Highland Scandal by Mageela Troche Read Free Book Online

disturbs me. Your brows are too pale to see and it makes you look like a crazed fairy.”
    Caelen continued to glare at him and this time, his nostrils flared. “I told you to stay away from her.”
    “You have told me that a lot.” Lachlan crossed his arms over his chest.
    Caelen crowded him. “Yet you do not listen. Lachlan, if it were possible I would let you two marry. I order you to stay away because it will only be harder for you both. Love is a great emotion, but denied, it can break even the strongest of men.”
    “Brenna really changed you.” He clapped Caelen on his shoulder.
    “Aye, I love my wife. If you feel a sliver of what I feel, I know that without it, you will be pained in a way that no claymore could ever afflict.”
    Lachlan nodded. Hell, he might cry from both Caelen’s respect and the truth of his words.
    MacLean walked up to them, leading his horse. “Lachlan, I have news. Your father’s son has died.”
    “What happened?” Caelen asked.
    “He fell off his horse.”
    “He still has two other sons.” Lachlan shrugged.
    “Aye, one sickly and the other thick-headed and lacks sense,” Duncan said. “The clan can come to Lachlan.” Both men looked at Lachlan.
    “He is called my father, but his sons are not my brothers.” He shook his head.
    “Lachlan, did you not hear MacLean?” Caelen raised his brows.
    “Aye, but my father’s sister has a son. They would go to him before me. I am nothing but a bastard.”
    Lachlan turned away. He had a life that did not include Rowen or Clan Gordon. But he had days with his love, and that had to last a lifetime for him.
     
    * * * *
     
    The evening meal had finished. Yet, all remained in the hall to listen to the harper. The lyrical pull of the strings soothed Rowen. The harper played a romantic ballad of love lost. She peeked over her shoulder. Lachlan gathered with some men. They seemed to be having a lively conversation though they kept their voices low so she couldn’t catch the words. Lachlan raised his cup and stared at her over its rim.
    Her heart jumped. She turned her head when Eacharn looked in the same direction.
    “Are they disturbing you?”
    “Nay.” She must control herself and cease looking for Lachlan. Her hungry gaze couldn’t stop from landing on him and lingering for a time. Yet with Eacharn, she failed to hold his gaze and that was if she remembered he was near. Eacharn must have realized her behavior since he always caught her staring. She must have shamed him, made him look the fool before his men.
    “Do you like music?”
    Eacharn leaned toward her. “Aye, my mother had the sweetest voice. She said her singing was the only thing that calmed me. I love hearing the women working. The way their voices carry on the air. I would love to hear you sing.”
    “I shall. You must let me know your favorite song,” she said in benediction.
    “Perhaps tonight you will sing.” Hope raised his tone.
    “If you wish.”
    He rose to his feet and skirted the guests then hunched beside Ailsa. He whispered something and she nodded.
    She watched his stocky form as he ran. There was a sweetness and an openness to him. He was a kind man. She hoped in time to love him. You cannot.
    “After he finishes this one, you shall have to perform for us.” He rubbed his thick, fingers together in glee.
    The coil she had in her stomach unwound. The harper pulled the string on the last note. It held about the great hall. Ailsa stood up and spoke to the harper.
    “Tonight, we shall have the sweet sounds of Rowen MacKenzie.”
    She rose and headed to the front. She stared out at the gathering. Lachlan turned to her. She told the harper her song choice. She cleared her throat and listened to the notes and her cue.
    She began singing a tale about a young couple torn apart. Lachlan moved forward a few steps as if pulled by her. He set his cup on a table and fled from the hall.
    She blinked and settled her gaze on Eacharn. He beamed at her. At least