3 comments/ 19583 views/ 4 favorites Heart of the Highlands Ch. 01 By: simply_cyn Author's note: I want to both dedicate and thank my best friend Christopher for helping to inspire this particular story. Without his imagination and encouragement, this particular story would still be floating around in my head as simply an idea. ********************************************** Juliana Mackay and her friends seemed to drift through the mingling crowds of the fairgrounds, their gossip and chatting intermingled with soft laughter and giggles drifting to those just around them. With as much noise from the Highland games, music, laughter, and boisterous conversations that surrounded them, there was no way any one would be able to decipher the topic of their conversation unless they were amid their small, tight-knit group. But whatever it was, it was apparent that the girls were enjoying their time at the fairs and their opportunity to mingle with people that they didn't see on a regular basis. The small group of young women would stop every now and then by another group of girls that they had made acquaintances with but the giggles and laughter seemed to come faster and harder every time they passed a group of young men that were littered throughout the fairgrounds. However, Juliana didn't seem to find much joy or fun in the giddiness of her friends, especially when it came to the young men. She had, in her own opinion at least, more important things on her mind than the prospect of catching a young man's eye. Unfortunately for her though, she had been blessed with the looks that girls envied and men desired ... long waves of fiery locks and emerald-green eyes, all atop a body that she tried desperately to dress in clothes that didn't accentuate her ripe curves and long legs. Colin Mackenzie stood rather desolate amongst a gathering of young men playing a game of ball. They were laughing and having a grand old time. However, Colin stood out amongst the gathering as the only one not smiling. He didn't seem to be enjoying the festivities much until one of his friends jabbed him roughly in the stomach. Grunting, he glared momentarily at him before laughing. It was apparent they were all determined to make Colin enjoy himself regardless if he wanted to or not. The ball was thrown at him and he caught it in his left hand, tossing it back to the thrower. At least a smile had been drawn for a while as he had finally gotten involved with the game. It was a ball game commonly played amongst the young men of the clans. Colin ran straight into the back of one of his friends and they both tumbled. The friend had stopped to eye a gaggle of girls that were passing. Juliana was in the middle of her group ... she always seemed to be even though most of the time her thoughts were elsewhere. For some reason, the girls seemed to be more giggly than usual and she glanced around to find the source of why they had slowed to a bare crawl. "What? I swear by all that is holy, what's going on now?" she quipped, somewhat irritated and somewhat good-naturedly. She heard one of the girls murmur softly, "Oooo, he's got to be the best one out of the bunch" and with that Juliana's eyebrows furrowed, turning her face completely to see who they were ogling now. Colin cursed and got up, dusting himself off. "Damn you Cedric. Can't you keep your focus for even five minutes?" Then he looked in the direction Cedric had been fixated, flushing as the girls started giggling and talking amongst themselves. Shyly he rubbed the back of his neck and stepped back from Cedric. He had never done well with the female sort. They had a tendency to stare at him what with his rugged good looks. He had long dark hair that was generally tied back in a tight braid or at least a ponytail and always wore loose tunics in attempt to keep females from groping him with their eyes. Though today his mother had pestered over him and insisted he wear a low-cut neckline of a tunic without any undershirt. It felt odd to him but he had no choice. The tunic was cinched at the waist by a black belt and his black pants were all dirty from the game, tucked into knee-high boots. It was obvious as to which young man the girls were ogling and as Juliana saw him nervously step back and avert his gaze along with the tell-tale hand that he used to brush along his neck; she couldn't help but feel his pain. Even as she gazed at him with this sort-of empathetic look on her face, she could feel the stares of the other men in his group. It was their comments that snapped her back from the moment that she gazed at the other boy with him that brought the fire back in her jaded green gaze. All of them were alike ... ogling and commenting over her body, angering her further that she had dressed "as a lady" on this day of celebration. She would have given anything to rid herself of the corset that pushed her ample bosom up even more as if to encourage the stares of the young men in the group. Turning her nose up at them, Juliana hurried her steps along even if the other girls moaned their disapproval at having to move on so quickly but like little chickens in a group, they quickly gathered round her again and began their chattering and giggling as usual. Cedric approached his somewhat shy friend and slapped him on the back with a laugh. "That red head was sure staring at you, Colin." Colin shrugged and stepped back again, looking at his friend. He knew the girl Cedric was speaking of. He'd caught her gaze for only a fraction of a second. She'd seemed like him... not really wanting to be here. "Ooooo Juliana! Wasn't he gorgeous?" Lucinda sidled up beside her friend, giggling almost insanely. She was flushed. The day was hot and the constant twittering hadn't helped any. Juliana sighed as their group stopped off by a stand for refreshments. This dress was getting the best of her and she tugged at the lacy bodice that kept itching at her chest and shot her friend Lucinda a look that would have withered most girls if she had even been paying attention but she kept glancing back at the group of young men that they had left just a few yards behind. "I don't know ... which one?" she asked, pulling the hand fan out and snapping it out to get the still air around her moving. What she wouldn't give for a nice refreshing swim in the lake nearby. She followed her friend's stare for a moment to see that the boys were still standing around, much like their own group, instead of resuming the game they had stumbled across. "That tall one. There." Lucinda brazenly pointed toward Colin and giggled. "The one with the blonde. He looked at you, Julie ... didn't you notice?" She looked back at Juliana in shock, furrowing her brows and looked all sorts of flustered. "Really, Juliana ... you're of marrying age now. Looking is invited, you know. Even encouraged!" Juliana glanced at Colin again even as her hand reached up and snatched Lucinda's arm down. "Heavens, don't point! What are you trying to do? Make us look like a bunch of sniveling, giggling idiots?!" At times like these, Juliana wanted to just be alone out on the rolling Highlands on horseback instead of stuffed inside a dress that put her on display. But her gaze lingered on the young man that her friend had pointed out for a fraction of a second too long and Lucinda caught her look. "You DID notice! I knew it!" and that threw the whole group of girls into giggling fits again as they all looked and began twittering around Juliana who didn't know whether to blush or to grow angry. "Heavens, would you stop all this ruckus?" she harshly whispered, turning her back suddenly as if she didn't really care but she did chance a glance back over her shoulder at him one more time. True enough, he WAS gorgeous. Colin's gaze moved back toward the girls that had passed. One was pointing at him which just made him blush a little but his eyes were drawn to the red head's gaze again as she looked at him. They were obviously talking about him. Again, shyly he turns away. Cedric just chuckled and nudged his friend in the side. "Do I sense a bit more than a casual glance in that look?" Colin glared at his friend and nudged him back, sending him stumbling a few paces. "Shut up Cedric." Juliana couldn't help the small, reflexive smile that appeared when their gazes met. However, Lucinda caught it before Juliana even knew she had done it. "I KNEW it!" and the whole group seemed to turn and watch as Colin shoved his friend, sending them all into a pile of giggles again as Juliana blushed from head to toes. "Please ... girls ... don't do this," she pleaded, turning her back again as her fan picked up the pace as it waved in front of her. This had to be the most embarrassing moment of her life and as the girls started to wave and flirt with their fans and twist about demurely, Juliana suddenly took off at a fast pace, almost running as her face flamed almost the same shade as her hair. Cedric waved back to the girls, laughing as Colin hurriedly went the other way. He turned his head, catching the movement of his friend and quickly turned to follow him. "Colin! Wait!" Reaching close enough to his friend, Cedric grabbed hold of one of Colin's gauntleted hands, causing him to growl under his breath. Instantly Cedric let go. "Oh ... sorry Colin. I didn't mean to." Colin could only grit his teeth at the pain before nodding stiffly, looking to his friend. "It's alright." "Julie! Don't you run off." Lucinda grabbed her friend and tugged her to a stop. "What's the matter with you? Got butterflies or something? At least go talk to him or ... something. No sense in running off." Juliana whirled around as her friend pulled her to a stop, the long skirts of her dress billowing around her legs as she snapped the hand fan shut. "Lucinda! Have you lost your bloody mind? There is no way that I am approaching a man that I don't know to talk to him. A lady would never do such a thing!" At Lucinda's hurt look, she softened her stance and reached out to gently touch her friend on the arm. