Clandara by Evelyn Anthony Read Free Book Online Page A

daughter by force.”
    James did not excuse himself, but his dark face flushed and he did not look at Katharine.
    â€œI was drunk,” he said.
    After a moment, Katharine put out her hand and laid it on his.
    â€œIf I can forgive him,” she said gently, “why can’t both of you?”
    â€œAnd your duelling, sir,” the Earl interrupted quickly. “How many men have you killed, and how many times have you gone out raiding since you were a wee boy? … Your hands are covered in blood; the blood of my people more than any other! Tell my daughter how you shut in the women and the children when you set my crofts on fire! Were you drunk then too?”
    â€œNo, my lord. But I was not on that raid; it was led by my father. It was he who did the burning, not I. And all this slaying and bad living that you bring against me was not unknown to the Frasers. We are not saints. We are not saints, but nor are you. But for my part I am prepared to do anything that will make Katharine happy. I will absent myself from Dundrenan, if you have qualms about her living there, away from her own people. She can fill my house at Kincarrig with her own servants, and they will soon learn to live in amity with mine. I am not a poor man, I assure you. Donal’! Bring the casket here!” The Macdonald servant moved up quietly behind his master’s chair. He put down a leather box on the table, and handed James the key.
    â€œWhatever you offer,” the Earl broke in, “it will not be enough.”
    â€œI offer nothing,” James retorted, and his dark eyes flashed with contempt. “I give. My betrothal present.” He opened the box.
    There was a necklace inside on a bed of faded blue velvet; on each side of it there hung two pendant ear-rings. The stones were emeralds and diamonds of such a magnificent size and lustre that even the Earl was silenced. “These were part of my mother’s dowry,” James explained. “They came from Spain originally with my grandmother. She left these and others to me when she died. I give them to you, Katharine. It was my mother’s wish that they should be given to my wife. No other woman will wear them if you do not.”
    â€œMy child,” the Earl said at last. “Do not be dazzled, I beg you. I am not, I assure you,” he added, addressing himself to James. For the first time, James smiled.
    â€œYou are a hard man, Lord Clandara. As hard as my father said you were. What must I do to move you?”
    â€œNothing,” the Earl said simply. “Apart from your name, sir, which is like that of the devil to me, I love my child and I do not trust you. Take back your gift. She cannot accept it.”
    â€œOne moment.” Robert put his hand on the Earl’s shoulder. “Katharine, do you love James Macdonald? Are you ready to leave your home and family and go and live with him among his people?”
    â€œI love James with all my heart,” she answered. “I will follow him as the Queen of Scots said she’d follow Bothwell – to the world’s end in a white petticoat! If I don’t marry him I will never marry anyone.”
    â€œSo.” Robert turned then to James. “Do you love my sister enough to abandon your old way of living and make her happy if she becomes your wife?”
    â€œI love your sister enough to cut out my heart and give it to her if it would make her happy,” was the answer. “From the moment I saw Katharine my old life was finished, and every memory of it is abhorrent to me. If I fail her,” James spoke to both the Earl and Robert then, “you can call me to any accounting you please.”
    â€œIn that case, Father,” Robert said, “there is little else to do but agree.”
    â€œAgree!” The Earl turned to stare at his son in astonishment. “Robert, you must be mad … I listened to you in the first place, that’s why I received him