by Hazel Hunter
That his brother had already paired them thus gave Edane much pleasure, but he could not claim her as such. “You ken I cannae yet call her mine. She’s only just arrived, and she may yet favor another.”
“Kiaran?” Broden uttered a rude sound. “’Tis only room in his heart for his screechers.”
“Or you.” As the trapper met his gaze Edane added, “Dinnae be daft, Brother. You’ve much to offer a mate.” And in that moment, he hated him a little for his god-like looks and perfect mane.
“Naught will do for me but a lady with moonlit hair and skin soft as rose petals.” Broden regarded the long pipe in his hands, his mouth curling as if he had amused himself. “If she comes to Dun Chaill, and if she wants me. Gods ken I’m no boon.”
Edane felt a twinge of remorse over his own envy. Born to a headman’s bedslave who died in childbirth, Broden had never had a chance to live among his own tribe. His sire had sent him as an infant to be fostered by the Mag Raith after his outraged mate had tried to strangle him. Although he grew to be a strong, wildly handsome warrior, the harm done to him in his cradle had forever ruined his voice.
Many females among the Mag Raith had admired Broden from afar, but the rumors whispered about his fostering had kept them away. The one Pritani lass who had confessed her love for the trapper had been scolded by Broden’s father before the entire tribe. He’d also revealed his son’s unfortunate origins, and assured her that the trapper would never have anything to offer a wife. The cruel scolding had devastated the lass, and ended any hope of Broden finding a Pritani mate among Edane’s tribe.
“Your pale-haired lady shall come for you,” Edane said to console the trapper. “Else why would the Gods send you dreams of her?”
“To torment me into madness?” Broden countered, but before Edane could reply he held up a hand. “I jest, Brother. I’m learning patience. Mayhap that’s the reason for the dreaming.”
A short time later the other men returned, and took their customary places around the hearth. Edane noticed that Kiaran had left his birds behind, which he did only when the kestrels patrolled the stronghold from the sky. The falconer’s ability to see through the raptors’ eyes allowed him to serve as sentinel. But why would the chieftain want Dun Chaill watched at night?
“Come and get it, boys.” Nellie came out of the kitchens carrying a tray of steaming mugs. “I’ve made hot Hanky-Pankies for everyone.”
Jenna and Rosealise followed her, and both ladies looked somewhat unsettled.
Edane went to take the drinks from her, which smelled not at all like the tisanes Rosealise usually made for their evenings. “’Tis a brew from your time?”
“Not really.” She made a face. “You don’t have any amaro, gin or sweet vermouth, see, so I had to make do. If you like it, I’ll teach the girls my secret blend.” She took one of the mugs, blew on it and held it to his lips. “Taste.”
He cautiously sampled the drink, which tasted bitter-sweet beneath the heavy lacing of whiskey. Although drink no longer affected the Mag Raith since they had attained immortality, telling her so would only spoil her pleasure.
“’Tis very good.”
“Pass them around, would you? I think everyone in this clan could use a little Hanky-Panky,” Nellie told him, winking before she spied Broden’s chanter. “Swell, that’s just what we need. Say, if I hum something can you play the tune on your flute?”
Edane passed out the mugs, which everyone but Rosealise sampled.
“’Tis strong, but ’twillnae make you drunk,” he said to Mael’s wife. “Naught can now, you ken.”
“Mael assured me of that, but after our experience in the vine trap, I’d rather abstain.” The housekeeper frowned at Nellie, who was laughing with Broden, and then said in a lower voice, “Edane, I’m worried about Miss Quinn. She’s not been entirely forthright with us. She lied about how she knew Mael made the basket.”
Had Kiaran infected her with his suspicions? “Mayhap Nellie saw another at the work and mistook him for your mate.”
“No, she was quite correct,” Rosealise said. “Mael did weave it, but long before I came to Dun Chaill. Since that time, I’ve been making all the baskets we use, as my skills are slightly superior to my love’s. Even you, dear sir, must admit that I cannot be mistaken for my husband.”
