A Laird for Christmas Read Online Free PDF Page B

hallways of the castle, and finally to the stairway that led to the great hall.
    Jane paused at the top of the stairwell. Sound roared around her as the men and their retinues talked to each other. The chamber vibrated with energy. There had not been this many visitors to Bellhaven Castle in many years. Jane took four steps down, then paused again as the room suddenly fell silent and all eyes turned toward her. Jane’s heartbeat sped up as Margaret slid the heavy cloak from her shoulders, revealing her green linen dress beneath. She had not dressed with this occasion in mind this morning, yet she was grateful now that she had at least added the flare of her mother’s gold and ruby girdle about her hips.
    “You look beautiful, my dear,” Margaret said quietly, as though understanding Jane’s sudden insecurity. Margaret took Jane’s arm and she gave her aunt a quick smile at the show of support. Together they continued down the stairs.
    By the time Jane reached the room, her heart was beating wildly and there was a fine sheen of sweat on her palms. She took a deep breath and stepped toward the dais. She could feel the gazes of the men and their retinues watching her, appraising her. Margaret led her to her chair and she eased down into it, grateful for the support. Margaret set aside her cloak and Jane’s, then remained standing beside her chair.
    “Welcome, one and all, to Bellhaven Castle. We are pleased you could join us. As your first challenge, I would like you, one at a time, to come forward and present Lady Jane Josephina Catherine Lennox with your gift of welcome. Once you have all greeted Lady Jane, she will determine the winner of the first challenge. After that, you will be taken to your chambers.” Margaret lifted her chin, and after a slight hesitation said, “I will call you forward in the order you arrived at the castle.”
    The silence of the room shattered into a hundred voices. “I arrived first,” called out Hollister Cay, the Earl of Galloway. He strode forward with confidence. Jane had not seen him in many years. He had been a young friend of her father’s, but she had never seen him this close before. He was older than many of the others in the chamber, but he wore his age well. Tall and slender and elegant were words she would use to describe him. His broad shoulders tapered to a trim waist, giving him an athletic look. Despite his age, he would be very competitive in the games ahead. She brought her gaze back to his face. His mouth seemed kind, but his eyes bored into hers. In their dark depths she read hunger, weariness, and strength.
    “Lord Galloway,” Jane acknowledged with a thickness in her voice. Men did not usually look at her in that way, or at least they did not until the rumors of her licentious nature had started.
    Jane pressed back into her chair as she continued her visual exploration. His dark hair was neatly trimmed and his brows perfectly sculpted above his dark, searching eyes. He wore a coat of deep blue velvet with a white linen shirt beneath. Brussels lace fell gracefully over the knuckles of his long, lean fingers, and more lace cascaded from beneath his chin. His breeches were tight and made of tawny doeskin. His leather boots hugged his calves, climbed past his knees and were folded in cuffs over his muscular thighs.
    The earl sketched an elegant bow. He straightened, then continued forward as his mouth stretched into a wide grin. It was a beautiful smile, easy and charming, and it brought shivers of excitement and discomfort. This man was both beautiful and dangerous. She had no idea why she thought that, but just looking at him made her feel as though she were entering some sort offorbidden, enticing territory. She was afraid to step into the unknown with him. She was certain it would cost her a price she could not name, and yet something about him beckoned her to be reckless.
    Jane shook off the unsettling sensation. “My lord, you have traveled a great distance.