Love Letters from Largs: Brodie and Celestina (Highlander Clan Grant Series Book 3) Read Online Free PDF Page A

king’s eyebrows rose in question.
    “You may have both my brothers, but I will return home to my wife until things change.”
    Walter Stewart spoke up. “Which brother handles the warriors in your absence?”
    “Robbie. He is protecting my family while we travel.”
    “Aye, then you may return home and send him with your warriors,” the king stated.
    Walter Stewart nodded toward Brodie. “We have other plans for this brother.”

 
    Chapter Three
    Too Late for Love
     
    Brodie stared at his king, waiting to see what they had planned for him. There were so many islands west of Scotland. He could be sent anywhere…and he could do nothing to help the wee desperate lass if he was sent to the Outer Hebrides.
    “We are building a company of sergeants to protect the royal castle of Ayr and her people. Your king commands you to join this group as one of the captains.”
    Brodie’s senses shut down. Had he heard correctly? The king wanted him as a sergeant rather than his brother, Robbie? He had always been third in line. His brother, Alex, was renowned as the best swordsman in the Highlands. While he practiced with him incessantly, he knew his skills were not as strong as his brothers’.
    The f ull implication of the assignment settled in after a few minutes. It confirmed that he would be stationed in Ayr and with Robbie, not at the Grant keep.
    At first, he wanted to bolt and run back to his clan , but then fear changed to something else—pride. They considered him strong enough to protect the castle. He wondered if this was his chance to make both his brothers proud of him.
    Alex did not hesitate before responding. “You have chosen well, Menteith. My brother is a strong warrior and level headed. He will lead well and protect your castle as his own. And he is yet to be married, so he has no ties back home.”
    Brodie fought to keep from staring at his brother. He scratched his head in confusion. Alex thought he was a strong warrior? After all the years he’d spent telling him to try harder and do better, Alex believed he would do a good job?
    “What say you, Brodie? Are you ready to lead?” His king stood in front of him, hands on his hips, awaiting an answer.
    Brodie nodded, “Aye, ‘twould be my honor to protect you and your castle, Your Grace.”
    The king squeezed his shoulder in satisfaction and spoke to his steward at the door. “Get my best wine, Charles. We are in agreement. Lads, I do believe it is time to celebrate, mayhap with a lass or two?”
    Alex barked , “Nay!”
    Brodie held his grin in check as h is brother, having realized whom he was addressing, actually blushed and said, “No’ for me, Your Grace.”
    An idea formed in Brodie’ s mind, and he swallowed before he spoke. He had to find out about her that lass, he just had to. And this was the perfect time to ask. “I ask a boon, Your Grace.”
    The king quirked his brow as he turned to stare at Brodie.
    “Aye, if ‘tis in my power, Brodie. I will consider it.”
    Brodie caught Alex’s grin before he plunged ahead. “When we arrived in Ayr, a yellow-haired lass stood in her tower window and appeared about to jump. I wish to find out who she is…and, if I can, help her.”
    The king chuckled. “Och, a young lass has caught your eye, lad, has she?” He poured wine into a goblet and offered it to Alex. “Tell me a bit more about her location.”
    Alex and Brodie described the tower home and its location as best they could.
    After consulting with his brother, the king asked, “Lad, I hope ‘twas nae the tower home I am thinking of, as it belongs to Baron Walter Lunde, a merchant originally from England, who is now one of my vassals. If she is his daughter, you must choose another. Her name is Celestina Lunde, and she is rarely seen, only with the priest of the Celtic Church. She is renowned to be one of the most beautiful lasses in the area and was born of a Norwegian mother. Golden-haired and angelic?”
    “Aye, ‘tis her. She is