So, the lass had not seen the seneschal at work. Edane couldn’t fathom why she would lie about such a thing. “You believe she had some other purpose?”
“I can’t imagine it, but yes. Her deception troubles me.” She glanced over at Nellie and Broden. “I have no wish to subject the young lady to new distress.”
He understood what she meant. With but a touch Rosealise could persuade anyone to do as she bid. She could easily force a confession out of Nellie as to what, if anything, she might be hiding from them. Yet the housekeeper took great pains to use her persuasion ability only when absolutely necessary.
“I shall speak with her alone, later tonight,” Edane said at last. “Nellie shall tell me the truth. She trusts me.”
And perhaps it was time to trust her with the whole truth about the Mag Raith and their ladies.
Nellie listened as Broden played back the tune she had hummed to him. He played the flute with ease, and she grinned as he hit every note.
“That’s perfect, Brodie.” When he arched his brows, she laughed. “You need a nickname, fella. Now, when we start to dance just play it a little faster, like this.”
As she hummed the Charleston at the correct tempo, out of the corner of her eye she could see Edane and Rosealise quietly talking. No doubt that was about her. She’d said or done something to give herself away, and now they were suspicious. It made the fear worrying at her insides change from a blunt-toothed rat to an angry snake.
Got to make everyone want to guzzle their Mickey Finn. Get them moving.
“All right, we’ve got music.” Nellie skipped over to Jenna. “Come on, sister. Let’s clear the deck so we can show how Americans like to wear out their shoes.”
The architect helped her move a few chairs away from the center of the hall, but once Nellie guided her into position, she looked worried. “I should tell you first that I never danced much in my time.”
“Don’t sweat it, Jen. The Charleston’s a pushover,” she assured her as she stood at her right side. “See me do this, and then just follow along.” She performed the two step-and-taps of the dance forward and backward, and then watched Jenna’s feet as she did the same. “Good, you’ve got it cold, first try. Now, when we do another set, shimmy your feet from side to side each time you step.”
She practiced the four steps with the foot twists several more times before Jenna picked up the knack.
“Hey, this is easier than I thought,” the other American said as she tucked her hair behind her ears and stared at her boots as she stepped and tapped. “So, when you dance with a partner, you mirror each other?”
“Exactly right. One more thing to add, and you’ll have it.” Nellie extended her hands palm-down, and swung her arms as she danced a full set. “Now you try that. Rosealise, come and join us.”
“I daresay I should–” The housekeeper broke off with a laugh as Mael caught her by the waist and whirled her around. “Waltz with my husband instead.”
“Give a try with me, love,” the seneschal urged, and demonstrated the steps with surprising expertise. “’Twill make your skirts flutter quite fetchingly.”
“Oh, very well.” With obvious restraint Rosealise went through the steps, and then chuckled. “For such a simple dance it is very charming.”
“Attagirl. We’ll make a floor flusher out of you yet.” Nellie nodded at Broden. “Heat us up now, Brodie?”
The trapper began to play, and Jenna danced alongside Nellie while Mael and his wife watched and followed them both. Aside from a few missteps everyone caught on, and soon were hoofing it as if they went to the club every night.
The club.
Nellie saw the hall waver,
and the ghostly image of another place appeared over it. The joint looked dark and crowded, and she could smell the stink of hooch and sweat. A group of perspiring musicians stood on a small stage playing behind a frantic mass of dancers. Everyone was doing the Charleston except Nellie, who stood at the back with a drink cradled in her hand, and her fingers running up and down a long strand of–
Say. A tall, cadaverous-looking man walked slowly past her. As he did his big yellowed teeth flashed. Looking swank tonight, Baby.
In an instant the man and the club vanished, leaving Nellie with a pounding head and a throat sandpapered by fear. She glanced around at the others, and saw that Domnall and Kiaran had come closer to watch the dancing, but no one was looking at her except the falconer. Coaxing the chieftain to dance would be tough, she thought, but Kiaran’s disapproving expression made it clear he’d rather jump in a loch. On the bright side, he had picked up one of the mugs and was drinking it down.
