The Elusive Highlander Read online

  “Coira, what a beautiful name. Are ye Scottish, Coira?”

  “Not that I know of, but then, one never knows, does one?”

  “I suppose not, but yer name is definitely Scottish. It means seething pool.”

  She had been to Scotland on several occasions with her parents. Most of the people from the Highlands had those piercing blue eyes. Her dad had those same eyes. He claimed to have ancestors from the Highlands of Scotland. It was never proven. She’d never met any of them, although they'd spent most of their vacations up there searching for a sign of those elusive ancestors.

  She could well understand how her father had swept her mom off her feet. Theirs had been a love match. When her mom was alive, they’d been inseparable. Often, Coira had felt like an intruder. It seemed they had eyes only for each other, although hers had not been an unhappy childhood. It was a feeling she sometimes got that they would much rather be with each other than caring for her.

  She was often forgotten and left to play with her nanny and her dolls. Regardless, she loved her parents to death and had been devastated when her mom passed. She had not been sick long, and she’d died in her sleep. Coira’s dad had been clamoring to follow her ever since. She often wondered if his sickness was not a result of his longing to be with his wife.

  “Well, here we are.”

  They had arrived at a door at the farthest end of the office. After opening the door, he placed his hand in the small of her back as she stepped over the threshold. Coira felt as if a streak of lightning had hit her. For a minute, she felt as if she was in a different place, a different time. It left her feeling lightheaded as she entered the suite of rooms. She’d never had a dizzy spell before. So she grasped his hand to steady herself, and the feeling hit her again. It came so quickly and was gone just as fast that she questioned whether the feeling was real or imagined. She felt all right now. So she’d best get on with it.

  “Mr. Campbell, I understand you would like to retain our services. Is that correct?”

  “Aye. It depends on whether yer company can handle the volume of traveling I do.”

  “We most certainly can, sir. We can handle it from initiation to completion.”

  “Are ye sure? I have tried several other companies. They all promise to do an excellent job, and in the end, they all fail.”

  “Can you tell me how much traveling you do?”

  “I sometimes travel twice a day, several times a week.”

  “What part of the world do you travel to?”

  “I travel all over.”

  “I don’t anticipate a problem meeting your needs. That’s our area of expertise. If you give us the opportunity, I give you my word that we won’t disappoint you.”

  * * * *

  Alasdair thought about it before he capitulated. “Okay, I’ll give yer company a try. Can ye have the contracts sent to my assistant for my signature?”

  “No need for that, Mr. Campbell. I have them right here.”

  “Ye have them with ye? Ye mean ye were that sure of yerself?”

  “Not really, Mr. Campbell. I believe in being prepared.”

  “Great! Let’s get on with it then.”

  Alasdair was impressed by the young woman sitting across from him. Not only was she beautiful, she appeared totally unaware of it. There were no airs about her. He got the impression that she was not easily flustered. And that was good.

  After the documents were all signed and she’d left, Alasdair sat down and poured himself a drink. He believed this young woman was the one he’d spent centuries searching for. He felt a certain connection with her, but he had to maintain a level head. Something told him he couldn’t afford to mess this up. He sipped the drink slowly as he thought back to the events that had brought him to New York.

  He had been searching for his betrothed, and he believed he’d just found her. He was sorry he had to allow her to leave without telling her about it. He’d felt a bit awkward throwing this on her, after one brief meeting. He would find a reason to have her back in his office, and then he’d see how he could approach her. For now, let her enjoy what time she had left here.

  He needed to be certain of the choice he’d made. He could not afford to be wrong. He had a feeling a lot hinged on the decision he made where this woman was concerned.

  He wished he could remember his life before now. His memory came in bursts and starts. There was no continuity. One minute he was here, and the next he was somewhere else. He never stayed in any one place too long. The feeling that brought him here was different. There was a feeling of urgency about it that he’d not experienced before, as if he was almost out of time, time for what he didn’t know. He supposed he’d soon find out.

