The Laird's Future Bride by Hazel Gower Page A

blush. “Thanks, I would love to see the stables.”
    The sun was starting to go down, but there was still just enough light to get a good look at the stables. Magan and Holly walked down to the stables, and Holly noticed for the first time how large they were.
    “There are a couple of doors to the stables. I’ll take ye through the main.”
    Holly was amazed as she walked through the stables. She had never known there were so many different types of horses. Holly had never really been near horses. She’d seen photos and been on one or two for a fun day out, but nothing like what the people of this time would have. Holly sighed as she realized it was now her time, and she would need to get used to horses for getting around. Strolling to the back of the stables and out to the paddocks, she looked around only to freeze at the gorgeous sight before her.
    In a large closed-off paddock, a stunning midnight-black horse ran in circles. He looked like he belonged in a movie in her own time. He was amazing. His coat shone and his mane looked like silk blowing in the wind. Without a thought, she eased herself through the fence and slowly walked up to the beast, enthralled with it, drawn to the magnificent beauty. It let out a huff. When she was in touching distance, she crooned to it.
    “Hello, beauty. You are stunning. What a magnificent beast.” She very slowly reached out and rubbed behind his ears. Holly didn’t know what had come over her. She had never been a horse person before, but this magnificent animal captured her.
    The horse nudged her when she stopped her stroking, and she laughed. “You’re a cheeky one aren’t you?” Holly brought both her hands up and gave him her full attention. “Do you know, I’m not usually a horse person, but you are changing my mind?”
    Holly knew she was in love. She looked behind her for Magan to find out whose horse this was only to see she was alone in the paddock. And it seemed eerie quiet around her.
    I wonder where everyone has gone . She glanced around her and saw there were two men at the fence waving at her. Did they want her to come over? “What do you suppose those two want?” she asked the horse, who made more huffing noises. “Yeah, I don’t know.” Kissing the horse, she sighed and turned to walk back the way she came to find Magan.
    The black beauty followed her, nudging her with his nose. She slowed and the horse came up beside her. “Are you going to come with me? Or do you want to play?” The horse wanted her attention, and Holly couldn’t deny him. “You are not mine to spoil. I may have done something wrong already by coming and patting and kissing you.” Holly rubbed him and kissed him again. “That was the last one. I will find out who you belong to, and come back and see you tomorrow, if I can.” The horse nuzzled her, and Holly laughed again. “You’re a charmer.”

    Duncan was training with his men, letting off some steam after finding out the McCoys had been causing trouble, when the stable boy, Owen, ran up to him and started babbling frantically.
    “Laird, ye need to come quick. That beast yer brother bought is alone with Lady Holly. Mistress MacLeod was showing her the stables and Lady Holly went out to the paddocks where we had the stallion running off some of its energy hoping we could get close to the beast, but it dinna let us. So we were waiting until it wore out before we brought it in so nay one got hurt, but Lady Holly walked out into the paddock with the beast.”
    Before the last of it was out of Owen’s mouth Duncan dropped his weapon and ran for the paddocks, hoping the stallion hadn’t killed his wife. He swore he would kill his brother for bringing the beast to his stables, if he got his hands on him. Callam was at the stable door when he arrived.
    “This is yer fault. I told ye that beast was too wild.”
    Callam ran a shaking hand over his face. “I’ll get rid of him on the morrow. I should have listened to