The Rose Red Bride JK2 Read online

  More cherished than gold are the Jewels of Kinfairlie, and only the worthiest may fight for their love...The Laird of Kinfairlie has unmarried sisters, each a gem in her own right. And he has no choice but to see them all wed in haste.

  Like a heroine in an ancient tale, Vivienne waited in the highest chamber of Kinfairlie’s tower for her fated lover. In the darkness he came for her, cloaked and hooded so that she would not see his face. He loved her sweetly, thoroughly...and Vivienne knew she had met her destiny.

  But in the morning light, her dream is shattered. Erik Sinclair of Blackleith is no romantic hero but a disinherited warrior who arranged her abduction to regain his own legacy. Outraged by Erik’s insistence that he needs her solely to beget a son, yet ensnared by the passion he awakens, Vivienne realizes that there is more merit in her taciturn spouse than he would admit. Erik is skeptical of her growing faith in his honor and her desire to recapture his stolen birthright...

  Little does he suspect that his rare gem of a bride intends to capture his barricaded heart as well.

  * * *

  Praise for THE ROSE RED BRIDE

  “Claire Delacroix has woven a tale that is a whirlwind of action and betrayal…What a wonderful plot! Throughout this amazing tale, Ms. Delacroix doesn’t let up for a second. There are lighthearted moments and tender love scenes that will delight historical romance lovers everywhere.

  Five hearts!”

  www.loveromances.com

  “One of the most fascinating continuing stories I have read in quite a while.”

  The Romance Readers Connection

  “One of Claire Delacroix’s best stories…Delacroix raises the bar in historical romance writing with the ease of a true professional.”

  The NovaScotian

  “Claire Delacroix is a shining star of the romance genre. Cleverly original, emotional and fast-paced, full of twists and turns, her books will sweep you right off your feet!"

  Julianne Maclean, USA Today bestselling author

  “Ms. Delacroix keeps the readers wildly entertained as well as enchanted all the way to the end! This reviewer has always loved Ms. Delacroix’s lush storylines, intricate details and has never been disappointed with her books. The Rose Red Bride is one book that will be read over and over again! Five hearts!”

  www.loveromances.com

  “What better way to begin a story than by providing the reader with a strong, determined hero out to avenge a wrong with a spirited and equally determined woman by his side? The Rose Red Bride is blend of passion, humor, fairy lore and everlasting love. A great read!”

  FreshFiction.com

  * * *

  Dear Reader;

  The Rose Red Bride is the second book in my Jewels of Kinfairlie trilogy, in which Alexander faces the challenge of seeing his sisters wed. Madeline was married in book #1, The Beauty Bride, and now it’s Vivienne’s turn – the trick is that Vivienne is determined to marry for love. She’s a romantic and a dreamer, our Vivienne, and I always liked how she let her passion drive her choices.

  She’s exactly the kind of woman Erik needs, given that he’s been cheated so many times. Vivienne’s faith in him is precisely the balm that heals Erik and makes their Happily Ever After possible. This trilogy continues with the sisters getting even with Alexander in The Snow White Bride.

  If you’re enjoying this series, too, you’ll be glad to know that there will be another series featuring the other Lammergeier siblings. Look for The Renegade's Heart, book one of my new True Love Brides series, coming in spring 2012. You can read more about this book and all of my books on my website.

  As with all of my re-releases, I’ve chosen not to revise this book, but to republish it pretty much the way it was published in the first place. There may be a few typos missing in this version, but otherwise it is very similar to the original.

  I’ve enjoyed revisiting The Rose Red Bride, and hope you enjoy reading it, as well.

  Until next time, I hope you are well and have plenty of good books to read.

  All my best,

  Claire

  * * *

  The Rose Red Bride

  Claire Delacroix

  This re-release has had only minor corrections from the original text. It is essentially the same as the original print edition, although there are minor variations.

  Copyright 2005, 2011 Claire Delacroix, Inc.

  Digital Edition

  The scanning, uploading, printing and distribution of this work without the express written permission of the author is illegal and punishable by law. Please purchase only authorized versions of any work, and do not participate in or encourage piracy of copyrighted materials. Your support of the author’s rights is appreciated.

  Publishing History

  Warner Books mass market edition

  June 2005

  Deborah A. Cooke trade paperback edition

  January 2012

  This digital edition

  March 2012

  * * *

  The Rose Red Bride

  Table of Contents

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  Chapter Thirteen

  Chapter Fourteen

  Chapter Fifteen

  Chapter Sixteen

  Chapter Seventeen

  Chapter Eighteen

  Excerpt from The Snow White Bride

  * * *

  This trilogy is dedicated to my readers,

  with heartfelt thanks for your loyalty and support.

  May you enjoy reading about the Jewels of Kinfairlie

  as much as I have enjoyed writing their tales.

