His Highland Pledge by Celeste Barclay

Author:Celeste Barclay [Barclay, Celeste]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Highland
Published: 2018-12-01T18:00:00+00:00

~~~

Deirdre settled back into her chair after returning “The Letters of Abelard and Heloise” and pulling out a well-worn edition of Tristan and Isolde. The tale of the ill-fated lovers seemed appropriate.

“There ye are,” came Mary Kerr’s nasal voice.

Deirdre’s head whipped around as she watched a group of ladies-in-waiting enter. She stifled a groan as she saw that among them were some of the most vicious gossips. The only young woman among them that Deirdre liked was Ceit Comyn, but she was quiet and not one to stand out among the pack of she-wolves.

“Yes, here I am.” Deirdre simply looked as the women approached. She had never cared for Mary Kerr and the young woman’s incessant complaints about Magnus’s family had grated on Deirdre’s nerves, but her recent vitriol of rumors about Deirdre’s past with Magnus made her very wary. She refused to offer the courtesy of standing.

This slight did not go unnoticed, and Mary’s eyes narrowed to little more than slits.

“Sitting here alone? Where is your betrothed? Has he, or should I say they, gone off and left you here by your lonesome?”

“Mary, you are tiresome. We all know the men have gone out to the hunt. We also know I am not betrothed to Lord Archibald yet, and you seem well-informed of my past.”

“The queen’s English again, I hear. Are you foreswearing your heathen lover to return to the world of civilized company? Are you sure that Lord Archibald will still have you?” There was a look of speculation and almost jealousy that flashed through Mary’s eyes when she spoke of Archibald. It made Deirdre wonder if Mary was interested in Hay for herself.

If she wants him, she is welcome to him. They can drive each other barmy. One bampot for another. She is a right bitch, and since he’s such a bastard, they suit each other well. If only I could convince Archibald that he would be better off with her than me. Christ on the cross, if Magnus’s family hadnae killed her father, then she might have a dowry to woo Archibald away. I wonder if that’s why she’s so cold to everyone. She kens she hasnae aught to offer and rather than anyone discover she hasnae a dowry, she pushes everyone away. Bluidy hell! I bet that is exactly it. It isnae grief but resentment that drives her retaliation against the Sinclairs. She is bitter that they stole her chance to marry well. Nay dowry means nay wealthy husband. Nay mon would take her otherwise!

This newfound knowledge settled over Deirdre and made her better prepared for the inevitable onslaught she knew was coming. Mary did not disappoint.

Mary looked over her shoulder at the women who followed in her wake, women who learned that it was easier to allow her to be their self-appointed leader than to be on the receiving end of her vicious tongue.

“Did you know, ladies, that Lady Deirdre has known the Sinclair barbarian for years now. Since she was three and ten I believe.

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