Victoria Roberts - [Bad Boys of the Highlands 03] Read Online Free PDF

Sybella said softly. When her betrothed glanced toward her, she cast her gaze downward. “I think it best to seek my chamber now.”
    He rose to his feet and pulled out her chair. “Let me have someone escort ye.”
    She shook her head. “That isnae necessary. My trunk was brought up and I know where ’ tis found. I thank ye for this fine celebration.” When she started to walk away, he called to her.
    “Lady MacKenzie…” When she turned around and raised her brow, Alexander lazily appraised her. “I will see ye on the morrow. Sleep well,” he said, his voice low and consciously alluring.
    As their eyes met, Sybella felt a shock run through her. It was too easy to get lost in the way the man looked at her. She felt a curious swooping pull at her innards. Unsettled, she moistened her dry lips and turned on her heel.
    ***
    Colin approached his father, pushing him toward an unoccupied wall. He slapped his father’s shoulder. “All of the men are knee deep in their cups. It appears the MacDonells have welcomed Sybella into their home. Her charm is fairly catching. How could they nae?”
    “They arenae but a bunch of daft fools,” spat his father. He glanced around the great hall and then lowered his voice. “I assume ye will take this opportunity then.”
    A heavy silence fell.
    “To do what? The MacDonell seems verra pleased,” said Colin in a reassuring tone.
    His father’s coolness was evidence that he was not amused. “ Find my bloody stone. ”

Four
    “I honestly donna know why your father and Colin donna throttle ye.” Mary sat down on a chair in Sybella’s bedchamber. “Whether ye like it or nae, the MacDonell is to be your husband. Ye need to act as a lady, Sybella. Ye barely spoke to your betrothed this eve, and your posture was just dreadful at the table. Didnae ye see me? I tried to tell ye. If ye keep up with that type of behavior, the MacDonell may have ye eating in the stable with the other animals.”
    Sybella recognized that Mary meant well in her own way, but her cousin-by-marriage didn’t know the true purpose behind this marriage. If she did, Sybella knew Mary wouldn’t understand. The woman loved and doted upon Angus, and she was foolish enough to think that women should be allowed to marry for love as well as convenience. But for Sybella, it was too late. As Sybella, Colin, and her father had discussed, they would tell no one, including Mary and Angus.
    Although Sybella’s loyalties lay with her father, she couldn’t help but feel somewhat deprived. She would never know the feeling of what Angus and Mary shared. She would never know love, because her marriage was nothing more than a ruse.
    While Mary continued to ramble, Sybella fell back on the bed and studied the stone walls of her prison—well, her permanent residence for the rest of her days. The bed in which she lay had tall, carved corner posts, and its heavy wooden frame took up the majority of one wall. A beautiful golden coverlet displayed fine needlework, something she would surely never master, and was draped over the feather mattress, which was surprisingly comfortable. On the far side of the room, a painted portrait of someone she had assumed to be Alexander’s mother hung above a fairly large stone fireplace. And her cousin-by-marriage currently occupied the small sitting area, refusing to cease her incessant chatter.
    “Angus and I tried to tell ye—”
    Sybella pressed both hands over her eyes as if they burned with weariness. She was tired, drained from another lecture.
    “God’s teeth! Will ye cease ?” asked Sybella, spacing the words evenly. “If the MacDonell decides to call off the wedding, it will nae be because of my lack of comportment.”
    As if her arse was afire, Mary flew to her feet. “I only look after ye, and your first impression was far from a good one. Do ye want your betrothed to see his bride as some uncivilized, unmannered woman? Ye didnae let him assist ye from your mount, and then ye