Her Rebellious Heart: A Scottish Historical Romance Read Online Free

two sides by large rocks and tide pools. Bridget, now taking this all in, was awed by the thought that some day this might belong to her.
                  Her reverie was broken by Aidan’s voice asking,“Are you interested in animals at all, Bridget? I would like to show you around the place so you can get an idea of the work I do here. We have some very fine horses, which I’m sure you would enjoy getting acquainted with.”
                  “I have never been around animals very much, but I think I would enjoy seeing some of yours and getting to know just what you and Robert do around here.”
                  He smiled with amusement, “Fine, Bridget, anytime you say then.”
                  They had now reached the house and were met by Besse, the dour faced and forbidding housekeeper. Short and plump she was, with an ample bosom and the look of a woman who had lived a hard life. Judging by the look of her face now, Bridget thought that she had nothing much left to smile about.
                  “You’re late, sir,” Besse grumbled, “I’ve been holding supper for you.” The look she gave Bridget made her feel as if she was to blame.
                  “Besse,” said Robert, quite unperturbed, “my granddaughter will be having supper with us. Please set another place.”
                  Bridget sensed the woman’s displeasure and wished she could go home to eat but knew her grandfather wouldn’t hear of it. Trying to sound cheerful, she said, “Oh, Besse, here are some things my mother sent over.” She handed her the basket.   
                  Besse took it with as much grace as she was capable of, and answered,“Thank you, Miss Bridget, and thank your mum for sending them.”
                  Besse took the basket and flounced around the corner of the house towards the kitchen door.
                  Aidan, smiling enigmatically, said he would head to his quarters to wash up and change clothes for supper.
                  “Come, lass,” said Robert, “let’s go in the front way.” The front way was a heavy oaken door with the MacDonald in the center and the words Ty-Runach, Gaelic for “beloved house,” inscribed on a glass panel above the door.
                  Upon entering the parlor, Bridget looked around the beautiful room she had always admired. The lofty ceilings and wood paneled walls gave it an air of warmth and comfort, as did the deep red carpet on the floor. The east side of the room was dominated by a semicircular staircase of twenty red carpeted steps and on the wall at the turn landing hung a portrait of Robert’s wife, Bridget's grandmother Katherine.
                  Mahogany tables and chairs polished to a brilliant shine attested to Besse’s housekeeping ability. Objects d’art from foreign lands were everywhere, and although Bridget had seen the room many times, she now looked at it in a completely different light. She thought how wonderful it would be to actually live in this exciting atmosphere and make it her home.  
                  Across the spacious room on the west side was the large stone fireplace where a fire was always burning and another painting of a full rigged sailing ship hung on the wall above the mantle. Two leather armchairs were placed on each side of the fireplace and a leather upholstered settee sat directly in front of it.
                  On the north side of the room was the dining area just off the kitchen, which in turn was reached by a doorway under the stairway. On the far side from the dining area stood a magnificent grand pianoforte that Bridget has never seen before. Everything about the room looked elegant and inviting, but the pianoforte called out to her the most.              
                  Maybe Mum was right after all, Bridget thought.