“Does that expression come naturally, or did you practice to ensure you match in everything you do? And you want me to believe you’re not interchangeable.” Allyson linked her arm through Cairren’s, and the women attempted to step around the brothers. However, the closer one snagged Allyson’s arm and leaned in to whisper in her ear.
“Lass, you wouldn’t last five minutes if we took turns with you.” Allyson froze as she turned an icy gaze upon Ewan, who still held her arm.
“Are you threatening me? Because that isn’t an offer I will ever want.”
“What? No.” The man jerked back and shook his head. Realization of what his words would mean to an innocent dawned upon him. He softened his hold on her arm but didn’t release her. Instead, he bent forward again. “Lass, my apologies. That wasn’t what I intended. I took our banter too far. I didn’t mean to scare you.”
Allyson’s pinched expression relaxed at the sincerity in his voice, which caused a shiver to run along her spine. She nodded once, and this time he released her arm when she pulled it away.
“Which one are you?” She murmured.
“Ewan, my lady.” The sun streaked head bowed in a courtly presentation that would have earned the giant Highlander laughs if he were home. That meant the other man now standing in silence was Eoin, as she’d guessed.
“Good day.” Allyson didn’t wait to drag Cairren along as they rushed to their chamber and then to the queen’s solar, all the while Cairren lamented the consequences of their tardiness. Neither could admit they’d stopped to speak to the notorious twins.
Chapter Two
Allyson felt restless for the duration of the day as the scene in the passageway replayed in her mind. It wasn’t that different from the countless conversations she’d had with courtiers attempting to corrupt and seduce her. However, something unsettled her about this exchange. She suspected it stemmed from the surprise of such innuendos being tossed about after she and Cairren caught the brothers leaving a woman’s chambers, and how that very event led to the exchange. She’d studied the men while they stood nearer and tried to find anything that would identify the difference between the two. She hadn’t lied when she said they were interchangeable; at least, that was how she’d viewed them before that day.
U-en and O-en.She sounded out in her head.How original that their parents should give identical twins rhyming names. I wonder what tricks they got up to as weans with matching faces and similar names.Allyson flinched as her blank gaze remained on the book in her lap.Why do I care? Why am I even wondering that? They were both arses today. I shouldn’t waste a moment of thought on them, but I can’t help it. They’ve irked me and piqued my curiosity. This bluidy curiosity will be my downfall.
Allyson forced herself to pay attention to the book of poetry that lay open in front of her. She inhaled, filling her lungs, before beginning the page for the third time. This attempt was a success, and she lost herself in the flowing verses until it was time to dress for the evening. She dreaded and anticipated the evening meal in equal measure. Part of her wanted to avoid the twins and the reminder of their exchange, but another part wanted a chance to have the definitive last word. “Good day” seemed weak after the inappropriate nature of the earlier conversation.
“Lady Allyson,” called a page as she stepped out of the queen’s solar. “Your presence has been requested in the king’s Privy Council chamber.” The boy of eight or nine didn’t remain for a response, instead turning on his heel and dashing back the way he’d come. Allyson’s gaze swept the ladies who accompanied her out of the salon, but no one seemed interested in the message delivered to her. She couldn’t guess why the king would single her out and request her presence. She hurried to the doors of the king’s meeting room, wiping her clammy palms on her skirts as the guard slipped inside to announce her arrival. When the door opened to admit Allyson, the first person she recognized was her father, Laird Kenneth Elliot. A sense of dread took root in the bottom of Allyson’s stomach. Rarely did anything good occur when her father arrived at court. Her throat tightened at the hard edge in his eyes. He was steeling himself to deliver news she wouldn’t want.
“Allyson,” her father’s brusque tone reached her as she approached, then dipped into a low curtsy to the king and her father. “I’ve made a decision that pertains to you.”
Allyson blinked, but realized she failed to hide the fear creeping over her like the cold hands of death. She nodded and opened her mouth to inquire if this had something to do with her mother and siblings, but her father’s raised hand stayed her. Allyson glanced around the chamber and spotted the Gordon twins standing across the chamber with their own father, and neither appeared pleased to be there. Suspicion coursed through her as she looked between her father and the twins, shaking her head and backing away.
“This isn’t a time for histrionics, lass. I can see you’re deducing the reason I have summoned you. We may as well have it out and be done. I need to sign the betrothal documents and be on my way.” Her father never would have survived as a courtier with his blunt manner. Allyson’s chest felt like a vice was locked around her heart, and her stomach felt as though someone plowed a fist into it.
“Betrothal?” It surprised her how strong her voice sounded in spite of her shock. She turned to look at the twins, and her upper lip curled in disgust. “Which womanizing lecher have you shackled me with?”
“Shackled?” The man she recognized as Ewan lunged forward. “You should count your blessings, lass.”
“So, you’re the one to marry me, but which one of you will come to my bed? Or will you share me like you did Lady Bevan this morning?” Allyson snapped her mouth shut, shocked at her own runaway tongue. She grinned when both twins shifted, but there was no mirth in her expression. “Assumed I’d forgotten? Assumed I’d never speak of it?”
Allyson tossed her head and canted it before employing her repertoire of flirtations. She smiled seductively and glided toward the twins, angling her body to offer the best view of her cleavage. Hours of practice made her actions seem unintentional and natural, almost unnoticeable in their singular occurrence, but coming together to foster the image of an experienced courtier. She came to stand before the twins and their father, who was a widower. She dropped into a deep curtsy that offered the older man a view down her gown and between her breasts. She exhaled, allowing the gown to slacken and offering a hint of her chemise. Ewan growled before reaching out to grasp her arm as he had earlier that day, but she shied away. She wanted to determine if her potential father-by-marriage was as much a skirt chaser as his sons. Did she need to fear him, too?
“My father’s words lead me to believe the documents haven’t been signed. I don’t belong to you yet, so don’t touch me,” she hissed before returning her attention to Laird Gordon. “My laird, it is a pleasure to see you again. Pray tell, how long have you and my father been in negotiations? From your sons’ appearances, it came as a surprise to them, too. After all, what man would tease his future bride about bedding her the same day as she caught him coming from another woman’s chamber? The day you’d announce their betrothal?”
Laird Gordon’s face suffused with heat, and his ruddy complexion turned scarlet. He swung his gaze toward his sons, the accusations clear without him saying a word.
“As the chit said, I didn’t know.” Ewan crossed his arms and glared at Allyson. “It matters little now.”
“There I disagree. It matters a great deal. You’ve proven to be a womanizing lecher, as I said before. You didn’t deny that.” Allyson looked over her shoulder to her father. “Men who go through women like him go through alcohol and money just as quickly. You intend to give my dowry, money and land from our clan, to him?” Allyson didn’t say more, knowing that what she left unsaid screamed far louder than if she voiced any further opposition.
“Tread carefully, lass,” Ewan hissed.
“Or what? You and your brother will take turns with me? I believe that’s what you said earlier.”
“What?” The two fathers roared.
“Shall I tell them, or will you?” Allyson demurred even though her posture spoke to her readiness to go into battle.
“It matters not.” Kenneth stepped beside his daughter. “You’re in no position to object to aught your husband does.”
“That may be, but he isn’t my husband yet. I intend to object.” Allyson set her jaw and stared into her father’s eyes. “Now and at the altar.”
