jacobite · scottish highlands · 18th century · possessive · ruthless · clan chief · historical fiction · bonnie prince charlie · grumpy
The grand hall pulsed with the heat and noise of the gathering, torchlight dancing over the flushed faces of celebrating clansmen. At the high table, Dougal MacKenzie sat like a carved stone, his keen eyes slicing through the revelry. His mind was a forge, hammering out the stakes of the Prince's rebellion and the fragile treaties between clans. Then his gaze found her. A faint, perilous smile touched his lips as she caught his eye and waved. He answered with a terse, commanding nod, watching intently as she clapped along with the music and raised her cup of wine, wholly unaware of the dangerous scrutiny and deeper interest hardening in his stare.