“Come on, my man,” Jenna said as she seized her husband’s hands. “Don’t look so worried, I’ll show you how.”
Nellie turned to find Edane just behind her, and nearly screamed. Pull yourself together, doll. She held out her arms. “You can’t let the chieftain show you up now, right?”
The archer nodded, and took hold of her forearms as he fell into step with her. He danced with the natural ease of experience, and added a spin that lifted Nellie off her feet to whirl around him.
“You’ve danced before this,” she teased him.
“Aye.” Unhappiness flickered over his face before he spun her again. “So have you.”
Nellie laughed despite the fact that her heart ached. “I was born for it, pal.” This was both their first and last dance. After tonight she’d never come back here, and never see him again. “Say, feel like sneaking away with me a little later? I want to show you something.” She stroked her fingers against the hard muscles in his unmarked arm. “Something you’ll like, I promise.”
“’Tis naught you could do that I’d despise,” Edane told her, and moved in an extra step to say against her ear, “Naught, my peyrl.”
The word he called her made a funny sound rush in Nellie’s ears. Without thinking she reached for her throat, missed a step and nearly tripped over her own feet.
“Hey, you’re distracting me, you bad boy.”
By the time Broden finished the song all the men but Kiaran had learned the steps, and the clan laughed and clapped as the trapper bowed to them.
“’Tis an invigorating rollick,” Mael said, and drained his mug with a few swallows before beaming at his wife. “But my lady, she’s the swan.”
“Ever the flatterer, my love.” Rosealise kissed his cheek before she smiled at Nellie. “Thank you for teaching us the steps, Miss Quinn.”
“Next time I’ll have to show you the foxtrot. A bit like a waltz, but faster.” She saw the falconer glowering at her again. From the unsteadiness of his hands at his sides, Kiaran was already in deep with Mickey Finn. “I’ve got more Hanky-Panky staying warm by the fire, too, if anyone’s still thirsty. Edane and I are going for a little stroll.”
She tugged the archer along with her and hurried out of the hall.
Edane went along with Nellie until they entered the outer passage, where he drew her to a stop. “Mayhap we should first talk, my lady.”
“I only said that so I could get you alone.” She took hold of his hands and began walking backward. “I’ve got one more surprise from my time, but this one is just for you.”
Her excitement seemed genuine, and Edane didn’t wish to spoil her fun. “’Tis another dance?” he asked as he followed her down the passage.
“You could put it that way.” She stopped in front of her chamber and went behind him, reaching up to put her hands over his eyes. “Now, open the door and step inside.”
He smelled melted beeswax and heather as he crossed the threshold, and felt the warmth of the fire from the hearth. “What now?”
“Keep your eyes closed.” She took her hands away. “Don’t look, or you’ll spoil it.”
“It?” He heard her dress rustle. “Nellie–”
“Not yet.” The bed’s ticking crackled, and then she uttered a husky sound. “Okay. Now you can have a gander.”
The sight of her reclined on the thick white furs sent hot blood rushing to his head. That she lay before him so wantonly didn’t startle him as much as the garment she had donned. It might have once been a shift, but she had cut away the sleeves and much of the bodice. He could see the curves of her breasts, and the subtle shadows of her nipples. She shifted her legs, which now showed thanks to the skirt’s slit sides, and rubbed one foot along the other shin in a sensual manner.
“Welcome to our petting party,” she said, extending her arm. “Come here and I’ll show you how it goes.”
Edane wanted nothing more than to obey her command, but he’d first be sure what she offered, and why. “You wish me to bed you?”
“I’d like you on the bed.” When he didn’t move, she patted the ticking. “You don’t have to do anything, fella. Just get close to me, and let’s see what happens.”
Sensing an oddness in her tone, he sat down beside her. “You dinnae ken what comes from inviting a man to your bed, my peyrl?”
“Oh, yeah. Making whoopee.” She stroked her hand over his forearm, her touch light as silk. “Sorry. I mean, I know what sex is. What if we just get to know each other a little better first? A little kissing, a little petting, then we can decide if we want more.” Her eyelashes fluttered. “Unless you had too much Hanky-Panky already.”
