This is a story of a spirited highland lass, that was put in charge of her clan when her father was killed. She is being forced to marry an English Knight, by dictate of the King. Tis simply a spirited love story.

Sitting atop a hill, Steven Mallory looked off into the distance, frowning. He didn't like to think of the bride who waited for him on the other side of the mountains. Who in fact had been waiting for him for the past three days. His sister, Mary, had had a few choice words to say to him about a man not bothering to show up for his own wedding, nor even trying to send a message informing the bride he would be a few days late.

Jamie MacDonald stood by the open window of the English Manor house she was staying at, trying to get a breath of fresh air, wishing with all her heart that she was back home in Scotland with her clan, not here waiting for some stupid Englishman to show up to wed her.

"The English are pigs!" Jamie swore under her breath, slams the window and once more begins pacing the room she was being kept in. Her normal soft voice, now deep with resentment at this so called marriage arranged by the King of England, in hopes of bringing peace with the Highlanders. Heavy footsteps were heard outside her door, and she caught her breath, stopping in mid stride, then breathing again as they continued on down the hall. She was a prisoner, being held captive on England's northernmost border by men she'd always hated, men who now smiled and flirted with her no matter where she went.

Walking over to a table in the center of the room, she grips the sides, letting the wood cut into her palms; disgusted at the way those men treat her. She had to stand by and watch as men like these killed her father and his three chieftains. After that, she had to work hard to keep the Clan alive, helping to feed everyone because the English enjoyed destroying their crops and burning their villages.

Remembering back to the day she was taken captive, Jamie smiled, thinking of the wounds she and her men inflicted on the English pigs, later four of them had died. In the end though, because King Henry VII, wanted peace, he had decided to name an Englishman as chief of Clan MacDonald. He decided to do this by marrying one of his Knights to her.

She smiled, knowing she was the true chief of the clan and no man would dare try to take it away from her. Her brother had tried, and failed. Her being named chief of the Clan was her fathers doing, for he knew that the son was too weak minded to do it. Soft musical laughter was suddenly heard from her room. She walked over to the window, looking out at the soldiers, whispering; "How little your King knows of us Scots, but soon you will all find out."

She turned suddenly as Mac growled. Mac was her large wolf, a gift from her father when he returned from one of his hunting trips. The bond between them was strong, and Mac often showed that he'd give his life for her. She relaxed when Mac's growl stopped, letting her know it was a friend and she watched the door expectantly.

It was Meg who entered. Meg was a short, gnarled old woman who looked like she had lived forever. Her eyes always seeming like they saw more of a person then what was on the surface. At times she irritated Jamie beyond reason with her know it all attitude.

Without saying a word, Meg crosses the room and throws open the window. Turning she looks at Jamie, shaking her head. "What?" Jamie demanded. Meg scowled at her, "Do ye know that all the Knights have been laughing since ye slammed the window shut, stating they would be more then happy t' take ye to bed on yer wedding night, since the groom is no where to be found?."

"Ye know Lass, ye give them way t' much t' talk about instead of just ignoring them. Remember, ye are the MacDonald." Jamie whirls around to face her, green eyes flashing dangerously. "I do not need you or anyone telling me how to act," she snapped. With that said, she turns back to starring out the window. Her eyes wishfully looking in the direction of her beloved highlands, wishing she were there and not here, waiting for that idiot she is being forced to marry.

Meg was watching her with pride as Jamie stood starring out the window. She was a wee thing, just turning twenty. She, thankfully, did not cover her hair like the Englishwomen did, but allowed it to flow down her back in a rich cascade of raven-black waves. Her dress was of green satin, in the style that the English wore. The v-neck was low and tight, showing off her firm young breasts. It fit like skin to her small waist, and then belled out in the normal English fashion.

"Well, do I meet with your approval old woman?" Jamie asked sharply, still mad over their quarrel about what she would wear. Jamie had wanted to wear her own Highland clothes, not what Meg insisted on. Yet Meg had insisted that this way they could not comment about her "barbaric attire" as they were wont t' call her highland clothes.

Meg laughed at her dryly, "Nae lass I was thinking more is the shame that no man will be takin' that gown off of ye tonight." Irritated with what Meg was saying, Jamie begins plucking at a piece of silver thread, swearing under her breath all the while. "Jamie, stop that right now!" Meg commanded. "Dinna destroy the dress just because yer mad at the groom for not showing up. Did ye think that just maybe he has a reason for being late?"

