Read Love Letters from Largs: Brodie and Celestina (Highlander Clan Grant Series Book 3) for Free Online

veil; she didn’t care what her father thought. For the first time in her life, she felt pretty. Of course, her father had not made any mention of her dress.
    The sinking feeling in her belly persisted. Very soon, she would meet her betrothed, Fredrik Ivarsson. She had no idea what he looked like, but what did it matter if he was as cruel as the gossips claimed? She would have preferred a kind, homely man to a temperamental one. Somehow, she felt as if she were attending a funeral instead of a royal dinner.
    She shook her head to stop her mind from dwelling on the negatives. Today was a day to celebrate. This was the first time she had been to any festivities, and the thought of being at the hall of the king sent her heart racing. Anxious to see the lords and ladies, the clothing, the food, and just to be able to have contact with others, Celestina couldn’t help but feel exhilarated at tonight’s prospects. How bad could her betrothed be? She was getting away from her father and into a new world.
    Once they stepped inside , the page ushered them into the great hall where she stood in line awaiting presentation to the king. She glanced over the shoulders of those in front of her to catch a view of the regal man. The king sat in an intricately carved chair on the dais, guards on each side. His surcoat was a dark red decorated with gold. He was adorned with jewels everywhere. Awestruck by the majestic ambience, she didn’t realize the line had progressed much until she found herself in front of the king. Blushing at her mistake, she curtsied as deep as she could and prayed silently that it was enough to meet her father’s standards.
    The king’s booming voice could be heard throughout the room. “Och, but I do believe the talk is true in this case. Baron, your daughter is the most beautiful in all of Ayrshire.”
    Celestina bowed her head as King Alexander III smiled and grasped her gloved hands. She remembered to lower her eyes as she had been taught. Her father thanked him and hung around, probably hoping to gain a boon with the young king.
    The room swam with servants and the Scottish king’s many advisors, along with their wives. She surveyed the room but had no idea which man was her betrothed. She noticed the doors off the back opened to a large stone walkway. Groups of mostly men were gathered there, their laughter echoing inside. She smiled at how joyous everyone appeared, the sound of gaiety bringing memories of her mother back. As she stood next to her father, one voice stood out from the others, charismatic and commanding, causing many females to giggle at his ribald jokes.
    A fair-haired man with wavy hair , dressed in a fine waistcoat, came in from the outside and immediately crossed the room to them. “Ah, Baron Lunde, I finally have the pleasure of meeting my betrothed.”
    Realizing this was the voice she had heard, Celestina did her best not to flinch as she took in the sight of her intended. A good-looking man with a broad smile and a regal comportment, his hair fell in waves around his ears, and he wore jeweled rings on his fingers. He was quite a bit older than she was, but not as old as she had feared.
    She pasted on her trained smile, which she put into practice many times for her father. Fredrik Ivarsson took her gloved hand, and kissing her wrist, left a drop of saliva behind. Celestina wanted desperately to wipe it away, but she knew her rudeness would not go unnoticed by her father, so she squelched the urge.
    She stood and assessed her betrothed ; quietly, demurely, exactly as her father had ordered her to act. Her husband frightened her. Though he was nice looking, she swore the cold tip of a sharp icicle had pierced her skin when he gazed at her. There was no other word for it. While her father’s eyes could spew hatred with a mere glance, this man’s eyes were cold, calculating, even twisted. So this is what she had to look forward to—cruelty and control.
    Years of practice helped her