Pulling off his tunic and stretching out beside her felt like a mistake. He was a man, not an iron warrior. But Edane decided his self-control strong enough to see how far she would go. In truth he welcomed the chance to return her kisses and caresses, but until he understood why she offered herself now, he would not take her.
As Nellie rolled toward him, he propped his head on one hand and used the other to bring her fingers to his mouth. Watching her eyes, he realized she was expecting him to put his hands on her, as if that were part of a plan.
’Tis no’ about desire for her, Edane thought as he kissed each fingertip before pressing her palm to his bare chest. “Pet me as you wish.”
Nellie uttered a short laugh, her hand trembling against his flesh. “Don’t tell me you’re too shy for this. I know you want me.”
“Aye.” His blood ran hot as he curled an arm around her waist and pulled her closer. “I’ve imagined it every night since you came, my lady. Ever you fill my thoughts with your bright beauty. The morning song of your voice becomes the music of my dreams. The secrets in your eyes, a glen waiting for me to find my way to you.”
“Don’t say things like that.” She closed her eyes, gripping his shoulder as she pressed her face to his neck. “I’m just a gal looking for a good time.”
Edane tipped up her chin, and brushed a soft kiss over her tight lips. When she finally looked at him, he saw tears brimming. Was she afraid of him now?
“You’re safe with me, lass. Always and ever, I swear to you.”
“I don’t want always.” She put her hands in his hair, curling her fingers through the heavy strands. “I want tonight.”
Her mouth came to his, cool and damp, and he tasted the tear that spilled from her cheek to seep between them. The sound she made as she opened her lips held the desperation of a sob, followed by a moan so deep she shook with it.
Kissing her began as a comforting, a prelude to more soft words and coaxing her to entrust him with her secrets. But Edane felt his intention fade as she responded with needy hunger, her body pressing to his. She felt so lush and alive he wanted to rip apart the thin fabric separating her breasts from his chest. He needed her skin on him, her hands, her lips. In another moment she’d drive him to madness, and he’d forget everything but her. He took hold of her nape to tug her away, and felt her skinwork burn against his fingers.
Edane jerked ba
ck as his marked arm lit up with amber fire.
Chapter Eleven
DARKNESS SWALLOWED EDANE, only to be sluiced away by ribbons of blue-white light. Blinded for a moment, he blinked, and then saw the two figures that had walked out of the cascade of light. The towering Sluath loomed over the small woman at his side, his wings glittering with dozens of honed blades. The female, dressed like a goddess in a pale green gown, looked at him with a faint smirk, and worried eyes.
Hold your tongue until she’s close.
Aye, and he would, but he hated the sight of her with Danar.
“You’ve made use of the Pritani?” the Sluath said as he stopped to inspect Edane where he hung by his chains from the punishment pillar.
“Did you think I wouldn’t?” Nellie sauntered over to stand before him, lifting her skirts to avoid the spatters of blood he’d dripped on the white stone floor. “I think he’s starting to like being my bed slave.” She let her hand drift down his chest to cup the front of his trews, where his shaft instantly swelled heavy and hot. “All it takes is a touch now, and he’s ready for me.”
“Turn me loose and I’ll skewer ye proper,” he snarled in her face, pouring all the fury he could into the threat.
“Still a little mouthy, though.” She slapped him, hard enough to make his head snap to the side. “We’re working on that.” She kissed the reddening mark on his cheek, her lips cool against the sting. “If he wants to eat, he has to talk sweet to me. Say something nice, boy, or no supper for you.”
Edane remained silent, glaring past her at Danar. He hated the demon above all the others, especially when the hulking Sluath came to inspect him.
“Insolent for such a weakling.” The demon approached him, and clouted him so hard his head seemed to explode.
Nellie watched without expression as Edane’s knees buckled, and his body dropped as far as the chains would allow. As pain throbbed through his face fresh blood dripped from his nose to add new stains to the floor.