in the mountains, Fia had watched the way her cousin treated the woman he’d kidnapped. Even having been only ten years at that time did not prevent her from seeing it.

  In the years since, and especially since the lady kept her word and brought her to serve in the keep, it was so clear to Fia and everyone. And what woman in their right mind would not want s
uch a match? Such a marriage? She sighed again. Such passion?

  Now, as Fia helped the lady finish the last tasks of her day, before she would see to her bairns and husband, Arabella turned to both Ailean and her.

  ‘On the morrow, I will accompany Brodie to Achnacarry to visit my cousin,’ she said quietly. ‘No announcement will be made of our journey and so neither of you will be required.’

  ‘Arabella—’ Ailean began. Fia watched as the inevitable test of wills played out. ‘You are...’

  ‘My husband will see to my comfort and my safety,’ Arabella explained.

  ‘But the attacks?’ Ailean asked, wringing her hands together and shaking her head.

  ‘There has been no sign of more attacks in weeks, Ailean.’ Arabella smiled then and nodded to them both. ‘Who would be foolish enough to attack the armed escort of the mighty Brodie Mackintosh? I am completely safe with him at my side.’

  Fia waited for Ailean’s next argument, for there were usually several. So, the quick capitulation was unexpected.

  ‘Very well,’ Ailean said softly as she nodded and looked away.

  ‘I am certain your mother would enjoy it if you stayed with her while I am gone,’ the lady suggested as she met Fia’s gaze. ‘I have put great demands on your time lately.’ Realising the decision had been made, Fia did not object.

  ‘You have not, my lady,’ she said. ‘But I appreciate your consideration.’ Even servants who were not kin were treated as though they were here amongst Brodie’s holdings. ‘I will go to the village in the morn after you have departed.’ Fia walked to the small dressing table and took up the brush there. ‘But for now, shall I see to your hair?’

  ‘I will see to that, Fia.’ The deep voice of the laird echoed across the chamber. Fia blushed then, her cheeks filling with the heat of it.

  ‘Very well, laird,’ she tried to say without stammering as she put the brush in his hand. ‘I will return in the morn then, my lady.’

  She opened the door and allowed Ailean to precede her out. As Fia tugged the door closed, she heard the soft laughter of the lady within as Arabella chided her husband for embarrassing Fia once more.