Read Online Love Letters from Largs: Brodie and Celestina (Highlander Clan Grant Series Book 3) by Keira Montclair - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: Keira Montclair
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spineless waste of a human on the end of my sword.”
As Celestina backed away, Brodie’s face broke into a grin, even with three swords at his throat. “Took you long enough, brother.”
“I was enjoying my oxtail soup.” A sly grin caught the corner of his mouth.
“ Alexander Grant, always the showman,” the king chuckled. “Release the man.”
“ I would be happy to do so just as soon as your guards release my brother.”
“What right does he have to give you orders, King? He should be whipped for his impudence!” The baron’s face had turned an even deeper shade of red.
Celestina gaped at the sight in front of her—Brodie Grant with three swords still at him while The Grant’s giant blade was just inches away from Ivarsson’s throat. She feared for Brodie’s life, yet he stood tall. Her betrothed, by contrast, looked as if he was about to lose the contents of his stomach or his bowels. The brashness and vehemence in his countenance had disappeared as soon as the sword had appeared in front of him. How different the two men were, and how she wished their roles in her life could be switched.
The king glared at Laird Grant. “I am requesting you to release him, Grant.”
“With all due respect, your guards have my brother at the end of their swords, and from what I have heard, he has done n aught but stand tall for a lass’s honor. That is what we do in the Highlands. His actions would make my father proud, just as they have made me proud. His king should be proud as well. The lass does not deserve such treatment doled out to her by her sire or her betrothed. ‘Tis no’ our duty to protect the innocents, Your Grace?”
“Release him and we will discuss this.”
Her father’s spittle ran down his chin. “What hold could he possibly have on you, my king? Why are you hesitating?”
Laird Grant stared into the king’s eyes. “Five hundred warriors. Five hundred warriors to protect his life and my brother to protect his castle. I hardly think he wants one of the Highland’s best warriors to be skewered in front of him.”
The King of the Scots turned slowly to face his baron. “Your insolence and that of your Norse comrade are about to gain you both a stay in my dungeon. Mayhap a day or two below stairs will remind you who is in charge. I will not tolerate your rudeness any longer.” He waited until the baron calmed before pivoting to Alex.
Alex smiled, “Your Grace?”
The king’s eyebrows rose as a small smile crept across his face. “Five hundred? Very nice. You have been holding out on me. How have you managed to build such a force, Grant?”
“I treat my men well and they reward me with hard work. I have pulled many from the MacDonalds and the Commings among others.”
“You didn’t mention that number before, only two hundred and fifty. A small part of your total.”
“ Many are still in training. I will send you three hundred and fifty. Free my brother with the promise of no retaliation for acting as any Highlander with honor should.”
A long pause lapsed before the king spoke again. “Release him, guards.”
The guards pulled back and Alex Grant lowered his sword.
The king glowered at the group. “We meet in my solar.”
Chapter Six
The Meaning of Life
Celestina sat on the edge of a cushioned chair outside the closed door of the solar, where she had been instructed to wait. Two guards stood on either side of her. Her hands twisted her skirts for the hundredth time. Before long she was bound to start leaving holes in the delicate fabric. She listened intently to the discussion that was taking place behind closed doors. Words were occasionally muffled, but she could make out most of the conversation.
Brodie’s voice echoed strong ly whenever he spoke. “Your Grace, I respectfully request Celestina’s hand in marriage.”
“Shouldn’t you direct that comment to the lass’s father, Grant?”
Celestina froze. He wanted to marry her. Was he mad? Why
As Celestina backed away, Brodie’s face broke into a grin, even with three swords at his throat. “Took you long enough, brother.”
“I was enjoying my oxtail soup.” A sly grin caught the corner of his mouth.
“ Alexander Grant, always the showman,” the king chuckled. “Release the man.”
“ I would be happy to do so just as soon as your guards release my brother.”
“What right does he have to give you orders, King? He should be whipped for his impudence!” The baron’s face had turned an even deeper shade of red.
Celestina gaped at the sight in front of her—Brodie Grant with three swords still at him while The Grant’s giant blade was just inches away from Ivarsson’s throat. She feared for Brodie’s life, yet he stood tall. Her betrothed, by contrast, looked as if he was about to lose the contents of his stomach or his bowels. The brashness and vehemence in his countenance had disappeared as soon as the sword had appeared in front of him. How different the two men were, and how she wished their roles in her life could be switched.
The king glared at Laird Grant. “I am requesting you to release him, Grant.”
“With all due respect, your guards have my brother at the end of their swords, and from what I have heard, he has done n aught but stand tall for a lass’s honor. That is what we do in the Highlands. His actions would make my father proud, just as they have made me proud. His king should be proud as well. The lass does not deserve such treatment doled out to her by her sire or her betrothed. ‘Tis no’ our duty to protect the innocents, Your Grace?”
“Release him and we will discuss this.”
Her father’s spittle ran down his chin. “What hold could he possibly have on you, my king? Why are you hesitating?”
Laird Grant stared into the king’s eyes. “Five hundred warriors. Five hundred warriors to protect his life and my brother to protect his castle. I hardly think he wants one of the Highland’s best warriors to be skewered in front of him.”
The King of the Scots turned slowly to face his baron. “Your insolence and that of your Norse comrade are about to gain you both a stay in my dungeon. Mayhap a day or two below stairs will remind you who is in charge. I will not tolerate your rudeness any longer.” He waited until the baron calmed before pivoting to Alex.
Alex smiled, “Your Grace?”
The king’s eyebrows rose as a small smile crept across his face. “Five hundred? Very nice. You have been holding out on me. How have you managed to build such a force, Grant?”
“I treat my men well and they reward me with hard work. I have pulled many from the MacDonalds and the Commings among others.”
“You didn’t mention that number before, only two hundred and fifty. A small part of your total.”
“ Many are still in training. I will send you three hundred and fifty. Free my brother with the promise of no retaliation for acting as any Highlander with honor should.”
A long pause lapsed before the king spoke again. “Release him, guards.”
The guards pulled back and Alex Grant lowered his sword.
The king glowered at the group. “We meet in my solar.”
Chapter Six
The Meaning of Life
Celestina sat on the edge of a cushioned chair outside the closed door of the solar, where she had been instructed to wait. Two guards stood on either side of her. Her hands twisted her skirts for the hundredth time. Before long she was bound to start leaving holes in the delicate fabric. She listened intently to the discussion that was taking place behind closed doors. Words were occasionally muffled, but she could make out most of the conversation.
Brodie’s voice echoed strong ly whenever he spoke. “Your Grace, I respectfully request Celestina’s hand in marriage.”
“Shouldn’t you direct that comment to the lass’s father, Grant?”
Celestina froze. He wanted to marry her. Was he mad? Why
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