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Authors: Brenda B. Taylor

A Highland Pearl (Highland Treasures Book 1) (29 page)

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Flora stood beside her. “You’re a beautiful bride, Madam.” She
kissed Maidie’s cheek.

Maidie grasped her friend’s hand and squeezed. “Thank you, Flora.
Thank you for being with me this day.”

All heads turned toward the door when a hard knock rang out.
Nellie rushed to answer the knock, and held the door open for Andrew to enter,
then curtsied. Flora and Anne followed Nellie’s lead, curtsying to the laird.

“Leave us.” Andrew motioned with his hand toward the door.

The three women looked at Maidie. She nodded and they hurriedly
left the chamber. She smiled at Andrew when he stood before her. He looked
dashing in a great plaide of Munro colors—muted red with stripes of dark
blue and gold—and a wide leather belt girded around his hips holding the
plaide in place. The long end of the plaide passed under his right arm then
over a cutaway blue wool jacket that reached his waist with a matching
waistcoat, and bound together on the left shoulder with the large crystal
brooch. A sporran made of black leather with a gold buckle hung from the belt.
White wool stockings held up by black garters reached his knees with black
brogans covering his feet. His ebony hair, tied in a queue at the back of his
neck, sparkled with drops of water from a recent bath and washing. He looked
every bit the chief of Clan Munro.

“’Tis bad luck to see your bride before the wedding,” Maidie
managed to say while watching him walk closer.

“I don’t believe in luck.” Andrew’s eyes searched hers and
then moved down the length of her body and up to her face again. They seemed to
take in every detail. “You’re beautiful, Maidie. The most beautiful thing I’ve
seen in a long time.” He held her arms and put his nose close to her neck. “Aye,
you smell of roses. The odor I crave now.” He raised his eyes to pierce hers. “I
have no’ said this to any mon or lass in a long while, but I apologize for my
rude behavior of last eve.”

She smiled with love for him filling her heart to brimming
over. “You’re forgiven, M’Laird. And you’re verra dashing this day.”

With a broad smile, he stepped back, took a small green silk
bag from the sporran, and placed it in Maidie’s hand. She considered the small
heavy bag.

“Open your gift.” He kissed the tip of her nose as she opened
the bag and pulled out a shining gold necklace. Holding the beautiful ornament
up to the light, she observed it carefully. “What say you of your wedding gift?”
Andrew’s handsome face glowed as the corners of his mouth lifted.

He took the necklace from her hand before she could answer,
walked around, moved the train of her dress, then fastened the heavy gold chain
around her neck. On the chain lay a large teardrop-shaped pearl. Maidie felt
the pearl. She had never seen anything so beautiful. Andrew planted a kiss on
the back of her neck, sending chills down her spine, then walked back to face
her.

“’Tis beautiful, M’Laird. Where did you find it?” she asked
while watching him and fingering the smooth pearl.

“Someday, I’ll tell you,
a ghràidh
, but not now. ‘Tis
Christmastime and our wedding day. We have guests waiting, only a few, but
those who count the most—our friends and family. My heart overflows with
love for you, and I am in a hurry to make you mine.”

He moved closer, wrapping his arms around her waist. Her lips
longed for his kiss, but instead of a kiss, he spoke. She felt his hot breath
fan across her face and inhaled the freshness of his scent. “I’ve searched all
my life for you, Maidie.” He looked into her eyes with shards or light flashing
through his. “I have indeed found the pearl.
Maighstir
Tam read the story to me from the abbey’s Bible. He said
Jesus considers each of His own a pearl of high value, but I consider you,
Maidie Munro, the pearl of great price.”

Glossary of Gaelic and
Other Terms

1.

An
t-Seabhag Dubh Ferrarann Dhàmhnaill
-
The
Black Falcon of Ferindonald

2.

A mo
ghaoil - My love

3.

A
ghràidh - My love, my dear, a term of endearment. Sweetheart, lovely young
female

4.

Claidheamh - Short sword

5.

Cachot - A dungeon consisting of a deep hole with a grill covering as
the opening. The only way out is by a rope let down through the opening.

