A Laird for Christmas Read Online Free PDF

“Yes, you have.”
    Jane returned her gaze to the men below. “Nicholas and Bryce. Who are the others?”
    “You will find out soon. But every one of those men arrived one day ahead of schedule.” She winked. “They are eager for you as their prospective bride.”
    That left her ten days to choose one of them as her new husband. Jane tensed, angry that Margaret could talk about this with pleasure. She was angry at herself for not having another option. But she was angriest of all that she felt so terribly alone. She wished for a crazy, desperate minute that she had not been born as Lady Jane Lennox, subsequent heir to the Bellhaven fortune. These men were not eager for her. They wanted what she would bring to the winner.
    Jane’s throat thickened. She swallowed against it, finding no relief. Then again, who else would she be? And if she was not Lady Jane, she would not have Margaret in her life. Margaret was more than her aunt, she was her closestfriend. And she needed a friend right now. Her aunt was only ten years her senior, yet she had taken on the role of mother after Jane’s own mother had died. At times, Jane forgot how young Margaret truly was, but at the moment she was grateful for her aunt’s friendship above all else.
    Jane turned to her aunt with a tremulous smile. “Have I ever told you how grateful I am that you are in my life?”
    “Many times.” Margaret opened her arms, and Jane immediately went to her, folding herself into Margaret’s strength and faith and love. Tears came to her eyes. “Oh, Margaret.…”
    “I know, dear.” Her aunt hugged her all the harder.
    Jane knew Margaret understood what she did not say. Her aunt realized this moment was about more than just the suitors below. It was the first time Jane had cried over the loss of her father and brother. If she must be without them, then at least she was fully in charge of her own life. Whatever good or sorrow came to her from this point on would be a result of her own choices. The thought was a heady and terrifying mix.
    “The six men below are a gift, one that will offer you a chance at happiness once more,” Margaret said in a soothing tone.
    Jane pulled back, her hands still resting on Margaret’s waist. “Marriage does not necessarily bring happiness. You and I both know that all too well.
    Margaret sighed. “Yes, but marriage can bring happiness, no matter how fleeting that emotion.”
    Jane knew her aunt referred to her own short marriage, but Jane’s thoughts moved to her parents. “I am not sure my father was ever happy with his choice.”
    “You and I do not know what happened between your father and mother. However, you are in control of what happens to you, at least when it comes to choosing a partner for the rest of your days.”
    Jane bit down on her lip. “What if I do not want to marry any of them? Or what if none of them fancy me after they get to know me better?”
    Margaret smiled and her eyes twinkled once more. “Now you are merely making up obstacles where none exist. These men all accepted the invitations. They like you, Jane, or they would not have come. You should be more worriedabout what you will do when they all fall in love with you. I have a feeling it will be you who will be breaking a few hearts before Christmas Eve.”
    Margaret took one of Jane’s hands in her own. “Come now, my dear. Let us go below stairs and prepare to meet the men who will court you.”
    Jane’s earlier trepidation was replaced with a small bubble of hope. Her aunt had said she would know most of the men below stairs, and they knew her. She should be thinking of this as more of a reunion than a sacrifice of the virgin bride. The thought pulled up the corner of Jane’s mouth into a half smile. “Very well,” she agreed. “They did travel all this way.”
    Margaret smiled. “That’s the right spirit for this competition.” She gestured toward the door and together they proceeded down the stairs, through the