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean it like that. It's just ... I ... I can't." She glanced up and then back to the group of boys that were still responding to the girls that were waving and giggling. "I have no idea who he is. I've never seen him with the families that are in the alliance of the clans. I can't." "Sure you can. You just don't want to." Past the hurt she forced a smile and reached to pat Juliana's arm. "It's okay. Want to go and do something else?" Juliana sighed gently and glanced away, her thoughts heavy on her Father's troubles that were prevalent in her mind. If things didn't work themselves out, this might be the last get-together that she would attend with her friends. What she wouldn't give to be as carefree and unconcerned as the group of girls that she was in the company with. But the state of her Father's fortune and the possibility of them losing their land if an agreement wasn't worked out had given her more to chew on lately and her carefree demeanor had disappeared. She glanced once more at the group of boys and in particular the handsome one with long dark hair. Aye, she wished she could dream of the things that most girls her age did again. Then offering a soft smile to her friend, she gently covered Lucinda's hand on her arm and squeezed it tenderly. "I'm fine. You go have fun and flirt." Lucinda frowned a little, looking into her best friend's eyes a moment to make sure she was really telling the truth. "Okay ... but don't be a stranger too long, okay? I'll be .... somewhere. With them," she said, motioning to the other girls. "No running off and staying gone. It's not allowed." She smiled, squeezing her friend's arm gently before moving away to rejoin the group they'd split apart from. Colin had managed to slip out of the line of fire and was on his way to find something else to do. Cedric's attention had been taken by the game again as they started up again, showing off for the girls that watched and cheered. Colin wanted no part in the sport. He already felt enough on display. He didn't need more of it. His hand throbbed a bit within the tight leather glove from when Cedric had grabbed him. The game hadn't helped either. He flexed the fingers carefully as if measuring their strength. He needed time alone, some privacy to get away and think. At a fair that was difficult to find. Juliana smiled a bit and watched her friend move back to the group of girls as they all began to watch the boys as they resumed their game. She sighed wistfully and then moved back in the direction in which she had remembered seeing the small lake they had passed earlier. It had been further off the path of the fairgrounds and away from the hustle and bustle of activity that seemed to draw everyone into its gaiety and frivolity. Something Juliana just didn't feel at the moment. Too much was on her mind ... without her Father's wealth and lands, there really was no telling what she would become. A laborer, no doubt ... but there were worse things out there for a girl of her beauty than hard labor. Taking a deep breath and shaking her head to rid herself of those kinds of thoughts, she moved further and further away from the noise until she found herself at the water's edge. Colin found himself at the water's edge of the same small lake some distance from the festival. He was sitting on an overturned log, having found a patch of shade beneath a large oak tree to settle under. It got him out of the noise and out of the sun which was a Godsend. Reaching up to unlace the front of his tunic, he loosened the rich fabric to get some air and then proceeded to unbuckle the gauntlet on his right hand, carefully tugging at the fingers to pull it off. He pauses as he hears footsteps coming up the path, seeing the red-headed beauty he'd seen back on the playing fields. Furrowing his brows, he pulled the gauntlet back on, buckling it again with a frown of disdain. Had she followed him? Or by chance, had she needed air too? Stopping at the water's edge, Juliana was oblivious to the nearby young man that Lucinda had been so fervent about. Kicking off her slippers, she stooped to pick them up and slowly walked through the thick moss that ran along the water's edge, loving the way the spongy greenery felt on her bared heels. As she walked, she reached up to pull a comb from her hair, letting the mass of red hair that had been partially up tumble down her back, pushing the comb in the folds of her waistline that was cinched tightly. She stopped and looked out over the water as she raised her arms to lift her hair off the back of her neck for a moment to feel the coolness of air touch it momentarily as she slowly began to relax a bit. There was much on her mind and it troubled her to the core. She had heard of plenty of girls that had fallen from wealth and wound up being nothing more than a ... than a ... She closed her eyes as she released her hair, refusing to even think the worse right now. Colin forced his eyes from the young woman. She clearly thought she was alone and hadn't noticed him yet. He couldn't help but look at her again as she lifted her hair from her neck. She looked everything a well-bred Scottish girl should look ... red hair, milky white skin, and a smooth complexion. He could hear his mother's voice in his head - "You need to find a well-bred girl. One who will bring sons. It was a gift from the Gods that I was given you after seven daughters." He'd heard the speech over and over and over as he grew up. Yes. He was the youngest of eight children born by his mother. All of the eldest were daughters. Four had been married off within the last cycle of seasons. That left three, and Colin, who would inherit everything at his father's passing just because he was the male heir. Juliana opened her eyes to gaze out over the lake once more as she released her hair to tumble down her back. Her father was in negotiations to ensure the security of their wealth but she had also heard through the grapevine that he was also in negotiations to possibly give her hand to the eldest son of the Kincaid family, one of the prime leaders of the alliance of clan members and she shuddered to think of it. Yes, she knew marriages were arranged all the time to ensure wealth and a family's place in the clan but marrying Robbie was a sentence worse than death. With a soft sigh, Juliana turned and gasped as she suddenly realized she wasn't alone. Colin's eyes widened when the girl suddenly realized he was there. He hadn't been intending to stare, but he couldn't help it. She was just ... there. Instantly he looked away, clearing his throat. Rubbing his neck shyly, he kept his eyes averted from the woman. "Please don't speak ... don't come over here," was all he could think. He really didn't want to have to stumble around trying to communicate with a woman. True he had seven sisters, but they were sisters. This was different. The beauty looking at him definitely wasn't a sister. Juliana turned again towards the lake almost immediately, feeling her cheeks flush a bright red. It was him. By the saints, it was him. She had dropped her slippers out of surprise and bent forward to retrieve them, her long hair falling forward and almost blinding her as she silently cursed at herself for being caught off-guard. Why was HE here? And what the heck was she supposed to say and what if HE said something to her?? She retrieved her slippers and hopped around, blushing furiously as she could only imagine what kind of idiot she looked like as she tried to put her sandals back on and keep her balance. As soon as she had them on she whirled to hurry on but thought it would be rude to just walk off and not say anything so she turned as if to just wish him well but her mouth just kind of formed this round circle and nothing would come out. Feeling more than a bit embarrassed, she turned again and scrambled away from the lake as quickly as she could without saying