Free The Bride by Julie Garwood Page A

thought better of it. She let him see her frown, too, and didn't care if she offended him. The man was as blunt as a cudgel. And if he wasn't going to be polite, then she wasn't going to bother with her manners either. She tossed her hair over her shoulder, turned her back on Alec, and slowly walked away from him. " 'Tis already high afternoon, Kincaid," she called over her shoulder. "You'd best be on your way, for I'm sure you have a good distance to cover before the day is finished."
     
    She almost added that it had been a pleasure to meet him, but the lie would have cost her another novena so she kept silent.
     
    Jamie had just reached the table when her husband's hard command stopped her cold.
     
    "Gather your things and say farewell to your family, Jamie, while Daniel and I see to the horses. Be quick about it."
     
    "You as well, Mary," Daniel interjected in that cheerful voice of his that was beginning to drive Jamie wild.
     
    "Why must we hurry?" Mary asked.
     
    "Alec and I have vowed not to sleep on English soil another night. We've a good distance to cover before darkness sets in."
     
    Jamie whirled around just in time to watch the two Scotsmen walk out of the room. Her hands gripped the table edge behind her back. "Kincaid? You're supposed to leave me here," she called out. "This is just a marriage of convenience, isn't it?"
     
    He stopped in the center of the hallway, then turned around to face her. "Aye, wife, it is a marriage of convenience. My convenience. Do you understand me?"
     
    She ignored his angry tone of voice and his harsh expression. "No, Kincaid, I don't understand."
     
    She'd tried to sound as arrogant as he looked, yet knew her effort was ruined by the tremor in her voice.
     
    Her bluster of anger didn't fool him. He knew she was frightened; his smile told her so. "In time I promise that you will understand. I give you my word."
     
    She didn't want his word, but she didn't think that was going to matter very much to him. He really was a warlord from hell, after all. She wasn't up to arguing with him, either. Her eyes filled with tears just as soon as he disappeared out the doorway, and all she wanted to do was throw herself into the closest chair and have a good cry.
     
    She was too upset to think about gathering her possessions. The twins took care of that task, allowing Jamie precious time with her father.
     
    By the time Agnes and Alice returned to the great hall, Mary was in a fine state of nerves. She could barely stammer out her farewell before rushing out of the room.
     
    "I'll have the rest of your things packed carefully, Jamie, and sent on to you within a week's time," Agnes vowed. "These Highlands can't be very far away."
     
    "I'll pack your beautiful tapestries," Alice interjected. "I promise I won't forget anything. In no time at all you'll be feeling right at home."
     
    "Alice, I already told Jamie I'd take care of that chore," Agnes muttered. "Honestly, sister, you're always trying to better me. Oh, Jamie? I put your mama's shawl in your satchel with your medicine jars."
     
    "Thank you, sisters," Jamie said. She quickly hugged them both. "Oh, I'm going to miss you two. You're such dear sisters."
     
    "Jamie, you're so very brave," Agnes whispered. "You look so calm, so serene. I'd be daft by now. You're married to the one who—"
     
    "You needn't remind her," Alice muttered. "She couldn't have forgotten he killed his first wife, sister."
     
    "We aren't absolutely sure," her twin argued.
     
    Jamie wished the twins would stop trying to comfort her.
     
    Their reminders about Alec Kincaid were making her more upset than ever.
     
    Baron Jamison tugged on Jamie's skirt to get her attention. "I'll be dead in a week, I will. Who will see to my meals? Who will listen to my stories?"
     
    "Now, Papa, Agnes and Alice will take good care of you. You're going to be just fine," she soothed. She bent over her father, kissed his forehead, and then added, "Please don't carry on