Read Online The Highlander's Outlaw Bride by Cathy MacRae - Free Book Online
Authors: Cathy MacRae
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table. “Aye, milady. Ye have an appointment with the king this day. But dinnae be nervous. King Robert is a kind man, if ye dinnae mind me saying it. Those of us here at Dundonald know him well.”
Though facing the king was only one of the worrisome things on her mind at this moment, Brianna seized on the topic gratefully. “I thank ye. I know I shouldnae worry. My cause is just, and the king is known to my family. I will take yer words to heart.”
The maid smiled brightly and helped Brianna finish her preparations. Seeing Brianna in her stained boyish garb when she’d arrived two days earlier had sent the maid scurrying to the clothing chests determined to find her something more suitable for life in the castle and an audience with the king. She had done an admirable job with needle and thread adjusting the lovely gowns to fit Brianna’s figure.
“This velvet looks fine on ye, milady.” The maid fingered the lush dark blue-green cloth, a perfect foil for Brianna’s pale hair. “I have never seen hair the color of yers afore, neither. May I add some ribbon to it?”
Brianna considered her hair in the mirror. “Aye. I would like that. My ma’s people came from the far north. My coloring is from her.” She shrugged. “’Tis a bit different.”
The maid excitedly dug through a small chest. With a triumphant grin, she held up a length of ribbon the same color as Brianna’s gown and a length of silver ribbon as well.
“I will twine these together. ’Twill will give yer hair a wonderful sparkle.”
Taking the mass of Brianna’s hair in her hands, she worked quickly to pull the sides up and back, fastening it at the crown of her head and allowing it to fall past her shoulders. Weaving the ribbon through the resulting curls, the maid stepped back to admire her handiwork.
“There!” She handed Brianna a small hand mirror and bade her turn her back to the larger mirror at the table.
Brianna twisted her head this way and that, catching glimpses of silvery blonde hair woven with aquamarine ribbon and beset with silver strands sparkling in her hair like diamonds. She turned to the maid with frank appreciation for her efforts.
“’Tis wonderful! Ye have worked a miracle.”
“Ye should always wear such finery,” the girl avowed, a pert grin dimpling her cheeks.
Brianna’s face heated at the unaccustomed praise and she set the mirror on the table. “I thank ye. Ye are very kind.”
The young maid flushed and dropped a curtsy. Hurrying from the room, she left Brianna alone with her thoughts.
* * *
Flames from a hundred flickering candles lit the long room. Murmuring voices droned nearby. King Robert studied the young man before him. Connor MacLaurey, newly Laird of Morven, stood patiently before the throne. The king shook his head and sighed.
“I knew yer father, though not well. I am saddened to learn of yer troubles. I can promise ye, if what ye say is true and yer betrothed is innocent of the charges and comes before me, I will grant her pardon and restore her to ye fully.”
Conn bowed deeply. “’Tis all I ask, Sire. I had hoped she had reached ye by now, but I will tell yer man of her and leave the matter in yer hands. We arenae truly betrothed, as my father died before the arrangements were finalized, and I was unaware of them until only recently. Yet I feel an obligation to the poor thing.”
King Robert rubbed his chin. It was too much of a coincidence. The new laird of Morven petitioned him to pardon his betrothed, whom he could not find, and somewhere in Dundonald Castle a young woman awaited an audience with her king to clear her name as outlaw. They had to be the same person. He quelled the upward tilt of his lips as the absurdity of it struck.
“I am afraid I only arrived yesterday. ’Tis possible she will come to me soon.”
“Aye, ’tis my hope as well. She cannae be involved in reiving as the sheriff proclaims. Though I met her only once several years ago, she was a mousy
Though facing the king was only one of the worrisome things on her mind at this moment, Brianna seized on the topic gratefully. “I thank ye. I know I shouldnae worry. My cause is just, and the king is known to my family. I will take yer words to heart.”
The maid smiled brightly and helped Brianna finish her preparations. Seeing Brianna in her stained boyish garb when she’d arrived two days earlier had sent the maid scurrying to the clothing chests determined to find her something more suitable for life in the castle and an audience with the king. She had done an admirable job with needle and thread adjusting the lovely gowns to fit Brianna’s figure.
“This velvet looks fine on ye, milady.” The maid fingered the lush dark blue-green cloth, a perfect foil for Brianna’s pale hair. “I have never seen hair the color of yers afore, neither. May I add some ribbon to it?”
Brianna considered her hair in the mirror. “Aye. I would like that. My ma’s people came from the far north. My coloring is from her.” She shrugged. “’Tis a bit different.”
The maid excitedly dug through a small chest. With a triumphant grin, she held up a length of ribbon the same color as Brianna’s gown and a length of silver ribbon as well.
“I will twine these together. ’Twill will give yer hair a wonderful sparkle.”
Taking the mass of Brianna’s hair in her hands, she worked quickly to pull the sides up and back, fastening it at the crown of her head and allowing it to fall past her shoulders. Weaving the ribbon through the resulting curls, the maid stepped back to admire her handiwork.
“There!” She handed Brianna a small hand mirror and bade her turn her back to the larger mirror at the table.
Brianna twisted her head this way and that, catching glimpses of silvery blonde hair woven with aquamarine ribbon and beset with silver strands sparkling in her hair like diamonds. She turned to the maid with frank appreciation for her efforts.
“’Tis wonderful! Ye have worked a miracle.”
“Ye should always wear such finery,” the girl avowed, a pert grin dimpling her cheeks.
Brianna’s face heated at the unaccustomed praise and she set the mirror on the table. “I thank ye. Ye are very kind.”
The young maid flushed and dropped a curtsy. Hurrying from the room, she left Brianna alone with her thoughts.
* * *
Flames from a hundred flickering candles lit the long room. Murmuring voices droned nearby. King Robert studied the young man before him. Connor MacLaurey, newly Laird of Morven, stood patiently before the throne. The king shook his head and sighed.
“I knew yer father, though not well. I am saddened to learn of yer troubles. I can promise ye, if what ye say is true and yer betrothed is innocent of the charges and comes before me, I will grant her pardon and restore her to ye fully.”
Conn bowed deeply. “’Tis all I ask, Sire. I had hoped she had reached ye by now, but I will tell yer man of her and leave the matter in yer hands. We arenae truly betrothed, as my father died before the arrangements were finalized, and I was unaware of them until only recently. Yet I feel an obligation to the poor thing.”
King Robert rubbed his chin. It was too much of a coincidence. The new laird of Morven petitioned him to pardon his betrothed, whom he could not find, and somewhere in Dundonald Castle a young woman awaited an audience with her king to clear her name as outlaw. They had to be the same person. He quelled the upward tilt of his lips as the absurdity of it struck.
“I am afraid I only arrived yesterday. ’Tis possible she will come to me soon.”
“Aye, ’tis my hope as well. She cannae be involved in reiving as the sheriff proclaims. Though I met her only once several years ago, she was a mousy
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