anything other than a small sound that probably sounded quite like a frightened animal. Colin watched the girl out the corner of his eyes hopping around on one foot as she put her sandals on before she started to run away. He wanted to call her back, but he couldn't bring himself to. Girls had always flustered him. They made no sense. As she scrambled away he stood and took a deep breath. He couldn't just let her run off without saying anything. It'd be rude. "Hey! Wait!" he called, suddenly wondering what the hell he was doing. What would he say? He'd stutter is what he'd do. It's usually what he did around girls. Juliana heard him call to her but she was so embarrassed at this point that she wasn't sure what she would do or say to him. Glancing back at him one last time, she wanted to kick herself for acting like some kind of fool in front of him but it was a little too late to make a different impression on him now. When she turned her head back around, she gasped right as she ran headlong into the one person she had no desire to see, much less run smack dab into his arms ... Robbie Kincaid! "Well, well, well ... what do we have here?" Robbie bellowed as his strong hands caught Juliana by the upper arms right before she ran headlong into his chest. Juliana reacted and began to flail at him with her small fists. "Unhand me!" she cried out, wrenching herself from his grasp. She nearly shook with both anger and hatred as Robbie and his cohorts laughed at her display. "If things go the way I expect they will, my pretty Juliana," he began, reaching out to capture her chin in his rough grasp, "You won't be saying that much longer." It had taken Colin a grand total of a few seconds to cross the beach. His left gloved hand came around in a hook to catch Robbie Kincaid right across the jaw. The girl had screamed in disdain and she'd struggled. That was enough for him. Heart of the Highlands Ch. 01 When the man stumbled back and held his jaw, Colin moved to stand defensively in front of Juliana, glaring at any other that would dare come near him or the girl. "How dare you call yourself a Scotsman ... treating a Lady like that," he challenged with his thick accent. Robbie recovered from the blow and a black cloud of rage seemed to take over his features as he took in the man that suddenly stood between him and Juliana. Releasing his jaw, he retook the few steps he had stumbled back and glowered at the man. Seeing Juliana move instinctively further behind him as her hand covered her mouth in surprise only served to enrage him further. "Who the hell are you?" Robbie demanded as his friends stepped back a bit to give the oldest heir to the Kincaid fortune room. Juliana blinked in surprise as the handsome young man was suddenly between her and the one person she loathed more than anything. She couldn't help but feel scared for what was suddenly unfolding before her or was it the nervous fluttering of being so close to him that was causing the inside of her belly to turn to mush? Colin narrowed his eyes dangerously. He stood just slightly shorter than his opponent, but he clearly had a sure skill and grace about him that spoke volumes. Fear wasn't in his vocabulary. "Colin Mackenzie," was all he said. He'd never been a man of many words and there was no need to go any further now either. Robbie's dark gaze raked over the man before him as he pushed the sleeves of his tunic further up his arms. "Well Colin Mackenzie, you just stuck your nose in business that doesn't concern you" and to Juliana's horror, threw a punch at Colin that caught him square in the jaw as well, sending him reeling back a bit against a surprised Juliana that tried to help by reaching out to grasp him by the arm with a startled shriek. Colin grunted as he was hit and he stepped back but quickly gained his balance again. Pushing Juliana back protectively, unwilling to let her get anywhere near all this, h e launched himself at Robbie with a savage cry, tackling the man down. As he slammed into the ground, Colin quickly began punching him in rapid succession. Juliana screamed as the men rolled around on the ground and a crowd quickly came running. She wanted to get Robbie off him but there was nothing she could do but scream for him to stop. It didn't take long for her own group of girls and the boys they had been flirting with the join the crowd that was forming around the men fighting. Of course, only the younger crowd was interested in such things as the festivities still held the attention of the elders and the young children that ran around. Colin finally gained the advantage and shoved Robbie against the ground after quite a tussle, both breathing hard with bloodied lips and noses. Pinning the bigger man ruthlessly, a pre-death grip on his throat, Colin snarled, "Do ye yield?" Robbie glared up at Colin, his pride wounded and his breath gone, struggling a bit before relaxing a bit, his eyes closing momentarily as he nodded. When Colin released him, he pushed at him angrily even as they both slowly stood; gasping for breath but neither one of them launched a new attack. Instead, Robbie turned his gaze to Juliana and simply pointed at her and then thumbed towards himself, a hard jab at his chest as if to say "Mine" before shooting a warning at Colin as he strode off with his friends. "This is far from over, Mackenzie!" he bellowed angrily. Colin winced as he flexed his right hand then wiped blood from his face with his sleeve, staring at Robbie's back. Once he gained his breath a bit he turned to look at the woman he'd fought to protect, seeing the shock and fear in her eyes. "Are you alright?" Juliana stood shocked for a moment and then turned her gaze from Robbie's retreating form to the handsome man that had just defended her. His name was Colin and she wanted to throw herself into his arms, sobbing and thank him for more than he could possibly understand but before she could respond, Lucinda was suddenly at her side, her hands pulling at Juliana and drawing her close as she was surrounded by her twittering friends, all riled up from what they had just witnessed. "Oh my gawd, Juliana! Are you okay?! What happened?!' and then suddenly she was bombarded with questions and the protective nature of the girls as her eyes met Colin's over the tops of their heads. Colin's friends had begun to close in on him too. Again they'd been denied the chance to talk. Cedric clapped him on the back and he laughed, "Way to go Colin! Sure showed him! What the hell happened?" Pulling away from his friend, he again wiped blood from his face with his sleeve. His mother would kill him for staining the silk tunic but it'd be nothing more than she'd do to him for getting in the fight to begin with; especially with Robbie Kincaid. Colin hadn't met the man until today but he sure had heard of the heir. He was as pompous as the man he'd be succeeding. Juliana felt like a trapped bird in a cage as her friends circled around her, talking about Robbie and his assuming ways and how unlucky she was if things worked out the way the rumors were flying and how dare he treat her like he already owned her in public and then on and on and on until her head was spinning. And then the questions started about Colin and how he got involved and wasn't he just dreamy and didn't she feel so lucky to have two men fighting over her and it all just went on until she wanted to scream. She kept looking around, standing on tiptoe, trying to find the one person she DID want to talk to. She at least owed him a thank you or an apology ... something ... anything! But he seemed as swallowed up in the crowd as she did. Colin grimaced as he flexed his right hand within the gauntlet he wore. Cedric caught the look and frowned knowingly, gripping his friend's forearm. Once Colin was able to breathe again he nodded and Cedric let go. He was handed a damp handkerchief to clean up with and he washed his face, wiping the dirt and blood away. Looking over the crowd, he tried to see the red-headed beauty. He wasn't going to let her get away without at least knowing her name. Shoving through the throng of his friends and through the twittering females that quickly moved out of his way, he approached the woman. All kinds of whispers and murmurs were going through the crowd as they slowly parted, giving him room. Juliana felt the crowd part and her friends move beside and back behind her, all the noise suddenly dying down to whispers and she glanced up to see Colin pushing his way through towards her. Out of a habit her mother had never been able to break her of, she reached up and tucked her hair behind her ear nervously, her green eyes filled with concern as she saw his swollen lips and the remnants of blood on his tunic and the exposed part of his chest. She couldn't help but let her gaze flow over him appreciatively as a smile that bloomed up from within her touched her lips as he reached her. "I ... I don't know what to say. I'm so sorry about what happened," she