Jumping up from the chair, Jamie glares at her, "Damit, I don't care if the man never shows up, and if truth be told," her green eyes shinning dangerously, "I hope someone waylaid him on his way here and he lies in some ditch with his damn throat cut." Meg sighs, "If that would happen, what then? Ye know they would only find ye another to wed. So does it really matter?. The sooner ye are wed the sooner we can go home."

"Och, ye make it sound so easy Meg. Damit it's not ye wedding the man, and�.and�." A slight pinkish blush forms on her cheeks. Meg started laughing merrily, her dark eyes dancing, "And bed him? Is that what is worrying ye lass? Believe me, I'd gladly trade places with ye if I could. This Steven Mallory, I am sure, would definitely notice if it were I slippin' int' his bed." She chuckled merrily. Jamie glared at her, "Ye say the Knights laugh at me, yet the man I am to wed holds me up for their ridicule. In fact, if he were to walk through that door right now, I'd gladly throw my dagger straight at his black heart."

Meg smiled, knowing that her father would be very proud of his spirited and prideful daughter. Why even now, held prisoner here, waiting for a man she doesn't even know to show up and marry her, she still maintains her spirit and pride. "Ye know lass; those Knights are probably thinking ye're a coward, hiding up here in this room. Besides, when is a Scot afraid of the wee grumblings of an Englishman?"

Holding her head high, she leaves the room and slowly descends the stairs to the hall below and over t' the door. Her eyes scanning the forest beyond the grounds, knowing her clan waited patiently for her. She thought that if she only had herself to think of she would gladly die then marry the English pig, but her death would definitely cause strife within the clan. Not to mention it would open the door for her brother to try and take over, especially since there would be no heirs.

As the Knights stood around the grounds, the talk was of the Scottish beauty and the upcoming marriage. "You know, not only is the lass magnificent, but she inherited thousands of acres of land," said one of the Knights. "Say what you like," said another, "I don't envy Steven at all. True the woman is magnificent. But how the hell long will he really enjoy her? There all only half human, I till you, and they fight like animals. Can just imagine what they are like in bed. They're a strange group of people, that's for sure." "I also heard that their women never bathe," said the first knight. One of the knights mumbles, "For a night with that raven haired goddess, I'd learn to hold my breath."

Steven rode into the manor house two days later. Quickly dismounting, he throws the rains of his horse to the squire. "Steven!" Sir Geoffrey called from the steps. "My god where the hell have you been, I have had my hands full trying to keep that lass here." Frowning a bit as Steven approached, "Come, we need time to talk before the lass realizes you have arrived." Once in the room, Steven looks at Sir Geoffrey, "So, what has the lass in a tether? I can't help it I was late, my sister in law had an accident and I didn't want to leave till I was sure she was alright." Sir Geoffrey motions Steven to take a seat, and orders wine brought in for both of them. Taking his seat behind the desk, he regards Steven for a moment. Seeing the servant enter with the wine, he waits. Once the servant leaves, he turns to Steven. "You should have sent a note then, stating why you would be late. It would have helped a lot in keeping her in a calm state. She is quite a handful when angry, let me tell you."

Steven sighed, looking over at Sir Geoffrey, "I am sorry you had to endure her company these past few days, and I do apologize for my lateness, but as I said, it could not be helped." "Endure?" Sir Geoffrey looked surprised. Steven seeing the surprised look on the older man's face then shakes his head. "Yes, endured. I have heard all the stories of her and how she fights like a man, even her own father thought her good enough to put in charge of the clan when he died. Hell, I'd feel sorry for any man that would be tied down to her."

Sir Geoffrey chuckled. "You would, eh?" Steven looked startled, "Yes, I would. Remember I have spent time in Scotland and have seen how wild those people can be and now here I am, being ordered to marry one of them." Shaking his head, he downs his wine, and then looks at Sir Geoffrey. "Well where is this wench? Mine as well get the introductions over, though I tell you I am not looking forward to marrying someone who more then likely looks like a man. Just the thought of bedding her makes my stomach turn."

Sir Geoffrey decides not to say more, and smiles, "Come, lets get you to your room so you can clean up some before you meet this��woman that looks like a man. She sees you the way you look and smell, she would more then likely refuse you. "Now, why don't you go up to your room and freshen up, when you are finished, meet me here and I will have the lass brought down the back stairs to meet you." Steven chuckled, "Backs stairs? She must be worse then even I thought possible." Turning he follows the servant up to his rooms.