  * * *

  The Rose Red Bride

  by

  Claire Delacroix

  * * *

  Chapter One

  Kinfairlie, on the east coast of Scotland - August 1421

  Alexander congratulated himself upon a matter well concluded. Although the marriage of his eldest sister Madeline had not begun auspiciously, his solution had ultimately proven to be a good one. Just as he had predicted, Madeline was wedded and happily so, all the more content for the babe already rounding her belly. Though Alexander had not located Rhys FitzHenry by any conventional means of matchmaking, the man who had bought Madeline’s hand at auction had proven to be an excellent spouse.

  All had ended well, and Alexander was inclined to grant himself credit for that happy fact. A man had to find encouragement where he could. There was little else that stood to Alexander’s credit at Kinfairlie and he often felt overwhelmed by the burden of his hereditary holding.

  Alexander stared out the window at Kinfairlie’s fields, frowning that they were not more lushly green. The crop was slightly better than his castellan had predicted, but not sufficiently good enough. Though his sister Madeline was wedded, his brother Malcolm was training at Ravensmuir and his other brother Ross was training at Inverfyre, there remained four unwed sisters for whom Alexander was responsible. The castellan had been firm in his counsel that there must be fewer mouths at the board for the winter.

  The fields offered a telling reminder. Alexander would still have to see his sister Vivienne, the next eldest after Madeline, married before the snow flew.

  Sadly, Vivienne was not proving to be any easier to wed than her elder sister Madeline had been. Vivienne was willing to wed, but she wished to feel affection for her spouse before her nuptials were celebrated. Indeed, she wished to be in love. Ale
xander was certain they had visited every man in Christendom to no avail. He might well roar if Vivienne met his gaze and gave that minute shake of her head one more time.

  Though Alexander would prefer for Vivienne to be happy, August was already upon them. Soon he would be compelled to take matters into his own hands.

  Alexander sighed and buried himself in the accounts of the estate, hoping to discover that matters were slightly better than he knew them to be. He did not have sufficient time to become bored with the tedium of checking tallies before a rap sounded upon the wooden portal.

  Anthony, Kinfairlie’s elderly castellan, cleared his throat when Alexander did not immediately respond. “A gentleman to see you, my lord. He begs an audience in privacy at your earliest convenience.”

  Alexander was intrigued, for guests seldom arrived unbidden at Kinfairlie and even less frequently insisted upon privacy. “Has he a name?”

  “Nicholas Sinclair, my lord.” Anthony sniffed as Alexander started in surprise at the familiar name. “I am dubious of his character, my lord. No man of merit whispers his name and hides his face within the shadows of his hood.”

  Alexander sat back in astonishment. “But Nicholas Sinclair was the very man who courted Vivienne some years ago!”

  Anthony straightened in disapproval. “I believe as much, sir, though the Sinclair men are rogues indistinguishable each from the other. They are said to be of Viking lineage, my lord, which gives them little credit.” He apparently noted Alexander’s interest in this new arrival and cleared his throat again. “Although I admit that is solely my own opinion, sir. There are those, often women, I have heard, who find a certain allure in Sinclair men.”

  What had gone awry between Nicholas and Vivienne? Alexander could not recall. Indeed, he might never have known. He had not paid much attention to Vivienne’s loss of a suitor, for in those days, such matters had not been his concern.

  “I should be delighted to see Nicholas Sinclair,” he said, noting that Anthony was taken aback by his vigor. Alexander smiled, for he had come to enjoy surprising his very proper castellan. “Bring him to me with all haste, if you please, and some ale as well.”

  “Ale, sir?” Anthony’s silver brows rose high. “Are you certain it is wise to make a Sinclair so welcome?”

  “Ale, Anthony, to be sure.” Alexander spoke with the firmness he had learned to use with his opinionated castellan. “A guest is a guest, no matter his name.”

  Anthony cast a glance over the accounts, spread over the table before his liege lord, and his lips pinched yet more tightly. “I would suggest that your affairs not be so displayed, my lord. The Sinclairs have a reputation for coveting what is not their own.”

  “I have had my fill of the accounts at any rate,” Alexander said, then began to put the books away as the castellan left. He rolled scrolls tightly and refastened their ribbons, storing all carefully in a trunk.

  The table before him was bare when a tall, cloaked man entered the chamber. The man limped, favoring his left leg, but strode with vigor all the same. As Anthony had noted, the man kept his hood raised, and his face was in shadow.

  Alexander turned, his curiosity keen. “Nicholas Sinclair?”

  The man nodded curtly. “Good day to you. I thank you for this courtesy.” Nicholas offered his hand and Alexander shook it. It was a large hand, tanned and roughened, the hand of man well familiar with the weight of a blade. Nicholas’ grip was no less sure than Alexander might have expected. His manner was purposeful and confident, and Alexander could not help but think that a man resolutely of this world might be a good partner for his sister who loved whimsical tales.

  Alexander made to take his seat once more and gestured to the bench opposite. “I confess to a certain curiosity about your arrival here.”

  The other man pushed back his hood, then sat upon the bench. Alexander struggled to hide his shock. He blinked, he glanced down at his own hands to school his expression, then he looked his guest squarely in the eyes again.

