Read The Beauty Bride (The Jewels of Kinfairlie) for Free Online Page A

restlessly and the sisters exchanged a glance
of confusion. “You gentlemen have been specifically invited this night for a
special auction, an auction of the Jewel of Kinfairlie.”
    “I
did not know there was a Jewel of Kinfairlie,” Vivienne whispered with a frown.
    “Nor
did I.” Madeline looked at Alexander, who steadfastly ignored them both.
    “I
thank you, uncle,” he said, clearly uncomfortable with the weight of the
company’s attention upon him. “As you all have doubtless ascertained, the Jewel
of Kinfairlie is flawless.”
    “Where
is it?” Vivienne demanded and Madeline shrugged that she did not know. A few
men leered and she began to have a foul feeling in the pit of her belly.
    How
could there be such a gem and the sisters know nothing of it?
    Alexander
turned to face Madeline, and gestured toward her. “A beauty beyond compromise,
a character beyond complaint, a lineage impeccable, my sister Madeline will
grace the hall of whichever nobleman is so fortunate as to claim her hand this
night.”
    Vivienne
gasped. Madeline felt the color drain from her face. The sisters clutched each
other’s hands.
    Alexander
turned to the company, and Madeline suspected he could not hold her gaze any
longer. “I urge you gentlemen, selected with care and gathered this night, to
consider the merits of the Jewel of Kinfairlie and bid accordingly.”
    “Surely
this is but one of his pranks,” Vivienne whispered.
    Madeline
felt cold beyond cold, however. If this was a prank, it required the complicity
of many souls. If this was a mere jest, it was difficult to see how it would
not compromise Alexander’s repute with his neighbors.
    But
it was beyond belief that he would truly auction her.
    To
Madeline’s dismay, Reginald made the first bid with undisguised enthusiasm.
    “Alexander!”
Madeline cried in horror.
    But
her brother granted her a glance so cool as to chill her blood, then nodded to
the company that the bidding should continue. He stood so straight that
Madeline knew he would not rescind his words.
    But
to sell her? Madeline’s gaze flicked over the company in terror. What if one of
these men actually bought her hand?
    They
seemed intent upon trying to do so. Reginald countered every bid, raising the
price with such reckless abandon that his purse must be fat indeed.
    The
bidding was heated, so heated that it was not long before Gerald of York bowed
to Madeline and stepped back into the assembly, flushed with his embarrassment
that he could not continue. Madeline sat like a woman struck to stone, shocked
at her brother’s deed.
    Reginald
Neville bid again with gusto. Was there a man within this company who could
match Neville’s wealth? The older Andrew grimaced, bid again, then was swiftly
countered by Reginald.
    He
glared at the boy and shook his head.
    “Is
that the sum of it?” Reginald cried, clearing savoring this moment. He spun in
place, his embroidered cloak flaring out behind him. “Will none of you pay a
penny more for this fair prize of a bride?”
    The
men shuffled their feet, but not a one raised his voice.
    “Reginald
Neville,” Vivienne whispered, her tone incredulous. Her cold fingers gave Madeline’s
a tight squeeze of sympathy. Madeline still could not believe that this madness
was occurring.
    “Last
chance to bid, gentlemen!” Alexander cried. “Or the Jewel will be wed to
Reginald Neville.”
    Madeline
had to do something! She rose to her feet and every man turned to face her.
“This would be the moment in which you declare your jest to be what it is,
Alexander.” She spoke with a calm grace that did not come easily, for her heart
was racing.
    “It
would have been,” Alexander said, “had this been a mere jest. I assure you that
it is not.”
    Madeline’s
heart sank to her very toes, then anger flooded through her with new vigor. She
straightened, knowing her anger showed, and saw the dark stranger smile
slightly. There was something secretive and alluring about his