Bedded by the Laird (Highland Warriors) Read Online Free PDF

told me that, you said that I’m damaged goods and that
no man with sense will take on another mouth--’
    ‘Aye, well the
priest thought of that.’ Mrs Moffat interrupted. ‘And
he says if you’ll not hand Gracie over to God loving people who will raise her
well, then you’re to marry Dougal Blaine.’ She
watched the colour flood from Bridie’s cheeks. ‘He’s
a gentle soul and he hasnae a wife.’
    ‘The laird said I
could stay here…’ Bridie’s breath was coming out of her nostrils as panic
started to build.
    ‘The laird is to
marry soon, he’ll be choosing his bride at the ball in a few weeks,’ Mrs Moffat said. ‘Maybe the new lady won’t want the shame.’
She knew she was being harsh, but Mrs Moffat was
worried, there was much trouble - any time now the men would be heading into
battle. Bridie had grown too used to the laird’s generosity and it feared her
what might happen if the English hold took. ‘The Campbells will take good care of Gracie…’
    ‘No!’ Bridie took
a deep breath, she could feel her heart pounding in her chest, for she could
think of only one thing worse than being wed to Dougal Blaine and that was losing Gracie.
     ‘I’m not
giving my baby away,’ Bridie said and revealed a little of the pain she kept so
deeply locked in. ‘I’m not doing to Gracie what my own mother did to me.’
    ‘Bridie, you don’t
know what happened to your Ma, you don’t know why she did what she did--’
    ‘Exactly,’ Bridie
fiercely interrupted. ‘But I know the little I do – that I was found at
the burn, but do you think the Campbells will be
filling wee Gracie’s ears with tales of me? No, she’ll grow up never knowing
that I’m her mother. I’ll have to stand in church and watch my daughter and she
won’t even know that it’s me.’ Bridie took a deep breath. ‘You can tell the
priest I’ll be marrying Dougal …’
    ‘Bridie!’ The auld
woman was shocked, she’d never expected Bridie to agree, but there were few
choices.
    ‘I’m away to my
bed.’ Bridie called over her shoulder as she left the kitchen.
    ‘You get back here
lassie.’
    But Bridie ignored
her, worried to speak in case she break down. She checked the blanket around
Gracie, and simply refused to cry, for Gracie was worth it.
    Bridie slid into
bed beside Mary and closed her eyes, desperate to sleep, but the face before
here was Dougal’s and in the end, she woke up a
sleeping Mary. ‘I’m to be married,’ Bridie whispered.
    ‘When?’ Mary’s
eyes lit up with glee.
    ‘The banns will
start to be read soon.’ Bridie said.
    ‘Who are you to
marry?’
    Bridie did her
best to keep her voice even. ‘ Dougal Blaine.’ The
smile was wiped from Mary’s face and it was Bridie who did her best to reassure
her friend. ‘ Mrs Moffat says that he’s the only one
who will have me.’ Bridie said. ‘Because…’ she would not
blame it on Gracie. ‘Because of what happened.’
    ‘But, Dougal Blaine?’ Mary said. ‘He’s a simpleton.’
    ‘He’s kind.’
Bridie tried to be practical. ‘And I’ll have my own home and maybe some day
sisters and brothers for Gracie…’ but then her voice wavered, for she had to
speak to a friend. ‘I’m fine being wed and everything, but I’m scared of the
nights, Mary. I’m starting to remember what happened…. ’ She saw her friends
frown of confusion, did not want to scare her with details. ‘I’m not scared to
be Dougal’s wife; I’m scared to be any man’s wife.
I’m scared how much it’s going to hurt.’
    ‘It might not be
so bad,’ Mary attempted. ‘Kissing is nice.’
    ‘What would you
know?’
    ‘Oh I know!’ Mary
smiled a secret smile.
    ‘You’re telling
tales.’
    ‘But I’m not.’
Mary insisted. ‘The last time Angus left for battle…’ Bridie’s
eyes widened in shock. ‘He said he didn’t know if he’d be seeing me
again and he kissed me. Oh, Bridie, it was the nicest thing ever, honestly when
he kissed me I felt all warm