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    Rules of the Heart
    Rules of the Heart
    Rules of the Heart
    Ebook52 pages37 minutes

    Rules of the Heart

    By Gabriella Mahoney

    ()

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    About this ebook

    Book 1 of the Heart of the Highlands Series.

    Years of war and occupation have left the MacKinloch clan in ruins. The old laird is dead and Alec is left to inherit little more than a broken down castle and a marriage contract to a woman he has never seen. So long as his wife knew her place and didn't fuss when he claimed his husbandly rights Alec would consider it a good arrangement. Little does he realize that that his new bride has some ideas of her own...

    This short novelette is approximately 11,300 words.

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherGabriella Mahoney
    Release dateDec 4, 2013
    ISBN9781310504433
    Rules of the Heart
    Author

    Gabriella Mahoney

    Gabriella Mahoney is a California girl that has been writing since grade school. As an incurable bookworm, she remembers when her best friend first introduced her to Georgette Heyer and the world of Regency romance like it was yesterday. Gabriella likes to write in a variety of genres but she is especially fond of short form fiction and exploring the new romantic possibilities it creates.

    Read more from Gabriella Mahoney

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      Book preview

      Rules of the Heart - Gabriella Mahoney

      Rules of the Heart

      By Gabriella Mahoney

      ***

      Published by Gabriella Mahoney at Smashwords

      Copyright 2013 Gabriella Mahoney

      Smashwords Edition, License Notes

      This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

      ***

      Chapter 1

      Alec MacKinloch watched with steady blue eyes as his father’s casket was lowered into the ground and the final blessings were given. His chest was tight with emotion. The old laird had had a difficult rule and when he finally gave his last breath Alec swore he had seen a smile. It had been a relief to die.

      And now his father’s burdens were his. He was in charge of the MacKinloch clan now… whatever was left of it. His father had been a good man and, given the circumstances, had done the best he could to keep his people safe during his reign. The MacKinlochs had been weak from hard winters and war with the English. So it was no surprise that Laird Campbell and his men had been able to practically walk right on to their lands and level the walls the had protected Alec’s family for generations.

      The years of forced occupation had infuriated Alec and his father but they both knew that they needed to bide their time. Their clan was weak, their people starving and most of their resources were depleted from the heavy taxes instilled by the Campbells.

      Their patience paid off. The MacAllan clan managed to do what the MacKinlochs could not: end the Campbells once and for all. With his remaining strength, Alec’s father lived just long enough to form a treaty with the MacAllans. Their freedom was granted in exchange for loyalty to the MacAllans. It was an easy bargain to make.

      The priest presiding over the funeral finished, the crowd started to disperse and two clansmen began filling the hole in the ground, firmly securing the old laird’s final resting place. Alec had never felt so lost or alone. He hadn’t realized how much he had relied on his father’s strength until now.

      A firm hand grasped his shoulder. He was a good man.

      Alec turned to look at Ian MacAllan. Ian was Laird Ronan MacAllan’s cousin and had been put in charge of bringing to order the newly conquered lands. It had been Ian who had started the negotiations with the MacKinlochs. It hadn’t taken Ian long to realize that he would have enough problems without having to deal with quelling the resentment felt by those the Campbells conquered.

      It occurred to Alec that in many ways he and Ian were alike. They were both new lairds having to fix broken clans. Aye, he was a good man. Rest in peace now.

      Ian was silent for a few moments. I’ll be leaving within the hour.

      Alec nodded his understanding. With Ian leaving so too would the allied soldiers. Alec would be left on his own

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