MUSE MONDAY
History buffs as well as romance readers will love today's guest post!
Years ago, after
I saw the movie, I was hooked on Scotland. Naturally, my new interest led me to
the library to learn more of Scottish history. It was then I learned about the
time when Scotland had a king—Alexander III—before war waged.
Alexander III of Scotland
was born in 1241 to Marie de Coucy and Alexander II. When he was seven years
old, his father died and he was crowned at Scone in July 1249. His minority was
dominated by the struggle ofrival factions yet Alexander was a boy of great
will. In 1251, Alexander married Margaret of England, the daughter of Henry III
of England and sister to Edward who would come to be known in history as the
Hammer of the Scots.
Because of the
marriage, Henry saw an opportunity to demand homage from the young king. But
Alexander showed his shrewdness and only gave homage for his English lands that
he inherited from his father.
In 1262,
Alexander reached his majority. Now the young king sought to fulfill his
father’s wish and get ownership of the Isles off Scotland’s coast. During the
middle ages, the Western Isles also known as the Outer Hebrides were under the
rule of Norway. King Haakon of Norway sent a large force that landed on the
Isle of Arran and began negotiations with the Scottish king. Alexander though
stretched them out until autumn when storms raged off the isles. The Norwegian
navy was destroyed by these storms and Haakon sailed away to the Orkneys, where
he died in December.
Alexander now had
the chance to grab the isles and with the Treaty of Perth, Scotland now owed
the Western Isles and the Isle of Man only the Shetlands and Orkneys remained
under Norway’s control.
During this time,
Alexander and Margaret produced three children, Margaret, Alexander—the
heir—and David. His daughter went on to marry Erik II of Norway and produced a
daughter also named Margaret and known as the Maid of Norway. Alexander married
but no children were produced. Only David never married. But by 1284 all his
children were dead along with his wife Margaret.
In 1285,
Alexander married Yolande de Dreux. Months after his marriage, the king was in
Edinburgh meeting with his advisors. Alexander decided to ride through the
night to be with his wife. His advisors begged him not to ride through the
night because of bad weather. He did nevertheless and some time through the
journey, he died. He was found with a broken neck. It is assumed that his horse
lost his footing.
His wife,
pregnant, either miscarried or the child was stillborn and the crown now rested
on the head of the child, the Maid of Norway, who died on her journey to
Scotland to take the throne. These deaths left the Scottish throne empty. And
many factions including Edward I of England to wage war for it.
And I found a
place that has captured my imagination that lives in my Highlander romance
novels.
Book Blurb of Claiming the Highlander
First came
marriage...will love come next?
As children, stoic
Caelan MacKenzie married feisty Brenna Grant for a parcel of land and an
Earldom. Then the child bride and groom went their separation ways.
Years later, Caelan is
the feared Viking Highlander, a great warrior. His father lies on his death bed
and now Caelan must return home to take his place as the Chief of Clan
MacKenzie. Time has come for him to face his past and the secret he has
carried. Some believe him unworthy to lead.
All but his wife—Brenna
knows the true man that he is from the letters they had been exchanging since
childhood. Now at Castle MacKenzie anticipates her husband's return.
Brenna must use her influence to protect the Grant clan or have her life destroy.
And that she refuses to happen.
From the Scottish
Highland shores to the rugged glens, the alpha male and his brave heroine must
battle against outside forces to save their wedded life even as they succumb to
their sensual desire.
Can they save all they
hold dear including their growing love? Or will they be defeated and betrayed?
Claiming the Highlander Excerpt
Brenna shut her
chamber door. The smoke from the wall torches filled the turret stairs and
stung her eyes. She waved away the cloud as she descended from the top floor.
That chamber had been her own since she was seven, when the laird and lairdess
first fostered her. Brenna loved the space, since Caelan once rested his head
there. Being in the chamber was the closest she came to sharing a bed with her
husband.
Learning her role
as the future Lairdess of Clan MacKenzie, her life consisted of watching,
waiting and being a help or a hindrance. Lately, she had been a help. Only that
mattered to Brenna, especially after she intruded upon the Lairdess weeping in
the garden. That was her place of refuge. Brenna had moved forward and then
stepped back, leaving her to her sadness. What did one say when death hovered
near? The truth was, Brenna wished she could make the laird survive. Brenna
took pride in her healing skills and knowledge of herbs, but in this instance,
those skills were meaningless, so she strived to lessen the Lairdess’ burden.
This day, the duties had been split between her and Rowen.
Rowen would see to
the household, the meals, the cleaning of it, and other duties. Whereas Brenna
was to assist the clan and handle any issues the clan-folk faced this day.
Today, she would take her place as the Lairdess of Clan MacKenzie. Last night,
she hadn’t gotten much sleep. Though, she had been trained in her duties, that
knowledge did nothing to stop her from fretting. If only Caelan were here with
her…with him beside her the day would be easier. He should return home soon.
Perhaps this day or the next.
She reached the
last step and halted. The smoke must have conjured images. Caelan stood at the
end of the corridor. She blinked, believing the vision would vanish into
nothingness. The arched doorway framed his muscular form, which was draped in
plaid. His head hung down. His long locks draped around his face and blocked
him from her view. Light flickered over his Viking blond hair. She blinked a
few times, waiting for him to notice her standing here. She must have moved
because his head flew up.
“Caelan.”
He faced her. A
smile spread across her face and her cheeks hurt from it. She wanted to throw
herself in his arms. Instead, she buried the urge. She even squeezed out a
couple of tears.
Her feet skipped
over the floor as she raced to him. She threw her arms around him and squeezed
him tightly. She lacked the strength to hold him as she wished. Caelan was all
hard muscle. He smelled of the outdoors—greenery, and of the fresh wind that
whirled about him and caught in the weave of his plaid, along with a manly
scent that was his own. She stroked her cheek against his plaid. The scratchy
wool scraped her skin. An itchy tingle spread through her cheek.
She ran her hands over his thick
arms. He had come for her. She linked her fingers with his. She leaned her head
to the side to look at the shut chamber door. Last night had been a difficult
one. The healers and servants had been going in and out through the night.
Their muffled voices floated to her chamber along with the groans of pains
coming from the laird—aye, the laird would be leaving this earth soon. Her
smile dimmed along with the heady delight within her. “You have finally returned.”
Caelan arched a
brow, revealing his blue eyes. She loved his pure, blue hue that shined bright
with shards of white, unlike her plain, brown ones. He pulled his hand away.
She tucked her empty hand within the pleats of her dress. This was not the
reunion she had imagined since she learned he was returning home. Caelan was
supposed to grab her in his arms and swing her about. After holding her
close for a drawn-out moment, he was supposed to slide her down his body, and
then kiss her. After he ravished her mouth, he was to stare deep into her eyes.
Claiming the Highlander Purchase link:
You can connect with Mageela here: http://MageelaTroche.com
No comments:
Post a Comment