Intimate Enemies

the long version

Lauren MacRae is the only child of the Laird of the MacRae Clan. Her father raised her as if she were a male heir. She has learned how to use weapons, to ride like a boy, and how to negotiate with and lead the clan. Their clan claims the Isle of Shot. The English Lord du Morgan also claims the same isle. The two groups have settled into an uneasy arrangement with each side living on half of the isle. Lauren particularly dislikes Lord Ryder du Morgan because he kidnapped her when she was eight and held her as a bargaining tool. Ryder's nephew and heir, Arion, helped her escape from that confinement before his uncle could seriously hurt her. The two of them make a connection at that time, but Lauren still considers all du Morgans as enemies. Twelve years later, Arion is now the Lord after his cruel uncle's death. When a much larger band of raiding Vikings ambushes his men, a group of MacRae warriors attacks the Vikings. Through a haze, Arion witnesses a woman warrior strike down the Viking who would have killed him. When he reawakens, he is recuperating under guard in the clan stronghold.