Highland Hellcat (2010) by Mary Wine Read Free Book Online

me proof that ye are no’ breeding.”
    “He swore he would wed me, Father.”
    Their father turned on her like an enraged stallion. “Are ye daft? Did ye somehow miss the fact that young Lindsey came to our table and declared his intentions before one and all like an honorable man should? How ignorant do ye have to be no’ to question any man who whispers to ye during a spring festival and then expects yer maidenhead without the church’s blessing?”
    “He was Melor Douglas.”
    There was a snort from the captains, but their father cursed. Viciously and long.
    “A Douglas? I’d call ye simple, but I know full well that ye have good wits in that head. The Douglas clan is planning to rule Scotland, girl, and they wanted the Lindsey land bad enough to raid it. How could ye betray my word with a man who killed the family of the husband I betrothed ye to? Melor Douglas used ye for revenge against Connor Lindsey. Now get out of me sight before I forget that ye are at least young enough to be expected to be foolish when it comes to matters of yer heart.” Robert Chattan shook one finger at his eldest daughter. “Better pray for yer mother’s sweet soul, for I should have ye lashed, but ye are her daughter with all yer passion. So I find that I cannae order yer blood spilled.”
    Robert Chattan suddenly closed his eyes as a ripple of emotion went across his face. He drew in a deep breath before lifting his eyelids once more. His voice was quieter now, a hint of a ghost from years lost to the passage of time in his tone.
    “Go on, Deirdre, for all that I treasured yer mother’s love for me, I cannae forget that yer recklessness might well have brought disaster to us all. The Lindsey are nae a clan to be insulted, and that’s a solid fact.”
    Deirdre went, her face white but her chin level. Brina heard her father mutter in the suddenly silent chamber. The wind howled beyond the window shutters, making them rattle a tiny amount.
    “I want to thank ye, Brina, for no’ shaming me.”
    “Ye should nae have to; it is my place.”
    Her father walked toward a long table that sat near the wall. He picked up a wooden mug and drew a long drink from it. Wind blew through the shutters, bringing the scent of the fermented beverage drifting on the air to her.
    “Aye, and it is that place that I must speak with ye about. It is time that I let ye go, Daughter, in spite of the fact that it pains me to say it.”
    Her father’s knuckles were white where his fingers wrapped around the mug. Brina stared at the telltale evidence of his regret, allowing that to combine with the hurt that flooded her heart and dilute it so that it was bearable.
    “I’ll ride once daylight is fully broken. I need to look Connor Lindsey in the eye when I reveal what yer sister has been about. We will take ye to the abbey along the way.”
    Brina nodded. “Kaie wants to go with me.”
    Her father stiffened, but she did not let that keep her silent. “She does nae want to argue with ye, Father, but she longs to serve the church too.”
    His lips twitched up into a grin. “I am going to miss ye something terrible, Brina, for ye are a fine daughter.” He shook his head. “Either one of yer sisters would have pleaded with me to take Kaie in her place.”
    “I do nae wish to marry.” The words were past her lips before she thought of how disrespectful they would sound to the captains standing nearby.
    Her father snorted with amusement. “Of course ye do nae. I’ve allowed ye to be raised up knowing that I would never present ye to any man who would tell ye that you were his.”
    Her father’s voice trailed off as he realized that he was agreeing with her. She could see the resistance in his eyes.
    “Please reconsider, Father. Kaie—”
    “Enough, Brina. Ye know well that the place of a laird’s daughter is to do what is best for the clan. The Chattan need the alliance with the McLeod.”
    Brina ground her teeth with frustration.
    “If that is