Merely Magic by Patricia Rice

Author:Patricia Rice
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Publisher: Sourcebooks, Inc.
Published: 2010-09-02T04:00:00+00:00

Twenty

With the doves—pigeons—dispersed and the grain already thrown, the rest of the wedding was anticlimactic. As Drogo grimly repeated his vows—including the one of equality—Ninian accepted the token ring binding her to him, and preening Ives males carved swathes through flirting Malcolm females.

As Drogo leaned over to seal his vows by kissing his bride, a sigh of happiness wafted from their feminine audience, and ribald laughter and shouts erupted among the males. Feeling like one of the beleaguered characters in the political cartoons posted in news shop windows, Drogo limited the kiss to a highly unsatisfactory nibble.

“Scotland would have been better,” he muttered against her lips.

“Or not at all,” she answered sweetly.

She might very well have the right of that. Warily watching the crowd for any sign of Twane or his men—or the mysterious man who was bloody lucky to still have a nose—Drogo eased Ninian through the cheering mob of well-wishers.

“You don’t suppose they’ll all follow us home?” he asked glumly as he assisted her into their waiting carriage. He’d left a footman and a driver standing guard while they were inside, but he ordered a final hasty inspection while Ninian took her seat. He didn’t fear Twane, but his brothers were capable of unfastening carriage wheels or placing Chinese firecrackers under seats.

“I suppose they’ll not only follow us,” Ninian replied as he climbed in beside her, “but I also suppose my uncles and their sons will be waiting at the house to welcome you into their ranks. They do like a free meal.”

“They’re not Malcolms, are they?” It didn’t look as if he would be bedding his new bride any time soon, Drogo concluded with disgruntlement.

“Of course not, but I’m sure they’ll be happy to console you with all the trials and tribulations we bring. Were it not for the lack of available men, Malcolm women should never have left the forest.”

He’d had enough warnings. He really needed to start paying closer attention to the annoying details now that he had what he wanted. As the carriage halted in the convoluted traffic of a narrow intersection, Drogo studied the bland, innocent features of his country wife. “Are you trying to tell me all Malcolm women are… witches?” He had difficulty even saying the preposterous word.

Ninian tugged at the gold band fastening her cape. “Of some degree. Of course.” The band snapped open, and she sighed in relief before looking up at him quizzically. “Did you have some doubt?” She continued without waiting for an answer. “Actually, from studying what books I could find at the cottage, I’m theorizing we’re descendants of Druids. Women played a very large part in that cult.”

Drogo was used to facing the world and its caprices with impassivity, but even he was having difficulty swallowing a lump this large. “Druids? Tree worshippers?”

She shrugged. “Trees have their powers, just as herbs do.” She touched the halo of twigs in her hair. “Aunt Stella will have laid an enchantment on this rowan, offering me protection. Actually, though, rowan seeds are poisonous and can be used to disable enemies.

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