Kara Griffin - The Pith Trilogy Read Free Page B

in pain. The oaf she danced with stepped on her foot. It wasn’t the first time he’d done so. Her toes throbbed from his drunken missteps and he couldn’t seem to stay on the gentleman’s side of the line.
    “I need refreshment,” she said, excusing herself. Before she could step away, the oaf took hold of her hand and forced her to stay in line. She wanted to unleash her temper, but another dancer came to her rescue. A man wearing a dark tartan pushed the dolt aside. The oaf crashed into a table and ended up on the floor, causing the table’s occupants’ outrage.
    When the line stopped again, she stood in front of her rescuer, a tall, light-haired man with the bluest eyes. She didn’t recall being given the cloth and lifted it in surprise. She had no choice but to drop it. Stepping forward, she placed a kiss on his cheek when he handed it back to her. Her face had to be as bright as a plum. The Scotsman didn’t speak during the dance, but she felt his eyes following her. He smiled devilishly when she returned to him. Julianna would usually be alarmed by the attention of such a man, but he seemed harmless.
    Finally the dance ended and she took the chance to flee before the man approached. She saw Bleeth standing next to the door and gave him a reproached look. “Where have ye been?”
    “You look like ye could use some air.” Bleeth laughed when she pursed her lips. Taking her arm, he led her outside, walking a good distance before stopping. “Didn’t ye like your dance partner? He certainly liked ye. I was about to turn him into a gnat.”
    She frowned, hoping he’d notice. “I said absolutely no magic. You promised.”
    “Do ye see a gnat astir?”
    The mischievous look in his eyes made her laugh. “Thank you, Bleeth. I needed that.”
    “I know.” He took her hand and led her around the courtyard, avoiding the carts and horses. “Did the Scot offer for ye?”
    “Nay, of course not.” She almost burst with laughter. Bleeth sounded jealous, but that was ridiculous. “He’s probably one of Steven’s crofters. I wonder what he would have used for barter.” She couldn’t resist teasing. “Oh, mayhap a horse, or nay, a cow. He didn’t speak to me, Bleeth, but he did rescue me. I suppose I should be grateful.”
    “You, my lady, are being witty. I’m not sure I like it.”

Chapter Two
     
     
    Colin MacKinnon was in a surly mood. He wasn’t much of a reveler, but what could he do? He noticed his brother’s gaze and knew Robin had to be giving the ladies attention. A grin came when he saw his brother shove an Englishman aside. The crash could be heard throughout the great hall. Dancers blocked his view of Robin’s partner, but knowing his brother, she had to be a beauty.
    He wasn’t here for pleasure, and remembered the reason for his attendance. He’d traveled a great distance to attend the meeting, which would be held in secret after the wedding. The celebration was an excuse for his presence, but truly the bride’s father, Lord Richard, sided with the Scots. Richard wanted to discuss the never-ending riffs with the border lords and so invited many Highland lairds to his daughter’s wedding. Colin had been assured his enemy, the McFie, wasn’t invited.
    Steven’s excitement over the union seemed overzealous. His friend acted as though he’d achieved a great victory. Mayhap Sara was a prize worthy of boasting of, but marriage as far as Colin was concerned wouldn’t much matter nor be so celebrated. He was young enough to let the matter rest, but knew one day he’d need a wife to bear heirs. That day would come soon enough.
    Being saddled with a wife was not a pleasant thought. Childhood memories flooded him as he watched Sara and her father. His own mother’s face filled his mind. He’d never suspected her cold-hearted bearing. His da ingrained the painful lesson: a woman would break your heart and employ self-serving wiles to get her way. Steven hadn’t heeded his warning and