Romancing the Rose by Mary Anne Graham
Author:Mary Anne Graham [Graham, Mary Anne]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2013-12-14T08:00:00+00:00
CHAPTER EIGHT
No one and nothingâsave for the loss of everyone and everything.
That eve, Ram stood in his study with Dair MacKenzie, trying not to look addlepated as he gaped at the note in his hand. Heâd asked for the meeting to tell the other laird that he couldna wed his daughter. Dair must have suspected his intent, for Ram barely uttered a word before the other laird reached into his pocket and pulled out an old, tattered paper, saying that Ram best read it afore he made a choice that cost him and his people their home, their heritage and their honor.
Ram didna dispute that the handwriting was his Daâs because heâd studied his fatherâs business records and personal papers. âHow?â Ram asked, unable to be more articulate. âWhy?â
âAs young men and new lairds, yeâre father and I were closeâas close as you and the âlovely lairdsâ are today. You knew that, didnât you?â
Ram nodded.
âMy father betrothed me to Bridget, a lovely lass with chocolate eyes and hair that didnât know if it wanted ta be brown or blonde.â Ram looked up sharply and Dair nodded. âShe were the youngest daughter of the laird of Clan Ranaldâa true wedding of power for the purpose of building alliances. Your grandfather betrothed your father to Alice Burns, a strong-willed, opinionated lass who were the only daughter of a merchant as rich as Midas.â
Ram stalked over to seize the whiskey decanter, lifting it to his lips for a mighty gulp. He closed his eyes to await the bracing burn before nodding again.
âThe joint betrothal party were held here and âtwas clear from the start that trouble loomed. MacKay and Bridget met with the force of a lightning strike. When Mac had to introduce his own betrothed to a guest, he groped to recall her name. The band struck up the first dance, announcing âtwould be for the betrothed couples. Mac and Bridget turned to each other like night turns into day. And when I led Bridget onto the dance floor Mac looked like night fell for a second time.â
Ram took the decanter over to the window, wishing like Hell that he was outside, taunting David and Hugh into the kind of bare-knuckle brawl that helped clear his head.
âThe double wedding was set for three days hence,â Dair said. He didnât have to explain to Ram that travel was so difficult in the Highlands that such festivities would be grouped together to save the guests troubleâand to reduce the numbers of feuding clans encountering each other along the journey.
âMac came to see me the next day, asking me to trade brides,â Dair snarled, pounding a side table for emphasisânot that he needed any aside from his expression. âI responded, logically and honorably denying his most dishonorable request. Then your sire, the man I loved like a brother, broke down and beggedâgroveled, I tell you!â
Loyalty prompted the instinctive response that the document in Ramâs hand decried. ââTis a bloody lie. Your memory has grown feeble.â
âI grew too disgusted to tolerate his pleas and left the room.
Download
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.
People We Meet on Vacation by Emily Henry(2787)
OFF-LIMITS WOMEN! (20 ROUGH, SCREAMING HOT TABOO EROTICA SEX STORIES FOR ADULTS) by Kelsie Spits(1772)
Her Soul to Take (Souls Trilogy) by Harley Laroux(1727)
One Last Stop by Casey McQuiston(1720)
Undercover Threat by Sharon Dunn(1397)
Vow of Deception: A Dark Marriage Romance (Deception Trilogy Book 1) by Rina Kent(1395)
The Soulmate Equation by Christina Lauren(1386)
An Offer From a Gentleman: The Epilogue II by Julia Quinn(1385)
Garden of Hope by Daphne Bloom(1385)
Heart Bones by Hoover Colleen(1341)
Family Seduce - Dirty Adult Taboo Collection Of Arousing Erotic Short Hot Stories by Brandt Bella(1332)
Taboo Smut! by Jennifer Trapped(1322)
NAUGHTY SINGLE MOM NEXT DOOR: 12+ Rough Erotica Sex Stories For Adults (Mega Bundle) by Sarah Clamps(1305)
Ruthless Creatures: A Billionaire Romance (Queens & Monsters Book 1) by J.T. Geissinger(1295)
Romancing Mr. Bridgerton (Bridgerton 04) by Julia Quinn(1258)
Migrations by Charlotte McConaghy(1249)
Layla by Colleen Hoover(1238)
Sins of the Father: A Taboo Daddy Romance by Sinclair Ava(1134)
Make Her Dreams Come True: A Contemporary Erotic Romance Novella by Joey W. Hill(1131)