Saving Grace by Julie Garwood Read Free Book Online

was with Johanna when she received the summons to go to London. I saw her reaction. I believe she thought she was going to her execution.”
    “Yet she’s still alive.”
    “The king keeps her under close guard. She has private quarters and isn’t allowed guests. She’s living each day in fear. I want her away from England. Marrying you is my answer.”
    The laird was pleased by the baron’s veracity. He motioned for him to walk with him and started toward the ruins he now called home. Nicholas fell into step beside him.
    MacBain’s voice was low when he remarked, “So it was you who came up with this clever plan.”
    “Yes,” Nicholas replied. “And just in the breath of time. John was set to marry her to Williams six months ago, but she was able to resist.”
    “How?”
    Nicholas grinned. “She demanded an annulment first.”
    MacBain’s surprise was evident. “Why would she ask for an annulment? Her husband’s dead.”
    “It was a clever stalling tactic,” Nicholas explained. “There was a witness to her husband’s death, but the body wasn’t recovered. My sister told the king she wouldn’t marry anyone as long as there was a shred of hope Raulf was still alive. He didn’t die in England, you see. He was in a city built on the water, acting as John’s envoy when the accident took place. The king wasn’t going to be denied, of course, but because he’s having so much difficulty with the church these days, he decided to go through proper channels. Johanna just received the papers. The annulment has been granted.”
    “Who was this witness to her husband’s death?”
    “Why do you ask?”
    “Just curious,” MacBain answered. “Do you know?”
    “Yes,” Nicholas answered. “Williams was the witness.”
    Gabriel stored that bit of information away in the back of his mind. “Why do you prefer me to the English baron?”
    “Williams is a monster, and I cannot abide the thought of my sister being under his control. You were the lesser of two evils. I know you’ll treat her well . . . if she’ll have you.”
    “What nonsense is this? It isn’t her decision to make.”
    “I’m afraid it is,” Nicholas said. “Johanna must meet you first and then decide. It was the best I could do. In truth, she wouldn’t marry anyone if she could continue to come up with the coins the king demands to stay unmarried. That is what she believes anyway. I know better. The king will marry her off one way or another.”
    “Your king is a greedy man,” MacBain said. “Or is this special punishment designed to gain your sister’s cooperation?”
    “The tax?” Nicholas asked.
    MacBain nodded. “No,” Nicholas said. “John can force widows of his tenants in chief to remarry. If they’re determined to remain free or to choose their own husbands, well, then they have to pay him a sizable fine each year.”
    “You mentioned you already paid the fine. You’re assuming then that Johanna will find me acceptable?”
    Nicholas nodded. “My sister doesn’t know I paid the fine, and I would appreciate it if you didn’t mention it when you meet her.”
    MacBain clasped his hands behind his back and went inside. Nicholas followed.
    “I must consider this proposal of yours,” the laird announced. “The thought of marrying an Englishwoman is hard to stomach, and when you add the fact that she is also your sister, it’s almost unthinkable.”
    Nicholas knew he was being insulted. He didn’t mind. The MacBain had proven his character during the battle against Marshall and his cohorts.
    The laird might be a little rough around the edges, but he was also a courageous and honorable man.
    “There’s something else you should consider before you decide,” Nicholas said.
    “What is it?”
    “Johanna’s barren.”
    MacBain nodded to let Nicholas know he’d heard him but didn’t comment on the news for several minutes.
    Then he shrugged. “I already have a son.”
    “Do you mean Alex?”
    “Yes.”
    “I was