Read Online Beloved Stranger by PATRICIA POTTER - Free Book Online

his cell in the dungeon of an English castle.
    He had been allowed to pen a message to his father in Edinburgh, telling him that he was being held for ransom. He also related that he had seen Lachlan Maclean go down near his king.
    He knew that King James was dead. He’d heard the celebrations, even as his heart ached for the monarch he so admired. The king had attended his marriage to Janet Cameron and had played a part in bringing Jamie’s cousin Felicia and Rory Maclean together after a century-long feud between the two families.
    James had known how to draw the nobles together, how to charm even the most reckless of them. He’d loved music and poetry and literature. And he’d admired law, insisting that the clans end their ancient feuds and work together for the good of Scotland.
    Now there was only a bairn to rule a Scotland that had just lost the best of its nobles. Jamie knew Scotland’s weaknesses. There would be chaos as clans tried to manipulate the queen and her young son.
    God’s love, but he’d sworn to protect his king, his Campbell soldiers, and his friend Lachlan. He had failed at all three.
    He’d seen Lachlan’s horse go down, then he’d been swarmed by the English as well. A pike had tumbled Jamie from his horse, and when he tried to get to his feet, a sword was at his throat.
    He had been taken as hostage for ransom, while archers and pikemen were systematically killed. He wished now that the sword had gone through his throat. The flower of Scotland died at Flodden, and he should have been among them. He should have died protecting his king and his friend.
    His self-loathing competed with his need to get free and discover exactly what had happened to Lachlan. Was his friend, too, being held for ransom? Or was he still lying on the Flodden killing ground?
    Jamie thought of Janet, of her smile and blond hair and eyes so blue they put the summer sky to shame. She hadn’t wanted him to go, but he’d looked forward to war with anticipation. What a fool he’d been.
    How many Campbells died at Flodden? He had brought 200 of them: archers and pikemen. How many would return to Dunstaffnage?
    He shivered in the dampness. In Scotland, hostages were held as guests, but he had been brought to a cold, damp cell and told to write to his family.
    How long would it take for a rider to reach the island and return? Then he could begin his search for Lachlan. He had sworn to Rory that he would look after Rory’s younger brother. He could not return home until he knew what had happened to the man once his enemy, then one of his closest allies.
    If he spent his entire life doing so, he would bring Lachlan, or his body, home.
     
Inverleith on the Sound of Mull
    The news of the disastrous battle reached Inverleith by a messenger on horseback.
    The king was dead. The messenger knew nothing about Lachlan Maclean. Neither did he know about Jamie Campbell, the heir to the Campbell clan. It was believed, though, that all the men at the king’s side died with him.
    Rory Maclean bowed his head. His wife, Felicia, who had been with him when he heard the news, put her arms around him and lay her head close to his heart. She was very close to Lachlan as well as to Jamie Campbell, her cousin, who was as dear to her as a brother.
    Then she moved back.
    “I do not believe it,” she said. “Not Lachlan and Jamie.”
    “If the king is dead, so is Lachlan,” Rory said heavily. “And probably Jamie as well. They would have been with James.”
    Her eyes filled with tears. “Lachlan surprises everyone,” she protested, “and Jamie . . .” She paused, then said brokenly, “I must go to Janet.”
    Rory touched her cheek. “Aye. Both she and Angus will need you.” He paused, then added vehemently, “I should have gone.” Guilt sapped his heart. He should never have allowed Lachlan to take his place, but his younger brother had begged to go. And Rory believed in King James, knew he would have a far superior force and