The Viscount’s Vow_Enhanced Second Edition_A Historical Scottish Romance by Collette Cameron

Author:Collette Cameron [Cameron, Collette]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Castle Brides, Book One
Publisher: Blue Rose Romance®
Published: 2019-09-02T18:30:00+00:00

Vangie glanced up from packing as Ian bent to enter the tiny attic chamber that had served as her bedroom for thirteen years. It didn’t surprise her he’d found his way here. She raised her chin, refusing to be ashamed of her modest room. The roof slanted downward on both sides, and only in the middle could one stand upright. A single-paned, curtainless window at one end allowed a trickle of light inside.

“Aunt and Uncle?”

“Are graciously keeping Gifford and Malcolm entertained.”

She raised her eyebrows. “Meaning?”

Ian’s gaze roamed the chamber before meeting hers. “Meaning, I’ve bought them off and threatened them with legal action if they so much as mention your name again.” He shook his head. “What was your father thinking, appointing them to be your guardians? They spent your trust fund.”

“Pardon?” She snapped up her head. “They aren’t my guardians. Uncle Gideon and my father’s Romani mother are…were.”

Married now, she no longer had guardians.

Ian’s smile turned apologetic. “Then they altered the documents to gain access to your funds.”

Anger surged through her, hot and sharp. She would be well rid of them. “I’m not surprised. Their perfidy knows no bounds.”

Sucking in a calming breath, she went about her room, gathering her possessions, scarce though they were. From the corner of her eye, she watched Ian explore the rustic chamber. She cast a loving gaze around the small space. She’d miss this attic room, despite its austerity.

Nestled under one eve stretched a hard, narrow cot covered with a faded quilt her mother had made. That treasure she wouldn’t leave behind. A sideways wooden crate formed a makeshift nightstand, a neat pile of books stacked within. Pegs protruding from the opposite wall held no more than a half dozen garments.

One was her brightly colored, multi-layered padma. The full skirt swirled around her ankles like a vibrant, pulsating rainbow when she danced. Beside the padma was an embroidered, full-sleeved blue blouse with an extraordinary embellished vest draped atop it. Puri Daj had sewn the garments.

“Vangie, did you draw these?”

Tucking a book into one of the crates, she glanced up. Ian examined one of her sketches of Roma children tacked to the rafters.

“Yes. I do draw a bit, but I much prefer to paint. Aunt Eugenia insisted I sell anything I painted, though.”

He gestured at the sketches. “These are good, very good. Have you nothing you’ve painted?”

Vangie smiled, a sad half-smile. “Only this.”

She handed him a wooden picture frame. A miniature portrait of a man and woman smiled at him. “My parents.” She’d painted the frame with delicate vines, flowers, and birds. “I but painted the frame. The portrait was done before I was born. Aunt Eugenia was going to toss it in the rubbish.”

He returned the portrait to her, and the compassion in his eyes caused hot tears to spring to hers, blurring her vision. She blinked rapidly several times. Ian pointed to the portrait. “She allowed you to keep it?”

Vangie nodded. “Wood is of minimal value. Otherwise, they’d have sold it too.

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