Amanda Scott Read Online Free

say next as well as if she had put the words in his mouth herself.
    He held her gaze for a moment before turning away to say to Macleod, “I’m sure she is everything a wife should be, sir. But ’tis your younger daughter that has taken my fancy, and surely she, too, is of marriageable age.”
    “Aye, she is, but I’ve five daughters o’ marriageable age,” Macleod said testily. “Mariota’s seventeen, Adela sixteen, Maura fifteen, and our Kate has turned fourteen. Since any lass can marry at thirteen, that makes five o’ them.”
    “Then, doubtless, you’d be pleased if I were to take one off your hands.”
    “I would, but Cristina must be first as she’s the eldest.”
    Tam had filled the laver, and Cristina was motioning the younger girls to wash their hands, but she turned back at these words and saw both consternation and stubbornness written large on Hector Reaganach’s face.
    To divert him from blurting out something that would stir Macleod’s anger and doubtless befoul their supper table with unpleasantness, she said, “My father believes it is unlucky for a younger daughter to marry before her elder sister, sir. Surely, you can understand that. Many Islesmen believe as he does.”
    “Sakes, Macleod,” Hector said, “I’d never have thought you superstitious.”
    “Oh, but you need think no such thing, sir; indeed, no,” Lady Euphemia said with a swift, measuring glance at Macleod. “My brother prides himself on knowing what is what, you see, and very wise he is, too, so you won’t sway him from it. If he declares that you must offer for our Cristina, you had very much better do so. Indeed, she is a grand good lass, is Cristina, and kind, so pray do heed my brother, sir, for Mariota’s rather too fond of herself, and temperamental into the bargain.”
    “Enough, Euphemia,” Macleod snapped. “Ye’ve nae call to criticize the lass.”
    “No, Murdo, certainly not. I am sure I never meant to do any such thing.”
    Casting a glance at Hector, Cristina saw his gaze narrow and believed he understood that her aunt would now support Macleod’s position. Surely, he had known enough dependent women in his life to recognize one and comprehend that she believed that her peace and security depended on pleasing her host.
    But even as Cristina reassured herself, she saw that look of resolve settle over his handsome features again. She was certain from what she had seen of the man that he had not thought of marrying anyone before he had entered the great hall. But all it would take now for him to press this sudden yearning of his, would be Mariota’s reentrance into the room.
    In the hope of explaining before then that Macleod would reject his offer, and thus avoid grievous insult, she said, “I believe it is not so much superstition that drives my father’s belief, sir, as his concern that if he does let one of his younger daughters marry first, bad luck may fall upon the Macleods.”
    “Sakes, lass, that is precisely what makes it superstition!”
    “I disagree, sir. To be superstitious, one must
believe
that ill luck will follow. My father merely wishes to take care that if ill luck should chance to befall our clan, the others will not blame him for it.”
    Hector gave her a measuring look. “I think you should have the privilege of meeting my brother, lass. He, too, enjoys quibbling. I do not.”
    Macleod’s temper was short. Frowning, he said, “As your brother is already married, ye ha’ nae reason to present him to Cristina. Nor be there reason to continue talking on the subject if ye’ve nae wish to marry her yourself.”
    “Perhaps you and Hector Reaganach would prefer to take supper in the inner chamber, where you may discuss the matter as you choose,” Cristina said. “I promised the children that we’d sup in the hall tonight, because of the storm.”
    As if to punctuate that promise, another great crack of thunder shook the stone walls, and Sidony shrieked.
    “We’ll all eat