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

dreams would soon come to fruition.
    “You look quite fine, my lord. None will compare. And the lady is certain to be pleased.”
    “Let’s hope this lady is a bit more civilized and agreeable than your last one,” Aldrik added. Speaking was a rarity for him. “Else we might have another mess on our hands.”
    “What, Aldrik? Did I not pay you well enough to take care of her? I have no guilt about ridding the world of that bitch.” Ivarsson huffed his indignation at the thought of his intended being anything like his first wife.
    “ It did cost me a bit more than I had hoped to secure Celestina’s hand, but the rewards will be worth it. What are two ships and some money compared to a gorgeous wife and the confidence of a king?” He chuckled along with Aldrik, as he thought back on his dealings with King Alexander III. He had been a bit tougher to bargain with than Fredrik had anticipated, but every man could be bought, even a king.
    He had first assured the king of the support of several Norwegian vassals, but the king had been wary of his ability to make good on the offer. He had been forced to sweeten the deal. As soon as Alexander heard that Haakon was headed in their direction, the gift of two galley ships had bought his approval of the match between Fredrik and Celestina…as well as his comradeship. And when Fredrik had promised Baron Lunde more than enough wealth to pay off the taxes he owed his king, all the chips fell into place, so to speak.
    The Scottish king was happy, Baron Lunde was happy, and so was Fredrik Ivarsson. He may have to contact a few vassals to convince the king of his loyalty, but that would be easy. He was now in the king’s inner circle, which meant he was privy to all of the Scot’s plans—a potential gold mine—and the legendary, angelic beauty would be his wife. What more could he ask for?
    ***
    Celestina and her father rode to the royal castle in an expensive cart while his steward rode Baron Lunde’s horse. She gazed out over the landscape, wishing her betrothed would turn out to be a dashing knight who would fight for her honor instead of the man he was reputed to be.
    Her father’s gaze never left her. “Celestina, if you do anything to embarrass me tonight, I will be sure you suffer for it on the morrow.”
    “Yes, Father. I will do my best to make you proud.” She stared at the chains in her belt, which she gripped with white knuckles. Excitement and dread roiled through her. She had never been to the royal castle and was anxious to see what it looked like. Had her husband been someone else, she would have been excited to meet him, especially since he had the ability to take her away from her father.
    But someone had told Inga’s mother that he had beat en his first wife to death. Was this to be her fate as well? To go from a father’s torture to a husband’s?
    Her father’s bark interrupted her thoughts. “Could Inga not have done something else with that unruly mop of hair you have? It is such a sight. How can I marry you off looking as you do? We are to be seen at the royal castle, and everyone will talk about your homeliness. I should have had Inga cut off all your hair.”
    Celestina couldn’t suppress her gasp at the thought of sheering her near waist length hair.
    Her father shook his head before turning to stare out the window. “My God, you are a simpering fool. Try not to discourage your betrothed tonight. Be agreeable, will you?”
    Once they arrived, the driver assisted her down from the car t. Celestina attempted to quell the trembling in her hands as she ascended the stairs to the castle behind her father. Knowing that she would be on display tonight, her father had ensured she was wearing a gown of good quality. The kirtle was a soft shade of yellow and her surcoat was the palest shade of lavender, which perfectly matched the flowers in her hair. She also wore a chain of gold around her hips. Inga had done a beautiful job arranging her hair and the