said, instinctively touching his arm with her small and gentle hand. He drew back instinctively, his right hand tucked almost protectively near his middle as if to ward off anything touching it. Meeting the woman's eyes evenly, he ignored those around him. Colin's eyes were icy blue and they shone with a fiery spirit that refused to be tamed, let alone be quenched. He was a wild man inside, regardless of his outer rich appearance. "I just need to know your name, woman." Juliana drew her hand back quickly. It was obvious that he didn't want to be touched and she felt horrible for even trying. Fighting back the tears that she felt welling up inside her from the whole ordeal; from the stress and then Robbie's proclamation that she would be his and now ... now the one man that she suddenly did want to know didn't even want her to touch him. It was all too much but she swallowed back her need to cry. It could wait until she was alone. "Juliana," she softly offered, "Juliana McKay." A light smile appeared across his bruised and bloodied face. He wipes his lips with his sleeve as if to be absolutely sure there was no blood and he reaches to take her hand in his left, raising it to his lips to softly kiss the back of it. "Honored to meet ye, Lady Juliana McKay. I am Colin Mackenzie, of the Black Stag Clan." At that, the whispers started up again along with a few giggles from the girls behind her. Juliana couldn't help but smile at the gesture and where she wanted to leave her hand in his for a moment longer, slowly drew it back as she did a small dip in the manner of a curtsy, just enough to show her appreciation for his valor. "The honor is mine, valiant Knight Mackenzie. How can I ever thank you for your chivalry bestowed upon a lady in need?" The giggles started again and she elbowed the nearest one to her with a genuine smile this time. Bowing in response, he bent at the waist before righting himself again, meeting her eyes brazenly. Despite his shy habits, he did know how to conduct himself appropriately in a court. "No need to thank me. I just hope I did not make the wrong conclusions from what I saw." He knew in the back of his mind had it been a different situation, different place with no one around, Robbie would have probably raped the beautiful Juliana McKay. Robbie just seemed that type of brutal man. Juliana smiled at him as the girls started to twitter around her again, pulling her off for a round of questions she was sure. But she managed to respond before she was pulled away, "You didn't make a mistake, Knight Mackenzie. I thank you again!" And then she seemed to be lost in the middle of the throng of girls again as they made their way away from the small lake, the moment gone as some of the girls glanced back over their shoulders at the boys closing in on Colin again. It almost seemed as nothing had happened in the first place except to that part deep within Juliana that thought she would never meet a man that would catch her eye. She had been wrong. Heart of the Highlands Ch. 02 The men grabbed Colin roughly by the arms and drug him to his feet. Pain shot through his back and legs and he subdued a cry of rage and agony, refusing to give the English brutes the privilege of knowing his state of torture. They drug him across the rough floor, jagged edges of stone biting at him, tossing him to the floor of his darkened cell. He grunted as his knees hit the hard, bloodstained, and mucky floor. He could feel them grabbing his right arm, stretching it out and putting his hand palm down upon the bloodstained block. Colin struggled, watching as the flickering light from the doorway caught the rock that was lifted high above his head. He tried to pull back, but two men held him and the stone came down with a vengeance... Colin bolted upright in a state of absolute terror. He was covered in a cold sweat. The hunting dog near his bed jumped as Colin suddenly sat up and gave a surprised bark. Once he gained his bearings, he breathed a sigh of relief before melting back against his bed. He was home, safe in his own bed. There was a slight ruckus outside Colin's room as a couple more hunting dogs were let in and his eldest sister, who was still at home, followed after them. "Colin, are you alright? I heard ..." She stopped mid sentence, looking at the curtained bed. Her brother had gotten up obviously; the curtains were pulled aside. She jumped with a shriek when he stepped out of the shadows after lighting a lamp with the leftover embers of the fire. It was just past midnight. "Those dogs of yours are going to wake the whole house, Lydia," she heard his soft and somewhat far way reply. "But yes ... I'm fine." "A bad dream again, brother?" Colin's eyes met his sister's and then he just looked away. Lydia sighed and approached her brother and before he could pull away, she grasped his shoulder. He reached up to shadow her hand with his own. There was hardly any strength in his grasp. The hand was cruelly mangled. He felt her kiss his hand softly and he closed his eyes. Lydia and he had always been close. It had torn his sister apart when he had been taken captive by the English. They all h ad thought he was dead. It had affected Lydia the most. Again he squeezes her hand tenderly. "I'm alright Lydia." He smiled a bit as Lydia leaned over to kiss his cheek. By all that was holy, it would be hard to watch Lydia married off. He had always relied on his sister's presence for comfort and company. Colin closed his eyes, squeezing her hand again. "Why don't you go back to bed, Lydia?" he murmured softly. "I'll be alright." Lydia shook her head and then hugged her brother tightly. "I'll sit on your bed with you until you're asleep again. THEN I'll go back to bed." Colin looked at her out the corner of his eyes. "I don't need coddling, woman." She just grinned and kissed his cheek again. "Too bad ... that's what big sisters are for." Once she thought she had Colin settled in and asleep again, Lydia got up to leave but suddenly Colin's hand grasped her wrist and she drew up short to look at him. He had feigned sleep well; either that or he had been asleep but had roused at her slightest movement. Probably something he'd learned or been trained into during his time in the Tower. She sat again, patting his hand comfortingly. "I'm here, Colin." Curling up next to him upon the bed, she gazed into his eyes with a smile. "I won't go anywhere. You just sleep." Lydia had been like a mother figure to Colin as they had grown up. There was a lot more than just a deep, unbreakable friendship between them. She reached for him to gently caress the swollen bruise around his eyes from the fight a few days ago. He'd sure earned his war wounds from that day. "Lydia? Do you know anything of the McKay family?" Her fingers stilled as she heard her brother's question and she drew back a bit, her eyebrows furrowing gently. "Other than the name?" she softly asked. "Not too much, really. Father mentioned something today about hearing the daughter ... Juliana or something like that has been betrothed to Robbie Kincaid." She tilted her head a bit as she looked at her beloved brother. "Why the sudden curiosity?" Colin sat straight upright at the news he hadn't heard. "Betrothed?! Why?!" Then he caught himself as his words gave too much away. "I mean ... when?" Lydia blinked a bit at her brother's reaction. He never seemed too interested in the politics of their world. "Just today ... I think. I'm not really sure, to be honest." She eyed her brother warily as he got up out of bed to pace his room. It was never a good sign when Colin retreated to silence. "Brother ..." Colin waved her off irritatingly, pacing back and forth in front of the fire. After it became apparent that he'd prefer to be alone, she rose and called to the dogs that had piled near the foot of the bed. Opening the door, she let them out quietly and closed the door behind her. Colin let her go. He was grateful his sister could read him well enough that he didn't have to say a word in order for to understand what he needed. After a bit more pacing, he collapsed into a big chair set in front of the fire, looking into the hypnotizing flames. His left hand floated down to caress the top of his beloved lyre. Colin had loved to play the delicate instrument, priding himself in his ability. Now it was just a constant reminder of the damage the English had inflicted on him; the broken, crooked fingers of the hand they'd destroyed could no longer pluck the melodic notes from the strings. He sighed heavily; Juliana McKay had, in fact, been betrothed to the beast Colin had fought a few days ago at the fairs. Reaching up to caress his bruised jaw, his eyes darkened at the thought of the Kincaid heir so much as touching the beautiful Juliana. With a sigh he got up. It was obvious there would be no more sleep for him tonight. He needed fresh air. Pulling on a tunic over his nightshirt and, out of habit, reaching for his gauntlets, he left his room. Soon