A Taste of Temptation by Gayle Eden

Author:Gayle Eden
Language: ron
Format: mobi
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 8

On the day of the celebration, half the county was spread

out over Flora Toft’s lands; indeed, there were makeshift

stages and puppet shows, a dozen other entertainers, and

thanks to Kendyl’s assistance, Abby had strung swags

and banners and set up long tables.

She had affectionately greeted Kendyl’s father and

brothers, who marked off the track for racing; all big and

brawny Scots, they were in high spirits and contributing

not only the horseflesh, but also the beer and a roast pig.

Many of the locals used Flora’s birthday gathering

to barter and trade like a fair, and Flora being as she was

enjoyed that aspect, too. There would be plenty to eat,

however, as each guest had contributed something and

the tables filled up. Birds were plucked, fish fried in the

open, and rabbits roasting on spits.

Flora was at her best for the festivities, dressed in

her favorite blue and going from guest to guest, being

her usual spry self. She may be eccentric but she was

also generous, non-judgmental, and something of an

expert on everything. Daft or not, the people loved Flora

and many a woman benefited from her midwife or

fertility skills or healing herbs. So many of the children

could wander in and stop by and be treated to a meal and

a fascinating education depending on what Flora was

working on. She also gave them books and taught many

to read. Be it the village doctor and smith or the gypsies

in the area or gentry, Flora Toft brought people together

and earned their warm regard.

It was nearly evening before Abby bathed and

dressed, having prepared for a week long celebration and

intending to ignore the fact Simon had not showed up.

She pulled on riding trousers and boots, braided her hair,

and headed out to enjoy some of the competition.

80

Gayle Eden

She and Kendyl were decent at archery and knife

throwing, Kendyl being garbed nearly the same as

herself, except for the plaid sash tied at her waist.

The clearing rang with flutes and beaded drums;

children laughed, played tag and snuck sweets from the

platters. It echoed birthday celebrations Flora had put on

for them, though there were a few they could recall that

were a bit bizarre.

Abby was finishing her last shot with a pistol,

laughing at the groans from the men and normal teasing

when she missed her target by a wide margin. Her mind

was distracted. She turned and handed off the pistol,

joking with the tanner’s wife, and absently aware that

Kendyl was watching her brothers in the wrestling

matches a ways off.

Abby glanced up, and saw Simon leaning against

one of the gnarled oaks. She did not know how long he

had been there but her whole body reacted, heat flushing

her skin and heart pounding too loud. Everything she felt

in London and more came rushing back in hard waves.

She wiped her hands down her hips and walked

toward him. It was an hour before dark, and the low

position of the sun gave him a surreal glow, glinting off

his hair and casting his handsome face in light and

shadow.

“Hullo. Welcome.”

He nodded looking over her garb with a raised brow.

“Did someone greet you at the house?”

“Yes. Damien came down but is at his aunt’s. Lady

Newton.”

“That is interesting.

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