The Selkie Bride by Melanie Jackson

Author:Melanie Jackson
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Tags: fiction
Publisher: Dorchester Publishing Co., Inc.

And he and they together

Knelt down in angry prayers

For tamed and shabby tigers,

And dancing dogs and bears,

And wretched, blind pit-ponies,

And little, hunted hares.

“What is wrong?” Lachlan asked softly, and I realized that I had stopped walking.

I thought about saying that it seemed a sin to step on the last patch of green grass that glowed vibrantly under the low-pitched sun, but that was as sentimental as my real thought, so instead I said: “I have always hated the circus. It’s what they do to the animals—it seems so wrong to me. Even our worst criminals are not put in prison forever.”

Lachlan nodded, either because he understood my sentiment or because he shared it. Giving in to impulse, I recited the poem. Lachlan made no comment, but he took my hand in his and laced our fingers as if to offer courage, should any be necessary. I did feel much braver, but also a bit dizzy. His touch always affected me that way.

Everything was bright and cheery in a vulgar way, except for one caravan made with wood sides and a black canvas awning, painted around with strange and improbable animals from far-off lands and ancient lore. There was no need to ask which trailer held the oddities.

“They aren’t open for custom yet,” I murmured. “Should we try bribery?”

“Nay. There is naebody aboot just now. So ye’ll wander over tae the men putting up the tent and do yer level best to be charming and vapid and perhaps a wee bit prone tae possibly sinning with strangers, and I shall let myself inside while they are distracted.”

I giggled. I couldn’t help it. I’d never attempted to act the part of a woman of low moral character; it is not my nature to stray so far from reality, and I had never been drawn to theatrics.

“I’ll do it,” I whispered when I had stopped laughing. “But be quick, please. I am not at all certain that I will be any good at this sort of thing, and I should hate to have to fall back on fainting. The dirt would ruin my dress.”

“I should hope ye’d nae be experienced in such deception! Nae man needs that,” Lachlan muttered, turning me toward the group of workmen gathered ’round a small stack of poles and giving me a small shove when my steps were too laggard for his tastes. Turning my head back, I stuck out my tongue, but Lachlan had already started toward the silent caravan.

Taking a deep breath and pasting on a smile, I began picking my way toward the workmen, who were arguing about something in French and what I thought was Italian. This cheered me considerably. We had a language barrier. It could take forever to make myself understood at this gathering of Babel.

Reaching up, I undid one of the pearl buttons on my dress and let the linen flutter at will. I was glad that I wasn’t a society lady whose clothes buttoned down the back. My wrap fell

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