A flashing, triumphant smile that proved her to be a woman of even greater spirit than he’d already surmised. Disturbed by the discovery, Ronan’s mood darkened with his worst temper since he’d learned of her imminent arrival and the reason for her coming.
As if she sensed her power over him, she preened, turning just enough so the glow of the torches spilled full across her display.
Ronan sucked in a breath, anything but unaffected.
“I see you know your worth, lady.” He winced at the harsh words, but he could feel his body stirring in hot response, tensing and tightening in ways that were dangerous.
Bold as day, she held his gaze. Her eyes, an unusual shade close to fire-lit amber, shimmered, their depths shone with pure female willfulness and something he could only call amusement.
“I know your worth as well, Raven.” She stepped close, so near her breath warmed his cheek and her breasts teased his plaid. “We will be good together. The hills will sing in approval, you will see.” She tilted her head, her tone full of challenge. “I will not allow it to be any other way.”
A muscle in Ronan’s jaw leaped. “I want only what is meet for you,” he said, taking her cloak.
That, at least, was God’s holy truth.
And the reason her shining-eyed eagerness pierced him like a white-hot blade.
Feeling as trapped as if such a blade pinned him to the rush-strewn floor, he thrust the mantle into the arms of a passing servant. He scowled at the man’s back, tamping down the urge to hasten after him, retrieve the cloak, and then swirl the thing around her shoulders again. Hiding the creamy expanse of her breasts and the well-defined curve of her hips, the glittering gold chain that circled her waist twice and then dipped low, ending in a great green bauble that restedjust there, gleaming and winking at him from a place he had no business admiring.
Not if he wished his plan to work. Biting back a curse, he tore his gaze away and clenched his fists.
He could not, would not, fall prey to her charms.
Green bauble bouncing at her woman’s mound or nae.
Her smile deepened, revealing a dimple. “The chain was a gift from Evelina of Doon, a friend of Devorgilla’s,” she said, looking pleased that the stone had caught his eye.
And not a bit surprised.
Ronan frowned, determining never to let his gaze light on the bauble again.
Not that she needed such wickedly placed gemstones to draw a man’s attention.
He’d noted her sparkle, as his grandfather called it, outside, in the mist and shadows. Here in the great hall, under the blaze of the torches, she was dazzling.
Possessed of such fire and light that Dare’s infernally cold-flamed torches sparked and flared with heat. Even the candles of a nearby standing candelabrum danced in her wake, those flames, too, giving off a burst of warmth he could feel from several feet away.
Unfortunately, he could also feel other stares.
Already seated at the top of the high table, Valdar lairded it in style, lifting his wine cup in repeated toasts and looking more jovial than Ronan had ever seen him.
The Black Stag sat as if carved of stone, his expression leaving no doubt that he, too, had seen him eyeing the green bauble.
“He didn’t know I have it.” Gelis lifted the chain, twirling a length of it around one finger. “He wouldn’t have approved. I wanted it because Evelina swore it would bewitch a man.”
“Indeed.” Ronan could scarce push the word off his tongue.
“You do not like it?” She let the chain drop. “ Evelina —”
“Whoever the woman is, she should ne’er have given you such a thing.” He looked at her, careful to keep his gaze above her neck. “ ’Tis a siren’s toy.”
“I know.” Gelis laughed.
Ronan frowned. “Do you see the man in the shadows behind the high table? The gaunt one with flowing white hair and a raven painted on his robe?” He indicated the ancient, not surprised to find his stare on them. “That man is Torcaill, and he’s here to bless our union. I do not care to keep him waiting.”
“Neither do I,” she quipped, her dimple flashing. “I am pleased to see you so eager!”
Ronan made a noncommittal humph and offered her his arm. It was the best he could do without telling her that what he was, was eager to be gone from her. A fool could see she’d take great glee in unraveling his plan.
