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

summon memories of her mother humming as she planted flowers. Tender thoughts of her mother had saved her sanity on numerous occasions. Still, she found her hand rubbing the spot directly above her eyebrow as the beginning of a headache assaulted her.
    The sound of Lord Ivarsson requesting her father’s permission to escort her interrupted her massage of her temple. Her head pounded ferociously as she thought of being alone with her betrothed. She wanted to beg her father not to desert her, but she knew it would be useless. Her father smiled, a sheer look of joy adorning his face, and gave his permission. Without delay, her betrothed took her hand and placed it on his forearm. He escorted her around the room without even looking at her, as if she was nothing but a decoration for him. He didn’t speak directly to her, but he introduced her to many as his betrothed.
    Eventually, he made his way outside to the stone walkway where several men were still assembled without their wives, drinking the fine Scotch breath of life . Ivarsson led her past serving wenches, minstrels, and revelers, guiding her toward a stone path, which appeared to lead into the gardens. She was introduced to many, and the leers she received made her skin crawl. Her betrothed never said a word to the men who stared, treating their behavior as if it was normal. Her knight, if she had one, would never allow another man to look at her that way without comment.
    She gazed across the royal lawns and noticed many guardsmen outside, some in plaids, some carrying large swords, all obviously there to protect the king. As she glanced their way, she noticed a few staring at her, though they weren’t leering like the men near the doorway had been. These just stared. Her father had been right; apparently she was just as homely as he had oft said. The king had praised her beauty out of kindness; these men stared at her homeliness as if she was an anomaly.
    “My dear, there are some lovely flowers in the royal gardens. Would you like to see them?” Ivarsson gave her a slight bow and a forced smile.
    What choice did she have? She felt her head nodding, though she silently wished to go in the opposite direction, back toward the castle. The gardens were mostly in the dark. She noticed a few torches, but not nearly as many as were closer to the doorway. Once they started down the path, darkness would surround her and she would be totally dependent on husband to be.
    As they carried on, he continued to speak. “Celestina—,” he stopped and forced her to stare at him, “while you smile beautifully, you have not said a word. It is important to me that my wife speaks to others as regally as I do. You are to be the wife of a wealthy merchant, and you need to start acting like one. I would also like for you to address me with the adoration all wives owe their husbands.”
    She didn’t know how to answer him. “Forgive me, my lord, but I am unsure of how to address you properly.” Her hand trembled on his arm. She could only hope she’d given him the answer he desired.
    “Ah, I understand. This could be confusing for you.” He smiled as he ran his hand down her arm. “You probably have never met a man as important as me before, have you?”
    She shook her head, “N ay, my lord.”
    “Then you are forgiven this one error. You may address me as Lord Ivarsson in public, but when we are alone, I wish you to call me by my given name, Fredrik. Please do not forget my station. I am above most everyone here, and they need to be reminded as such.”
    He smiled and the blood in her veins turned cold. His arm wrapped around her waist as he continued to lead her toward the gardens. When they were far enough away to guarantee no one would overhear him, he yanked her around to face him. His large mouth descended on hers and he bit her lower lip to force her mouth open. She yelped but he yanked on her hair. His tongue swept inside her mouth, gagging her with the taste of fish and