The Highlander's Canny Lass

Book excerpt: Mairead Hay is excited when her parents break the news that it is, at last, time to put her training as a spy into practice. She is not so sure, however, that her partner is to be a young man assigned to learn more from her father. “A man I dinna know?” she says. “How can I be partners with such a person?” Her father had brought home many such young men before, men who had dreams of being a hero and ears too proud to listen to a lass… But Tam Mackenzie is neither a callow youth nor too proud to recognize Mairead for the skilled spy she has become. Having already proven himself in service to the King, he has no need to strut like a peacock in front of a lass—even one that instantly captures his heart like this one. Mairead, her father and Tam set off for the Buchanan Keep to find out why it has been so easy for English prisoners to escape while in Ailbert Buchanan’s care. Is he truly loyal to the King, or is there treachery afoot? They have scarcely set foot in the Keep before trouble breaks out yet again. Mairead finds herself a captive, with only her wits and training to get her out of trouble… and a new partner who vows that he will protect her at all costs.