Amanda Forester Read Free

do?”
    Tavish’s eyebrows raised and he smothered a smile behind a cough. In contrast, Grigor’s eyebrows shut down over his eyes and his scowl deepened. No one said a word.
    Elyne smiled sweetly.
    “I shall leave ye to yer pondering.” Elyne strode majestically out of the room.
    Tavish resisted the urge to scratch his head. He was trying to recall anyone, male or female, who had stood up to the imposing Grigor with such apparent confidence. He doubted he had ever seen it done.
    “Why were ye talking wi’ her?” Grigor glared at Tavish.
    Tavish shrugged. “She was looking for someone else and knocked on the door. Seemed the thing to do to be friendly, which is more than I can say for ye.”
    “I said she was acceptable,” protested Grigor.
    “Not sure she took it as a compliment.”
    “Why not?”
    Tavish would have laughed, but he could see for Grigor it was an honest question. The man was nothing if not blunt.
    “Ye may wish to speak to yer lady wi’ more consideration for her feelings,” suggested Tavish.
    Grigor gave an inarticulate snort. “We will wed by contract. She will oversee the house and raise the heirs. No feelings necessary.”
    “But surely ye would wish yer bairns to be treated with affection?”
    Grigor shook his head. “Dinna want them spoilt.”
    Tavish shrugged and went back to his work. There was nothing more to be said.
    The journey to Alnsworth Castle had taken the better part of a month, but an alliance with the well-connected Campbell clan was desirable to the ambitious Grigor. Of course, the match was not quite as prestigious as a Douglas or a Stewart would be, but still, it was good enough to commit to the journey.
    They initially expected to travel to one of Campbell’s castles in the Highlands, but Campbell had acquired Alnsworth Castle through marriage to his English wife and did not want to leave the fortress unprotected. England still considered Alnsworth and all its lands to be part of England, a claim the powerful Campbell laird denied.
    Even though peace had been officially restored between England and Scotland, disagreements along the border were common. Campbell wished to host a May Day festival and see two of his sisters married, but he feared if he left Alnsworth it would be recaptured by the English. It had made their trip longer, but the Grants were now in the company of powerful lairds, and that alone was enough to draw Grigor Grant.
    ***
    Elyne prepared to enter the great hall with more trepidation than she was inclined to show her younger twin sister. Despite entering this world only ten minutes before Effie, she felt the burden of caring for her younger siblings. Being number eight of twelve children, Elyne had learned by necessity how to take care of things.
    Her disappointment at meeting her intended for the first time was not something she wished to share. She wanted her sister to meet Grigor without bias. She also, if she was completely honest, did not wish to admit her sister might be right.
    Elyne and Effie stood behind their brother and Isabelle and prepared for a grand entrance into the hall. The roar of the raucous crowd grew louder as they approached. Elyne compulsively smoothed her bright-blue gown with golden embroidery along the bodice and edges of the sleeves. The gown had been laced tighter than she generally wore in order to make a good impression. Apparently, cleavage featured prominently in this impression, but it did not help her take a breath.
    Effie stood next to her, and without looking, they reached out to hold each other’s hand. Twins. Effie wore a similar gown of deep red silk, and they both wore gauzy veils with gold bands holding them in place atop their heads.
    The herald announced them and they walked into the hall with cheers from the clans echoing through the hall. It was deafening. Effie gave her hand a squeeze and Elyne squeezed back. She wished to be married, but marriage meant separation from Effie. David glanced back and