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    Highland Temptress
    By Hildie McQueen
     
     
    Cailyn McDougall clutched the reins, ignoring the pain of her inner thighs. Her gaze remained transfixed straight ahead. Her horse raced to the seaside village, a day's ride from her Highland home. Urgency pounded through her veins. The sooner she found the infamous sea captain, the better her hopes of deterring him from bringing war to the McDougall clan.
    Her escorts rode close, beside and behind. The four clansmen, who would gladly die for her, were also childhood friends she trusted implicitly.
    At the outskirts of the village, she slowed and spoke to her cousin, Dugan, who pulled up alongside. "We'll stable the horses at Uncle Kiel's."
    Rain began to fall, and Cailyn frowned at the damp bag of clothes she'd tied to the horse's saddle. She'd have to pay one of the maids at the inn to dry her garments.
    A boy ambled toward them when they arrived at the inn, with an expectant look on his face. "Mister Kiel sent me to see about your horses," he told them, grabbing at the reins.
    Cailyn dismounted and followed behind the lad. "Do you know where the captain of those ships offshore is boarding?"
    "Here at this inn, Miss," the boy replied, his eyes wide. "The Red Pirate arrived last night."
    Infamous for sailing the seas and remaining neutral during the English-Scottish war, Jamie Westcott would be a challenge, but somehow she had to deter him from going in search of his sister.
    Cailyn handed the boy a coin and went back to the men. "Dugan, walk inside with me." She looked at the others. "Go about the village and find out what you can from his men, who no doubt are asking questions at the pubs. We must know what his plans are." She pulled at one of the men's plaid. "Do not wear clan colors while we are here. They know a McDougall was involved in Victoria's taking."
     
    *****
     
    At the Harbor Inn's pub, Jamie Westcott placed the mug of ale down on the table and leaned back. From the corner, with his back to the wall, he had the perfect view of the goings on inside the well-sized establishment. It belonged to a McDougall, which is why he came to be there. A serving girl sashayed over, with an exaggerated sway to her hips. A familiar invitation he did not have time for. He barely nodded when she placed his plate of food before him. Lips pursed in disappointment, she left.
    His sister Victoria needed him. To find her was his singular focus. He'd just arrived at McDougall lands, and already the largest obstacle he'd come across since becoming a privateer loomed over him: He was English.
    Anxious to find Victoria, he'd made a huge mistake. The show of force, with two battle ships anchored just offshore, made for wariness from the village people. They avoided eye contact; conversation was out of the question.
    It became apparent that the McDougall clan, one of the largest in the Highlands, was not an easy target. Three separate entities, which at times could not even get along with each other. It would be difficult to find who had attacked his sister's home much less who killed her husband.
    No matter, he'd bring war to the entire clan if he had to, but he'd not leave without Victoria.
    The door opened and a large man entered. His impressive size and the sword strapped to his back told of battle experience. Behind him stood a smaller figure. At first, Jamie didn't catch the gender, but when the light caught her features, there was no mistaking.
    Dressed in men's breeches topped by a flowing blouse, the woman's wet, dark hair hung in waves down her back, framing her angelic face. Bright blue eyes scanned the room before landing on him but for a moment. Unlike the bar maid, with her gait strong and assured, she made her way to the empty table just over from his, along the wall. The escort at her back lifted his hand in greeting to the husky Kiel, who hustled over to greet them.
    Jamie did not have to strain to hear their conversation, as they did not make an effort to keep their