That was before Orle began charming them, speaking prettily in her less-than-perfect Gaelic. The two men had eaten it up, softening considerably as they spoke to the diminutive maid. They still stood at a distance chatting, and Darlei took advantage, thinking,It will not be long before Orle marries one of their sort, given we stay.
Deathan came upon her leaning dangerously far over the breast-high wall, and gave a nod to his men before he joined her.
“Princess, wha’ are ye doing up here?”
“Looking.”Dreaming.She shot him a glance, one that became a long and luxuriously enjoyable examination. She could admire the view, yes. Or she could admire something far better.
The light up here was so clear, it showed her every detail. The myriad colors in his hair, all woven together—amber and honeybrown and gold like the fine strands the jewelry makers drew out back home.
His skin wore a tan over those freckles she had detested on his brother, and on Deathan came to find, well, acceptable. More than acceptable. His eyes…
Yes, in the fine, strong light of midday she could see the deep blue of them, could almost count the separate flecks of green that made rings around each pupil. All shaded by those long brown lashes.
It made her hurt to look at him, to draw a breath. But she wanted to go on looking. She wanted to touch his hand that lay beside hers on the stone.
She wanted to kiss him.
That thought startled her, but the desire would not back down. She wanted to taste his lips. To kiss each separate freckle. Did they extendeverywhere?
“There has been an accident,” he told her, and then reconsidered. “Itmayhave been an accident.”
“My father?” The desire did take a half step back, but did not desert her.
“Nay.” Deathan shook his head. “Rohr and the others were at the field with the ponies, as ye said. Rohr let your father’s man, Urfet, talk him into a race. He fell.”
“Urfet did?”
“Nay, Rohr. He’s broken his arm. The healers say ’tis a bad break.”
“Oh.” Her mind raced even as she dragged her gaze from her companion. “What will that mean for the wedding?”For us, she added silently.
“I do not know. I went to the field to try to ask Rohr about what you heard, and the threat Caragh expressed. I had no chance.”
Darlei frowned at the far distance. This section of the wall faced eastward—the direction of home.
Did she still want to leave here?
“I suppose the marriage could still take place,” Deathan said in a low voice so the guards and Orle did not hear. He took a measured look at the three of them, the two big men clearly in thrall to Orle’s sweetness. “But if there is a threat to ye, my father needs to know of it. Here at Murtray, ye be under his protection.”
“I will go out of my mind if this goes on much longer.” If she could not be with this man beside her. Could not touch and taste him. Explore all that could be between a man and a woman.
Why him, of all men? To look at, with an unprejudiced eye, there was not all that much to tell between him and his brother. Yet Rohr repelled her. And he…
He turned his head and looked her full in the eyes. “Would ye still be happy to leave here, princess? D’ye wish to say farewell to me?”
“Nay.” She shook her head so emphatically, her hair flew. “Nay, and nay I do not.”Not ever.“But—”
“Master Deathan?” The two guards stepped over to them. They had Orle tucked between them like treasure.
Deathan straightened. “I came up to tell ye that there has been an accident. Rohr has broken his arm and will be forced to rest awhile.” Whether his brother would or would not was another matter, so his tone implied. “So for the time being, ye will tak’ orders from me.”
One of the men, the taller of the two, gave an easy grin. “Do we no’ do that already?”
“Aye so,” Deathan admitted ruefully. “I was also just telling Princess Darlei that ladies should no’ venture up here on the wall.” He offered Darlei his arm. “Let me escort ye back down.”
A gift it was, an opportunity to touch him. Darlei wrapped her arm around his, skin to skin, his all warm and sunlit.
An image bloomed within her mind. The two of them together, naked, nothing between them but desire.
