“We’re in the middle of a loch near our home, and Mr. Gunderson has been paid to look the other way.” Will’s voice lost its smooth quality on home. He couldn’t say or think the word without a dry lump rising in his throat.
“Mr. Gunderson’s late wife was a Chisolm,” she murmured. “He understands.”
“For this one day, when I walk back home, I will wear my kilt.”
“As you should, my love. As you should.”
Raw emotion entwined them. It was on the breeze batting his mended kilt and the water tapping the ship. Last night’s sleep had been deep but he couldn’t eat much. Butterflies dancing in his stomach made food impossible, though he had no doubt his appetite would return, once they were ashore. Once he clasped hands with his clan chief, he would breathe.
Mr. Gunderson approached, his hands clasped at his back. He stopped to admire the horizon with them. He was captain of The Marietta, the sloop taking them home for a substantial sum.
“Fine morning,” Mr. Gunderson said, bouncing on his toes. “We’ll lower a boat soon and take you ashore. A few minutes, I think. Are you ready?”
“We are, Mr. Gunderson. We’ve been waiting for this for a very long time.”
They’d marshalled their things to be ready for this moment. Her satchel (bulging a little), Will’s satchel (bulging hardly at all), and an oddly heavy Mermaid Brewery barrel as high as Anne’s waist. It clinked loudly when moved, which took two men to accomplish.
The captain took a bracing breath. “I’ll see to it then.”
Mr. Gunderson was a wee bit nervous around Will. Their first meet at the White Lamb was not so cordial.
Anne rubbed her cheek against his well-worn velvet coat. “We’ll write to your father.”
She did know.
Will’s chest heaved a worthy sigh. “Yes, you and I, together. We’ll write to him.”
“And ask him to come back.”
Will squeezed her tight. He was dammed-up emotions, threatening to spill. There were only a few things he wanted to bring with him: Anne, his kilt, and his velvet coat. Late at night, the first evening at sea, he finally shared why the coat was dear.
After his release from the prison hulk, he had little more than rags covering his body. A rag and bone man gave the coat to Will. That man’s kindness had saved Will’s soul. Desperate, alone, no kin to speak of in London, he’d walked its streets, a lost man. It was the kindness of one person who helped him recover, one day to next. A sort of talisman.
In time, he broke free of his chains. Kindness and love saved him, from others yes, from Anne, most of all.
Raven-haired Anne . . .
His weakness.
He couldn’t say what made that true, but he’d have the rest of his life to find out why.
Acknowledgments
A huge thank you to my editor, Elle Keck. She took a chance on this series and dove in with full enthusiasm. Her edits are kind, pointed, and much appreciated. I’ll laugh-snort at “zero to butt” for the rest of my life!
Thank you to the Avon team who made this book happen: Production Editor Brittani DiMare, Art Director Amy Halperin, Cover Designer Patricia Barrow, Illustrator Gene Mollica, and Copyeditor Joan M. (You had your work cut out with me.)
To my friend, author Alyssa Alexander—Thank you for your texts, calls, and emails. Sometimes you just gotta talk to another romance writer because no one else understands.
To my husband, Brian—You’re a loving, generous man. You’re sleeping with the lights on so I can finish this. Need I say more?
To my readers—Thank you for your patience. My career has zigged and zagged, but you’ve stayed with me.
Announcement
The next exciting installment in Gina Conkle’s Scottish Treasures series will be arriving
Spring 2022
From Avon Books
About the Author
GINA CONKLE writes sensual Georgian romances. Her historical romances always offer a fresh, addictive spin on the genre, with the witty banter and sexual tension that readers crave. Her writing career began in southern California, and despite all that sunshine she prefers books over beaches and stone castles over sand castles.
Discover great authors, exclusive offers, and more at hc.com.
Also by Gina Conkle
Meet the Earl at Midnight
The Lady Meets Her Match
The Lord Meets His Lady
Meet a Rogue at Midnight
Meet My Love at Midnight
Norse Jewel
To Find a Viking Treasure
To Steal a Viking Bride
Kept by the Viking
Her Viking Warrior
Copyright
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously and are not to be construed as real. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, organizations, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.
Digital Edition JUNE 2021 ISBN: 978-0-06-299895-8
Print Edition ISBN: 978-0-06-299899-6
Cover design by Patricia Barrow
Cover illustration by Gene Mollica Studio, LLC.
Cover photographs © VJ Dunraven Productions/Periodimages.com; © margit777/Shutterstock (plaid); Sandratsky Dmitriy/Shutterstock (dress)
Avon, Avon & logo, and Avon Books & logo are registered trademarks of HarperCollins Publishers in the United States of America and other countries.
HarperCollins is a registered trademark of HarperCollins Publishers in the United States of America and other countries.
first edition
About the Publisher
Australia
HarperCollins Publishers Australia Pty. Ltd.
Level 13, 201 Elizabeth Street
Sydney, NSW 2000, Australia
www.harpercollins.com.au
Canada
HarperCollins Publishers Ltd
Bay Adelaide Centre, East Tower
22 Adelaide Street West, 41st Floor
Toronto, Ontario, M5H 4E3
www.harpercollins.ca
India
HarperCollins India
A 75, Sector 57
Uttar Pradesh 201 301
www.harpercollins.co.in
New Zealand
HarperCollins Publishers New Zealand
Unit D1, 63 Apollo Drive
Rosedale 0632
Auckland, New Zealand
www.harpercollins.co.nz
United Kingdom
HarperCollins Publishers Ltd.
1 London Bridge Street
London SE1 9GF, UK
www.harpercollins.co.uk
United States
HarperCollins Publishers Inc.
195 Broadway
New York, NY 10007
www.harpercollins.com
filter: grayscale(100%); " class="sharethis-inline-share-buttons">share</div>