Read Online Her Rebellious Heart: A Scottish Historical Romance by Marian McBride - Free Book Online
Authors: Marian McBride
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have some ladies to walk home, and must go and change my clothes. The hour is late.”
He left her then, and as he strode away she felt as if a light had gone out somewhere. She was annoyed with the emotions he aroused in her, and yet absurdly happy. She tried hard not to like him, but his very presence set her heart to racing.
She now thought of the remark she had heard Elizabeth MacPherson make earlier in the day, “Everyone knows his reputation with the ladies.” Bridget wondered if she was just another one to add to his list.
With a sigh, she turned and started for the door where she would join her grandfather in bidding the departing guests goodnight and good wishes, just as they had greeted them together a few hours earlier. First, she went to the sun room where the ladies had put their wraps to see if she could help in any way.
She ran abreast of Elsie Carlisle; the look she got from her would have floored a lesser personality. “So, Miss Campbell,” she began, “you got him away from me for the last dance, didn’t you? But don’t build up any hopes, that was just out of loyalty to your grandfather.”
“Oh, don’t be silly, Elsie. I have no interest in Aidan. You are welcome to him.”
“Then, see you remember that,” Elsie snapped back at her, “just because you are to be living in the same house doesn’t give you any privileges.”
Bridget, nettled by her attitude asked, “Are you engaged to Aidan?”
Elsie’s face reddened. “No, not yet, but we do have an understanding.”
Bridget couldn’t resist a parting shot. “So, he is still fair game then? I shall remember that also.”
Elsie’s face was a study of resentment and anger as Bridget walked away.
Then just as Elsie and Aidan were about to leave, Mary and Elizabeth came hurrying to the front door, Mary saying,
“Oh, Aidan, Elsie lives out our way, would ye mind if we walk along wi ye?”
“No ladies, I don’t mind, we’ll be glad of your company. Come along,” said Aidan, but from the look of disappointment on Elsie’s face, Bridget knew she didn’t agree with him one bit. She raised her hand to her face to hide an amused smile.
James and Alice Campbell were about the last ones to leave. “We’ve had a grand time, Father, and thank you for having us,” said Alice with a smile. Turning to Bridget she whispered, “Take care o’yerself now and remember, if yer no happy here, ye can aye come home.”
“Don’t worry about me, Mum, I’ll be fine.”
Her father looked at her and smiled, “Goodnight, lass, come and see us often.”
Bridget loved her mother, but her father she idolized. For a moment she became almost frantic at the thought of parting with him and leaving his home. She threw her arms about him and held him tightly, unwilling to let him go.
Then, looking at him through tear filled eyes, said quietly, “I’ll be to see you every day.”
Her grandfather broke in, very seriously addressing his daughter, “Alice, my dear, it was grand having you and James here tonight. I’m glad you enjoyed yourselves, and thank you for letting Bridget come to stay with me for a while. You’ll no regret it I assure you.”
Chapter 5
The grandfather clock in the parlor downstairs struck 2 a.m. and Bridget was still not asleep. The events of the night were thrashing about in her mind, and tired as she was, sleep just wouldn’t come. She spread her arms out on her
He left her then, and as he strode away she felt as if a light had gone out somewhere. She was annoyed with the emotions he aroused in her, and yet absurdly happy. She tried hard not to like him, but his very presence set her heart to racing.
She now thought of the remark she had heard Elizabeth MacPherson make earlier in the day, “Everyone knows his reputation with the ladies.” Bridget wondered if she was just another one to add to his list.
With a sigh, she turned and started for the door where she would join her grandfather in bidding the departing guests goodnight and good wishes, just as they had greeted them together a few hours earlier. First, she went to the sun room where the ladies had put their wraps to see if she could help in any way.
She ran abreast of Elsie Carlisle; the look she got from her would have floored a lesser personality. “So, Miss Campbell,” she began, “you got him away from me for the last dance, didn’t you? But don’t build up any hopes, that was just out of loyalty to your grandfather.”
“Oh, don’t be silly, Elsie. I have no interest in Aidan. You are welcome to him.”
“Then, see you remember that,” Elsie snapped back at her, “just because you are to be living in the same house doesn’t give you any privileges.”
Bridget, nettled by her attitude asked, “Are you engaged to Aidan?”
Elsie’s face reddened. “No, not yet, but we do have an understanding.”
Bridget couldn’t resist a parting shot. “So, he is still fair game then? I shall remember that also.”
Elsie’s face was a study of resentment and anger as Bridget walked away.
Then just as Elsie and Aidan were about to leave, Mary and Elizabeth came hurrying to the front door, Mary saying,
“Oh, Aidan, Elsie lives out our way, would ye mind if we walk along wi ye?”
“No ladies, I don’t mind, we’ll be glad of your company. Come along,” said Aidan, but from the look of disappointment on Elsie’s face, Bridget knew she didn’t agree with him one bit. She raised her hand to her face to hide an amused smile.
James and Alice Campbell were about the last ones to leave. “We’ve had a grand time, Father, and thank you for having us,” said Alice with a smile. Turning to Bridget she whispered, “Take care o’yerself now and remember, if yer no happy here, ye can aye come home.”
“Don’t worry about me, Mum, I’ll be fine.”
Her father looked at her and smiled, “Goodnight, lass, come and see us often.”
Bridget loved her mother, but her father she idolized. For a moment she became almost frantic at the thought of parting with him and leaving his home. She threw her arms about him and held him tightly, unwilling to let him go.
Then, looking at him through tear filled eyes, said quietly, “I’ll be to see you every day.”
Her grandfather broke in, very seriously addressing his daughter, “Alice, my dear, it was grand having you and James here tonight. I’m glad you enjoyed yourselves, and thank you for letting Bridget come to stay with me for a while. You’ll no regret it I assure you.”
Chapter 5
The grandfather clock in the parlor downstairs struck 2 a.m. and Bridget was still not asleep. The events of the night were thrashing about in her mind, and tired as she was, sleep just wouldn’t come. She spread her arms out on her
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