Kilts and Kisses Read Online Free Page B

Ceana’s temper flared.
    Each stride was fluid until she dropped to her knees in the corner of her chamber. She cupped the jewelry in her hand, fingering the delicate object with fond memories. This was the only piece of jewelry remaining from her mother’s things. The gold pendant was set with a yellow-brown garnet and a deep yellow-green gem. A single sapphire teardrop hung on the bottom, a gift her father had given her mother on their wedding day. And her cousin had tossed the jewelry on the floor like it was nothing more than yesterday’s trash.
    Ceana’s expression darkened, and she rose. She glared at Sorcha with burning, reproachful eyes as Aunt Marta stepped into the room, waving her arms.
    “Sorcha, cease! Cannae ye see she holds the amulet? The power is within her to—”
    “ Droch sgillinn ort !” May an evil shilling find you! Ceana declared.
    Aunt Marta raised her hands over her lips, and Sorcha gasped.
    “Aye, Aunt Marta. I hold the amulet that cursed Sorcha.” Ceana thundered out the door and down the hall as Anna followed in her wake.
    “Ceana, wait!” Anna grabbed her sister’s arm to slow her pace. “Please stop and talk to me.”
    Ceana didn’t pause until they reached the bottom of the stairs to the great hall. A score of men and women were now gathered at the tables for the meal. Ceana was so furious that she didn’t even notice Uncle John studying her from the dais.
    “Ceana?”
    “I have put up with our cousin’s wicked behavior long enough. Did ye see, Anna? Did ye see? She threw Mother’s pendant on the floor as if it meant naught. Naught! ‘Tis bad enough Uncle John had Mother and Father’s belongings removed from our home and their portraits taken from the verra walls on which they hung, but I will nae have our mother’s memory thrown away and banished from thought.”
    “Shhh...lower your voice. I know how much Mother’s pendant means to ye.”
    A hand clasped down on Ceana’s shoulder. “And why are my nieces so distraught, pray tell?”
    Ceana turned. Her uncle stood a head taller than she was, and even though he was five years younger than her father, the resemblance was discomforting. Uncle John’s dark hair was full with graying strands, and she could see her father’s eyes in his. But where her father’s eyes had held warmth, Uncle John’s did not. He wore the Gunn plaid of blue, green, and red, and affixed at his shoulder was the clan badge—her father’s badge—which read “ Aut pax aut bellum .” Either peace or war.
    “Uncle John, I—”
    “Aye, Cousin. Do tell Father the truth of how ye stole my gown and then cursed me in my own home.” Sorcha, the dragon, made a grand entrance as she descended the stairs with Aunt Marta nipping at her heels.
    Ceana’s anger and hurt could no longer be controlled. “Och, I’m certain ‘tisnae the first time ye’ve been cur—”
    Anna stepped on Ceana’s foot at the same time Sorcha’s lady maid walked into the great hall, carrying Sorcha’s gown. The way the girl quivered in Sorcha’s presence incensed Ceana even more.
    “Please accept my apologies. The maids told me ye were looking for your lovely dress. After I helped ye remove it last eve, I noticed a small tear in the shoulder. I took your dress to mend it. I had hoped to replace it before... I’m sorry.”
    “There, there, Beitris,” said Aunt Marta. “All is well.”
    Uncle John chuckled. “I’ll leave ye ladies to your dresses.”
    “Take the gown back to Sorcha’s chamber, Beitris.”
    “Aye, m’lady.”
    Aunt Marta turned, giving Sorcha a half-scolding look. “Sorcha, donna ye have something to say to Ceana?”
    Sorcha brushed Ceana’s arm as she passed. “Aye, we’re going to be late for the meal.”
    “My Sorcha has always been a willful child. Ceana, my dear, could ye please find it in your heart to remove the curse ye placed on her? She is looking for a husband, ye know. I’m certain ye were angry, but I know ye donna wish