  * * * *

  Coira was happy to make it back to her office without any further mishaps. She was very impressed with Alasdair. He was a very handsome man; he made her feel almost helpless. She had an overwhelming feeling that she’d met him before. She quickly dismissed it, thinking it didn’t make any sense. Had she met this man before, she knew she would not have forgotten him. He was the sort of man who left a lasting impression. There she was thinking about him after one brief meeting. She was not one to be easily affected by the opposite sex. It was usually the other way around, which always served to irritate her. Alasdair seemed unaffected though. He was all business.

  When her boss heard she’d secured the contract, there was champagne all around in the office. Everyone said she’d landed the deal of the month. Only she knew better. She had the distinct impression that getting the contract signed had nothing to do with her. It was all part of a plan, though what plan she did not know. She knew only that something was off. He’d capitulated too easily. She had the feeling his mind was not on what they were discussing, as if he was toying with her.

  It was all her suspicion. Coira had nothing concrete to go on. It just felt that way to her. She had been doing this for too long not to know when she was being placated. She’d gone there expecting some resistance, but there was none forthcoming. This was the easiest sell she’d ever done. It was like taking candy from a baby, much too easy.

  She had been back in her office exactly fifteen minutes when the office phone rang. Coira wasn't surprised to learn it was Alasdair asking to speak with her.

  "Coira, can ye book a trip for me to Glasgow on the first flight out in the morning?"

  “Yes, Mr. Campbell. Would you like us to arrange your hotel too?”

  “Aye, the entire thing. Please fax the confirmation to my office so I can have it before six. I want to be en route as close to six as possible.”

  “Very well, Mr. Campbell.”

  “Alasdair. Mr. Campbell makes me feel positively ancient.”

  “Okay, Alasdair.”

  Coira was going to take care of this booking herself. She wanted to make certain everything was as he wanted it. Not that anything ever went wrong with anything they handled. There was always a first time, and one never knew. She wasn't taking any chances.

  CHAPTER THREE

  Coira got on the phone right away to get the arrangements made for Alasdair. She was able to get him a seat on the first flight leaving JFK for Glasgow. She got him a direct flight in first class. Booking the hotel went equally well. She was so thrilled with her success that she wanted to deliver the paperwork personally.

  She went back into the cold wind and snow and made her way back to Alasdair’s office. She intended to leave the paperwork with the receptionist. Just as she stepped into the reception area, Alasdair came walking into the room, as if he’d been expecting her.

  “Do ye have the paperwork, Coira?” he asked.

  “I do. I brought it over.”

  “Excellent! Do ye have the time to go over it with me?”

  “Sure,” she replied.

  He turned and walked back into his office. Coira took it as an invitation to follow him. As soon as she stepped over the threshold, everything went black, and Coira felt herself falling into a deep,
dark pit. She tried to stop herself with her hand, but she kept going down, down, down. After what to her seemed like forever, she landed in an open space. It was still very dank and dark, and she felt crisp, cool air brushing against her.

  Coira had no idea where she was; she assumed she must have passed out, especially after her earlier dizzying spell. She pushed herself off the floor with her hands and felt cool stone beneath her fingers. Rising to her feet, she began walking in the direction she felt the cold air coming from. Her eyes adjusted to the darkness, and she was able to see the room she was in.

  It was a large chamber, lit by a few torches hanging in sconces in the wall. The big open space had a tall ceiling. She was so blown away by the series of events that had gotten her there that she couldn’t take in her surroundings fast enough. A huge table occupied the center of the room, and several roughly made wooden chairs surrounded it. There were a couple of long wooden benches against the far wall next to a huge fireplace.

  She went unerringly to the fireplace; the chill was beginning to penetrate through her coat. That walk brought her farther into the room. She saw movement in the periphery of her vision and turned to see who else had fallen down the hole with her. Coira came face to face with Alasdair, or someone who could be his twin, if he had one, only this man was rough looking, almost savage she would venture to surmise. He had shockingly red hair that he wore long, past his shoulders, and bright blue eyes that seemed to glow.

