The Snow White Bride Read Online Free Page A

of some caprice of his nature.
    Further, there was no reason, from the look of him, that the laird of Kinfairlie would have any trouble finding a spouse for himself. What did his sisters know of him that Eleanor did not? She could imagine a thousand ugly liabilities.
    Which particular weakness was his curse was not that important. She would break the wager, here and now, and to seal her decision, she would leave Kinfairlie. No one would pursue her when there was a banquet to be savored in a warm hall.
    “I have made my choice,” she whispered to Madeline, who regarded her with optimism. “I will not wed your brother.”
    Madeline’s smile disappeared. “But you cannot do so!”
    “I most certainly can.” Eleanor rose to her feet.
    “At least remain for the meal,” Vivienne protested.
    “But you know nothing of him,” Madeline said, sounding so pragmatic that Eleanor might have been persuaded under other circumstances. “At least, meet him before you decide.”
    Eleanor shook her head and seized her cloak. “It was a poor idea, though well-intentioned,” she said, forcing a polite smile for the sisters. “I appreciate your courtesy and wish you both well.” She pivoted then, and would have fled, but Alexander himself stood directly before her.
    He did not look inclined to move. He was a formidable obstacle, tall and broad as he was, though it was his charming smile that made Eleanor reluctant to show herself rude. She felt flushed and flustered beneath his attention, as he must know. “Surely you cannot depart when we have yet to be introduced?”
    Had his sisters notified him of their scheme? Was she the one to be cornered into marriage, instead of Alexander? Terror claimed Eleanor that she was sought yet again for the wealth she might bring a spouse.
    “I apologize for my haste, but it is later than I had believed. I must leave immediately,” she said.
    “Do you seek your spouse? We can send for him,” he said with a courtesy she did not trust.
    “I have no spouse. I am widowed,” she said, and made to step past him.
    But Alexander claimed Eleanor’s elbow. She flinched at his touch, though his grip was gentle, and he lifted his hand away immediately. “I apologize. It is not my intent to harm you,” he said, his words so contrite that another woman might have believed him.
    But Eleanor had heard such apologies before, and she had been trapped by ambitious men before. Her thoughts whirled. How could the sisters have known of her inheritance? She had not even told them her name. The news of a fortune to be won traveled on fleet feet, however, as Eleanor had learned.
    Surely, even if Ewen’s kin had come this way while she slept in Kinfairlie’s ch apel, they would never reveal th e true reason they sought her? Her fortune could easily be claimed by any man with a prick and a barren left hand.
    Eleanor did not know. She did not truly care. She felt hot and cornered beneath this man’s steady gaze, discomfited that he had noted her aversion to being touched. She wished to flee as far as she could.
    “I thank you for your hospitality,” she said, hearing the fear in her own words. “But I must leave immediately.”
    “Then I shall escort you to the stables,” Alexander said in a tone that brooked no argument.
    “You cannot leave before the meal is served,” Vivienne said.
    “No one should journey on Christmas Eve!” Madeline protested.
    “The lady shall do as she desires,” Alexander said with resolve, and Eleanor was surprised to have him defend her decision. He winked at her most unexpectedly and her heart skipped. When had a man ever flirted with her?
    “And I shall ensure that she has her choice,” Alexander said, his tone firm. He offered his elbow to Eleanor, who found herself shocked that any man would so cede to her.
    She took his arm, though did not allow herself to become less wary, and Alexander led her from the hall. She did not feel more at ease, curiously, once they were