had curtain walls running between them to form a triangle. Behind them the hills rose at steep angles, making it impossible to bring a horse down the slopes. That left only the main approach to the fortification, and that was narrow and facing the first tower. With the curtain walls running back at an angle to the other towers, it formed a wedge that looked inaccessible.
“Well then, mistress, up inside with ye.”
There was a challenge in Pherson Dalry’s tone. There was also a hint of anticipation, as if the man would enjoy her resistance. Casting a look back at him, she noticed how much larger he was than herself, but there was no twist of excitement in her belly, only the warm flicker of frustration. She savored that frustration for it held off despair. But not completely.
Her gaze moved over the valley that led up to the fortress, and she cringed when she realized there was no way to force Dalry to give her up. The despair flowed freely around her attempt to ignore it, flooding her and reminding her that the most logical thing for Hayden to do would be to leave her.
Chapter 4
Pherson’s sisters were amusing.
In fact, they were by far the best entertainment that Elspeth could recall seeing in some time.
Tavia and Daracha were both beautiful. They knew it too. That was what made it so much fun to watch while they needled their brother in the most subtle ways—long looks from their eyes with flutters of lashes to complete the moment. They moved in an almost hypnotic fashion, their walk polished and perfected. The moment they entered the main hall, every man there turned to watch them. The sisters didn’t rush but made their way down the main aisle looking as if they were striding into court.
They were certainly dressed for that role. Both wore damask. Fabric was expensive but damask was so pricey, noble families sometimes bankrupted themselves in order to outfit their sons and daughters for court. Tavia was a blonde with rare green eyes, and her gown was made of blue and topaz with velvet edging it. Her sister Daracha had the same coloring as her brother, midnight hair and blue eyes. She wore a dark green that was woven with sapphire blue and edged with sable brown.
They promenaded up the aisle with chins perfectly level and their slim fingers held in front of their stomachers to show off how long and lovely they were. Their hair was held up high on the top of their heads, leaving their necks on display, and the men watching looked as if they approved. Both sank into deep curtsies, remaining there.
“Enough.” Pherson watched his sisters from narrowed eyes. They both stood and fluttered their eyelashes. Their brother groaned.
“What are ye doing wearing those gowns? Ye’re not at court yet.”
Tavia smiled sweetly. “Oh, but, dearest brother, we must practice walking and dancing in them. How else shall we keep from shaming you?”
Pherson ground his teeth. “Well, I’ve got a guest for you to see to so get those overpriced gowns off and save them for when ye are at court. Take her to the bathing house since I do nae think she’ll fancy me doing it.”
Elspeth snorted at Pherson. He turned and raised one eyebrow mockingly.
“Would ye prefer to be my prisoner, lass? In which case, ye’ll think yer current condition clean compared to how ye will be in a few weeks being kept in the dungeon.”
“We do not have a dungeon, brother.” Tavia offered her comment with soft tone.
Her brother snarled. “Why does every thought ye have sail right out of yer mouth the moment you think it?”
Daracha lifted her chin and sent an innocent look toward her brother. “Forgive us, brother, we were shocked to hear you threaten a woman. You have always kept yer battling between men, and we have never had reason to think you cruel toward a helpless woman.”
“She’s not helpless. She jumped into a spring swollen river and came out living, so don’t be telling me she lacks strength.”
There wasn’t a
“Well then, mistress, up inside with ye.”
There was a challenge in Pherson Dalry’s tone. There was also a hint of anticipation, as if the man would enjoy her resistance. Casting a look back at him, she noticed how much larger he was than herself, but there was no twist of excitement in her belly, only the warm flicker of frustration. She savored that frustration for it held off despair. But not completely.
Her gaze moved over the valley that led up to the fortress, and she cringed when she realized there was no way to force Dalry to give her up. The despair flowed freely around her attempt to ignore it, flooding her and reminding her that the most logical thing for Hayden to do would be to leave her.
Chapter 4
Pherson’s sisters were amusing.
In fact, they were by far the best entertainment that Elspeth could recall seeing in some time.
Tavia and Daracha were both beautiful. They knew it too. That was what made it so much fun to watch while they needled their brother in the most subtle ways—long looks from their eyes with flutters of lashes to complete the moment. They moved in an almost hypnotic fashion, their walk polished and perfected. The moment they entered the main hall, every man there turned to watch them. The sisters didn’t rush but made their way down the main aisle looking as if they were striding into court.
They were certainly dressed for that role. Both wore damask. Fabric was expensive but damask was so pricey, noble families sometimes bankrupted themselves in order to outfit their sons and daughters for court. Tavia was a blonde with rare green eyes, and her gown was made of blue and topaz with velvet edging it. Her sister Daracha had the same coloring as her brother, midnight hair and blue eyes. She wore a dark green that was woven with sapphire blue and edged with sable brown.
They promenaded up the aisle with chins perfectly level and their slim fingers held in front of their stomachers to show off how long and lovely they were. Their hair was held up high on the top of their heads, leaving their necks on display, and the men watching looked as if they approved. Both sank into deep curtsies, remaining there.
“Enough.” Pherson watched his sisters from narrowed eyes. They both stood and fluttered their eyelashes. Their brother groaned.
“What are ye doing wearing those gowns? Ye’re not at court yet.”
Tavia smiled sweetly. “Oh, but, dearest brother, we must practice walking and dancing in them. How else shall we keep from shaming you?”
Pherson ground his teeth. “Well, I’ve got a guest for you to see to so get those overpriced gowns off and save them for when ye are at court. Take her to the bathing house since I do nae think she’ll fancy me doing it.”
Elspeth snorted at Pherson. He turned and raised one eyebrow mockingly.
“Would ye prefer to be my prisoner, lass? In which case, ye’ll think yer current condition clean compared to how ye will be in a few weeks being kept in the dungeon.”
“We do not have a dungeon, brother.” Tavia offered her comment with soft tone.
Her brother snarled. “Why does every thought ye have sail right out of yer mouth the moment you think it?”
Daracha lifted her chin and sent an innocent look toward her brother. “Forgive us, brother, we were shocked to hear you threaten a woman. You have always kept yer battling between men, and we have never had reason to think you cruel toward a helpless woman.”
“She’s not helpless. She jumped into a spring swollen river and came out living, so don’t be telling me she lacks strength.”
There wasn’t a
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