Read Online Heartbreak and Honor by Collette Cameron - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: Collette Cameron
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Alexandra. Father hadn’t even remained at Craiglocky Keep long enough to meet her aunt and uncle. When Aunt Bridget at last released her from an exuberant hug, he had already slipped from the study.
Before journeying to Wedderford Abbey, Alexandra had wanted to stop by the encampment one last time, but Laird McTavish dashed that hope.
“The travellers have moved on, Alexandra.” He kindly broke the unpleasant news to her. “Balcomb thought it best. To give you a fresh start.”
The excuse didn’t satisfy in the least. The tinkers hadn’t wanted to say farewell. Precious Lala and György wouldn’t know what to think, wouldn’t understand why Alexandra had left them.
Betrayal lanced her, creating a wound that wouldn’t soon heal. Still, she couldn’t bear the guilt if the folk or Father suffered for helping her, and deep inside, she understood their reasons for fleeing.
“Laird Sethwick assured me no one would think to bring charges against my father.” She searched her new uncle’s face. “Do you think he’s right? I’m concerned my disappearance as a toddler might be blamed on him.”
Across from her, Uncle Hugo adjusted his position, no doubt as stiff as she from days of traveling. “I see no reason for anyone to do anything of the kind. After all, Mr. Faas didn’t abduct you, and he likely saved your life.”
“All these years he cared for you, my dear.” Aunt Bridget’s eyes grew glassy. “And he went to his lordship straightaway when he suspected who you might be.”
The latter wasn’t altogether true, but Alexandra and Dat thought it prudent to keep silent regarding what Balcomb had overheard in Edinburgh.
And about her thumping a duke in his handsome face.
Laird Sethwick had swiftly reassured Alexandra the Duke of Harcourt held no grievance against her, and she’d nothing to fear from him.
Easy for his lordship to say. He was rich and powerful.
Her heart gave a curious wobble.
So am I now .
“I must say, however, I am a trifle surprised at Mr. Faas’s eagerness to claim the reward for your return.” Aunt Bridget fiddled with a loose thread in her cuff’s lace.
Uncle Hugo turned from watching the passing scenery and smiled at Alexandra. “Yes, took me aback a mite as well.”
“But I imagine the life of a Highland traveller is fraught with hardship and a sizable sum will go far to ease their discomfort.” Katrina, Alexandra’s cousin, offered the sensible reassurance.
“Reward?” Alexandra licked her lips, suddenly feeling sick. “You paid it?”
“Of course, dear.” Aunt Bridget cast her a fleeting glance before resuming her perusal of the delicate tatting. “We didn’t hesitate, did we, Hugo?”
“Indeed, not.” He gave Aunt Bridget an indulgent smile. “I would have gladly paid more.”
At another time, their devotion to one another would have charmed Alexandra. However, at present, she fought not to be ill about what she’d just learned. She swallowed. “How much?”
No wonder the clan, Dat, and Edeena eagerly toddled her off to Craiglocky.
“One thousand pounds.” Uncle Hugo nodded sagely. “That should tide them over nicely for a long while.”
A veritable fortune to a humble traveller.
The crack in her heart grew wider. She’d been betrayed and deceived for profit by those she trusted the most. What was it about money that caused people to throw aside common decency as easily as hearth ash?
A crazed Scot mistook Isobel Ferguson for another woman, and to gain valuable lands, had intended to force her into marriage. To coerce the travellers into helping the Blackhalls with their land-grabbing scheme, she, Lala, and György were captured. Angus Blackhall planned on selling Tasara’s virginity to some debauched knave, and now, her clan and family had deserted her.
All for wealth.
Integrity and honesty disintegrated in the face of a bulging purse, it seemed.
Shutting her eyes against the pain of the travellers’ perfidy, she found the
Before journeying to Wedderford Abbey, Alexandra had wanted to stop by the encampment one last time, but Laird McTavish dashed that hope.
“The travellers have moved on, Alexandra.” He kindly broke the unpleasant news to her. “Balcomb thought it best. To give you a fresh start.”
The excuse didn’t satisfy in the least. The tinkers hadn’t wanted to say farewell. Precious Lala and György wouldn’t know what to think, wouldn’t understand why Alexandra had left them.
Betrayal lanced her, creating a wound that wouldn’t soon heal. Still, she couldn’t bear the guilt if the folk or Father suffered for helping her, and deep inside, she understood their reasons for fleeing.
“Laird Sethwick assured me no one would think to bring charges against my father.” She searched her new uncle’s face. “Do you think he’s right? I’m concerned my disappearance as a toddler might be blamed on him.”
Across from her, Uncle Hugo adjusted his position, no doubt as stiff as she from days of traveling. “I see no reason for anyone to do anything of the kind. After all, Mr. Faas didn’t abduct you, and he likely saved your life.”
“All these years he cared for you, my dear.” Aunt Bridget’s eyes grew glassy. “And he went to his lordship straightaway when he suspected who you might be.”
The latter wasn’t altogether true, but Alexandra and Dat thought it prudent to keep silent regarding what Balcomb had overheard in Edinburgh.
And about her thumping a duke in his handsome face.
Laird Sethwick had swiftly reassured Alexandra the Duke of Harcourt held no grievance against her, and she’d nothing to fear from him.
Easy for his lordship to say. He was rich and powerful.
Her heart gave a curious wobble.
So am I now .
“I must say, however, I am a trifle surprised at Mr. Faas’s eagerness to claim the reward for your return.” Aunt Bridget fiddled with a loose thread in her cuff’s lace.
Uncle Hugo turned from watching the passing scenery and smiled at Alexandra. “Yes, took me aback a mite as well.”
“But I imagine the life of a Highland traveller is fraught with hardship and a sizable sum will go far to ease their discomfort.” Katrina, Alexandra’s cousin, offered the sensible reassurance.
“Reward?” Alexandra licked her lips, suddenly feeling sick. “You paid it?”
“Of course, dear.” Aunt Bridget cast her a fleeting glance before resuming her perusal of the delicate tatting. “We didn’t hesitate, did we, Hugo?”
“Indeed, not.” He gave Aunt Bridget an indulgent smile. “I would have gladly paid more.”
At another time, their devotion to one another would have charmed Alexandra. However, at present, she fought not to be ill about what she’d just learned. She swallowed. “How much?”
No wonder the clan, Dat, and Edeena eagerly toddled her off to Craiglocky.
“One thousand pounds.” Uncle Hugo nodded sagely. “That should tide them over nicely for a long while.”
A veritable fortune to a humble traveller.
The crack in her heart grew wider. She’d been betrayed and deceived for profit by those she trusted the most. What was it about money that caused people to throw aside common decency as easily as hearth ash?
A crazed Scot mistook Isobel Ferguson for another woman, and to gain valuable lands, had intended to force her into marriage. To coerce the travellers into helping the Blackhalls with their land-grabbing scheme, she, Lala, and György were captured. Angus Blackhall planned on selling Tasara’s virginity to some debauched knave, and now, her clan and family had deserted her.
All for wealth.
Integrity and honesty disintegrated in the face of a bulging purse, it seemed.
Shutting her eyes against the pain of the travellers’ perfidy, she found the
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