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“It will take me a while to comb out my hair and dress, but my appearance is scarcely the problem. What worries me is that I can’t recall the names of your kin, or how closely they are related.”
Readily appreciating just how little she would enjoy the evening, Egan came near to take her hands and lifted her off the bed. “No one will expect you to remember all the names. I’ll simply introduce everyone again and mention whether they are cousin or uncle. If anything, people will regard me as forgetful rather than you.”
Doubting they would be so charitable, Oriana looked down at her feet, caught a glimpse of the toes of his mother’s shoes, and feared she might miss the one person it was imperative to remember. If Adelaine had been murdered to create an opening for Ula to become Cadell’s wife, then surely many in Ula’s family knew of the deed, and they would undoubtedly protect the dark secret with their lives.
This was still not the time to burden Egan with her suspicions, and she chose to confide another logical, if entirely imaginary, reason for any nervousness she would surely display. “I’m so fearful that I’ll say or do the wrong thing, and then you’re the one who’ll be punished.”
Egan studied her expression a long moment, but while convinced she was being forthright, he had to scoff. “Yet with little hesitation, you demanded that I slay Duncan,” he chided. “Where was such charming concern for me then, my dearest?”
Deeply ashamed to have once valued her own life more highly than his, Oriana remembered their original bargain all too well. Sincerely contrite, she spoke in an anguished whisper. “I am so very sorry. It was unforgivable of me.”
Touched, Egan raised her chin with his fingertips. “Nonetheless, I will forgive you, if you’ll forgive me for allowing Duncan to limp away with his life.” He kissed her gently, then ran his hands up and down her arms in a warmly encouraging caress.
Oriana enjoyed his embrace, but she suddenly felt dizzy, as if a jealous god had again grabbed for her. She had to slip her arms around his waist and cling to him for support. Damn the Otherworld! She would not leave Egan until she absolutely had to go.
Alarmed by the strength of her embrace, he smoothed her hair away from her face. “Oriana, are you ill?”
“Merely light-headed,” she lied. “Perhaps because I can’t seem to eat here.”
Egan immediately blamed himself for not taking better care of her and guided her back to his bed. “Sit down. I’ll fetch your brush and untangle your curls. Then while you dress, I’ll bring some bread and cheese to take the edge off your hunger. At tonight’s feast, I’ll be awarded the champion’s portion of the boar, and you’ll share it with me.”
“Aye, my lord, as you wish,” Oriana promised, but when he leaned down to kiss her, she lost what little interest she’d had in food.
Once dressed and fortified with bread and cheese, Oriana took Egan’s arm as they left his chamber. “This morning, Albyn guessed who I really am. Did he tell you?”
“No, he lacked the time.”
“That’s our problem too, isn’t it?” Oriana teased.
Egan patted her hand. “We’ll eat quickly and see that the wine is poured freely. With the promise of another challenge, everyone will be as eager as we are to get to bed early.”
Oriana regarded him with mock dismay. “Oh, I doubt that, my lord.”
That she could now be so hungry for his loving filled him with wonder; he began to worry that she might expect more than he could possibly provide. He had not once worried about disappointing any other woman, but none had been as dear to him as Oriana. Believing such a delicate subject was best left until they could investigate it fully, he gave her an enthusiastic kiss and again led the way down the stairs.
When they reached the great hall, Oriana coiled her arm tightly around Egan’s to draw upon his strength. She focused her attention upon remembering names, but at the same time, she took care not to look at anyone directly and arouse suspicion about her unusual eyes.
She was still horribly uncomfortable to be the object of so much curiosity, but then she had never anticipated spending so many hours surrounded by mortals who despised her. Sustained by Egan’s presence, she was able to affect a confidence she did not feel, but she was surprised to receive many welcoming smiles among the puzzled frowns.
What sparked her curiosity, however, was how Madi, rather than being pressed against Kieran that night, stood sulking beside her father, Skell. The more Oriana saw of the man, the more he resembled Garrick, whom she watched move through the crowded hall with stealth.
“Something’s come between Madi and Kieran,” Oriana whispered on their way from one cluster of cousins to the next. “What can it be?”
“How should I know?” Egan joked. “Neither confides in me, but if a quarrel will serve to distract him, so much the better.”
“I fear I distract you,” Oriana whispered.
“Terribly, and it’s all I can do not to ravish you right here in front of everyone.”
Albyn approached in time to overhear Egan’s last remark, and he swiftly took Oriana’s side. “While such a barbaric display would undoubtedly enhance your reputation, my lord, it would irrevocably damage your lady’s, so I must advise against it.”
“I need no advice where Oriana’s welfare is concerned,” Egan countered almost too sharply.
As the two friends began an exchange of good-natured barbs, Oriana gazed out over the great hall. While she knew it was foolhardy, she attempted to envision the reception she would receive in five years, or ten, or even twenty when her sons’ laughter would mingle with the other young men’s. She had a lively imagination, but such promising images refused to come clear. Perhaps that meant she would have only daughters whom Egan would forbid to attend such boisterous feasts.
Or, as she feared, she had no real future there with Egan. Her thoughts strayed to Adelaine, and she squeezed Egan’s arm. “I don’t recall meeting any of your mother’s people. Are any here tonight?”
With a height advantage over most of the men in the hall, Egan made a quick survey. “My uncle Yowan is standing near the hearth. Do you see anyone else, Albyn?”
