FLAME ACROSS THE HIGHLANDS Read Online Free Page B

Glenna.  "A daughter has been asked for and a daughter I will offer up this day."  Folding his arms across his chest he gave proof that he would brook no defiance.
    "No!  No!"  The trembling girl collapsed in a flood of tears.
    Brianna's heart ached for her and she knew in that moment  she could not allow her sister's unhappiness. Having heard from Glenna's own lips of her love for the blonde bard, Brianna stepped forward to shield her sister from their father's wrath, standing in between them.  
    "Then 'tis a daughter the Campbells shall have, but her name will be Brianna and not Glenna!"  It was an act of protectiveness, just as she had always instigated when there was trouble to be dealt with.  "Glenna is gentle.  She will ne'r fare well amongst a  fiercesome clan that is not her own.  She needs love and security."  She tried hard to smile,  though her hands trembled and a large lump had s uddenly arisen in her throat.
    "Ye?" Lachlan was astounded, never expecting such a development.
    She tried to make light of the situation. "I'll give the Campbells more than they bargained for!"
    "Aye, that ye will lassie."  From across the room Erskin was quick to agree, grinning wickedly.  He remembered the punch to the ribs she had granted him when he had wanted na ught but a kiss.  "Much more."
    "Dinna be hasty now.. .." Lachlan's expression pleaded with her silently to change her mind.  "If ye say that ye'll marry the laddie, there will be no turning back!"
    "I know."
    "Think, daughter....."
    Brianna cast a sideways glance at Glenna, saw the frightened look that was still in her sister's eyes and in that moment made an unwavering decision.  "I'll marry Robbie Campbell.  I hae no other choice."  She had acted on impulse because of her love for Glenna and now she would have to keep her word.
     

Chapter T wo
    Glittering beams of sunlight streaked through the gray of early morning, giving light to the hall where Brianna prowled about.  She had spent a sleepless night tossing and turning, going over in her mind the impulsive, impetuous thing that she had done.  In but a moment, with only a few words, she had consigned herself to marriage, had made the bargain which would take her from this hall and the people she so dearly loved.  In but a few weeks time she would leave family, friends and this beloved Island of Ulva to live among a clan that had been an enemy to her own people since long before she was born.  Dear God, what could have possessed her?  What bewitchment had caused her to be so foolishly bold?
    Her eyes flitted about the room as if to brand a permanent image in her mind for the days ahead when she would be far away from here.  Memories.  So many memories.  Down the center of the hall was a long hearth over which big pots from the evening's meal were still placed.  How many stories of fairies, waterbeasts, witches and ghosts had she liste ned to in front of the evening fire?  Though her family was Christian they knew that their lives would always be ruled by older beliefs too, knew that other beings occupied Ulva and Mull as surely as did those of flesh and blood.  As a child she had listened in awe to such stories and tales of long ago. 
    Before this same hearth she had blissfully enjoyed the music from fiddle, harp and pipes, riotious songs or soothing songs of reverie that had at last lulled her to sleep.  Somehow she had always awakened to find herself in her bed, thinking perhaps the fairies had bewtiched her and brought her to her room.  Now in her adult years she knew it had been he father who had carried her off to bed, holding her tenderly and lovingly withi n the strength of his arms.  But she would be leaving the protection of those arms for a husband's embrace.  A husband.  How strange that sounded.  Just yesterday she had laughingly talked with Glenna about such a thing, had voiced her adamant opposition to any suggestion of marriage.  How quickly one's fate could