Free Love Letters from Largs: Brodie and Celestina (Highlander Clan Grant Series Book 3) by Keira Montclair Page B

later, the Grants had departed for their chambers upstairs in the castle and Celestina was awaiting her father in the main corridor, not far from the king’s solar. Many of the noblemen and women had left in the chaos, but some were just leaving now, questioning the staff as they departed, anxious to find out all the sordid details of what had happened.
    Sitting a top a tufted chair, her hands folded in her lap, she listened to the whispers and conversations as people passed her by, refusing to make eye contact with her.
    A man and woman made their way down the corridor, so wrapped up in their gossip that they did not spot her. The old woman said, “I heard the Highland warriors tried to kill Lord Ivarsson and the baron. The cook said they meant to kidnap the baron’s daughter.”
    The man leaned into her ear and whispered, “Aye, they wanted to steal her away to the Highlands and marry her off to one who has nothing. Can you imagine? The girl is to be the wife of a very wealthy man and needs to do what is best for the crown. Imagine the jewels she will wear and the festivities she will attend.” The man clucked his tongue at the supposed absurdity of the situation.
    The woman agreed. “The poor lass must have been frightened half to death at the thought of being kidnapped .”
    She stifled a bitter laugh. If they only knew the truth of the situation, they would be shocked. Celestina would have run away with Brodie Grant any day rather than marry the lewd man to whom she was affianced.
    A door slam med and suddenly her father stalked down the corridor toward the main entrance.
    “Follow me, Celestina. We are finally allowed to take our leave. Please see to it that you keep up.” Rather than meet her eyes, he stared straight ahead.
    A group of five guards followed them to the horses and the cart in the inner bailey. The baron stopped abruptly, and Celestina almost ran into him.
    Ignoring her, h e swiveled and stared at the first guard. “Please do cease following me.”
    “Our orders are to attend the lady at her home, Baron Lunde.”
    Celestina stepped back as her father’s eyes went wide. “What? You will not attend us in my home. I refuse. Step away. Now.”
    The guard he was addressing stood by their horses refusing to allow the baron to pull himself up on his stallion. The other four mounted the horses that were brought out for them and were lined up behind the cart.
    “I will not allow this. Do you hear me?” Her father’s eyes bulged as his hands clenched into fists at his sides.
    Again, silence.
    Her father whirled right back around and stormed through the main door of the castle, heading straight for the king’s solar. Celestina nearly had to run to keep up with him. She took the tufted seat again and cleared her throat as the servants in the corridor stopped to listen to the baron rant at the king. In all her days, she could never have imagined such a dramatic trip to the royal castle.
    Her father’s voice carried through the walls. “I do not need those guards with me, my king. I am certain the Grants will not bother us. Please remove them.”
    The king calmly responded. “You do not have a choice in this decision. I will not have one of my innocent subjects abused before her wedding. Your treatment of your daughter is shameful.”
    Celestina blushed and did her best to hide her smirk, though no one paid her any mind. She heard nothing for a few moments, then her father’s quiet voice reached her ears. “You have my apologies. I pledge to treat Celestina with the utmost kindness. Now please remove them.”
    “I will not. After the melee that just took place in my castle, I should send more with her. They are guarding Celestina, who is presently of great value to my court. And might I add that I am tiring of your attitude, Baron Lunde? I have other duties. Now go, as I have ordered, or I might see fit to have Celestina remain at the royal castle under my protection until her wedding.”
    Her