Mary Reed McCall by The Sweetest Sin

Author:The Sweetest Sin [Sin, The Sweetest]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

Before many minutes had passed, Bridgid puffed to her side at the table. “Ach, Duncan’s coming, missy, and he is looking for you.” She shook her head, adding, “Sure he’s bringing the storms of hell with him. I haven’t seen him so angry since the day he brought you home to live with us.” Bridgid colored hearty red. “Not that I think poorly on your living here, mind you.”

Aileana concentrated on tearing her bread into chunks. “There’s no need to explain. I know how Duncan feels about me, and it does not hurt me to voice it aloud.”

Bridgid’s face relaxed a little. “Aye, well, be that as it may, he’s in a fine fettle. He’s got cracks of lightning behind his eyes, so you’d best watch yourself.”

Nodding, Aileana picked up her mug of ale and took a big swallow. Heaven help her, but she’d pulled the lion’s tail this time. She only hoped she hadn’t gone too far. Over the rim of her mug she saw Duncan approach from across the hall, and a shiver swept up her spine. When he stopped right in front of her at the table, she gained the full measure of his appearance, and a choking cough escaped her.

“Is something amiss?” he thundered. More than just lightning flashed in his silvery eyes; it was a full-blown tempest.

“The ale,” she choked. “I must have swallowed wrong.”

He stood before her, legs planted in a wide stance. Many of the hall’s other occupants stopped to stare at the odd figure cut by their fierce leader. The only normal thing about him was the plaid draped across his torso and thighs. His long-sleeved tunic and his leggings gaped from scores of holes. A few large spots were stitched together to wrinkle in bunched folds. He looked ridiculous.

Exactly as she’d intended.

Only she hadn’t thought he’d have the gall to wear the ruined garments so boldly into the hall.

“I’m waiting. Have you nothing to say?” His voice echoed quiet and deadly, spreading hot tingles over her.

Blinking up at him, she tried to school her face into impassive lines. “Nay, other than to wonder why you’re dressed so strangely this morn.” She blinked again.

“I was thinking you would enlighten me on that count.” A muscle in his jaw twitched, and he leaned forward. “Now.”

Aileana swallowed. After a long pause, she shrugged and gave him a crooked smile. “The wee mousies had a hand in it, perhaps?” Her gaze brushed over his ruined garments. “The mites were making a nest with scraps of just that color, now that I think on it.”

His jaw clenched again, and she saw him suck in his breath. But then suddenly something in his expression altered. The tightness around his mouth relaxed, so much so that for a moment, Aileana thought he was going to laugh.

“From the look of me, woman, we’re housing a ravenous pack of she-wolves.”

Relief flooded Aileana. That he could jest boded well. “Aye,” she murmured, her expression as grave as she could make it. “It is possible.

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