Hearts in the Highlands (Love Inspired Historical Series)

London, 1890 "Imagine waking up, a knife at your throat--" Since Reid Gallagher stepped into his great-aunt's parlor, Maddie had been transported to another time and place. He leaned forward in the velvet upholstered armchair, rumpling the lace covers on each arm with his strong hands. "It was touch and go for a while there." Humor underscored the quiet rumble of his words. "They stormed us on horseback, surrounding our camp in the dead of night, brandishing their knives and cudgels. All we could do was fumble for our weapons in the dark--" Maddie sat riveted, listening to the rugged man with the lean, deeply tanned face, sun-bleached sandy hair and thick mustache a shade darker. His words evoked a kaleidoscope of images--a British surveying party in the midst of the lonely desert, the night air cool, the stillness broken by a band of rebels, the neigh of horses and bray of camels.... "Oh, dear heavens!" Lady Haversham left off stroking her Yorkshire terrier. "Was anyone killed?" He looked down, his tone grim. "Two, including Colonel Parker, the head of our expedition. Our men rallied immediately, of course. We sleep with our weapons near at hand, so we were able to rout the group in no time--" "My smelling salts!" Lady Haversham fanned her face. "I feel about to faint. Madeleine!" The terrier, Lilah, jumped up with a sharp bark. Maddie hurried to her employer's side. "Hush, Lilah!" "Do please hurry." Lady Haversham sat with her head against the antimacassar, her eyes closed, her breathing shallow. Maddie reached for the tapestry bag that kept a host of things Lady Haversham might need at any given moment. In a second, she located the small vial and waved it under the elderly lady's nostrils. She started at the whiff. "Oh!" Maddie immediately withdrew the vial and fetched a small cross-stitched cushion to place behind her. At the terrier's continued barking, she took the tiny dog in her arms. "See, your mistress is perfectly fine," she crooned, petting Lilah's long, silky hair until the dog was quiet. "That's better," Lady Haversham said. "I felt so light-headed for a moment." She reached for her pet. "Come, my darling, Mama's right here." The russet-colored terrier settled back down on her mistress's lap. Mr. Gallagher stood beside his great-aunt's chair, anxiety etching his brow. Lady Haversham reached out a hand, which trembled slightly. His sun-browned one grasped her pale, age-spotted one like a great bird enfolding a baby bird under its wing. "You see, my boy, how I am. I'm so glad you've come home at last." Her voice quavered while her watery blue eyes gazed up into his with relief. Mr. Gallagher's glance shifted to Maddie, and she was struck by their light hue against his dark, weathered features, like finding a bright blue marble amidst rough burlap. She gave a hesitant smile, wishing to reassure him. If only she could tell him a week didn't go by that Lady Haversham wouldn't come near to dying in one form or another. But Mr. Gallagher had turned his attention back to his great-aunt. "Maybe I should call your physician?" "No, don't trouble yourself. I'll be well if I just sit quietly." She closed her eyes again, but kept her hold on her nephew's hand, her gnarled fingers clutching it as if to a lifeline. "I worry about you, living so far away in a heathen land. I don't know what I'd do if anything happened to you. You and Vera are my only relations." Something flickered in the tall man's eyes, as if he weren't used to having any emotional ties. "You needn't have worried. You see me here fit as always. Don't upset yourself anymore thinking of it." Lady Haversham reopened her eyes. "I can't help it. Thank God you're back on British soil. At least this incident caused your return, for which I am grateful. I hope you are home in England for good." "I'm back for a few weeks, at any rate." His tone betrayed no joy at thMorren, Ruth Axtell is the author of 'Hearts in the Highlands (Love Inspired Historical Series)', published 2008 under ISBN 9780373827862 and ISBN 0373827865.