  Nicholas Sinclair watched him shrewdly and Alexander knew that his discomfiture had been noticed. “It was not my intent to startle you,” he said, though Alexander suspected this was not perfectly true.

  No man could fail to be startled by the scar that ran from temple to chin on the left side of Nicholas’ face. It was a puckered angry scar, one so vehement that Alexander was certain he would have remembered if it had been there before, one so angry a red that he suspected it was newly won.

  Truth be told, Alexander could not recall Nicholas over well, though the man looked vaguely familiar beyond the scar. Nicholas was tall enough to tower over Alexander, and was more broad of shoulder. His coloring did hint at some Viking blood in his veins, for his hair was fair and would have fall straight his shoulders, had it not been tied back with a leather lace. His eyes were a striking clear blue. He was tanned and muscled, and would have been sufficiently handsome to snare the eye of any maiden, at least before he had gained that scar.

  “I apologize, for I am a man of blunt speech,” Nicholas said. “I come to make my suit for Vivienne’s hand.”

  Alexander found this man’s arrival too convenient to be readily believed. He had learned some caution in arranging the match of Madeline and the hard edge in Nicholas’ tone would give any man pause. “I had understood that you and Vivienne had ceased your courtship some years ago.”

  Nicholas averted his gaze. “Due to my folly alone.”

  “If you believed as much, then why did you not return sooner?”

  “I had no home to offer a bride.” If anything, Nicholas looked more grim at this detail.

  “I remember this matter now,” Alexander said, shaking a finger at his guest as his recollection returned. His father and Vivienne had argued heatedly about the folly of wedding a man who was unlikely to inherit property. Though Nicholas’ name had not been mentioned, Vivienne had defied her father with such spirit that all had known the question to be of import to her.

  And if memory served Alexander well, the ardent Nicholas had disappeared from Kinfairlie shortly thereafter. He nodded at his guest. “You had an older brother who would inherit afore you, did you not? Erik was his name.”

  A shadow touched the other man’s features. “Erik Sinclair was disavowed. Nicholas stands laird of the Sinclair lands at Blackleith now.”

  There was no shortage of bitterness in the guest’s tone, and though Alexander thought his reference to himself was oddly stated, there was no denying the lilt of the Highlands in his guest’s voice. Perhaps the man was less accustomed to speaking English than Gaelic, and in Gaelic, the statement would have passed unnoticed.

  Alexander’s gaze strayed unwillingly to the other man’s scar and he wondered what had passed between the brothers to cause such a disavowal and such bitterness. There was no good way to inquire after such a delicate matter, and what difference truly, if Alexander could ensure that Vivienne wed the man she desired and lived comfortably as well?

  If the courtship had ended because of Nicholas’ lack of an inheritance, she would certainly be delighted to wed him now that he possessed one.

  In fact, a lingering affection for this very man might be the reason that she found no other suitor appealing. Madeline had certainly had a similar reason for finding all suitors lacking, and Alexander was striving to learn as much as he could with regards to understanding and pleasing his sisters.

  He had three more to see wed after Vivienne, after all.

  Nicholas continued with determination. “It is time I claim a bride and my choice is Vivienne.”

  Alexander found his reservations melting. This man had faced formidable obstacles, it was clear, and still he was wounded by whatever had riven his family. He could well imagine that Nicholas had never forgotten Vivienne, for though she was his own sister, he was well aware of her abundant charm. Her merry manner and optimism might be just the balm this man needed.

  Perhaps his affection for Vivienne had been the one hope that had su
stained him in the face of such trials.

  The more Alexander considered the match, the more he liked its prospect. He asked after the revenue of Blackleith and its location, as a matter of responsibility, though such details were of less importance than his sister’s happiness. He was reassured that Nicholas seemed to know fully the details of his holding, the number of tenants and amount of land, the annual tithes and what was yet to be done. Here was a responsible baron, to be sure.

  “You need not doubt the weight of my purse,” Nicholas said in conclusion. He removed a sack that jingled as he set it upon the table. He shoved it across the expanse of wood toward Alexander. “And I am prepared to show compense to you for seeing my suit successful in short order.”

  Alexander stared at the sack of coins, guessing that Kinfairlie’s salvation was within it. He lifted the sack, as if less concerned with its contents than he was, and peered inside. His heart leapt at the quantity of silver coin, though he kept his features impassive. This would see them all through the winter, and let him take his leisure in wedding his three younger sisters.

  “You seem anxious for haste,” he said, noting the sole detail that troubled him. An honest man has no need to rush, Alexander’s father had often said, and Nicholas’ urgency made him suspicious.

  “What man would not desire speed when the yearning of his heart is clear?” Nicholas smiled, though his lips seemed so unfamiliar with forming that curve that it looked more like a grimace. “I grow no younger. I have dallied overlong over this matter and would see it resolved. A man must seize the moment when the Fates favor his course.”