6.

Cateran
- A band of fighting men of a Scotland Highland clan

7.

Caisteal
Fàrdach A Chaoidh - Castle Fàrdach Forever

8.

Cèilidh - Celebration

9.

Falchion - A short, broad sword with a convex cutting edge and sharp
point

10. Fàrdach - Home

11. Fealty - Loyalty

12. Feasgar math - Good afternoon

13. Gille -Young man-servant

14. Ionar - Heavy leather jacket or mantle used for
protection

15. Lach - Wild Duck

16. Leann fraoich - Heather ale

17. Léine - Man’s long shirt or smock, with billowy
sleeves

18. Luadhadh - Waulking of cloth

19. Luchd-taighe - Household men or bodyguard

20.
Mo
Rothach deas mìleante thu.

Mo sheabhag
fhìorghland uasal thu.

Mac an
Rothaich cruaidh cinnteach thu
.

My handsome Clan Munro warrior are you.

My truly pure and noble falcon are you.

My Munro tough and sure are you.

21. Oidhche mhath, a nighean mhaiseach - Good
night, my beautiful lass

22. Sgian dubh - Black knife. A small knife that
could be concealed

23. Sluagh - People, army

24. Tanist - Second in command

Acknowledgements

While engaging in genealogical
research I discovered my ancestor, Duncan Munro, left Scotland in the early 1800’s
and emigrated to America. He first landed in Cape Fear, North Carolina. There
Duncan married and had children, but the desire for land ignited a flame,
moving him and his family to Alabama. Duncan’s son, John Anthony Munro,
ventured to central Louisiana after the Civil War, and settle there. John
Anthony’s daughter, Catherine, married Julien B. Young. The couple are my
great-grandparents. They helped tame the neutral territory of Louisiana known
as “no man’s land”.

A large thank-you goes to the chapter of Romance Writers of
America, the Celtic Hearts. Their influence inspired me to write a story about
my Scottish heritage. Courses were offered through the chapter that helped my research
and understanding of early Scotland. The members hold a wealth of information
about Celtic life, and are willing to share.

Thank you, George Munro, who toured me through the land in
Scotland known as Ferindonald. He was a very informative, knowledgeable guide.
Mrs. Timmy Munro, Chief Hector Munro’s mother, graciously gave me a tour of
Foulis Castle, the seat of Clan Munro. The castle has been the home of Munro
chiefs for nine hundred years.

My husband, Horace Taylor, is so supportive of my writing
endeavors, even accompanying me on research trips and reading the rough drafts
of all my stories, that I must acknowledge him over and over. I also thank
Kathy Morrow and Martha Lynn Tubre, who traveled to Scotland with me. We had a
great time and acquired a wealth of information.

About The Author

The desire to write historical fiction has long been a
passion with Brenda B. Taylor. Since elementary school, she has written stories
in her spare time.
Brenda earned three degrees: a BSE from Henderson
State University, Arkadelphia, Arkansas; a MEd from Sam Houston State
University, Huntsville, Texas; and an EdD from Texas A&M University,
College Station, Texas; then worked as a teacher and administrator in the Texas
Public School system.
Only after retirement could she fulfill the dream of publication.

Brenda
and her husband make their home in beautiful East Texas where they enjoy
spending time with family and friends, traveling, and working in Bethabara
Faith Ministry, Inc. She crafts stories about the extraordinary lives of
ordinary people in her favorite place overlooking bird feeders, bird houses,
and a variety of blooming trees and flowers. She sincerely thanks all who
purchase and read her books. Her desire is that the message in each book will
touch the heart of the reader as it did hers in the writing.

Dear Reader,

Thank you for purchasing
A
Highland Pearl
. Please feel free to message me through my website,
Facebook, or Twitter. I always enjoy hearing from friends, and I consider you
my friend. I also ask you to leave an honest review. Book reviews help the
author gage a reader's thoughts, perceptions, and enjoyment of the story. They
also assist the book in getting noticed by other readers. I appreciate your
time and effort in reviewing this book.

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