Read Online A Promise in Midwinter by Alyssa Stark - Free Book Online Page B

set this right!  I’ll hear nae further discussion
of the matter,” he boomed with the authority of a Laird.
     Angus MacFarland
then stomped from the barn, shaking his head with disappointment and dismay. 
This was the first time in his life that Lachlan had disappointed him.
    “Have her put on a
gown if she has one, else she’ll marry ye in her shift!” he called over his
shoulder as he stormed out of the barn, leaving a bone-chilling silence in his
wake.
    Lachlan raked his
hand through his disheveled chestnut hair and lowered his eyes to Elizabeth.  Her face was an astonishing hue of crimson and both of her hands had gone
reflexively to her mouth as if to stifle a scream.  Her green eyes were trained
on the rafters of the barn and when she felt his steely gaze settle upon hers,
her eyes shifted, locking with Lachlan’s.
    “What are we going
to do, Lachlan?” her voice said shakily, emerging as barely a whisper.
    Lachlan swallowed
hard.  Angus MacFarland had a will more steadfast than steel and Lachlan could see no way to avoid this sudden embarkation into holy matrimony.
    He took a step
towards where Elizabeth lay wrapped up in the blanket.  Her auburn hair
cascaded around her, standing out in stark contrast to the golden stalks of hay
that littered the floor of the barn.  The color of her embarrassment still
flushed her cheeks and her vibrant green eyes were pooling with tears of
uncertainty that she struggled valiantly to hold back.
    She was
heart-breakingly beautiful. 
    She looked so
alone and frightened wrapped in the horse blanket as the morning sun peeked
into the dimly lit barn.  Lachlan had the suddenly overwhelming urge to wrap
her in his arms, to cradle her against his chest and assure her that everything
would be alright.
    The truth was, Lachlan did not object to the idea of marrying the Elizabeth.
    His heart beat
steadily in his chest as he watched the beautiful Campbell lass that he had
held in his arms only moments ago.
    Having nearly lost
her to the cold had reassured him of the truth.
    He wanted her.
    He loved her.
    Lachlan extended
his hand to her and she reached up without hesitation, still clasping the horse
blanket to her chest with her other hand.  He enveloped her fine-boned hand
within his own, realizing how small she was in comparison to him.  He stroked
the back of her hand, seeking to reassure her.
    “Forgive my father
and Liam,” he said with a slight chuckle.  “For they are rather steadfast in
their notions of propriety,” he said as he flashed a debonair smile.
    Elizabeth smiled
shyly.
     Lachlan suddenly
dropped to one knee beside her in the hay and pulled her up into a sitting
position.  Elizabeth’s green eyes were fixed upon his and she had a look of
puzzlement on her face.
    “Will ye marry me,
lass?” he asked, surprising even himself as the words fell from his lips.
    Elizabeth’s face
flushed with color again and she giggled softly.
    “Have I any
choice?” she asked.
    “I doona think so,
but I thought that I might ask ye anyway,” Lachlan said with the hint of a
smile as his thumb brushed reassuringly against the back of her slight hand.
    “Does your father
know who I am?” she asked suddenly.
    “Nay.  We can tell
him later.  His heart might explode if he realizes that the lass whose virtue
I’ve stolen is John Campbell’s only daughter,” he said with a devious smile.
    Elizabeth’s hand
went to her mouth.
     Lachlan was
playing with fire and he knew it.
    “I’ll have yer
answer, Beth.  Will ye marry me or no?”
    Despite the
butterflies that went wild in her stomach, Elizabeth was completely unable to
control the smile that spread over her face.
    “Yes, Lachlan MacFarland.  I’ll marry you,” she said with a genuine smile.
    His steel gray eyes
were trained on hers as he lowered his lips to her knuckles.  He placed a gentle
kiss atop her hand and allowed his lips to linger a moment more than was
proper.
    Fire course
through Elizabeth’s