He spun on his heel and headed toward the staircase, ignoring his brothers’ persistent quest for more information. But he did smile at one thing he heard.
Robbie said to Brodie, “’Tis just as the stablemaster said. He left a lad and came back a man, I think.”
He paused to look back at them just before he turned the corner at the top of the staircase. Brodie pushed Robbie out of the way and said, “Nay, he’s still Alex.”
Alex smirked at that, but then he continued in his quest—charging down the passageway and opening the door at the end.
He had to see if it was the same here at Grant Castle.
Taking a deep breath, he opened the door at the end and made his way up to the parapets. Smiling, he lifted his face to the sun as he stepped out into the fresh air. The view was even morespectacular here on Grant land. There were more mountains, more birds, more everything. This was his land, and someday he would be the chieftain of it.
Then the green eyes of a lass popped into his head. Sarah Gordon.
Mayhap he had come back a man.
CLAN GRANT
1260
Rescued by a Highlander
Book 1
I never thought I would sell more than ten books, so when I sold sixty the first day, I was shocked. I found out many of you loved Alex Grant.
Chapter One
After this one moment, Alex Grant will never be the same…
Brodie followed Alex through the corridor to the two chambers they had been given for the night.
“Alex, you must be out of your head. Why stay in this filthy place? I would rather sleep under the stars with our men.”
“I don’t know why, but something is no’ right. We stay. Get some sleep.” Alex nodded toward Brodie’s door down the corridor before stepping into his own chamber.
After spying the thin straw mattress on the pallet, he sighed. Why was he here? He peered around the chamber. Dust covered almost every surface. Though he removed his sword, he set it next to his bed in case of an attack in the night. He wrinkled his nose at the smell of the stale rushes on the floor. A small knock on the door interrupted his thoughts, and a dark-haired woman crept into the room when he bade her to enter.
She curtsied to Alex. “My laird sent me to be at your service this night.” She leaned toward him, offering him a view of her ample bosom.
Alex stared at the woman. She had soft curves, and he hadn’t been with a woman in a sennight. He should probably accept the gift.
But he could not. The fear in her eyes was too much for him. What a cruel man her laird must be.
“Lass, I will tell your laird that you served me well, but I find I am too tired to see to it.”
“Please, I will do anything you ask, but do no’ send me back now.”
Alex searched her face and found it to be truthful. The lass had chewed her lip hard enough to draw blood.
“See to my brother, lass. I will not send you back to your laird.”
“Thank you, thank you.” She spun on her heel and rushed out the door.
Alex sat on the pallet, stirring up a cloud of dust. What was wrong with him lately? He used to pay frequent visits to certain women in his village, but he had yet to meet any woman who sparked anything beyond lust. And lust was easily sated. In truth, he wanted a relationship like his parents had enjoyed. They had adored each other. Of late, he was less interested in the meaningless dalliances he used to seek out.
Now that he had lost his father not long ago and officially became laird of his clan, he was too busy to think about finding a partner. He had been betrothed once, but it had left him cold. The woman had not been one of his choosing, so the breakup certainly had not upset him. Maybe he was not meant to be a husband or a father. His father had told him he was born to lead. Would that be enough?
Alex found himself walking toward the door. He entered the corridor and looked in both directions. The parapet, he needed to find the parapet. That was what he needed this night. He knew the cool night air would help clear his head. If he opened enough doors, he was certain he would find the right one.
