Free The Wedding by Julie Garwood

fault. She was also very kind and would, therefore, never say anything that would hurt any man’s feelings.
    Brenna wasn’t going to follow her mother’s example. She would try to be a little kind, but she wouldn’t be completely honest. She’d never get out of this mess if she told the truth.
    â€œI don’t remember you.”
    He shrugged. He obviously didn’t care if she remembered him or not.
    â€œThere seems to be a misunderstanding,” she began again. “I wasn’t waiting for you to answer my proposal.” Her voice sounded stronger now.
    â€œI was just a child back then. Surely you haven’t been considering my request all these many years.” Didn’t the man have anything better to think about? “Your men were jesting with me, weren’t they?”
    He shook his head. Her throat began to ache with her need to shout at him. Apparently he was as demented as his followers, though far less convivial. How was she ever going to get through to him?
    Her father would kill her if he ever found out about her marriage proposals. The thought actually worried her for a second or two before she realized how ridiculous it was. Papa would have to get in line to do her in, behind the stone-silent warrior, his followers . . . and MacNare. Good God, she’d forgotten about him. MacNare was bound to be furious when he found out about his intended bride’s audacity.
    Brenna could see only one way out of her predicament. She had to find a way to make the barbarian understand.
    â€œI have to leave now. Laird MacNare might not be understanding if I’m late. He’s supposed to be sending an escort to meet me. I wouldn’t want to see any of you harmed because of a little misunderstanding.”
    The outcast suddenly reached out and took hold of her. His big hands settled on her shoulders in a firm grip, a silent message, she supposed, that she wasn’t going anywhere until he was ready to let her. He wasn’t hurting her though, and in fact, he was being extremely gentle.
    She frowned up at him while she tried to make sense out of the madness surrounding her.
    â€œYour arrival here has absolutely nothing to do with the proposals I sent, isn’t that right? You have another motive in mind.”
    Nothing. Not a word, not a nod, not even a blink. Was she talking to a tree?
    She could feel the heat building in her face, knew frustration was the reason for her blush, and let out a thoroughly loud, unladylike sigh that sounded very like a groan.
    â€œAll right, we will assume you’re here because of my proposals. As I explained to you just a minute ago, I don’t remember meeting you. One of my sisters knew all about my foolishness. She told me I’d been worrying about never finding a husband, though I doubt I even understood what husbands were for, and so to ease my worry, Joan told me what to do. She never supposed I’d go through with the plan; but now that I think about it, this is my father’s fault because he told me he’d never be able to find any man who would put up with me, and it’s your fault too, sir, because you smiled at me. I truly don’t remember anything else about our meeting, just your smile. I’ll always remember that. In England, you must understand, proper ladies do not ask gentlemen to marry them. It just isn’t done,” she added in a near shout. “As God is my witness, I really don’t have enough strength left in me to go through this explanation again.”
    â€œWhat did you say to the messenger, mi’lady? Do you remember the exact words of your last proposal?” She recognized Quinlan’s voice behind her.
    How in thunder could she possibly remember? Hadn’t any of them been listening?
    She couldn’t turn to face Quinlan because their leader still had hold of her, and he didn’t seem to be the least bit inclined to let go.
    â€œI probably said,