The Maclean Groom by Kathleen Harrington Read Free Book Online Page B

accepted by the entire clan since her return to Kinlochleven two years ago with her grandfather. But she was their chieftain now, and she was determined to help them.
    â€œMy heart is in the Highlands and here I’ll stay,” she declared, clenching her hands with unflagging resolution. “Besides, if Joey Macdonald were to disappear now, The MacLean would guess who he really was, and then you’d all be in danger.” She touched Beatrix’s sleeve. “Have you received any word from Ewen?”
    â€œNot yet,” her cousin admitted. “But I’m sure we’llhear soon. He may have gone to Stalcaire Castle to speak with the king. Hopefully, my husband is with His Majesty as we speak, begging him to reconsider this tragic misalliance and to give permission for you to wed Andrew instead.”
    â€œThen we’ll wait till Laird Ewen arrives,” Joanna said. She met Idoine’s worried gaze. “Don’t be afraid, cousin. I won’t let the Sea Dragon marry you. If it comes to that, I’ll admit who I am.”
    At Idoine’s halfhearted nod of agreement, Joanna tugged the knitted cap further down over her ears, making sure not a wisp of telltale red hair showed beneath its blue border. “Meanwhile, I’ll continue to play the role of a serving lad.”
    Except for her recent encounter with the Sea Dragon, Joanna was actually enjoying herself. She’d much rather be free to roam the castle grounds than be relegated to the solarium, practicing her embroidery with Idoine.
    â€œBe careful, my child,” Father Thomas said to Joanna. “Stay away from all the MacLeans, unless it can’t be avoided.”
    Joanna wasn’t anxious to provoke the Sea Dragon’s wrath a second time. She didn’t want to get scorched by that fiery tongue of his—or frozen to death by that wintry glare. But like Jeanne d’Arc, her favorite heroine, she’d go to the stake before betraying her identity.
    â€œI have to continue going about my duties, Father,” she said. “If a serving lad doesn’t look busy, someone will soon find him something to do. And if one of the MacLeans does come looking for Joey Macdonald, I’d better be mucking out the stables.”
    â€œAh, lambkin,” Maude said, “I’m afraid for ye.” She drew Joanna into her arms and held her against her ample breast, then kissed her forehead.
    At the gentle solace, Joanna blinked back tears. How often her former nurse had comforted her like this when she was a frightened child.
    For a quiet moment, neither spoke.
    Neither said what was uppermost in her mind: the true perversion of the MacLeans.
    For it was whispered among the Macdonalds that their ancient enemies, inveterate sea raiders, were also said to fornicate with mermaids who called to them from the rocky shore.
    If Joanna’s stratagem didn’t succeed, she would soon be married to Evil Incarnate.
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    Joanna’s duties as serving boy included carrying wood into the castle’s keep and piling it on the many hearths. The evening following her prickly conversation with The MacLean, Fearchar found her in the kitchen, perched on a table and munching an apple, and ordered her to take another armful of firewood to the laird’s bedchamber. Resisting the urge to inform the bearded colossus that it was her bedchamber, not MacLean’s, she scrambled up from the bench to do his bidding.
    Joanna hadn’t stepped foot inside her private quarters since the Dragon’s arrival, and the idea of visiting her own room dressed as a servant tickled her sense of the ridiculous.
    The door was ajar, so she entered without knocking. In front of the fireplace stood the large wooden tub used for bathing. Arthur Hay, MacLean’s gillie, was pouring a bucket of hot water into the steaming receptacle.
    Joanna halted just inside the threshold. Too late, she realized the reason for the extra logs.
    The