Page 1 of Lady and the Scot

Chapter One

Moriag Forest, in the Northeast Highlands of Scotland

Just before he loosed his arrow, the buck jumped and dashed away. The day of hunting had become a total waste of time. Aiden Stuart let out a big huff and slapped his leg in frustration.

"A restless man is a dangerous thing," his friend Ian McRainey of Gordon clan stated as they crouched behind trees and bushes waiting for another shot at prey. "You have yet to stop fidgeting. They hear all the noise you make." Ian put down his bow and stared at him. "Do you starve every winter?"

He gave the man a droll look. "It could be the blinding shine from your golden tresses keeping the beasties away."

Ian was right of course. This life of leisure was excruciatingly boring. If there were such a thing as death by boredom, he was close to it. Of all people, Ian would understand. The seasoned warrior, who now lived in Moriag with the new laird, Declan Gordon, had to be having trouble adjusting to life in a place where peace reigned for decades.

Aiden's small keep to the south of Laird Gordon's lands made them neighbors. Often, he joined Ian and Declan for outings to hunt or visit the townspeople. But this day it was just him and Ian hunting. The Gordon had his hands full now that his wife, Aiden's sister, had given birth to their first child. A boy.

"Mayhaps I should take to the sea again. I miss my life aboard the ship." Aiden peered into the forest thinking he spotted movement. "I am indeed restless."

"Or just in need of a distraction," Ian said with a bark of laughter. "A woman may help with what ails ye."

"It may," he reluctantly agreed. "I've not lain with a woman in almost a fortnight. My hand grows tired." Aiden chuckled at his own joke.

The men laughed and gave up the pretense of hunting. Ian pulled out a wineskin and took a drink. "It is a good thing your guardsmen are good hunters," Ian said passing the skin to Aiden. "Else you would indeed starve."

He took a long drink and gave it back. "They train and hunt, which keeps them in shape for whatever comes. Let us go to town for our evening meal."

Within moments, they mounted and headed to the small village of Moriag.

Lanterns illuminated the interior of the small inn within Moriag. Every table was filled with either local townsfolk or travelers. A man sat in the corner and played a stringed instrument, the soft music created a soothing atmosphere. Exactly what Aiden didn't need. He rolled his eyes when the man began to sing a song of love and sorrow.

Ian lifted his tankard. "To you, my dangerous friend who needs a woman or two to lessen the boredom of his life."

Aiden grunted and drank from his own. "It's more than that. Although I appreciate the peace of this land, I do not govern over a village nor do I have many tenants to care for. My duties are few."

"Aye, I can imagine. Even with the many duties of Moriag townspeople and the keep, ‘tis not the same as our life used to be." Ian looked to him. "Perhaps you should consider growing your lands, supplementing plots for farmers."

"It’s an idea." Aiden doubted that would be enough to keep him busy though.

Across from him on the other side of the inn's room sat a woman dressed in deep blue. Her midnight tresses caught the light from the lanterns, giving it a soft glow. She sat erect, not eating. Her regal stance made her social stature obvious. Yet at the same time, there was a vulnerability about her that made him look to her every so often. Her dark eyes met his not for the first time and he lifted a brow in response. Her eyes widened slightly and she looked away. The beauty looked past him to the doorway and he wondered what waited for her once she and her companion left.

At her table, across from her, sat a robust man who laughed too loudly and continuously lifted his tankard for a refill. The man's meaty hand pushed her cup closer. "Drink up, Breena, tonight we have much to celebrate."

He noted her hand shook when she reached for the cup. Her gaze slid across the room, without stopping, as if searching for an escape.

She was a rare beauty. By the glances from all the men in the room, she did not go unnoticed. With light olive skin, almond shaped brown eyes and a slight lift to her upper lip, she was exotically appealing. The beauty was not slight, but tall with a long graceful neck. Both she and her companion were dressed in expensive fabrics that cost plenty of coin to acquire. Her gown's long sleeves were decorated with lace and brilliant jewels hung from her ears and neck. Aiden felt bad for her as women like her rarely had a choice in whom they wed. He wondered if she had just married the man who accompanied her. A pity.

Although she held her head high and shoulders straight, there was something about her that made him look to her again and again. She called to a part of him, he thought long ago dormant.

None of his business. Aiden stood from the table. "Need to take a piss." He exited the inn and rounded the corner to relieve himself.

He unfastened his britches and released his cock just as he heard footsteps approach.

"I need your help, please." The woman touched his back. "Can you help me? I must escape."

It was dark and he couldn't see her face clearly, but he knew instinctively it was the woman he'd just admired in the inn. Even with a full moon bright, its light could not penetrate the space where they stood. "A bit busy right now."

She lifted her skirts and stood aside waiting until he finished. A new experience for him, a woman standing by while he pissed. Especially a finely dressed one.

A lady.

He fastened his britches and closed the distance between them. Her delicate fragrance tickled his nose, enticing him. "What happens, lady?"