meadows, bright with wild flowers, waterfalls, and lush green bracken. There were reminders of ancient cataclysms in the gigantic lava terraces of the island and basalt columns of its neighbor, Staffa. Yet there was a loneliness about the land that seemed to touch Brianna’s heart. Today she looked at it as if viewing it for the very first time, each leaf and rock becoming precious to her.
More than at any time in her life Brianna regretted the passing of her mother. Had her mother felt as uncertain as she did now at her betrothal? She needed her mother’s advice, wanted to ask so many questions, but there was nowhere to turn. Her sisters were too young and didn’t know any more than she, and her father just didn’t understand a woman’s ways. To him it was all so simple, just like playing a chess game. He wasn’t being hardhearted about the matter, to the contrary. It was just that he couldn’t share her inner turmoil. Belonging to someone else for the rest of your life was an unnerving thought.
Flocks of gulls and terns glided overhead. The wild beautiful music of the inland birds serenaded her as they flew from bough to bough, a melancholy song which fit the mood of her reverie. Staring into the azure depths of the loch, her eyes focused on the water as if somehow she might read her fate there. Would she be happy? Would she grow to love her young husband? Would this joining of th e clans truly bring about peace?
Unaware that she was being watched , she slowly lowered her body in a graceful motion to sit upon a large rock by the lake's edge. This was a spot she had not even shared with Glenna, a place that she somehow felt belonged to her. Soon, like the other things she held so dear, this secluded haven would be but a reflection in her mind. A memory.
Taking off her soft doeskin shoes, she let the water splash over her feet as she closed her eyes. She remembered childhood days when she had come to this hideaway to escape from her mother's ravings or her father's moody frowns. Somehow she felt safe here, assured that no one knew of this secret haven. That was why she was doubly surprised to look up and discover that she was not alone. A man stood silhouetted in the trees, looking her direction. Was he friend or foe? Warily she watched him.
"Don't be afraid, I won't harm you." His voice was low, a husky rumble. "All I want to do is appreciate the beauty you offer, soothing and s timulating to a man's eyes."
"I'm not afraid!" For an instant her eyes betrayed the truth of her boast as she searched for any sign that he had been accompanied by other men. It seemed that he had come alone and that thought co mforted her. Still she said, "But I do not wish ye to come any closer."
Ian paused for a moment in an effort to reassure her. "Then I won't." At least for the moment, he thought. Ian was mesmerized by the beautiful vision, though he saw at once she had an air of sadness about her. The urge to carry her with him into the cool water, to frolic there and wipe away all trace of her frown, teased his thoughts. He wanted to see her smile, hear her laugh. Instead, however, he contented himself with looking at her. She reminded him of a butterfly and he had no wish for her to elude him. If he moved closer, she might fly away.
Satisfied that his presence did not mean immediate danger, Brianna turned to him. "Who are ye?" He spoke so strangely. The way he said his words proclaimed t hat he was not from the isle.
"A man who relishes beauty!" She had asked him who he was yet he had no wish to blurt out the Campbell name just yet.
Slowly he moved again through the bracken and trees, not wanting to frighten her, yet unable to resist getting a closer look at the red-haired young beauty. He supposed her to be one of th e fisherman's daughters, whose huts he had seen dotting the gently sloping hills. Or perhaps Aulay was right. Perhaps she was not real
More than at any time in her life Brianna regretted the passing of her mother. Had her mother felt as uncertain as she did now at her betrothal? She needed her mother’s advice, wanted to ask so many questions, but there was nowhere to turn. Her sisters were too young and didn’t know any more than she, and her father just didn’t understand a woman’s ways. To him it was all so simple, just like playing a chess game. He wasn’t being hardhearted about the matter, to the contrary. It was just that he couldn’t share her inner turmoil. Belonging to someone else for the rest of your life was an unnerving thought.
Flocks of gulls and terns glided overhead. The wild beautiful music of the inland birds serenaded her as they flew from bough to bough, a melancholy song which fit the mood of her reverie. Staring into the azure depths of the loch, her eyes focused on the water as if somehow she might read her fate there. Would she be happy? Would she grow to love her young husband? Would this joining of th e clans truly bring about peace?
Unaware that she was being watched , she slowly lowered her body in a graceful motion to sit upon a large rock by the lake's edge. This was a spot she had not even shared with Glenna, a place that she somehow felt belonged to her. Soon, like the other things she held so dear, this secluded haven would be but a reflection in her mind. A memory.
Taking off her soft doeskin shoes, she let the water splash over her feet as she closed her eyes. She remembered childhood days when she had come to this hideaway to escape from her mother's ravings or her father's moody frowns. Somehow she felt safe here, assured that no one knew of this secret haven. That was why she was doubly surprised to look up and discover that she was not alone. A man stood silhouetted in the trees, looking her direction. Was he friend or foe? Warily she watched him.
"Don't be afraid, I won't harm you." His voice was low, a husky rumble. "All I want to do is appreciate the beauty you offer, soothing and s timulating to a man's eyes."
"I'm not afraid!" For an instant her eyes betrayed the truth of her boast as she searched for any sign that he had been accompanied by other men. It seemed that he had come alone and that thought co mforted her. Still she said, "But I do not wish ye to come any closer."
Ian paused for a moment in an effort to reassure her. "Then I won't." At least for the moment, he thought. Ian was mesmerized by the beautiful vision, though he saw at once she had an air of sadness about her. The urge to carry her with him into the cool water, to frolic there and wipe away all trace of her frown, teased his thoughts. He wanted to see her smile, hear her laugh. Instead, however, he contented himself with looking at her. She reminded him of a butterfly and he had no wish for her to elude him. If he moved closer, she might fly away.
Satisfied that his presence did not mean immediate danger, Brianna turned to him. "Who are ye?" He spoke so strangely. The way he said his words proclaimed t hat he was not from the isle.
"A man who relishes beauty!" She had asked him who he was yet he had no wish to blurt out the Campbell name just yet.
Slowly he moved again through the bracken and trees, not wanting to frighten her, yet unable to resist getting a closer look at the red-haired young beauty. He supposed her to be one of th e fisherman's daughters, whose huts he had seen dotting the gently sloping hills. Or perhaps Aulay was right. Perhaps she was not real
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