Highlander Ever After by Jennifer Ashley

Author:Jennifer Ashley [Ashley, Jennifer]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9780843960044
Publisher: Leisure Books
Published: 2008-04-02T07:00:00+00:00

The day was a whirlwind of activity. After all the cooking, they finally settled in the great hall to feast as darkness settled over the castle. The Rosses joined them, both blond men handsome in their most formal Ross kilts. Egan looked devastating as usual in his close-fitting frock coat and the MacDonald plaid around his shoulders.

Even Mary wore plaid tonight, a lovely dress in MacDonald tartan. Zarabeth wore plaid as well, loving being one of the MacDonalds. Egan, true to his word, had announced his intention of making her an honorary member of the clan. The others had enthusiastically cheered him.

Baron Valentin still had not appeared. When she had the chance, Zarabeth whispered her worry to Egan.

“He’ll turn up,” Egan said. “He’s more comfortable on his own, I’ve noticed.”

His words were nonchalant, but he looked troubled. Zarabeth wondered if Valentin were simply lying low to perform his role of first-footer.

The hard-faced baron had raised his brows when Zarabeth explained what a first-footer was, but he’d agreed to go along with the game. His blue eyes revealed little, but his thoughts showed amusement that he’d been chosen for the ritual.

She tried to cease worrying about him and enjoy the meal. Valentin was strong, fierce, and formidable, and could take care of himself.

They feasted long into the night, with Mrs. Williams and the red-haired maids bringing up platter after platter of food. The noise from the kitchens told Zarabeth that the castle servants were indulging themselves as much as the family was. She’d given Ivan and Constanz leave to join them.

Gemma made certain everyone knew which cakes Zarabeth had helped prepare, and everyone praised her or joked with her as the mood took them. Zarabeth glowed under their banter, for the first time in years truly feeling at home.

Near midnight, the household, including the servants, trooped to the front hall to ring in the New Year and welcome the first-footer.

Baron Valentin was supposed to, after the stroke of midnight, rap three times on the great door. Egan, as head of the house, would open the door to let him in. Valentin was to bring with him a stick of wood, a small measure of whiskey and one of salt, and the black bun Zarabeth had wrapped and put in his room. A stranger offering to share his fuel and supper with his hosts would be most welcome.

The great clock at the top of the stairs ponderously tolled the hour. Everyone turned expectantly to the door. The clock finished striking, the last chime dying away, and the chatter ceased.

Nothing happened.

Egan moved restlessly. She saw him exchange a look with Adam Ross, who shook his head.

Zarabeth swung toward the door again when she heard the latch lift. Valentin was supposed to have knocked, but Valentin often did things his own way.

The door swung open. Torches lit the foggy courtyard, and mists swirled around a figure in the ghostly light.

The man walked inside, pausing when he found the entire household assembled. He was tall, dark-haired, and Nvengarian, but he was not Baron Valentin.

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