  Coira blinked incredulously as her jaw dropped. She had evidently fallen into the lair of this savage man. He looked like someone who ate women like her for dinner.

  “Hello,” she ventured, holding out a hand that was shaking so hard she couldn’t keep it extended. “I’m Coira. I’m sorry to invade your home. I fell through the floor. Is this an underground dwelling?”

  “Nay, lass,” he said in a thick, rolling brogue, still ignoring her extended hand. “Yer in my keep at Campbell Castle, of which I’m Laird.”

  “Campbell Castle? Isn’t that in Scotland?” she asked.

  “Aye. Where do ye hail from?”

  Where did she hail from? What was that savage-looking man talking about? And where was the real Alasdair? She had followed him into his office. If she fell, shouldn’t he be down here with her?

  “I was in New York in Alasdair’s office. Where is he?”

  Just then three men entered the room, all dressed in the same wild fashion. They were all wearing kilts, similar to the one the man called Alasdair was wearing. They had a sort of plaid blanket in green, black, and blue draped over one shoulder, which came down to their knees.

  ”What might we have here, Dair?” one of the men asked him.

  “Make yerselves scarce. I’ll let ye know after I’ve spoken with the lass.”

  “Dair, we want to witness the lass’s reaction when you talk with her. Don’t ye need us to be present?”

  “Nay,” Alasdair almost shouted at them.

  They disappeared just as quickly as they’d come, and she was once again alone with the savage warrior.

  She began to shiver. The man strode across the room and took a woven plaid blanket, similar to the ones the men had been wearing, and slapped it over her shoulder. The blanket was so long it covered her almost to the floor. It was surprisingly warm. She went to grasp it with both hands to keep in place and noticed she was still holding on to the paperwork she had gone to deliver to Alasdair.

  “I dinnae ken how ye got here, lass, I’m just verra grateful.”

  “Why? I’m not carrying anything except a reservation for a client. Where’s Alasdair? I was following him.”

  “I’m Alasdair, Laird of Clan Campbell.”

  “Is this supposed to be a joke? Am I on Candid Camera or something?”

  “A joke? Candid camera? Why do ye think so? And what is candid camera?”

  “Well, to begin with, I don’t like this terrible cold place. For another, I was nowhere near Scotland. One minute I was in Manhattan, and the next I am in Scotland, in this cold, freezing place with a man who looks like someone from the sixteenth century.”

  “Watch yer tongue, lass. I do not look like anyone other than who I am… Laird of this castle, Castle Campbell, and it is the fourteenth century. Ye appear to walk around not properly clothed. That is why ye are cold in the keep. Do not fret yerself. I’ll see to yer needs.”

  “I don’t want you to see to my needs. I only want to go back home. What do you mean the fourteenth century? You believe it’s the fourteenth century?”

  “Aye. It is the fourteenth century. Let us not discuss this now. I’ll see what can be done about yer mode of attire. In the meantime, I’ll have Gertrude bring ye in something that will warm yer stomach.”

  “Gertrude,” he yelled. An old woman came into the room as if she’d been standing nearby.

  “Aye, there ye are, Gertrude. Can ye give the lass something warm to eat?”

  “Aye, Dair.” She hurried away.

  CHAPTER FOUR

  Alasdair walked to the window that was opened onto the courtyard while the woman waited in his keep for Gertrude. He knew she’d be in good hands with Gertrude. He couldn’t say the same for himself. She was a fetchingly beautiful lass, but he had yet to understand how she had come to be in the middle of his keep.

