When a Scot Ties the Knot by Tessa Dare Read Free Book Online Page A

wi—­”
    â€œLogan,” he corrected. “I believe it’s better to call me Logan now.”
    â€œYes. I suppose it is. Logan.”
    â€œWhat was it you meant to say?”
    She shook her head. “I’ve no idea.”
    He’d take that as a good sign.
    â€œI’d best go clean myself up and gather the men,” he said. “You can start preparing for the ceremony.”
    â€œI suppose a week ought to be sufficient time,” she said. “Though I’d rather have two.”
    He shook his head. “I’m not waiting a week.”
    â€œA few days, then. At least give me that much. I . . . I’ve nothing suitable to wear.”
    â€œI dinna care about the color of your frock, lass. I’m only going to take it off you again.”
    She blinked. “Oh.”
    Logan knew he had to make this happen soon. If he gave her time to think about it, she might decide she wouldn’t go through with it at all.
    He cast a glance at the sun, fast sinking toward the green horizon. “You have three hours. We’re marrying tonight.”

 
    Chapter Four
    M addie had always been different from other girls, and she had always known it. For example, she was certain she was the only bride to ever write the following to-­do list on her wedding day:
    â€¢Bath
    â€¢Coiffure
    â€¢Dress
    â€¢Lobsters
    Three hours later, she was bathed, coiffed, and dressed—­and sadly for both her and Rex, there was still no sign of Fluffy molting.
    Now she stood in the gallery, overlooking the scene that was to be her Highland wedding.
    It was a stark tableau. There weren’t any special decorations. Too early in the year for flowers, no ribbons on hand, and there hadn’t been time for anything else.
    Outside, a spring thunderstorm had broken. Wind and rain howled, lashing the castle walls. In the high hall, candles blazed in every available holder. The flames danced and flickered, looking as anxious as she felt.
    Servants lined one side of the hall. Captain MacKenzie’s men lined the other. Both groups were waiting on her.
    And she wanted nothing more than to stay exactly where she was, forever. Or go hide with Fluffy under the rocks.
    â€œReady, lass?”
    She jumped, startled. Logan had joined her in the gallery, sneaking up on her with his catlike steps.
    Sneaking up on her with his gorgeousness, too.
    Mercy.
    He, too, had bathed. And shaved. Most of his brown hair had been tamed with a comb, but a few incorrigible locks fell over his brow in rakish fashion. Someone had brushed out his redcoat and polished the buttons. The gold braid and brass gleamed in the candlelight.
    He’d been ruggedly attractive earlier today. Now he was magnificent.
    Maddie felt unequal to him. Becky had done her best with the hair, but Maddie had no choice but to wear one of her usual dark-­gray frocks. She hadn’t had anything else made in years. What would be the point? She never went anywhere, never entertained.
    She certainly hadn’t been prepared for a wedding.
    â€œI don’t feel ready for this,” she said.
    He swept her with a quick, perfunctory gaze. “You look ready enough.”
    Hardly what a bride dreamed of hearing on her wedding day. Not You look beautiful. Not You look lovely.
    You look ready enough .
    She glanced down at the half dozen soldiers lining the hall. “What do your men think is happening here tonight?”
    â€œThey think I’m marrying you.”
    â€œSo they know about the letters?”
    â€œAye, they know I received them. But they never read them.”
    Maddie would have liked to believe he was telling the truth, but she doubted it. To a soldier in grim circumstances, the ramblings of an undersexed, overimaginative English chit must have been high entertainment. Why would he have kept them to himself? It seemed far more likely that her letters had been passed around the campfire for amusement on