Read Caelen's Wife: Book One - A Murmur of Providence (Clan McDunnah Series 1) for Free Online Page A

given up, much to Fiona’s heartbreak.
    She had loved James, loved him dearly. Unfortunately, he could not return her feelings.
    Theirs had been an arranged marriage, as so many often were. Fiona had known from the very beginning that she hadn’t been James’ first choice in a bride. Her father, Thomas and James’ father, Paul, had been the best of friends since childhood. Her father had saved Paul’s life on more than one occasion, beginning in their childhood when Thomas had saved Paul from drowning. A bond was forged over that moment, a bond that lasted their entire lives. Paul McPherson, ever grateful, felt he owed a debt to his good friend and so, a betrothal between their two children was made.
    Neither Fiona nor James truly had a say in the matter.
    Knowing full well that James didn’t love her, Fiona still did her best to win his heart. Fiona had done everything she could to be a good wife. She made certain the keep ran smoothly, even during less than spectacular financial times. She carefully planned their meals, tended their wounded, and helped to bring everyone’s babes into the world but her own. She had even tried to be a seductive wife, wearing revealing gowns, styling her hair perfectly, and seeking council from more experienced women.
    It had all been for naught. No matter what she did, James was never impressed. It wasn’t to say he treated her poorly, for in truth, he hadn’t. Simply put, he wasn’t nearly as enthusiastic as Fiona was.
    When attempts at being a seductress failed, she returned to what she knew best; swords and knives.
    With three older brothers to look up to, Fiona had always been fascinated with swords, knives, slingshots and battles. Much to her mother’s vexation, Fiona had no desire to learn to cook or sew or tend hearth and home. She preferred the company of her brothers, who were all too happy to teach her what they knew.
    Her brothers had spoiled her from the day she was born.Fiona suspected it had more to do with the fact that she was a quite homely bairn and they believed there was no hope for her. They swore, though, they had taught her everything they knew so that she could protect herself from less honorable members of the opposite sex.
    As she grew, so did her reputation at being a fine swordsman and knife thrower. There wasn’t a lad her equal, besides her brothers, and Fiona had enjoyed the attention.
    However, as she grew older she discovered there were other ways of sparringwith a boy. The boys, however, did not see her as a potential love interest. Instead, she was simply Fi. The homely little sister to the McCray brothers. Aye, they admired her swordsmanship, her skills with knives and slingshots. But that was all they admired about her.
    So when her husband began to grow distant, Fiona made the decision to don tunic and trews and pick up her sword with the hope that her skills as a warrior might impress him.
    He didn’t so much as blink an eye. Even when she bested one man after another on the training fields.
    Seductress or skilled warrior meant nothing to James. Boiled down, he simply wasn’t interested in her. When she finally realized that fact, it nearly clove her heart in twain.
    Now here she was, chief of their clan and alone as she had been for years. There was no one to share her concerns or worries with, save her brothers, her mum, and her dearest friend Bridgett.
    As much as she loved all of those people, ’twas not the same as having that one person to share your life with. There was a level of intimacy between a husband and wife that could not be found with a parent, brother or friend.
    Five proposals in the past year and not one of them worth her consideration. They wanted one thing: her land. Not her as a woman, not her heart, just her lands.
    But why? Why after more than one hundred years of peace, did these men suddenly begin to want this little bit of land she called home?
    Clan McPherson was small in comparison to the other clans, both in