Clandara by Evelyn Anthony Read Free Book Online Page B

– but now you sit there and tell me I must agree to this marriage …”
    â€œYou must,” Robert asserted quietly. “For I am ready to give permission, and as your heir I have a say in my sister’s future. Please, Father. Agree to the betrothal.”
    â€œI implore you.” Katharine spoke then. “We won’t set a date for the wedding without your approval. But let me be betrothed to James. Please, Father …”
    The Earl did not answer at once. He had expected Katharine to oppose him, but his son’s defection was a complete surprise. And he knew his daughter. If she said she would never marry anyone but that ruffian sitting opposite to him, then she would keep her word. But bethrothal was not marriage. She would have time to find James Macdonald out.
    â€œAs you wish, my child,” he said at last. “We will announce it. But the wedding day shall be decided by me. I hope that is understood?”
    James stood up and bowed to him.
    â€œI thank you, my lord. I will confess that expressing gratitude is hard to me; I am better at giving insults than compliments,” and he smiled. “But I thank you with all my heart, and I repeat my promise.” He turned to Katharine and she stood beside him, her hand in his. James raised it to his lips and kissed it. “I will make Katharine happy. And for her sake, if it takes me twenty years, I’ll make a friend of you.”
    Katharine left them then. Robert seemed to have taken full control and suggested that they discuss the question of a dowry and a settlement from James, and the men withdrew to the Long Library to drink whisky and draft out an arrangement from both sides. She ran up the stairs, holding the skirts of her dress in one hand, and exposing her ankles to the horrified sight of Annie, who had been waiting and trying to listen from the top of the staircase.
    Katharine flew to her and threw her arms around her. Firmly, Annie disengaged herself. “Ye needn’t tell me,” she said, “but you’re very happy about something. His lordship didn’t throw him out, I see.”
    â€œNo.” Katharine looked up at her; she was flushed and laughing. “No, he didn’t. And you can go and look out your baggage for Kincarrig!”
    â€œOh, God protect us,” Annie said. “There’s no possible good can come of this!”

2
    Nine long months had passed since James Macdonald first came to the Castle. The time had seemed an eternity to the lovers, and in the beginning it had not been made easy by the relentless hostility of the heads of their families. The Earl lost his old affectionate way with his daughter; he was sullen and disapproving and when James first began to present himself as her affianced husband, it was only the influence of Robert which prevented the old Earl from breaking his word and ordering him out of the Castle. But, try as he would, he could find no fault with James.
    Clandara could only describe him as besotted. His harsh voice became gentle; his fierce glance softened with tenderness whenever Katharine appeared; his hand was always out to steady her step, his arm supported her, his extraordinary passion would have been ridiculous in a lesser man. And Katharine adored him. The old Earl saw his daughter’s wilful character, with its slight element of spoiltness, flower and soften under the impetus of her radiant love for James Macdonald. When he was present they were very circumspect, sitting like two solemn children in the presence of an adult, weighing their words for his benefit and waiting only for the moment when he left them. And then he would hear them laughing when they were alone, or listen to Katharine playing on the virginals while he stood by her, and there was always the low murmur of their talk, broken by laughter, shutting everyone out of their lives. Her father was very angry, as angry as the father of James, who seldom saw his son or