Read Online The Highlander's Woman (The Reckless Rockwoods #3) by Monica Burns - Free Book Online Page A

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    P atience took a sip of the Madeira Louisa’s husband, Devin, had poured for her and sat opposite her sister in the drawing room of Westbrook Farms. Dinner had been a festive affair. Yet despite the jovial manner of the family gathering, all Patience could do was think about Julian. She missed him terribly, and the more she thought about him, the worse her heart ached.
    “Really, Patience. It’s been two days now. If you continue to look so down in the mouth the rest of the family will start meddling in your affairs. Particularly Constance who is grateful for your interference in her and Lucien’s happiness, and would gladly like to repay the favor.” Louisa nodded toward their sister and her future husband who were watching Sebastian and Devin’s intense chess game. The youngest of the Rockwood clan’s astute observation made her flinch.
    “I thought I was acting quite cheerful at the dinner table,” she said quietly.
    “At a dinner party anywhere else, I’d say you would have easily fooled all the guests. But you forget your family has far too many special talents for your unhappiness to go unnoticed,” Louisa said with a sympathetic look. “Even Sebastian, who doesn’t have the sight, noticed you’re despondent, and he asked where Julian was.”
    “Julian had business to attend to,” she lied. Louisa’s penetrating gaze made Patience feel as though she’d been placed under a microscope.
    “You know there isn’t a single member of the family who believes that ridiculous story in the paper, dearest,” Louisa said quietly as Patience drew in a swift breath of horror. Her family had said nothing about the article since she’d arrived at Westbrook Farms, which made her believe no one had read the article or made the connection. Now, as she met Louise’s gaze, a wave of humiliation swept over her.
    “No one said…”
    “Of course we wouldn’t, darling,” her sister scolded gently. “At least not until now when you look so miserable. It’s obvious you’re taking this gossip to heart, and you shouldn’t. If there’s one thing we all believe, it’s that Julian loves you. He would never betray you. There has to be a logical explanation for it. You just need to ask him.”
    “I did ask him.” Patience closed her eyes for a brief moment at the memory of their argument and his deception.
    “I see,” Louisa said in a cautious tone of voice. “I take it this whole matter has to do with a red-haired woman I keep seeing?”
    The remark made Patience flinch. With as much nonchalance as she could, she leaned forward and set her wine glass on the round coffee table in front of the settee.
    “I don’t have to ask how you came by that knowledge,” she murmured with resignation. Her sister offered her a small, knowing smile.
    “When it comes to those we love, the Rockwood gift is something to be cherished.”
    “As someone who has a wee bit of the an dara sealladh , I must agree with Louisa. It is troubling tae see ye so verra unhappy, dearest.”
    The soft lilting sound of Aunt Matilda’s brogue floated over Patience’s head as her maternal aunt circled the settee to sit next to her. The Scotswoman patted Patience’s knee. With a wince she glanced at first her aunt and then her sister.
    “Who else—or would it be better to ask who hasn’t seen something?”
    “Other than me and Aunt Matilda, no one else has mentioned anything. At least for the moment, they haven’t,” Louisa said with added emphasis on the last part of her statement.
    Patience groaned softly at the idea of her heartbreak becoming a family matter. If left unchecked, it would quickly get out of hand, and everyone would be offering advice as to how to fix her marriage. It was the last thing she wanted. Determined to stop her aunt and sister in midstride, Patience turned her head toward Caleb, who seemed attached to the liquor cart.
    He’d drank heavily at dinner, and had imbibed at least two full snifters of cognac