Read Online Grant Clan 06 - My Desperate Highlander by Keira Montclair - Free Book Online

Edinburgh, her knight would find her…and one had. Well, even though he wasn’t officially a knight, he could become one. But was he the right one, the one her mother had dreamed of many nights? Mayhap not.
    Aunt Elspeth came up behind her, settling her hands on Diana’s shoulders. “My dear, you are a true beauty, and you will make all the lads follow you wherever you go. Promise me something.”
    “Anything, Aunt Elspeth. You have done so much for me and I do appreciate it.”
    “Promise me you won’t fall for the first sweet-talking lad you come upon.”
    Diana scowled. “Whatever do you mean?”
    “I was young once, too, my dear. There were always a few lads who would tell a young lass how beautiful she was just to steal a kiss or mayhap more.”
    “More?” She glanced at Aunt Elspeth, but then turned away, not wanting Micheil’s aunt to see her expression. She had to admit, if only to herself, that Randall sounded quite a bit like those lads.
    “Och, lass. A certain type of lad will try to talk a lass into giving her favors away by telling her what she wants to hear.”
    “What do you mean? What does she want to hear?” Diana had no idea what the older woman meant, but she needed to know so she could avoid attention from ill-meaning lads.
    “Why, that she is beautiful, that she is the only one for him. Don’t all lassies wish to be promised marriage?”
    “So if that is what they want to hear, and the lad promises, why is it wrong? Mayhap ‘tis destiny that unites them so quickly.”
    “Lass, that is exactly of what I speak. A lad will promise anything in order to steal a kiss or an illicit touch, but once he is done, he will change his mind and pursue another. Love does not happen in a few moments, but many young girls think it does. How wrong they are.”
    “What a terrible thing to happen. I’m so sorry you met a lad who treated you so cruel. Surely there are not many like that.” She hated to admit it, but the lad Aunt Elspeth spoke of sounded just like Randall. She regretted not having her mother here to advise her, but would her words be similar to Elspeth’s?
    Aunt Elspeth gave her a stern look. “There are too many who act that way. And there are plenty of men who would even talk a woman out of her maidenhead.”
    Diana gasped and her hand flew to her mouth. “How awful! Why, how could anyone be so cruel?”
    “Diana.” Aunt Elspeth kissed her forehead. “It happens too many times. Just be certain it does not happen to you. No decent lad tries for your innocence or for illicit touches as soon as he meets you. And have no doubt, once a lad like that takes your maidenhead, he will leave you behind. ‘Tis something many men boast about to their friends, stealing a woman’s virtue. But you must remember ‘tis a treasure meant for your husband and no one else.”
    Aunt Elspeth’s words echoed in Diana’s mind as they rode their horses to the tournament field, Elspeth’s stable lad following behind them along with a couple of other guards she did not know, but Elspeth did. How she wished her mama were here to talk to her about this confusing topic. What did she know about a young lad’s desires? Randall would not be like that, would he? Her mind raced with too many thoughts, and though she wanted to sort them all out in her mind before the tournament started, she knew she could not.
    As they approached the tournament field, Diana’s gaze was drawn to the dazzling display. Spectators and commoners alike wove through brilliantly colored tented pavilions filled with knights and the healers. Banners decorated with lions, hawks, and wolves stood proud, claiming to belong to the victor of the tournament. A light wind rippled the banners for all to see.
    To their surprise, someone came along and offered the two of them a seat in one of the smaller grandstands in the shade. Thankful to be out of the sun a bit, Aunt Elspeth accepted readily. “Lass, this is wonderful. I do not know if