Once Upon a Highland Christmas by Lecia Cornwall Read Free Book Online Page B

Alanna if she loves Merridew, and she’ll say no.”
    Devorguilla colored and turned to pace the floor. “Love! What difference does that make? Of course she loves him—­or she will eventually.”
    Eleanor shook her head. “That wouldn’t be good enough for Alec, and it’s not good enough for anyone else but you. Merridew is marrying Alanna’s dowry.”
    â€œSo? She’ll be a marchioness, and then a duchess someday,” Devorguilla countered.
    â€œDoes that matter to her? She’s a sensitive soul. A title won’t make her happy. She only agreed to marry Merridew because you insisted. She’s afraid of disappointing you.”
    â€œThe way Megan did?” Devorguilla said. She knew what was best for her daughters—­English titles, power, position. They couldn’t have that in Scotland. Here, they’d always be second best.
    Eleanor grinned. “I’m proud of Megan. She chose the life she wanted, the man she loved. That’s exactly how it should be. She still married an English earl, and isn’t that what you really wanted?” Eleanor asked.
    â€œNot when she could have had a marquess!”
    Eleanor rolled her eyes. “Aren’t you just a little bit more concerned about whether Alanna is safe or not? She’s not stubborn and willful like Megan. Alanna wouldn’t run away. She may be in trouble.”
    Devorguilla shrugged and studied her manicured hands, clasped them to hide the fact they shook. “Of course I’m worried, but you said it yourself, someone will take her in if she needs help.”
    Eleanor sighed. “I hope you’re right. ’Tis a terrible thing to press a young girl so far that she’d run away into a snowstorm.” She headed for the door. “I think I’ll go and see if we can organize another search before the storm closes in again.”
    Devorguilla watched Eleanor go, then went back to the window, looking for her daughter among the bare trees of the orchard. She leaned her head against the glass and hoped Alanna was safe. Merridew would surely be here very soon, and he’d want to see his bride.

 
    Chapter Six
    Craigleith Moor
    T HE WIND CARRIED the scent of tobacco smoke to Iain before Sandy MacGillivray came into view. Iain smiled when he saw Craigleith’s gamekeeper riding toward him over the snow.
    The old man’s frill of white hair floated around his bonnet like a cloud, and he grinned, showing both his remaining teeth as their garrons drew even. “Good day, Laird.”
    Sandy regarded the bundle in Iain’s lap for a moment. If he was surprised to see Iain carrying a woman wrapped in his plaid, he didn’t make any comment. He merely nodded. “Auld Annie said I’d find you right about here this morning—­and she said the signs pointed to a visitor coming to Craigleith. I suppose this must be she.”
    Iain chuckled as Sandy fell in beside him. “What did Annie use this time? Dreams, scrying?”
    Sandy squinted. “She saw it in the ashes yesterday, and again today in the bannock batter.” His eyes fell on Alanna again. “Is she hurt?”
    â€œYes, and asleep for the moment. She got lost in the storm. We spent the night in Ewan’s cott. She injured her knee,” Iain said, offering the short explanation of things.
    Sandy gave Iain a manly grin. “A night in Ewan’s cott, eh?”
    Iain thought of holding Alanna’s icy body against his own through the night, willing warmth and life back into her limbs. It hadn’t been even remotely romantic. Still, he’d woken this morning, and she’d been warm and soft and curled against him like a lover. He’d never gotten out of bed so fast in his life. He looked down at her now, sleeping like the dead in his arms. But she wasn’t dead. He’d saved her. He pulled a fold of his plaid tighter around her face to keep out the cold,