Chapter One

It was just her rotten luck that the first time she'd made love to a man, she'd fallen pregnant.

Kate Fielding's rented car hugged the road as she drove along by Loch Ness and headed for Drumnadrochit. Her two weeks in Scotland had been hectic. Had it been only two weeks and two days since she'd found out she was pregnant? Just two days before leaving Australia for Glasgow. She hadn't had time to consider her future since then. But now, it was crunch time.

She didn't know how Rennie would take the news. Nor did she want to marry him. She hoped he wouldn't suggest it. Not yet. At twenty-four she wasn't ready for marriage.

Their night together, though extremely loving and pleasant, had left her disappointed. She'd expected more. From him? From herself? She couldn't say for sure. Something vital was missing. But then, with her lack of experience, she was hardly qualified to judge. Perhaps next time would be more satisfying.

She looked forward to seeing Rennie's happy smiling face though and hoped he'd be pleased to see her, if not about her news.

Soon she should be nearing Rennie's village. She smiled when she remembered the postcard of Nessie he'd sent her and the little green china ornament, semi-circular segments, a replica of Scotland's favorite monster. That was the only word she'd had from him during the six weeks since he'd left Australia to return home for a visit. Perhaps they'd travel back to Australia together. Her flight could be postponed for another week or two if necessary. Time was on her side now that her business had been completed.

Through the trees and vivid yellow gorse to her right, she caught a glimpse of the ruins of Urquhart Castle on the shores of the loch. Maybe Rennie would take her there. She flicked her gaze once more to catch sight of the corner of the ruin, the highest remaining section of what once must have been an imposing fortress.

Kate dragged her gaze back to the road and followed the sharp bend to the left. According to the map, she wasn't far from Drumnadrochit. Rennie told her he lived near there. Slowly she approached a bridge and followed the signs left into the Visitors' Center car-park. It seemed the logical place to ask for directions.

The woman at the Center looked at her strangely, but Kate was too tired to dwell on it and just attributed the woman's curious stare to her Aussie accent.

Kate climbed back into her car, munched on the remainder of a chocolate bar she'd bought earlier, and followed the woman's instructions. She turned off the A82 onto a winding single track road that disappeared into overhanging greenery.

As she rounded a bend, arched iron gates set in solid stone pillars, part of a high stone wall, loomed before her. The wall ran parallel with the road and seemed to continue for as far as the eye could see. Kate gasped in surprise when the gates automatically opened, but not before she saw the brass plate attached to the massive ironwork.

"Carabrae"

"Hmmm," she pondered. "Could this be the right place? Rennie MacBain, with your modest tastes, I had no idea you came from such a wealthy family." She must remember to ask Rennie why he'd neglected to tell her about his background.

Kate drove slowly along the asphalt driveway, through beautiful, well-kept grounds and gardens. Bluebells dotted sections of unmowed grass. The place resembled a park. She pulled into the small car-park at the side of the house, which was partly hidden by trees and bushes.

Kate checked her appearance in the rear view mirror and fluffed up her shoulder length ginger gold curls. She dipped into her bag, retrieved a small jar, and touched gloss to her dry lips. Her deep hazel eyes mirrored her exhaustion. Soon she'd see Rennie. She smiled into the mirror at that thought. "That's better." Her eyes crinkled at the corners and the action brought them life.

She climbed from the car and stretched. It had been a long drive from Glasgow and she felt stressed from driving on unfamiliar and narrow, sometimes treacherous roads. Her stomach growled reminding her it had been a long time since she'd eaten anything substantial. She brushed the chocolate crumbs from her white shirt and jeans and wondered if she should have dressed more up-market for the occasion. No, jeans would do. Rennie liked her in jeans. He often commented on how well they hugged her slender figure.

It was huge, castle-like, with several turrets. She remembered reading that in medieval times a person's wealth was judged by the number of turrets atop his castle. The MacBain family must be very wealthy indeed.

The front steps gave way to an iron-studded wooden door. Kate lifted the solid brass ring and beat it against the dark wood.

She waited for a few moments.

A small grey-haired woman opened the door.

"Can I help you, miss?" she asked in one of the strongest Scottish accents Kate had ever heard. She tried hard to concentrate on the fast tangle of sound and syllable which streamed from the woman's lips.

Kate wasn't sure whether to beg her pardon, or if the woman repeated the words, they'd be any clearer. She took a breath to calm a slight nervousness and took a wild guess that she was about to answer the woman's question correctly.

"I'd like to see Mr MacBain. My name is Kate Fielding."