  Things had been unstable with Clan MacDougall of Dunstaffnage Castle for decades. They had been warring for what seemed like forever. Just when he’d thought things had begun to quiet down, Tristan, his younger brother, got into a brawl with one of the MacDougalls. This started the feud up all over again, and now he was preparing for them to attack the keep. He had no idea when or what form the attack would take, but he was willing to bet it would be dirty. MacDougall did not fight clean.

  Could this woman be part of their plan to throw him off? Where had they found such a beauteous lass? She was not Scottish because she did not speak like one. Also, her manner of dress was different. She claimed to have fallen through a floor, but he didn’t believe it. It was too fantastic a tale … too opportune. He would question her again after she had some hot food inside her. Right now, he had to calm his men down. They were suspicious of all strangers and would soon be calling for her head.

  He passed Gertrude, on his way to the courtyard, as she was hurrying back to the room. She stopped when she came abreast with him. “Dair, do ye think ’tis a good thing to keep the lass here? We are verra vulnerable now.”

  “It will be fine, Gertrude. Don’t ye fret yerself about it.” And with that, he walked out to the courtyard, still mulling over the predicament he currently found himself in. Gertrude was correct, though he would not give her the satisfaction of acknowledging it. He allowed her the leeway to talk to him that way because she had known him from a wee lad.

  He was about to join his men when he heard shouting coming from the room the lass was occupying. He immediately retraced his steps and returned to the room.

  He was about to open the door when it was wrenched from the inside and Gertrude came storming out. “Ye handle her, Dair,” and she continued walking down the stairs.

  Alasdair entered the room and found the lass sitting at the small table trying to eat the meal Gertrude had served her. He could tell she was having a difficult time with the slab of almost raw meat. After turning and twisting it around and around on the plate, she pushed it aside and ate the cabbage and turnips with the hot gravy. There was a jug of ale in front of her that she didn’t touch either.

  So he had learned something about her. She did not like meat and had a dislike for ale. Well, she would have to adjust; that was one of their main staples. And they were lucky to have that. They had the Templars to thank for that luxury.

  Thinking of which, the prosecution of the Templars saddened and frustrated him. He and most of his clan had once considered joining the renowned order of warrior-monks had it not been for his disagreement with some of their rules, least of which was their view about women. Their possible political aims and obvious eco
nomic gains had bothered him as well.

  He also wondered about their mission, as opposed to some of the other groups, such as The Knights of St. John, a large organization also known as the Knights Hospitaller, which took care of the poor and the sick while performing other good deeds in the Holy Land.

  Undeniably, the Templars were a formidable fighting force, skilled in the art of war. What had brought them low and had the Templars seeking sanctuary anywhere it could be found was their dispute with the French king. The Parisian Order of the Templars virtually functioned as the French royal treasury, lending large sums to European royalty and individual nobles, in particular Philip IV, known as Philip the Fair.

  The loss of the Holy Land to the Moslems eroded support for the order, a situation Philip took advantage of. Rumors had spread of secret initiations that were heretical in nature. King Philip convinced Pope Clement V to declare the order excommunicated and declared that all the order members were to be arrested.

  Many of the Order's members in France were arrested and tortured. However, Scotland did not get involved in the arrests and prosecution of the Knights. There was no recognized king of the Scots, and with the Bruce having already been excommunicated, the Roman church had little say in Scottish politics.

  So, Robert the Bruce, desperate to obtain Scottish independence, had accepted the word of the Campbells and Clan Donald about the powerful warrior monks and had given them leave to welcome the Order into Scotland in exchange for their swords against England.

  The Templars, trained in weaponry and strategy, proved essential to Scotland’s cause. They were strategically placed throughout the Scottish armies, directing and leading the troops. Alasdair had great respect for them and considered them an important asset to Scotland.

  He’d been standing just inside the room watching the lass. He’d intended to question her again, but now he decided against interrupting her, and retreated out of the room.

  * * * *

  Coira had no idea how long she had been sitting at the table in this drafty place trying to eat the food Gertrude had placed in front of her. She had long finished, and no one had come to remove the plate or to talk with her.