enough he was mounted one of his favorite steeds, guiding the animal with gentle words to take him for a ride along the coast. The sun was several hours away and he had no desire to be cooped up inside with thoughts of Juliana and Robbie in his head. *********************************************** Juliana sat wide awake upon the pillowed seat of her open window, the sheer coverings billowing out into the open air and then blowing gently back in as the breeze from the ocean out of her view, but not too far away, blew in across the rolling hills of her beloved Highlands. Her legs were drawn up tight against her beneath the dressing gown that shimmered in dancing candlelight that sat nearby. It was late ... past midnight she would guess, but she couldn't sleep. She hadn't been able to sleep in a couple of days ... ever since her encounter with the young man from the Mackenzie clan. Instead of sweet sleep, whenever she closed her eyes, she kept reliving the brief moments that she had been able to look into his eyes. What she wouldn't give to be able to look into them once more. Laying her cheek to the tops of her knees, she closed her eyes tightly as a lone tear squeezed through and slipped down her cheek. Her father had made it official just this day ... she was, indeed, to marry the eldest heir of the Kincaid clan in exchange for security of their lands and their family fortune. Juliana was sick at the thought but knew that these things were done all the time ... it had merely been a matter of time. She heard a slight knock at her door before the door was pushed gently open. She didn't have to look up to know who it was ... she could smell the sweet, faint scent of her mother without having to even lift her head. Her moss-green eyes opened to gaze back over the rolling hills bathed in moonlight, not even lifting her head as she heard her mother approach. Only the tremble of her chin reacted when she felt her mother's fingers gently toy with her flame-hued hair. "It's late Juliana but yet a candle still burns in your window," she heard her say softly, even though she knew her mother did not expect an answer. "I know you are distraught but you know the customs of the clan and the duty that sometimes falls on a woman within." Juliana merely tightened her arms around her bent legs as her soft voice lifted, almost without any kind of emotion, "I know my duties, Mother." Juliana felt her mother sink down onto the pillows before her and only then did she turn her head so that her chin now rest on the tops of her knees, unshed tears shining in the depths of her green gaze. "Robbie is not without his faults," her mother began, "but neither is he the devil incarnate. He is handsome and well-to-do and ..." Juliana interrupted softly as a tear rolled down her cheek, "And I don't like him, much less love him." Juliana's mother sighed heavily and reached to take one of her daughter's slender hands in her own. "Love can be learned ... over time," she offered gently and then smiled a sad sort of smile at her daughter, "Look at your father and me." Juliana gazed at her mother for a long moment, knowing exactly what a loveless marriage did ... produced children and that was about it. That was the last kind of relationship she wanted not to mention the face that under no circumstance did she want a relationship at ALL with Robbie Kincaid but she simply nodded wordlessly and turned her cheek back to her bent knees. Her mother lay her hand on her daughter's soft tresses and stroked them gently before she added with a soft voice, "Tis best to put any other out of your head and heart, dear Juliana ... this is the path that you are meant to trod." Juliana's head whipped up to look at her mother startled, as if she didn't know what she meant until their eyes met and she knew that her mother just instinctively knew. Euphoria McKay smiled wistfully and drew her fingers down through her daughter's hair and added, "Tis a pipe dream you are thinking about, whatever his name may be, lass. Just remember that." Juliana's green eyes brimmed with fresh tears all over again and her mother nodded gently as her fingers caressed her daughter's. "Tis written all over your face, my bairn. I have always been able to see through the expressions on your face straight to your heart." Juliana sighed deeply as her fingers tightened on her mother's and choked back a soft sob as she rubbed her eyes on the tops of her knees. "Do ye wish to speak of it, lass? Sometimes it helps to get these things off your heart and into words." Juliana shook her head even as the tears rolled silently down her cheeks. What was there to say? She had no say in this world of hers. Her father's will was law and she felt the burden heavily on her shoulders to do what she could to keep the name McKay alive in their beloved lands. But to wed Robbie Kincaid in itself was a curse. To make matters worse, she feared that she had already lost her heart in the eyes and valiant nature of her knight that had appeared without warning into her life ... the man known as Colin Mackenzie. And now ... now she would never have a chance to get to know him as she longed to do. She would never get the opportunity to find out what secrets lay in the depths of his ocean-blue eyes ... the color of the waters of her beloved homeland. "Nay ... I can not speak it," she managed to whisper on a sob. "Tis only a dream." Juliana fell into silence and try as she might, her mother could pull no more from her beloved bairn but she knew her well enough to know that her heart was bleeding inside. If she only knew the source of her daughter's affections ... not that it would help. The contract had been made between the Kincaid clan and the McKays. Rubbing her eyes with her hand, she rose to leave her daughter with her thoughts, her own sadness washing over her that her daughter would not have the love she obviously carried within her heart. Casting one last look towards her daughter, she quietly left her chambers, closing the door behind her. As Juliana heard the door click shut, an audible sob managed to escape her throat as she finally gave voice to the name that had been weighing heavily on her heart - "Colin ..." Juliana knew there would be no sleep for her this night and with the way things were going, she may n'er sleep again. Pulling herself from her curled up position at the window, she knew the one thing that would at least put her misery behind her temporarily. She also knew, if caught, her father would have her head. He despised it when she donned the pants of a man and took out over the hills on horseback but it was the only thing that could drive the memory of Colin Mackenzie from her mind. Moving quickly but quietly, she donned a pair of trousers and boots and a button down tunic but as it was midnight and no one would be out to notice, she left her flame red hair loose for this night's ride before extinguishing the candle in her room and stealthily crept out of the manor towards the stables and her beloved mount. ********************************************** Colin rode for an hour or more and had worked his mount into a lather. Dropping down to the ground, he finally came to a standstill to let the animal cool off. He had raised the gelding from a colt and despite the fact he had no bridle or saddle on him, he followed Colin like a well-trained dog. He chuckled when he felt the horse's muzzle at the back of his neck. "Think you can breathe any harder, Maverick?" Reaching back to rub the horse's muzzle, he could hear the horse kind of murmur, nudging him again as they slowly walked down the beach together. Juliana had ridden her white mare down towards the coast, riding along the edge of the water for a while until she knew she needed to let her horse take a rest. Sliding off the mare's bare back, she took hold of the reins and simply led her for a while. The ride had worked ... she had put Colin and her troubles to the back of her mind but now that she was back on her feet, the whole thing had come rushing back to her and she felt, once more, overwhelmed. Turning towards the waves that gently rolled onto the smooth sands, she gave the mare its head and it wandered to the long sea grass that grew just behind where Juliana stood. She watched the waves roll in and tried to envision a life with Robbie but all she succeeded in doing was inserting the handsome face of Colin Mackenzie there instead. Maverick's head whipped up and he snorted, prancing a bit. Colin looked out where the creature had caught a scent, seeing nothing. It wasn't a nervous prance; it was one much like he did around others of his kind. Reaching up to rub Maverick's neck to soothe him for a moment, Colin grasped the horse's mane and mounted up again. Clucking his tongue, he felt Maverick take off at a canter around the bend of the beach. There was the source of Maverick's reactions ... a rider stood at the waterline and a beautiful white mare was grazing nearby. Colin slowed Maverick up a