Page 12 of Edge of Yesterday

Randi slid an arm around his forearm. “After that?” she purred.

“Things will run late, lass.”

The crowd jostled her and she bumped into him, her breasts crushing against his arm.

“Late is the best time of night,” Randi said. “All sorts of naughty things happen in the wee hours of the morning.” She pressed close on his side.

Cailean silently groaned. Her attempt at Scottish vernacular only cheapened her even more.

“I believe you are running late, my lord,” said a cultured English female voice. A brunette dressed in a velvet, medieval noblewoman’s dress halted in front of him.

Cailean frowned and she lifted a brow. “You were supposed to meet us in Lord Ross’ tent. You’ve forgotten, haven’t you?” She shook her head. “Just like a man. A pretty face comes along and all thought flees to his lower regions.”

Cailean suppressed a smile. “Guilty as charged, my lady. Can ye forgive me?”

“Just this once,” she said with such gravity that Cailean almost couldn’t maintain a serious expression. She looked at the women. “You will forgive him, ladies, but our champion has duties.”

“We can come,” Randi began, but the woman shook her head.

“I’m sorry, but that isn’t possible. We cannot have distractions while our knights prepare for the evening performance.”

Randi’s brows dove downward and Cailean feared she would argue.

The brunette slipped a hand into the crook of Cailean’s arm and said, “Come along, my lord,” then pulled him away from the women.

The crowd had thinned enough for them to weave their way toward Val Ross’ tent.

When they were out of earshot of the women, Cailean said, “I owe you a huge debt.”

She looked up at him, eyes alight with amusement, “Yes, you do.”

“I thought I would have to become rude,” he said.

“I thought knights loved sword chasers.”

“In my younger days,” he admitted. “I just don’t have the energy anymore.”

“I imagine you wouldn’t have had to expend much energy with those two. They would have willingly done all the work.”

He laughed, then grimaced. “A terrifying thought.”

This time, she laughed. “You seem to be at home here.”

Cailean nodded. “I almost feel like a real Edger.”

She nodded, but the amusement had vanished from her eyes. “Be careful what you ask for.”

He intended to ask her what she meant, but they reached the tent and she disengaged her arm from his.

Val Ross looked up from his examination of the trophy and met the brunette’s gaze. Something flickered in his eyes. Unease?

“Cailean, I see you’ve met Lady Morgana,” he said.

“Aye,” Cailean said. “She saved me.”

Val paused while moving a trophy. “Saved you?”

“Two female enthusiasts had him cornered,” Lady Morgana said.