“ Pah-phooey! The only terrors here are the looks on your two faces.” Gelis glared at them, aware that her own eyes were blazing, but uncaring. “Father gave his word —”
“Whate’er I said ceased to matter when we rode into Glen Dare.” Ignoring her, he kept his gaze on Valdar. “The place is passing strange, MacRuari. More so than I remember. I have half a mind to return to Eilean Creag now, without even entering your hall, and my daughter with me. Honor be damned.”
“But you will not.” Valdar curled his hands around his belt and looked him up and down. “Not as I know you.”
“Perhaps he should take her back to the safety of his own keep.” A deep voice spoke from the shadows and Gelis’s Raven appeared, the whirling mist cloaking him in a swirl of silvery-gray. “She is fair and well-dowered. Many are the men who would take her, and gladly.” He paused. “Good men whose homes aren’t plagued by darkness.”
Gelis’s heart slammed against her ribs.
Her mouth went dry.
Every bright and airy word of greeting she’d practiced fled her mind and she could only stare, wide-eyed and speechless. His voice spooled through her, honeyed and rich, and although he spoke from the shadows, she’d almost bet his gaze was sliding over her. She could feel its heat scorching her. Hot and appraising, it stole like a slow-moving caress over her breasts and then down to her hips.
She took a few deep breaths, but something inside her kept winding tighter, each whirling twist warming her more, making her entire body tingle.
“I’m thinking Dare is too dark for her.” Her father’s voice sounded distant.
Gelis blinked, then frowned at him. “Nae, it isn’t.”
Dare was perfect and the Raven exceeded her wildest dreams. His voice alone sent silken heat spilling through her and she could scarce breathe standing so close to him. Already she could feel his touch and imagine his kisses, hear him murmuring love words in her ear.
“Humph.” Her father grunted. “You dinna know what’s good for you.”
“Och, but I do.” She kept her attention fixed on the Raven.
Tall and splendid, he stepped forward then, his piercing gaze now on Duncan. “Kintail, I would sooner you slay me here, where I stand, than that I should bring harm to your daughter.” Flicking a look at Gelis, he whipped out his sword and tossed it into the air, catching it at midblade before offering it, hilt-first, to Duncan. “I, too, have honor, sir. I will not see it compromised.”
“ No-o-o!” Gelis flung herself between them, her arms spread wide. She stared at her father, the hot blaze in his eyes chilling her. “Don’t you dare touch that blade!” she cried, backing up until the sword’s jeweled pommel stone jabbed into her back. “I’m no longer your daughter if you do.”
“You are more my daughter than you know.” The fury fading from his face, Duncan shoved a hand through his hair.
Then he smiled.
A tight, uncomfortable sort of smile, but a smile all the same.
Gelis held her ground, not yet ready to cede.
Duncan looked out over the mist-hung bailey, then back at her. “Well met, lass, but rein in your temper. I gave the MacRuaris my word and willna retract it.” Reaching around her suddenly, he seized the sword’s blade, returning it in like fashion. “Sheath your brand, Raven, and be glad I have such a high-spirited daughter. For two bits, I would’ve run you through.”
“The devil you would have.” Valdar looked pleased, his eyes twinkling. “Never in a thousand years.”
Duncan glared at him. “I’ve been called a devil, and worse. With reason, as you ken.”
The older man threw back his head and laughed. “So you would have spilled blood on my doorstep? Ruining the feast I’ve arranged for you? By glory, laddie, I’ll not believe it.” Still laughing, he slung an arm around Duncan, steering him through the door arch, into the well-lit hall. “Now you see why I wanted your girl. She has your fire and passion and, I hope, a good dose of her mother’s compassion.”
Duncan snorted at that and then the two men were gone, disappearing into the throng inside the great hall, Sir Marmaduke and the other men in their party with them. All lured by the tempting aromas of roasting meat and wood fires, the chance to rest weary bones and quaff well-filled cups of ale and wine.
The Raven didn’t budge.
His dark eyes narrowed on her, her world seeming to narrow even more, the whole of it closing in on her until nothing remained but the cold, damp stone of the landing and the fierceness of his stare.
Gelis’s heart pounded, her breath coming hard and fast after the spectacle she’d made of herself. Not that she wouldn’t do it again if need be.
She would.
Especially if her boldness earned the Raven’s favor. Something she had yet to notice.
“Do not think I would have done that for just anyone.” She searched his face, not missing the muscle working in his jaw. “My father’s sword arm is faster than the wind, his wrath greater than thunder.”