bit, peering toward the scene to see if there was any threat. The head of Juliana's mare whipped up from her grazing and then her whole body trembled as a loud whinny exploded from her nostrils and mouth. Juliana turned quickly towards the mare first and then in the direction in which the mare was looking. Furrowing her brows, she couldn't make out who the rider was or whether he was friend or foe. But she knew that being alone in the middle of the night suddenly seemed like a very foolish thought. As she quickly made her way towards the mare, the breeze blew up once again, catching her long hair and whirling it around her face and shoulders, almost blinding her. Biting back a curse, Juliana fumbled for the mare's reins as she danced and fidgeted. Pushing back her hair as best as she could, she harshly whispered towards the horse in annoyance, "For mercies sake, it's just a boy! Don't let him see you fret so ... it's unbecoming a lady" And then with a wry grin, she patted the mare's neck before turning her head towards the rider as he began to approach, her smile fading into a nervous demeanor. Maverick slowed at his rider's demand, whickering at the other horse in greeting. Colin slid off Maverick's back again, peering into the early morning light to see the girl. He smiled a bit - she must've needed air about like he did. "Fear not, Lady. I am merely passing by. What brings you out in such early hours?" Juliana startled some at the sound of the voice and she stepped away from her mare momentarily to get a better look, an incredulous expression passing over her beautiful face. "Colin?" The name had slipped from her lips before she knew she had said them. Colin paused as he heard his name and furrowed his brows, looking more closely at the girl. He didn't dare get his hopes up ... the fates had never been good to him. "Aye ... 'tis I. Who, may I ask, are you?" Juliana frowned a bit, thinking that he didn't even remember her and turned again towards her mare to hide the tears swimming in her eyes from the rejection. Here she had been thinking non-stop about him and he hadn't even remembered who she was, much less her name. "Tis not important," she murmured softly and threw herself back upon her mare's back, gathering up the reins. "I really must be getting back." He approached the girl and her horse, grasping the reins to hold her semi-trapped. "Nay, lady." He smiled up at her. It was her ... the girl that had haunted his mind since the day he'd fought for her purity. "At least grant a young wretch your name ... at least once more." Juliana couldn't help but tremble slightly as she gazed down at his handsome face. In that moment she wanted to flee without a look back but in the same instant, she wanted to slip down into his arms and never let go. "Ju ... Juliana ... Juliana McKay," she whispered softly. Colin smiled. The fates HAD been good to him tonight. The smile told her he had known her name all along ... he had just wanted to hear it again. "And what, pray tell, brings you here, dear Juliana?" She couldn't help but just drink him in as if this would be the last time that she saw him and it saddened her heart to know that it very well could be. Moss-green eyes, the color of the surrounding green that was beginning to show in the morning light that was approaching over the horizon, gazed down at him tenderly ... sadly. If only. The rest remained unspoken ... unthought. She couldn't allow herself the luxury of letting her mind wander. There were hard times ahead. "I ... I couldn't sleep," she stammered. "Nor could I. A storm is moving in. I can smell it on the wind." Colin offered his left hand up to help her down. "Care to walk with me awhile?" He had no idea what he was doing. She was a betrothed woman and his mind screamed at him to let her be. But he had to talk with her. They hadn't gotten a chance to the day at the festival. Juliana's gaze moved to his outstretched hand and she could feel the battle waging within her. She shouldn't be here, especially alone with him. She was betrothed, promised to another even when her heart pounded restlessly, wildly whenever she thought of the man that now stood before her. She should refuse and ride home but instead she felt her hand slip into his as she slid effortlessly from the mare's back and down beside him. She hadn't been alone with another man that wasn't a family member EVER. This couldn't be good ... it couldn't be good at all. But then why did it feel so right? Colin smiled as she joined him and he stepped away a bit to give her space as he led her on a walk. He had no idea what to do or say. Shyly he looked away, tucking his hands into the pockets on his trousers Juliana followed beside him, her own hands fidgeting momentarily before folding them gently in front of her waist and then let them hang down in a natural resting position. She felt all choked up for a moment as she went back over every thing she had ever said to him in her mind but it all just seemed a fog. But she was grateful for the time with him and just simply walked beside him for a long while before turning her head slightly to gaze at him out of the corner of her eye. Heart of the Highlands Ch. 02 "I wanted to thank you ... again," she offered softly. Colin's eyes turn toward the sea, watching as the waves rolled in. "It was nothing." He paused and then spoke again, "No man should ever touch a woman like that." He'd seen enough brutality in the Tower he'd spent three years inside. He'd only been delivered back to his people not six months ago. Coping with it all had been difficult and seeing a man treat anyone like that had dug straight beneath his skin. Juliana walked quietly beside him, blinking back the desire to sob at his words. Robbie would do more than that to her, of that she was sure. She lifted a hand to push back her wind-blown hair and then lifted her head to inhale deeply before turning her head to look at him a moment, seeing that he was troubled about something. She wished there was something she could do but she barely knew the man. "It was a lot more than nothing," she quietly observed. Shrugging idly, Colin turned to look back at the girl with a smile. "If you say so, Juliana." He looked toward the horizon and the rising sun. He drank in the sunlight, letting it warm his face as it came up over the horizon. It was a gift to see the sun. For three years he hadn't seen a sunrise or a sunset; day and night and the separation of the two had blurred. It was one continuous state within that tower ... neither of which could be considered day or night. It was just dark and drear. Colin shook his head to get the visions out of his mind. Even to the present day, screams and cries of other prisoners still rang in his ears. It haunted him constantly. He looked back at the girl with him, seeing her concern and he just smiled a bit. "Won't your family worry if they find your bed empty when they wake?" Juliana could tell by the expressions that ran across his face that something was troubling him but it was apparent that he didn't wish to speak of them. She smiled gently at his question even though she knew she would get a fair share of her father's temper when she arrived home. Staying a bit longer was not going to make things easier or for that matter, any worse. "I think the word is angry, not worried. My father is pretty used to me taking off on horseback," she offered with a soft chuckle, even though she hated the confrontations. Her smile faded quickly as she thought about the one they had when he told her that she would wed Robbie Kincaid. It might do him some good to fret! "Tell me, Juliana ... if our homesteads are so close by, and we both seem to have an aptitude for wandering at odd hours ... how is it we have not crossed paths before?" he asked. She gazed at him for a moment with a wry smile. "I was just wondering the same thing," she said, green eyes aglow with amusement. "Perhaps the timing just wasn't right, aye?" Colin looked away from her again. He knew he came across as a very serious soul, or maybe just one with a lot on his mind. "I've never been able to make amends with the fates. I don't know what I did in a past life to make them angry with me, but they haven't treated me well in this one." He chuckled a bit, looking back at her. "Until now ... and seeing you again. I had hoped to speak with you." Juliana smiled gently at his words, a soft blush kissing her cheeks as they resumed their slow walk. "And I, you," she added with a soft murmur, glancing a look back at him before a serious look crossed her face and her footfalls slowed until they both came to a stop. She turned to face him. "Colin, there is something that you must know," she said with a heart that seemed to drop down into the pits of her belly. He reached to caress her face, tucking her hair back from her eyes in order to be able to look into them. "I know. I heard." Juliana couldn't help the reflexive reaction that she had to his touch on her face. Long