A Promise Given Read Online Free PDF Page B

her gown.
He smiled. Despite her fury, Sabrina felt her cheeks flame scarlet. "Though I
must say, you’ve blossomed into quite a lovely young lady.”
    Oh, but she could cheerfully murder the rogue before the night was out! She
tugged at her fingers; his grip tightened, as if he would refuse to release her…
yet in the end he did. And, thank heaven, there was no need to reply, for
Margaret laid her hand on his sleeve.
    “Ian, you've neglected to introduce Alasdair. He and Sabrina have never
met."
    “Yes. Well, I'm from the Highlands, you know. We’re not known for our
manners." His gaze held Sabrina's an instant longer, then he glanced at his
cousin." Alasdair, as you've no doubt guessed, this is Sabrina, Margaret's
younger sister. Sabrina, my cousin Alasdair, of the clan MacGregor."
    Alasdair clasped her icy cold hands between his. Ian’s hair was black as a
raven's wing; his cousin's was shades lighter, a rich shade of russet brown. He
was not quite as tall as Ian, yet he was nonetheless an imposing figure. Still,
she liked the laughter lines that radiated outward from warm, brown eyes.
    “Well, I begin to see the way of it"—Alasdair chuckled—"why you were
betrothed to Margaret, and not Sabrina. Indeed, mayhap I should stand betwixt
the two of you… or is it well away from the two of you?„
    “There's no need for that, Alasdair." Ian's voice was mild. "Sabrina and I
are truly quite fond of each other. Aren't we, Sabrina?"
    She couldn't back down from the challenge in his expression. "Quite," Sabrina
managed to agree.
    Her eyes said quite the opposite.
    Stepping forward, Alasdair clasped her hand between both of his. "Well, I've
heard much of you, Sabrina. And contrary to what you may believe, I've found
myself quite intrigued by the prospect of meeting you. Aye, and now that I'm
here, I'm certainly glad I came." He nodded toward the table. "I believe your
father awaits us at table. Shall we?"
    Sabrina blinked as he proceeded to lead her away. She had the feeling he'd
just paid her a compliment, but flattery seldom came her way.
    As usual, Papa took his place at the head of the table. He'd placed Ian to
his right, with Margaret next to him. Sabrina sat to Papa's left, with Alasdair
beside her. It was disconcerting to find herself directly across from Ian.
Though the width of the table separated them, he was far too close. And when his
gaze chanced to tangle with hers, she felt herself go hot all over.
    Her hands clenched and unclenched in her lap. He'd said she had changed. But
he had changed too. He was bigger; beneath the fabric of his tunic, his
shoulders stretched wide as the horizon. His massive stature made her stomach
quiver oddly. All traces of boyhood had vanished. Nay, no smooth-cheeked scrawny
boy was he. Were she to think of a ferocious Highland warrior, her mind would
surely have conjured up a man such as this!
    She could not help but note the servants' response to the pair. Edna and
another maid were helping in the kitchens this night. Both were visibly nervous.
Indeed, Edna was trembling as she offered tidbits of venison to Ian from the
huge wooden platter she carried. Ian took a steaming haunch, then murmured
something to the maid. Sabrina could almost hear her
whoosh
of relief
as Edna edged toward her father.
    Gathering herself in hand, she turned her attention to his cousin. "Is this
your first visit to the Lowlands, Alasdair?"
    "Aye, though I vow it will not be the last." A faint mischief sparkled in his
brown eyes—at last, a kindred spirit, Sabrina decided with delight.
    “You are one of Ian's clansmen?"
    “Aye. We're related by blood."
    “Oh?" Sabrina eyed him curiously. To her knowledge, Ian had no siblings.
    “Aye, my father was brother to Ian's father."
    Were it not for Alasdair, the meal would have been endless. Surprisingly, she
soon felt herself relaxing, for Alasdair was quite the charmer.
    It was while her wine goblet was being refilled