Highland Bride by Colleen French

Author:Colleen French
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: ePublishing Works!
Published: 2016-06-07T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter 15

Kara laughed and clapped as she watched a black spider monkey toss a bright red ball into the air and catch it in his tiny paws. Harry laughed too, delighted by the monkey and Kara's good humor.

It was the most wonderful birthday Harry had ever had. Servants had carried tables and chairs from the great hall into the courtyard for the many guests at the festival. There were boards laden with food, tables for gambling, and stalls for entertainment, just like a village festival. One of his guests could try to toss balls into a jug, strike a bull's-eye with a tiny spear, or guess which nutshell would reveal the halfpence. Kara had even hired a fortune-teller from the village to read tarot cards and toss rune stones. There was music, horse racing, even wrestling. Tonight men and women would dress in their best gowns and kilts, dine and drink until they were satiated and then dance until dawn—all in honor of his fourteenth birthday.

Dungald came up behind Harry and leaned on the table. He smelled of scotch. "Fine fete you've thrown, my lord."

Harry glanced at his cousin. Kara was busy talking with his mother. The monkey was standing upright on its rear legs, playing a tin drum. "I've my wife to thank," Harry said, watching the performing animal. He always felt awkward around Dungald. His cousin said and did all the right things, but there was something in his tone that scared Harry sometimes.

"Aye, she's become quite the little wife." He sipped from a goblet. "A fine piece."

Harry forced a smile and reached for his watered wine. That was a compliment, wasn't it? When a man's wife was a fine piece?

"She as talented between the sheets?" Dungald questioned over the rim of his goblet.

Harry choked on the wine that slid down his throat. He coughed and his cousin struck him on the back.

"Easy there. We'll not have you drown on your birthday!"

Tears came to Harry's eyes as he tried to clear his throat. He set down the goblet and wiped his mouth with his sleeve.

"Why, my lord," Dungald whispered in his ear. "By the redness in your face, a man would almost think you had still not slipped her the rod."

Harry felt his cheeks grow hot. He squirmed in his seat. He didn't like Dungald speaking to him about Kara in such a crude manner, but he didn't know what to do to stop him. Did Dungald really know the truth or was he just guessing? How could he know? He had to be guessing. But Ian had warned that no one could know Harry was not sleeping with his wife in the intimate way. It was dangerous, his brother said. Dangerous for them all.

Harry cleared his throat. "I... I will not have you speak of my wife thusly," he whispered under his breath. "Mind your own sheets!"

Dungald cackled, sinking the bony fingers of his hand into Harry's shoulder. "Tell me you're not shy, cousin! 'Tis a simple enough act.

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