thick lashes fluttered down over her emerald gaze and she seemed to lean a bit into his hand before her eyes opened once more to lock with his. There were unshed tears shimmering in their depths and her own hand reached out to gently touch his gauntleted hand. "I have no choice ... it was arranged just yesterday ..." she trailed off with a shaky voice. Colin stilled as she touched him. He hadn't even realized what he was doing until he felt her touch. Suddenly it all came whirling back to him - the self-doubt ... the memories. What would Juliana want with only part of a man? He was still working on training himself to orient everything with the left side. He couldn't very well use the right for much of anything. It took all he had not to simply pull away. The only one he had trusted enough to come anywhere near touching it had been Lydia. His ocean blue eyes meet Juliana's. He should just let it be. No woman, knowing the truth of him, would want him anyway. "I want to see you again." It came out before he even knew what he was saying. Juliana's fingers gently caressed his knarled ones beneath the gauntlet and even though she could the rough texture, it mattered not. All she felt was the wild beating of her heart as their gazes locked and held. She felt connected to him and the only thing she wanted was the one thing that he had spoken. She knew she couldn't ... she shouldn't. If her family found out, there would be hell to pay. If Robbie found out, the heavens above only knew what would happen. But the only thing that mattered was being with Colin again. "I ... I ..." she stammered, knowing she should refuse but as her fingers slid along his covered knarled ones, she just simply nodded and answered instead with just one word. "Yes." Colin's heart leapt up into his throat. What was he supposed to do now? She'd accepted. There was a part of him that wanted to pull away and simply run. Damn females! They always managed to baffle him. But instead he heard his own voice ask, "When can I see you again? Where?" He had to think quickly. Spending time with a promised girl that wasn't promised to him would hold harsh repercussions if they were caught. Juliana couldn't think. She was shocked by her own admission. This was beyond ridiculous ... she was putting them both in possible peril. But it seemed worth it ... she had to see him again. After today, once just simply was not enough. "I ... I don't ...," she stammered for only a moment before she gently squeezed his hand, seeming to have made some kind of final, thoughtful decision. "Tonight ... there's a small keeper's hut on the southern most end of our estate. The keeper moved on just a few weeks ago and the hut stands empty." Her green gaze held his as she seemed to also hold her breath in anticipation of whether he would come. Colin gritted his teeth when she squeezed his hand. The pain went unnoticed in his features. "I will do what I can to be there." Again, he tucked her hair back, desiring nothing more than to lean in and take a kiss from those luscious lips that seemed to beckon him to dare touch her. But he couldn't ... not yet. It would seem too brazen. "There is a feast tonight to send off a hunting party. I will slip away after," he promised. Juliana nodded, still shocked by her brazen act to see him again. What he must think of her! Good lord, the things she was thinking about herself! But all she could do was smile gently, releasing his hand as she pulled back reluctantly. "I must go, Colin ... they will be searching soon." Colin let her go, knowing she spoke the truth. His own family would be missing him. "Tonight." He spoke the word as a promise and turned away from her once he saw her safely mounted and headed home. Clucking to Maverick, he effortlessly grasped the gelding's mane with his left hand and pulled himself up, heading in the direction of home. Heart of the Highlands Ch. 03 Colin had dressed up for this feast but not of his own choosing. Lydia had fussed over him for an hour. He wore a black silk tunic with a silver lining and matching accents. It buttoned up the front and the neck of it laced over his chest. She tried to talk him out of wearing the gauntlets but his glare alone had made her back down from the whole proposition. He wasn't comfortable with anyone suspecting anything wrong, let alone seeing it. It had a tendency to make people recoil like he was leprous or something and he didn't like the feeling at all. It turned out that the feast being hosted by his house was not just ANY hunting feast. It was the betrothal feast of Robbie and Juliana, which just made Colin's mood dark and sullen. He'd never liked big get-togethers anyway. Knowing he would be seeing Juliana with Robbie only made matters worse. These were the thoughts that haunted him as he stood alone in the great hall, watching the festivities unfold. Juliana felt like she was being torn in two different directions when she found out where the dinner was going to be held that evening. "Where?? The Mackenzie's??? But we've never had dealings with them before!" she had protested, her only concern at that point being both Colin and the possibility of another encounter between he and her betrothed. To make matters worse, here she was, dressed in her finest and looking every inch the way a well-bred Scottish lady should and on the arm of a man who she could barely speak two words to without spitting out of anger instead of the one man that she wanted to be with who was now forced to watch. This had to be hell in its purest form! Her mother had sensed that something had been terribly wrong, especially after the lecture her father had given her this morning when she finally had returned home and the announcement of where her engagement feast would be held. At the moment, she was doing the best she could to avoid Robbie at all costs and do as little damage as possible to Colin's pride. ********************************** Colin Mackenzie stood with his arms crossed over his chest. His eyes were narrowed almost dangerously upon Robbie's back but the young man had yet to notice him. He had seen the beautiful Juliana earlier in the evening. She had looked like a princess in all her finery, which suited him just fine. He rather liked women who were easy on the eyes and Juliana was easier than most. Robbie Kincaid was in high spirits, not to mention well on his way to a hang-over in the morning with all his drinking and celebrating. Not only would he inherit one of the greatest fortunes in the Scotland highlands but he had been promised the hand of the one woman that he knew would rather spit nails at him than be held in his arms. That was fine with him ... he rather liked a challenge and looked forward to the night that he could tame the wild rebellious side of the beautiful Scottish maiden. Tearing his attention from his friends, he began to turn about looking for Juliana now. She had made it clear that she didn't want anything to do with him, even on their betrothal feast but he had ever intention of taking just a little taste from her lips tonight. When he turned, what he found instead were the piercing eyes of a man that seemed vaguely familiar but Robbie couldn't quite place him ... yet. Colin's gaze met Robbie's and he just smirked a bit. The man was positively impossible. He hadn't had more than perhaps a few ales but liquor did him no good it seemed. Pretending to take no heed of the young man, Colin turned his attention to his sisters who were flirting shamelessly with some of the guests. Lydia had always been a tease. She now had a young man completely wrapped around her finger and was dangling him joyously. The man didn't seem at all abashed by the idea either Robbie shrugged off the man, whoever he was and began to walk through the crowd mingling in search of his bride to be. Meanwhile, Juliana was sticking to the outskirts of the crowd, keeping her distance with the help of a few select friends, including Lucinda. "I saw Colin earlier," Lucinda whispered, leaning close to Juliana's ear as she kept a close lookout for the whereabouts of Robbie. "He is devastatingly handsome, I must say," she teased with a giggle. Juliana glanced to her friend, wanting to tell her exactly how handsome she knew him to be but ducked behind a pillar on the outskirts of the dance floor as Robbie sauntered up towards Lucinda, demanding to know Juliana's whereabouts. "I know you know where she is," he slurred slightly, his dark eyes narrowing some. "She can not hide from me all night," he growled, slightly pushing the girl out of his way as if he half expected to find Juliana hiding behind her skirts. Glaring at the girl, he added before striding off, "You tell her that the more she runs, the harder it will be." "You know, threatening your bride-to-be is no way to win the woman's heart." Colin stood behind Robbie. He'd followed the pattern the man was making toward Juliana. "And it's distasteful for a man to use a messenger for such threats. Or are you