Taming the Highland Bride Read Online Free PDF Page A

drawbridge was down and the gate open. Still, they were hailed as they approached, and Merry stopped and left it to her father to answer the hail and explain their presence. She then followed his mount into the bailey and straight to the steps of the keep, knowing the news of their arrival would reach it before they did.
    Merry was dismounting when she heard the keep doors open. Once on the ground, she saw that a seasoned soldier was rushing down the stairs toward them. It was not her betrothed. He was only five years older than she, and this man looked to be fifteen or twenty years older at least. Wondering who he was, Merry moved to stand beside her father as the man reached them.
    “Lord Stewart,” the man greeted, holding out his hand as he stepped off the stairs. “’Tis a pleasure to meet you. I am Gerhard, Lord d’Aumesbery’s…man.”
    Merry’s eyebrows rose slightly at his hesitation. It appeared to her that he hadn’t been sure what to call himself, or what his station was. Odd, she thought as she watched the two men shake hands. Then the Englishman was turning to her, beaming brightly.
    “And you must be Lady Merewen. A pleasure, my lady. Welcome to d’Aumesbery.”
    “Thank you,” she murmured, and then waitedpatiently as her father introduced her brothers. Gerhard greeted both men politely and then shifted his attention to the rest of their party, who had dismounted and now stood about uncertainly.
    “I shall have your horses and wagon attended to directly. In the meantime, perhaps we should go in.”
    Her father nodded, and took Merry’s arm to lead her to the stairs, asking, “Where’s d’Aumesbery? He should ha’e been here to greet us. He isna away, is he?”
    “Nay, nay,” Gerhard assured them as he followed them up the stairs, Brodie and Gawain trailing behind. “In fact, you are most fortunate in that way. Had you arrived on the morrow, we would have already left for Donnachaidh.”
    “Donnachaidh?” Merry asked with surprise, halting to turn to the man. Donnachaidh was the Duncan stronghold, and less than a half day’s journey from Stewart.
    “Aye. Alexander’s sister, Evelinde, recently married the Devil of Donnachaidh, and he wishes to check on her,” Gerhard said as her father urged her forward once more. “Actually, we were supposed to leave this morn, but Alex is…er…indisposed.”
    Merry felt trepidation slide through her at his choice of word. “Indisposed” was the term she used when referring to her father and brothers when they were nursing a sore head after a night—or several days—of drinking. And what did he mean they were supposed to leave that morn? The man had sent for her. Surely he hadn’t then planned to leave ere she arrived?
    “All’s well that ends well, eh?” her father saidwith a bluff laugh before she could ask any of her questions. He tugged on her arm once more, drawing her up the last few steps to the keep doors.
    “Aye, of course,” Gerhard agreed quickly. “But I should explain—”
    “No need, Lord d’Aumesbery can explain,” Eachann interrupted, pulling the door open and urging Merry inside. He hustled her several steps forward, but then paused and they both stood blinking in an effort to make their eyes adjust to the sudden dearth of light. As with most castles, the great hall was much darker than it was out in the sunlight, and the sudden shift left them both briefly blinded. That being the case, Merry actually heard the occupants of the hall before she saw them. Raucous shouts and cheers assaulted her ears and drew her blinking gaze to a crowd of men gathered in a small, tight bunch.
    “Is he among that group?” Eachann Stewart asked, glancing about for the man who had greeted them.
    Gerhard nodded as he hurried to catch them up. “Aye, but—”
    It was all her father needed to hear. Waving the man to silence, he again hurried Merry forward, this time steering her toward the group by the trestle tables.
    Gerhard rushed