Highland Spitfire Read Online Free PDF Page A

House had set her maids to making sure it was full of water.
     The moment the woman pulled her into the kitchen, the maids working at the long tables
     pointed the boys toward the doors.
    With only women left, the maids began to untie the laces holding Ailis’s dress closed.
     She tried to shy away, but they surrounded her, one working on the lace that closed
     her bodice in the back and two more loosening the cuffs of her sleeves.
    “We are only women here,” the Head of House insisted firmly before pulling the wreath
     off Ailis’s head. “No need for modesty. And all the better for ye if there are witnesses
     aplenty to swear ye are nae misshapen.”
    Ailis froze, stunned by the Head of House’s words. The woman nodded with approval
     as the maids lifted off Ailis’s bodice and began to open her stays.
    There had been no midwife to inspect her.
    Without such an inspection, Bhaic MacPherson might send her back to her father, claiming
     she was misshapen.
    No doubt the earl thought himself so high in authority that such a detail would not
     matter. The man was certainly a lowlander, for no Highlander would have made such
     an error. Ailis enjoyed the thought, for at last, she was able to see the earl’s failings
     instead of the very tight trap he’d managed to set.
    Of course…
    She suddenly smiled, the lump in her throat dissolving. Bhaic wanted no more of their
     marriage than she. Of course he would send her back to her father. The earl and his
     guards would be long gone, and her father would not trust any further meetings with
     the regent.
    The marriage would be annulled.
    Relief flowed through her.
    “There now…” the Head of House said in response to the smile that lifted Ailis’s face.
     “Ye’re a levelheaded one and no mistake. Seeing the blessing ye have in being wed
     to the son and no’ the father.”
    Her smile faltered. Ailis looked at the woman as some of the maids made low sounds
     in their throats.
    It would seem matters could be worse after all.
    Her stays were opened, and the maids took the garment away. Her skirts followed quickly.
    “Likely the earl worried Laird MacPherson might be too old to consummate his vows,”
     the Head of House continued.
    “Likely,” Ailis agreed. It was another reason for her to be hopeful. An old man might
     just keep her, but Bhaic was young and wouldn’t care to have her shackled to him.
    No, of course not. She’d seen the resentment in his eyes.
    So, there was naught to worry about.
    Even being stripped of her remaining garments didn’t bother her—she was still basking
     in the certainty that Bhaic MacPherson would happily send her back to her father as
     soon as the earl was gone.
    The Head of House produced a comb and brushed out Ailis’s long hair. The blond strands
     were wavy from the tight braid she’d worn all day, but straightened as soon as Ailis
     climbed into the tub and submerged her head.
    The soap they handed her was made with rosemary. Ailis happily rubbed it along her
     arms and legs while the maids tried to hurry her.
    She resisted their prodding, lingering in her bath and rinsing her hair twice before
     standing up. With her stress dissipating, she grew tired. There was no resistance
     in her as the Head of House guided her up the steps to the second floor.
    But the knot in her belly returned when she realized some of the earl’s guards had
     fallen in step behind them. She’d not escape completely from this marriage. There
     would always be whispers clinging to her skirts.
    The sun was setting, the last crimson rays making the windows glow. The woman kept
     going, pulling Ailis up another flight of narrow stone steps. At least the earl’s
     men kept back enough to keep from getting a clear look at how thin her chemise was.
    They reached a door and the Head of House stopped. “It’s a fine chamber the earl had
     prepared for ye.” She pulled the ring of keys hanging from her waist and fitted one
     into a lock on the