Clandara by Evelyn Anthony Read Free Book Online

came face to face with the Earl, Katharine’s hand was firmly held in his.
    â€œRelease my daughter.” Her father’s voice was icy. James pressed her fingers and then let them go.
    â€œLord Clandara,” he began, “I want to marry your daughter. I know what you feel about me – I told you, I sympathize! But I promise to spend the rest of my life making her happy if you will give your consent.”
    â€œThose are fine sentiments,” the Earl retorted, “but they hardly sound convincing in the mouth of a man whose reputation is the scandal of the Highlands. Your estimate of women’s virtue is well known, sir. Do you seriously suggest that I deliver my daughter to a man like yourself? Come,” he said sarcastically, “don’t let us descend to farce. I shall find a suitable husband for Katharine as soon as possible. As for you, I advise you to seek a wife among your own kin. If you can find any father who will receive you!”
    â€œIf I do not marry your daughter I shall never marry,” James answered. “Your advice to me is useless.”
    â€œAnd useless to me too.” Katharine spoke up for the first time. She stepped closer to James and, in defiance of the Earl’s angry frown, put her arm through his.
    â€œI will never marry either,” she said slowly. “My heart is already bestowed. Father, we beg you, at least give us a little time to prove our love for each other.”
    â€œThat’s all I ask,” James said.
    The Earl’s expression did not soften. It angered him beyond endurance to see Katharine with her arm through James Macdonald’s; it made him painfully aware of the physical consequences of what they asked and the thought of that swarthy, murderous son of his enemy bestriding his child made him sick with rage.
    He stood up. “You have made your point,” he said. “I see no reason to continue this discussion. Can’t you see, sir” – his voice rose to a roar – “that you are upsetting my daughter? Katharine, go to your room. You look as if you’re going to faint!”
    She was so pale that both her father and her brother came towards her, but James’s arm was round her and it was he who brought her to a chair and lowered her into it, oblivious of them, murmuring anxiously to her and rubbing her hands in his to warm them. Robert had not spoken until then. He had come to the meeting, as prejudiced as his father, agreeing in principle with every word the Earl spoke, and then when his sister nearly fainted he began to change his mind.
    â€œAngus, bring us some wine. And set some chairs here. Father, I think we had better sit down. We’ve had our game with them, now we must talk.”
    â€œIt was no game,” his father snapped. “You, sir, leave the house; there’s no more to be said.”
    â€œOne moment!” Robert’s voice was firm. He pointed at James. “Sit down if you please. Now, Father, remember your promise. We have not treated this submission honourably, and I am now convinced that it was made in honour. I am going to ask you a question or two, sir, and depending on how you answer, my father and I will give our judgment. Angus, wine for her ladyship and for us. Drink that, Kate, it will put some blood back into your cheeks. Now, let us be calm, for the sake of the one we all love who is present here. Let there be no scoring points” – he glanced quickly at his father – “for whoever wins, it will be poor Kate’s heart that breaks. Now.” He turned to James. “You have a very bad name. Is it deserved or not?”
    â€œIt is deserved,” James answered without hesitating. “But in my own defence I’ve never wronged an innocent woman save once.”
    â€œWe know,” the Earl interposed sharply. “At Glengannock. You raided the mansion house there for some slight or other and took Gannock’s