His Heart's Desire by Kristi Ahlers

Catrìona. There is nothing here to fear.”
    He chaffed her cold hands between his larger ones, working hard to warm her icy skin. “Come, mo chridh , open your beautiful amethyst eyes.”
    This wasn’t how he wanted their reunion to happen. When he’d dreamed of this day, he had planned on spending the night in her arms, loving her as he’d longed to do for centuries. Unfortunately, his worry over the fear she’ d experienced was all too real.
    “Hmm.” Catrìona raised a hand to her head. “What happened?” she asked in a breathy whisper.
    “You fainted, lass.” Braden gently brushed a hand over her hair. “Rest, you’ve had a shock.”
    Her eyes blinked open then widened with alarm. She tried unsucc essfully to move away from him.
    He gently held her down. “Shh. I won’t hurt you, Catrìona. Never would I harm a hair on your head.”
    “This can’t be happening. You’re not supposed to be here.”
    “Here,” he traced a finger down her petal soft cheek, “is the only place I want to be.”
    “But . . .”
    Braden placed a finger over her mouth. “A great deal has happened, and I will explain it all. But you must promise you will stay quiet so I may tell you my—our story. Will you do that?”
    Catrìona nodded her head, and he removed his hand.
    “Let me introduce myself. I am Laird Braden Ross of the Clan Ross.”
    Catrìona looked around the room. “There were two of you. Where is your half-naked friend?”
    Braden smiled. “He is off tending to his manly needs.”
    Catrìona’s face blanched. “Please tell me he’s not off pillaging and raping. That won’t go over well in this time period.”
    “Nae, lass. Alec would never hurt a woman. He is looking for food.”
    Just then Alec stormed into the room and slammed the heavy oak door behind him. “You’ll never believe it, Braden. There is no food or drink in the bloody keep!”
    “Do you have to bellow like that? You’re going to scare the lass, and I just got her to believe you were harmless.” Braden stood in a protective stance in front of Catrìona. “She is overwrought, just as I feared.”
    “The lass can speak for herself.” She shoved Braden in the back.
    Alec smiled. “I told you she was made of strong stuff.” He bowed to her. “Alec Ross at your service, my lady.”
    “You’re related to Braden?”
    “Aye. We are cousins.”
    “Hmm. Interesting,” she murmured to herself. “I didn’t dream about you.”
    “I should hope not!” Braden didn’t care for the idea of his Catrìona dreaming such vivid thoughts abo ut his kinsman.
    “Now look who’s bellowing.” Alec sat down in a chair by the fireplace. “You’re going to set the fair maiden to swooning again.”
    Catrìona moved around Braden and frowned at both men. “Oh, for goodness sake. I’m not a fair maiden and, despite all evidence to the contrary, I’m not one to faint at the slightest raised voice. We need to get out of here before security comes around and arrests us for trespassing.”
    “We’re no’ trespassing, lass. This is my home.”
    Catrìona picked up the candles and stuffed them into her bag. “Not anymore, Braden. Castle Ross is now a national landmark and is open for tours.”
    “Tours. What is this? Why would my clan turn their home into a landmark?” Braden turned to follow her progress around the room.
    “People come a long way to travel back in time, as it were. Living history, you know. They come to see the artwork and other historic finds here.”
    Braden frowned. If this wasn’t his home any longer, where was he supposed to live? What was he supposed to do?
    “Come with me. We’ll get you some food and then figure out what we’ll do. You both need clothes—there’s no way you can blend in looking as you do.”
    Braden looked down at himself. He was properly clothed. What was wrong with what he was wearing? Any good Scot felt pride in wearing his clan’s colors.
    “You have a story to tell, and I can help you