Love Letters from Largs: Brodie and Celestina (Highlander Clan Grant Series Book 3) Read Online Free

your betrothed has insisted on meeting you tonight. We will be in attendance at King Alexander’s great hall this eve. You will be polite and agreeable. You will not speak unless spoken to. You will be within my view at all times. Understood?”
    “Yes, Father.”
    “Do not embarrass me, Celestina. I know this will be a trial for you, but try not to sully our family’s good name. I do not want your betrothed, Fredrik Ivarsson, to find out how dull witted you are. This wedding must take place. I will have my reward for all the grief you have caused me.”
    He flung her onto her bed and left the room. His bellowing could be heard as he descended the tower staircase. “Inga, do see if you can do something to hide what an ugly cow of a daughter I have.”
    Celestina rubbed her face first, then the underside of her arms. Her embarrassment at how her father treated her ran deep. Over the years, it had worsened, as if every day she lived caused him to hate her more.
    Inga snuck in the door and closed it quietly. She rushed to Celestina’s side and winced. “He told me he hit you again.” She had brought a basin of cool water with her. Squeezing a cloth into the water, she held it against Celestina’s cheek. “He wants me to keep you from bruising. How can I make miracles happen?” She was quiet for a moment, then she asked, “Did something set him off?”
    Celestina sighed. “ He was upset because there was someone at the door asking about me.”
    “Aye, he speaks true. I saw him. Who is he?” Inga searched her face for an answer.
    “I do not know! I never leave the house. You know that, Inga. How could I come to know anyone?”
    “But he asked after you. Well, not by name, but he mentioned a young lass in the tower. He was very handsome and young. A bit dirty, but nice. He said he thought you were trying to jump. Is this true?”
    “ Aye, and had my kirtle not tangled, I would be dead and with my mother right now.”
    Inga’s shock was evident in her sharp intake of breath. “Celestina, how could you do such a thing? Och, nay! You can no’ take your own life. Do no’ leave me here alone! Besides, the church looks down upon such a thing.”
    “ I do not believe I would have gone to hell. God has seen all my trials, and I know in my heart he would have allowed me to be with Mother in heaven. Then those foolish Highlanders came down the road and startled me. I did not want a witness, but the one lad stopped and came back for me. Otherwise, my time in this hell would be over.” Tears gathered in the corners of her eyes.
    “ But yet you did no’ try again?”
    “Nay,” Celestina swiped at her eyes. “The Highlander shattered my bravery and my self-control.”
    “Aye, that must be the lad who came to the door. He was afraid for you.” Inga rubbed her arm softly as she spoke. “Mayhap he is the one for you.”
    “The only thing I want from him is to stay away. I do not want to live my life as my father has chosen for me. I must find a way out, and the only way out is death.”
    “Och, please do no’ think this way, my pretty friend. You are too young. You are getting away from your father. Things could get better for you.”
    “And instead, I will be married to the man with the worst reputation in the west. Since he is originally from Norway, I had hoped he would take me to my mother’s people, far away from my father, but now I hear he hates women. Perhaps he will beat me. And the marriage bed scares me.” The sobs she’d been holding back tore through her throat as she grasped her friend.
    “Nay, wee one. Marriage is meant to be wonderful, ‘tis what my mama told me. Mayhap he will treasure you as he should.” Inga hugged Celestina as she sobbed.
    “Or perhaps he will do me a favor and kill me quick.”
    ***
    “I am pleased you arrived so quickly after my summons, Grant.” King Alexander III sat in the solar of the castle with a small group of men. After washing, Alex and Brodie had been