The woman's gaze moved over her, and Kate couldn't tell exactly what she was thinking. Kate wondered again about the way she was dressed. Somehow, well-worn blue jeans didn't equate with a dwelling as grand as this.

The woman nodded her head and stepped back for Kate to enter. She glimpsed the marbled, sparsely decorated entrance hall as she followed the bustling housekeeper into a spacious living room.

"Please wait. I'll tell Mr MacBain you're here," the woman rapped out.

At least, that's what Kate thought she said. She nodded as the woman closed the double wooden doors on her way out.

Kate glanced around the room. Her gaze drifted to an elaborate plaster ceiling with ornate light fittings. Never before had she seen such intricate work. Tiny painted flowers nestled amid Scottish thistle and what she assumed was the family crest. The oval shapes combined to form the overall pattern of the ceiling.

Was she slightly out of her league here? Kate had never been very good at controlling her nerves. But now, as she looked around at the tastefully expensive furnishings which surrounded her, all thoughts of what she would say to Rennie deserted her.

She moved to the window, and stared out at the tranquillity of the gardens, trying to put her scattered thoughts into order. She pictured herself walking arm in arm with Rennie through the neatly planned flowerbeds, laughing, and enjoying one another's company.

Kate hoped he'd be thrilled with her news, just as she was, now she'd become used to the idea. Having never known her own father, Kate thought it only fair that Rennie have the opportunity to get to know his child.

"Ms Fielding?"

The deep resonant voice startled her. That voice didn't belong to Rennie. Kate spun around.

Her gaze swept over the tall man before her. From his long legs encased in crisp cream chinos, to the black skivvy which hugged his broad chest like a second skin. The snug fit left nothing to the imagination about what lay underneath. She lifted her gaze only to be taken aback by gorgeous brown eyes that scrutinised her in similar fashion. His eyes were guarded, deep, and reminded her of pools of very dark honey. Kate's toes curled involuntarily. Her breath quickened.

"Do you like the view?" He inclined his head towards the window.

Kate nodded, mesmerized by those eyes and his accent. His imposing presence filled the spacious room.

"Yes, I do. It's beautiful. And so green. Nothing like where I'm from. It's so very brown and dry at home at the moment." She paused, waiting for this incredibly handsome man to introduce himself. But he didn't. Nor did he invite her to sit down. In fact he didn't exude much warmth at all.

Kate moistened her lips. She bestowed her best smile on him and opened her mouth to ask after Rennie but the cold look which flickered like a shutter across his face, lodged the words in her throat.

"I'm very busy Miss Fielding. State your business here, and make it brief. I don't have all afternoon." His tone was crisp and cut right through her.

His manner irritated her, fired her determination. After she'd travelled all this way, she wouldn't allow him to dismiss her. Almost dead on her feet, she was right out of patience.

"By all means." She fought hard to resist the urge to tell him her time was precious as well. "I came to see Mr MacBain."

"I gathered that. What makes you think he wants to see you? Does he know you?" he asked tersely and looked down his nose at her.

Kate bristled at his smug expression. He was so sure of himself. She'd met his kind before...those who thought they knew everything, yet when it came to the real world and real people, they knew nothing at all.

"Yes, he certainly does," she said in a curt voice. Of course Rennie would want to see her. At first, anyway.

"I don't think so, Ms Fielding. I'm willing to bet Mr MacBain has never laid eyes on you before." Again that chill voice.

"Bastard," she muttered under her breath. The effect of his mesmerizing accent was wearing thin very quickly. Undeterred by his arrogance, Kate puffed herself up to her full five feet.

Her increasing irritation gave her courage and she forged on. "My business is with Mr MacBain...Rennie MacBain. I don't see why I should justify myself to the hired help."

His eyes narrowed. His lips tightened to a thin straight line. He stared right through her.

Kate swallowed. Now she'd overstepped the mark.

"I'd like to see him now if you'd be so kind," she said, gentling her voice in an attempt to avoid a backlash.

A strange softening flickered across his face, but his expression steeled again to one Kate couldn't decipher, and she thought it was her exhaustion playing tricks on her.

"I'm Galen, Rennie's brother."

Kate gasped. Rennie never mentioned he had a brother. And he and this man looked nothing alike. Rennie was blonde and youthful, this man was taller and dark. Chiselled features hardened his expression.

He paused a few moments in his interrogation and walked over to the window.

Kate surveyed him surreptitiously. Galen, so that was his name. It suited him.

He spun around and strode close to where Kate stood in the middle of the room. "I'll ask you again," he fired at her. "What business do you have with my brother?"

She might have apologized for her rude remark about the hired help if it hadn't been for his intrusive question.

