The Scottish Bride Read Online Free PDF Page A

said, and walked over to one of the lovely bow windows in the drawing room. He heard a sniffle, heard her leave the room with Sinjun. He closed his eyes, appalled at what she had done. For five and a half days, his little girl had ridden on the back of his carriage. Where had she slept at night? In the stables of the inns, naturally. He started shaking, just thinking of what could have happened to her. He prayed now, thanking God for keeping her safe, since he, her father, hadn’t done so. All that blasted rain—what if shebecame ill? What if she died in Scotland because he never gave his borrowed tiger a second glance? Sinjun had known it was her immediately. He was her father, and he was blind.
    It was devastating.
    Tysen was still utterly white when Sinjun came back into the drawing room. It had been on the tip of her tongue to remonstrate with him for his coldness, despite the fact that Meggie’s outrageous deception had nearly curled her own toes, but at the sight of him, all white about the gills, all she could think of doing was hugging him until he regained some of his color, which is what she did. “It’s all right, Tysen,” she said over and over against his cheek, holding him tightly against her. “It’s all right. Meggie is fine. Mary is with her, helping her bathe. She is all right, no bad aftereffects. Stop worrying.”
    He heaved a very big breath, then slowly pulled away from her. “I never even noticed her, Sinjun, yet you knew it was her right away. So did Old Angus. But not her father. Bloody hell, what kind of a man am I?”
    He’d said “bloody hell,” the favorite Sherbrooke curse. Sinjun just couldn’t believe it. She gave her brother a dazzling smile. “Parents see what they expect to see, it’s that simple. Stop feeling guilty. It doesn’t become you. Yes, that’s better, you’ve finally got some color. Now, what are you going to do?”
    Tysen said slowly, “I would like to thrash my daughter for her appalling behavior, but I don’t think I’ll be able to bring myself to do it. I spanked her once last year, and the guilt nearly laid me low for a week. What do you suggest, Sinjun?”
    â€œIt’s difficult,” she said at last, after worrying her lower lip. “Let’s ask Colin, all right? He and Dahling and Phillip should be back shortly for luncheon.”
    Tysen nodded. “May we stay with you for a couple ofdays, Sinjun? Then we will go to Kildrummy Castle and see what’s what.”
    â€œI think that is a lovely idea. I could have Old Angus ride to Kinross and fetch Fletcher or Jocelyn. Would you like to see them?”
    At the mention of his young niece and nephew, Tysen said, “Meggie said they were just babies and didn’t have much interest, but I disagree. I should like that, Sinjun.”
    â€œWell, Jocelyn is only a little mite, just turned a year old. However, little Fletcher is three and won’t shut his mouth. Do you know he talks to horses? He listens to horses, and I swear to you that they communicate. He even changed two of their names, claimed they weren’t happy with the ones they had.”
    â€œWhat were the names?”
    â€œThey were named Olmar and Grindel. Fletcher listened to them, nodded, and then changed them to Fireball and Thor. I swear to you their steps are higher now, they fling their manes and flick their tails just like they’re colts again, and they stamp their hooves whenever someone calls them by their new names. It’s amazing.”
    Tysen gave her a small smile, but it still showed his very white Sherbrooke teeth. “I should like to introduce Fletcher to my horse. I wish him to see if Big Blue is satisfied with his name.”
    Sinjun laughed merrily and took his hand. “Come and tell me all about this inheritance of yours. I remember about Great Uncle Tyronne, but goodness, weren’t there a good dozen boys