Jamie sat buried to her head in hot steamy water. Her eyes closed as her mind wonders what was happening at home. Suddenly the door slams open and Meg bursts in. "Meg, damnit, could this not wait, I am trying to relax." Meg shook her head, "Nae it cannot, yer prospective husband has arrived." Jamie gave a wee smirk, "So he has finally decided to show up huh, well he can damn well wait till I am ready to meet him." Meg marches over t' the tub, her eyes blazing, "Ye know lass, yer nae t' old yet to having a switch taken to ye, now get oot' of that tub.

Jamie mumbles as she starts t' stand, when the door bursts open and a guard enters her room. Quickly sinking back int' the water, but not before the guard got a good look at her beautiful firm body. Jamie glares at him, "How dare ye enter my chambers without knocking." The guard, eying the wolf in the corner, his teeth bared, stuttered, "S�Sir Geoffrey told me to bring ye posthaste to his study." Jamie just sits there, starring opened mouth at him. "Fine, then get the hell out of here so I can �as ye say, go posthaste t' the study." Waiting till the guard leaves, she slowly steps out of the hot water, walking naked over t' the bed, grabbing her clothes and dressing.

Again the knock on the door, Jamie turns and storms over, yanking it open, "What?" she screams. The guard stares at her, then the wolf by her side. "Are ye ready? Oh, and leave that blasted wolf here, if he ever again�" Jamie cuts him off. "Now I will tell you, if ye ever again enter my chambers without ma permission, I will turn Mac loose on ye, now lead the way."

The guard, still smarting from her words, trails behind her as they move down the steps. Nearing the door to the study, he knocks, and then slowly opens the door. Seeing a way to get even, he grabs the end of the long tartan as he shoves her into the room. As she falls forward the guard yanks on the tartan, tearing it from her body, leaving her standing there stark naked. Sir Geoffrey bellows, "Get out of my sight and off this property now. I will have no guard working for me that behaves as you just did. Now OUT!" He yells.

Momentarily stunned, Jamie grabs the tartan, trying to wrap it back around her. Glancing across the room, she sees a man starring opened mouth at her. Steven was no longer leaning against the fireplace, but had quickly perked up upon seeing the naked beauty tossed into the room. His eyes wide, his mouth wide open; he just stood there starring, completely at a loss for words. Sir Geoffrey chuckled watching him, waiting for a few minutes, then smiling at Steven, "Well son, is that anyway to greet your bride-to-be?"

Steven just stared, blinking a few times, not believing for a minute this gorgeous creature was his intended bride. This beautiful lady standing before him was tiny in structure, green eyes flashing over at him as he slowly lets his eyes move over her shapely body. Perfectly molded breasts that he ached to get his mouth around, nipples standing erect, as if waiting for a lovers touch, slim waste, nicely firmed hips, impudent, tantalizing�.he could feel his body reacting to her and all he could think of was burying himself deep with in her. Shaking his head, he glances at Sir Geoffrey, "You are telling me this beautiful woman standing here is�." Jamie glares over at him, green eyes flashing, "Dinna speak as if I were not present you idiot, and please close your mouth and stop starring. Aye, I am the MacDonald."

Suddenly she turns, dismissing Steven completely. "Sir Geoffrey, might I please be excused? I find myself fatigued and would like to retire please." Sir Geoffrey looks over at Steven then smiles softly down at Jamie. "You will need to ask Steven that question lass, for he is your Master now." Jamie's eyes open wide; she turns and stares at Steven, then marches towards the door, "Over ma dead body will he ever be my Master." Suddenly she feels strong arms grabbing her and spinning her around. Her body slamming up against his hard chest, her green eyes glare up at him as she tries to pull away. "Release me now!", she yells. He just stands there watching the fire in her eyes, watching as they turn a dark emerald in color. He loosens his grip, and she falls against him, not expecting it. Suddenly wanting to kiss those lips of hers, he leans over and gently touches them. She suddenly goes still, loosing herself for a minute, then reacts by kicking him in the chin. Startled Steven pulls back, then laughs as he watches her race out of the door, slamming it soundly behind her.

"Steven?" Sir Geoffrey smiles as he watches him fall into a chair. Steven looks over at him, shaking his head. "God, if I had known what she looked like weeks earlier, I would have come straight here instead of delaying my arrival."

"Ah, then she meets with your approval I take it?" Steven looks over at him and smiles, "Aye, but I think I am dreaming, surely no highland lass could look like that and not be taken. I can't wait to bed her; there is something that tells me, once broken in, she will be a wild cat in bed."

to be continued

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