"It's personal," she said determinedly, with a slight shake of her head.

"How personal?" He stepped closer and Kate held her ground, determined not to be intimidated by this giant before her. She didn't like the hint of condescension in his voice and she definitely didn't like the way he looked at her. His gaze was a little too thorough.

"Look here. I'm really rather tired." Too tired for your silly games, she wanted to add, but thought better of it. "Would you inform Rennie that I'm here please? Or at least tell me where I can reach him if he's not," she said in the most imperious voice she could manage. "I have something very important to discuss with him and it can't wait."

His jaw tightened as again his gaze plundered her. Tall as he was and small as she was, Kate felt he could shrink her even further with that cold glare of his. She would not let him get the better of her. If only her insides would quit trembling.

"How do you know my brother?"

Kate groaned in exasperation.

"That's none of your damn business, Mr MacBain." Then she had second thoughts. Perhaps she should humour him to get the information she wanted, rather than take a leaf of rudeness from his book. "We met in Australia...in a bar...at a...nightclub."

Kate cringed at how that sounded. Galen's contemptuous gaze traveled painfully slow over her body. It didn't make her feel any better. In fact, her first meeting with Rennie had been more innocent than it sounded.

"Australia's a big country. Where precisely?"

"Canberra." Tears burned at the back of her eyes. If he didn't stop this inquisition, let her see Rennie right now, she might just scream at him.

"How well do you know my brother, Ms Fielding?"

Kate hesitated. Now wasn't the time to blurt out her news. She needed to talk to Rennie first. Galen MacBain was the last person she'd tell that she was carrying his brother's child. "Pretty well," she said, hoping he wouldn't quiz her any further on that score.

"Seems my young brother continues to collect the best of everything money can buy."

Kate didn't know whether to take that as an insult or a compliment.

He lifted a lock of her hair and smoothed it between his fingers. She felt the golden honey of his eyes drizzle over her. Kate held her breath. There was no air in the room, and no sound, save for Galen's soft voice.

"Are you and my brother lovers?"

Kate almost choked. "How dare you! That's none of your business."

His lips curled in a wolfish sneer as if he recognized her protest for the smoke-screen it was. "So, you thought you'd follow Rennie to Scotland to see whether you could latch on to some of the MacBain wealth, did you? What else are you hiding, Ms Fielding? Is there something I should know?"

"Just what do you mean by that?" His chill gaze swept over her, made her shiver, and she had the distinct feeling she wasn't going to like his response.

"My brother and I don't see eye to eye on many things, his behaviour being one of them. He's used to having his own way, getting everything he wants."

Kate doubted that. The Rennie she knew was nothing like what his brother described. If anything, it was the older MacBain who was the demanding one.

His questions were relentless.

"What do you think of women who fraternize with married men?" he flung at her.

Shocked, Kate groped for the armchair behind her and clutched the arm rest as she sank into the soft deep cushions. The knot in her stomach grew even tighter.

"What are you saying?"

"Oh, yes, Ms Fielding. My brother has a wife."

"What...what did you say?" she whispered hoarsely, letting the words sink in. Surely she was hearing things. Rennie...married? No, that couldn't be. Maybe he was separated from his wife. He wouldn't...didn't lie to her. Did he? No way was she going to be made feel like the guilty party, the other woman. Kate's mind spun in confusion.

"Rennie didn't tell me he's married," she whispered, more to herself than to Galen. Dazed, she stood up and stepped away from the couch. A wave of dizziness grasped her and it was all she could do to steady herself enough to focus. She just wanted to see Rennie, to get out of there, away from this persistent inquisition. She needed to think.

"Ms Fielding..."

She turned to look in Galen's direction, but the room spun around, and he was out of focus.

"Rennie's dead."

The words tore at her heart. "No, no," she whispered hoarsely. "That can't be. You're hiding him from me. You won't let me see him because he's married." She was past all reason now, and couldn't ignore the shrill accusatory note which crept into her voice. Exhaustion overwhelmed her and she swore at him.

Galen moved closer. His hands grasped her elbows. Out of control now, Kate pummeled him with her fists. "Let me see him, you bastard."

She tried to struggle free. "Rennie, Rennie. Where are you?"

Galen's strong hands slid to her wrists.

Her eyes brimmed, her soft skin twisted under his powerful grip. Kate knew she would bruise terribly.

"I have no reason to lie to you about something so unpleasant, Ms Fielding." She knew with certainty that what he told her was true. Rennie was dead.

A deep sob rocked her, the room spun faster, and she focused on the broad black chest in front of her, but it too began to spin, sucking her into a deep dark whirlpool as she sank to the floor.

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