LORD OF DUNKEATHE by Margaret Moore Page B

Fredella said to wait for her after the mass this morning," Uncle Fergus whispered to Riona. "She'll bring Eleanor to meet us, if she can get her away from that Percival. Let's go over by this pillar, so the vain puppy doesn't see us."
    As they moved, the lord of Dunkeathe started down the aisle toward the door, the sister of the Duke of Ansley on one arm and Lady Joscelind on the other, followed by their male relatives, and Sir Nicholas's steward. It was quite clear neither lady was precisely pleased with this arrangement, and yet each was too outwardly polite and inwardly intent on keeping his favour to show it.
    Then, suddenly, he looked at Riona.
    Holy Mary, Mother of God, it was as if no time at all had passed since last night. As if he was still alone with her in the garden, seducing her with his voice and his eyes and his incredibly passionate kiss.
    To her chagrin, he strolled closer, albeit still with the other two ladies on his arm. "Good morning, my lady, Mac Gordon," he said to them. "I hope you slept well."
    Did he think she was going to blush and stammer and look away?
    The blushing she couldn't help, but it signified the heat of anger, not embarrassment, as she faced the man who'd kissed her in the garden. "I did," she lied. "And you, my lord?"
    "Not very well," he said. "There are too many distractions in Dunkeathe these days."
    He smiled at both women before looking back at her.
    "Perhaps an apothecary can suggest a potion," Riona replied.
    "Aye, that's the trick!" Uncle Fergus cried. "I know one." He rubbed his beard and ruminated. "Well, I used to." He grinned and shrugged his shoulders. "But now that I think of it, it tasted like old boots."
    Sir Nicholas smiled, although there was no warmth or pleasure in his eyes. "Then I shall forego it."
    The ladies at his sides shifted impatiently .
    Sir Nicholas inclined his head in farewell and escorted the ladies from the chapel.
    "Now isn't he a fine fellow?" Uncle Fergus jovially declared as they watched them go. "Fine manners, too. And he likes you, Riona. That's obvious."
    But why? Riona thought with displeasure. Why did Sir Nicholas pay her any attention? If it was only to bed, that was hardly a compliment.
    "Here comes Sir Percival," she murmured, nodding as that nobleman, who was deep in discussion with the Comte D'Ortelieu,
    sauntered down the aisle. Lady Eleanor and Fredella moved toward the statue of the Holy Mother.
    Sir Percival caught her eye. Before she could move away, he came to a halt and smiled with such smug satisfaction , it was all she could do not to curl her lip. "Good morning, my lady. Don't you look fetching today."
    Clearly he seemed to think she would be pleased by his flattery. No doubt he was the sort of man who believed any woman should be delighted by his notice.
    "Thank you," she replied without an ounce of enthusiasm.
    He waited expectantly , until he finally seemed to comprehend that she didn't intend to say anything more.
    With a slight scowl, he turned away from Riona and started walking toward the door again. "Anyway, D'Ortelieu, as I was saying, I told that cobbler I was never going to pay for such shoddy work and he should thank God I didn't have him arrested."
    " Wheest, what a gomeral, " Uncle Fergus muttered as Percival and the comte went out the door. "Looking at him, it's hard to believe the Normans ever conquered England." He shook his head, then grinned at Riona. "Now that he's gone, let's go meet Lady Eleanor."
    Riona gladly joined him as he headed for the two women.
    She expected Lady Eleanor to smile shyly and blush and not meet her gaze, like the timid girl she seemed in the yard and in the hall last night. Instead, Lady Eleanor turned to them with a friendly smile and listened with pleasure in her bright green eyes as Fredella made the introductions.
    "I'm so pleased to meet you," Eleanor said to them both. She turned to Riona. "I've wanted to meet you since I saw you in the courtyard. You looked as if you felt as