too much of a coward to speak to her yourself?" Robbie turned towards the voice, a slow rage spreading over his face as Lucinda backed away, turning her head to see Juliana peeking out from behind a pillar. At that point Robbie suddenly realized who the man was and straightened his stance as he glowered at Colin. "Thinking of coming to her rescue again, are you Mackenzie? She is mine ... and I'll do with her what I will and there's not one damn thing you can do about it," he added with a smirk and took a long swig of the ale in his tankard. "She's not yours until the knots are tied about your wrists and the contract is signed. Until then, she's a free woman. You can't do a thing with her except the common thing we civilized folk like to call courting. You should try it sometime," Colin almost sneered. "It can prove to be worth your time and effort. The ladies swoon at the idea." He knew by now that Robbie was far too drunk to really know what he was saying. The whole idea of getting the man riled up seemed pretty fun. Robbie slammed his tankard down on the table next to him, startling a few of the guests close to them. "She's mine, by god and she will learn her place. There's no rescuing her from what will happen, Mackenzie. You'd do best to mind your own business," he warned, not really caring that his voice was getting louder and more slurred. Colin just grinned as he watched the bigger man approach him. Instinctively he took a defensive stance; he'd dealt with countless drunken guards in the Tower. It had become a sport to see just how many he could take on at once when he was healthy enough to do so. One drunken Scotsman would be no problem for him. "Apparently it IS my business as the announcement is being done in my home. And, as I said ... she's not yours until your wedding day." And then he added, with a wry grin on his face, knowing that the following words would sting a bit, "When is that, by the way? Set any date yet?" Robbie's face darkened immediately at the man's words mostly because of the fact that Juliana didn't want a thing to do with the betrothal or setting a date and he was eager to "seal the deal" and get her in the marriage bed. Tonight was just the icing on the cake with her practically ignoring him all night and it seemed as if this smug Mackenzie knew exactly what buttons to push. Robbie made a fist and pulled back suddenly to take a swing at Colin's face with a warning growl, "I see you didn't get enough of this the other day." Colin ducked and weaved to the side as the first swing was taken. "Let's see, Robbie ... who won that little tussle? Was hardly any challenge to it at all." When Colin ducked, Robbie stumbled forward, knocking over a small table with an assortment of drinks, the loud clatter drawing more attention to them from the mingling guests in the hall. Juliana knew she had to do something or there would be a mess that she might just have to explain. Pushing past Lucinda, she got between Colin and Robbie just as Robbie went to grab for Colin with a cry of rage. "I beg you to stop," she said, holding up a hand that found itself against Robbie's chest as he stopped and glared first at Colin and then the girl between them. "Is this any way to repay the kindness of the Mackenzie clan for their hospitality?" she added with a lift of her brow towards her betrothed. Colin admired Juliana for stepping in, though he was sorely disappointed that the fight had stopped so quickly. It had been rather enjoyable to goad the Kincaid heir into fighting him again. Taking Robbie by the arm, Juliana tried to steer him clear of Colin with her soft voice. "I believe we are wanted for a dance," she said as Robbie gave in and pulled her closer. As they walked away, she dared a glance back at Colin, her eyes speaking volumes that she couldn't give voice to. But only someone looking closely would see exactly what that message was ... the desire she had to be with him was as clear as a sign that had been tacked on her forehead for all to see. Colin watched as Juliana led the Kincaid away and he allowed himself to breathe a sigh of relief. He hadn't really intended to stir a fight, and the rush had caught up with him. Glancing over, he noticed Lucinda out the corner of his eyes and offered a hand toward her with a smile. "Care to dance?" Lucinda stood for a moment, not sure that she had heard the handsome Highlander correctly and then smiled, graciously slipping her hand into his. "I would be most honored, kind Sir," she said in her sweetest melodic voice. Colin led her forward to the dance floor. One thing he had learned well in a house full of females was how to dance properly. Gently laying his hand upon the girl's waist, they were swept up into the melody of the music soon enough. "Pray tell Miss, what is your name?" Lucinda danced beautifully in his embrace; her blonde hair pulled back in traditional combs and the back left to sway down her backside, much akin to the way most every maiden's hair was decorated for the evening. "Lucinda MacLeod," she offered with a smile and saw Juliana trying to keep as much distance between her and Robbie on the dance floor. "And ... how long have you known the Lady Juliana?" Colin never seemed once to take his attention from the girl he held in his arms as they danced, though he knew everything around him and kept track of it silently as if he were attempting to evade being caught in a snare. Lucinda's head tilted a bit as the smile curled upwards on her lips. There was that inward woman's intuition that caught hold of Colin Mackenzie's interest in Juliana and she held onto that hope for her best friend. It was tearing her apart to see her friend so unhappily betrothed to the Kincaid heir. "Juliana and I grew up together. Our mothers were best friends." "I see ..." Colin commented, glancing for a moment toward Robbie and Juliana then back to Lucinda. He didn't know where to go from here. The woman he was beginning to fall for was betrothed with a wedding date to be set sometime soon. How could he get past that? If a contract had been drawn, there was very little he could do. He had never known he would find a woman he could care for but he was finding that rather quickly in the lovely Juliana. But ... she was beyond his grasp. Lucinda followed Duncan's gaze towards Juliana and then smiled as their eyes met again. "Forgive me for being so bold but it is in my nature and I pray that you are not offended by my prying." She stopped her words momentarily as they danced effortlessly across the floor before adding quietly, "I have seen the looks both you and Juliana have given one another since the day at the fairgrounds." Colin met Lucinda's eyes again. "It IS bold but ... yes. I've found a liking for Juliana but that doesn't really matter now. She is to be wed." Lucinda shrugged her slender shoulders with a kind of carefree manner that was contagious in its own way, her blue eyes twinkling a bit as they danced. "Arrangements are made and arrangements are broken for various reasons. One never quite knows what is in store when determination sets in ..." Then she offered an encouraging smile to the handsome young man before glancing back to Juliana as she held her drunken dance partner as far away as possible. "T'would be a shame to see a beautiful girl like Juliana stuck with such a brute as Robbie Kincaid." Colin looked into the girl's eyes with a slight smile. "Are you saying I should uproot, or at least attempt to uproot the agreement between the Kincaids and the McKays?" He spoke in hushed tones as the dance floor was getting fuller as the music played on. Lucinda smiled back at her dance partner, her own voice lowering as they spoke about such things. "I would never suggest such a thing, of course. But if one was to do so and perhaps show Juliana's father another agreement that would also include his sole daughter's happiness, I would think that he would be elated to bargain elsewhere." Colin thought about that a moment. The Mackenzie's and the McKay's had nothing to do with one another ... until tonight. Or perhaps there had been and it just hadn't been publicized. A grin began to take form on his face. He would have to speak with his father about such things. "I thank you, Lucinda. You are a wonderful dancer," Colin commented with a hopeful grin. As the music came to a close he spun her around and posed with her at the final chord, leaning in to kiss her cheek. "We should dance again sometime soon. It's refreshing to not have my feet stepped on at every turn," he added with a grin and a wink. Lucinda laughed gently, her hands resting on his upper arms as they shared a secret behind the twinkle in both of their eyes. "T'was my pleasure, Sir Colin Mackenzie. I pray that you might have luck in the hunt that is to begin on the morrow," she added as they pulled away and went their separate ways, knowing he would know she meant a far different hunt that the one that many would participate in on the following morning.