Kilts and Kisses Read Online Free PDF Page A

your cousin ill.” When Ceana didn’t respond, Aunt Marta lowered her voice. “I will have her clean the mess she made in your bedchamber.”
    “Nay.” Ceana didn’t need her cousin setting foot in her room again. “I’ll do it. And I already removed the curse, Aunt Marta. Sorcha is free to find her husband and start a new life far away from here.”

    “I ’m verra proud to call ye my sister.” Anna smiled from ear to ear. “And I thought Aunt Marta was the witch in the clan.”
    Sitting in the ladies’ solar with her sister, Ceana placed her embroidery to the side. She needed a moment to think about how to broach the subject of Samuel. When she gazed around the room and noticed Aunt Marta’s more recent touch, she shook her head. “I suppose our cousin didnae see her future husband when she washed her sleeve after all. Aunt Marta has added something new for Sorcha’s luck.” She nodded to the table.
    “The heather?”
    “The white heather.”
    Anna lifted a brow. “Why would she do that? Ye told her ye lifted the curse.”
    “Malvina.”
    “Pardon?”
    Ceana studied her sister thoughtfully for a moment. “Ye donna remember Mother telling us the tale of Malvina?”
    “If Mother told us, I’d love to hear the story again.” Anna sat forward in the chair with her hands on her knees. “Tell me.”
    “According to legend, Ossian, the famous bard, told a tale of Toscar’s daughter, Malvina. Now Malvina was the bonniest lass in all the land. It wasnae long before she fell in love and captured the heart of a strong Scottish warrior named Oscar. The two of them became betrothed. In order to provide for his future bride, Oscar took his leave in search of coin to fill the coffers. But as time passed, Malvina missed him dearly.”
    Ceana continued. “One day she was sitting with Ossian in the Highlands talking about the love of her life, her Oscar, when a man staggered toward them across the moors. Ye see...the man was a messenger who had been sent by Oscar. He told Malvina that her beloved Oscar has been killed in battle, and then the man handed her a spray of purple heather. The heather was a final gift from Oscar, who pledged his undying love for her with his verra last breath.”
    “That’s tragic. What became of her?”
    “Malvina was inconsolable when she learned that Oscar had passed. She ran across the moors and through the glen, weeping bitterly. When her tears fell on the ground beneath her feet, the heather turned pure white. When she saw this, she dropped to her knees and prayed that others might ne’er be as unfortunate as her. The white heather is said to be a token of good luck and fortune to those who find it and pluck it. I’m nae surprised Aunt Marta has gathered some for her dear Sorcha.”
    Anna’s expression was grim. “Malvina loved him.”
    “Aye. We need to talk about Samuel.”
    “I was wondering how long it would take for ye to broach the subject.” Anna glanced at the door and then lowered her voice. “I told Samuel that ye found out about us. He wants to speak with ye but nae in the castle. Can ye meet him at the loch in the morn after ye break your fast?”
    “Aye.” When the memory of the MacKay guard came to mind, Ceana pushed back the thought. She’d be certain to remain on her father’s lands from now on. “Please tell me Raonull, the rogue, doesnae know of your trysts. The man boasts of his conquests to anyone who will listen, and he has a loose tongue. Ye donna want the entire clan knowing about ye and Samuel.”
    “I asked Samuel nae to tell his brother. He gave his word that he wouldnae. I trust him, as should ye.”
    “With our parents nay longer here, ‘tis my duty to protect ye and do what’s best for ye. Samuel is courting my sister. I’ll be sure to give him the same courtesy our father would’ve given him.”
    “Aye, that’s what I’m afraid of.”

    C eana wasn’t thrilled to be meeting the man who was courting her sister, but she had