Resisting the Highlander: A Scottish Romance by Marian McBride Read Free Book Online Page B

years older than Bridget by the name of Elsie Carlisle. She arrived alone and apologized for her parents, who she said had realized at the last moment that they couldn’t come. They requested she come in their place.
    Bridget could not help but notice that Elsie was very attractive, with brown hair and eyes, and wearing a gown that showed all the curves allowable. She seemed only a couple of years older than Bridget, but made her feel like a child in comparison.
    Elsie merely nodded to Bridget as Robert introduced them, and then her eyes swept the room as if in search of someone. As she spied Aidan, she excused herself and hurried over to greet him.
    “Ah, Aidan,” she cooed, “how very nice to see you again. You are looking well, but why haven’t you been to see me?”
    She held out her had to him as she spoke. He smiled and raised it to his lips.
    Bridget couldn’t quite determine if the look of pleasure on his face was genuine or just put on for Elsie’s benefit. Jealousy nagged at her as she turned her eyes away from them. She couldn’t understand why she would have such a feeling for someone she didn’t like and had no claim on.
    Her parents’ voices broke in on her thoughts and she turned to greet them. “How bonny you look, lassie,” breathed her mother, who had never seen her daughter in such a dress. “That dress looks like it was made for you, but be sure and keep that tartan scarf draped across the front. The neckline is terribly low cut.”
    “Dinna worry, Mum, I will.” Turning to her father, she kissed him warmly. He smiled proudly, squeezing her hand.
    Most of the guests had already arrived when in came big James Tosh, a mountain of a man, resplendent in red kilts, florid face beaming with pleasure. When Robert introduced him to Bridget, he said, “Faith, and Robert was right, ye are a bonny lassie,” and without ceremony put both hands around her waist, lifted her up until her face was on a level with his own, and kissed her soundly before setting her back on her feet. 
    Bridget, face burning with embarrassment, but not to be out done, answered demurely with a mock curtsy, “Thank you, kind sir.”
    James guffawed loudly, throwing back his head and shock of white hair as he walked away to greet others of his friends.
    Bridget’s eyes sought Aidan. She saw that he was still being monopolized by Elsie and her animated talk, but had nevertheless seen what had happened and appeared highly amused at Bridget’s embarrassment. She frowned.
    The hubbub of voices was getting louder by the minute as friends greeted friends as if they hadn’t seen each other for some time. In the midst of it all, Besse came to Robert, saying excitedly, “Better get them all seated, sir, I wouldn’t want my dinner to spoil,” and off she hurried, back to the kitchen.
    Robert motioned to Aidan to come and help get everyone seated. Amidst the commotion and laughter, the thirty or more guests were finally in their places around the long table.
    Robert sat in the center of one side with Bridget on his right and Aidan on his left. Elsie had managed to get a seat right next to Aidan. Bridget thought she seemed bent on monopolizing him for the entire evening. He didn’t seem to mind.
    To start the festivities, Robert got to his feet and gave a short welcoming speech to his assembled guests, which was met by cheers and hand clapping. Before sitting down again, he turned to an old friend, Sandy Stuart, saying, “Sandy, will you do the honors and say the Selkirk grace?”
    “Aye, Robert, that I will.” He then solemnly repeated the age old poem of Robbie Burns:
    “Some hae meat and canna eat,
    And some wad eat that want it,
    But we hae meat and we can eat,
    And sae the Lord be thank it.”
    The group chorused, “Amen.” Grace and answered amens over, Besse and her helpers quickly set bowls of steaming Scotch broth in front of each guest. This was quickly savored and demolished in anticipation of the traditional dinner