Dreams In Green - ebook

With the death of her father, Lenna Keith is trapped between a king’s command and a land hungry guardian. Her luck improves none as she flees and winds up at the mercy of the Gunns, the very clan seeking to destroy her family. As she gazes into the eyes of their laird, her heart rebels at the thought of this man as her adversary.

Alax Gunn is intrigued by this spirited woman even though she is one of the horrible Keiths. Curiosity and mistrust turn to attraction and desire as she becomes so much more to him. What will he sacrifice to keep Lenna safe and in his arms? Will a love between two enemies bring an end to a feud or to two ancient clans of Scotland?

Excerpt: 

The sun still rose in the east. Reassured, Lenna’s heavy eyes blinked at the brightening. When had she fallen asleep? Sometime between drying tears and hopeless thoughts she’d passed out. Somewhere, faraway, she heard the cock’s crow, presumably the same one from yesterday morn. How the world could change in the span of a stormy night.

At least she hadn’t woken to the sounds of construction. Surely, if they meant to hang her they’d use proper gallows. Then again, knowing the Gunn reputation, they may have one hidden, ready to bring forth at a moment’s notice.

She let out a tortured breath. She didn’t know which the worse fate would be: to be hanged by Alaxander Gunn or to be married to Edward Sinclair.

A songbird’s call sounded nearby. Birds sang the day her father died as well. Did every living thing rejoice in the death of a Keith? A soft knock forced her to turn over. The door was closed.

Executioners didn’t knock, did they? “Come in.”

Slowly, the heavy door swung in. Moira peeked around the edge. “I hope I didn’t wake you. Alax said you’d be up early this morn, when he was hurrying out the keep. Did you and he argue?”

She sat forward. “I was awake. We didn’t argue, not truly.”

Moira smiled and pushed the door wide. She carried a tray loaded with food. Her face held no condemnation. Alax had kept her secret. Mixed feelings coursed through Lenna. An overwhelming happiness was high in the order, though.

“It seems everyone was up early this morn. Mayhap the storm disturbed you all,” Moira said.

She sat the tray on the side of the bed. Lenna glanced at what looked like sweet bread, butter, and a honey mixture before she looked back to Moira. “Who else was an early riser?”

She retrieved the footstool and sat. “Oh, many. James, Mistress Cat, and many of the men were all up before dawn. Cookie must be feeling generous.” She shifted her chin toward the tray. “She normally saves her sweet breads for the Sabbath.”

Lenna noted the hungry look on Moira’s face. With all the commotion of the morning, she’d probably missed her own meal. “You know, I’ve never had much of a morning appetite. How would you like to help me empty this tray?”

Moira pulled her eyes from the tray. “Oh, no, I couldn’t. Alax said you were to eat every bite. He even made Cookie give you an extra slice.”

Lenna eyed the pile. “I believe your laird is trying to fatten me up.”

The maid laughed. “You are barely more than bones. Catrieanna passed on her own honey mix for you.”

Catrieanna Gunn was offering a bit of kindness? No, she only wanted Lenna well and gone, as fast as possible. Well, in either case, no need to let the cake cool.

Lenna lifted a piece and took a quick bite. The bread tasted of many spices, cinnamon the most prominent. The Keith cook left soon after Lenna’s mother’s death. It had been years since she had something so sweet and good. She couldn’t hold in a contented sigh.

Moira laughed. “You act though you haven’t had food in days instead of hours.” She pushed herself to her feet. “I’ll be back for your tray in a while.”

Lenna waved, her mouth too full to try to answer. She snatched up another chunk of bread, folded it in two, and dunked it into the honey. It made the soft bread practically melt over her tongue.

~ * ~

Alax sat atop Raven and watched the waves wash over the rocky beach. He remembered words of wisdom and stories of betrayal his father passed to him along this very beach. Helen Gunn’s story of betrayal by the Keiths had been amongst them. Now that Keith’s descendant sat under Halberry’s very roof. He’d learned much in those few long walks with his father, but learned most strongly had been the fact that Keiths could never be trusted, never.

Confusion invaded his mind. Every bone in his body said that gentle lass inside was no enemy. She was good and brave, loyal and stubborn. She wasn’t his enemy, but she was Keith, his most bitter enemy.

He ran a hand through his disheveled hair. She was the same now as when he held her only hours ago, as when he watched her hold back pain and fear. Lenna was not his enemy.

A spike of fury suddenly coursed through him. Raven sidestepped, but Alax didn’t budge. Hellenna? She’d surely been named for Helen herself. Why? Why would a Keith choose that of all names?

Something green flashed near the corner of his eye. He spun, but saw nothing along the shore. Unease settled in his stomach as he looked back toward Halberry. A blinding urge to see Lenna swamped him. The sea wind even seemed to whisper words of home at him.