Whistle Down the Wind (Mystic Moon) (10 page)

Aelwyd
pushed her sister in the direction of their rooms before turning. “If you do
anything to dishonor her, Sir Reynolds, you shall certainly wish you were given
the opportunity to fight a duel with me.”

The threat
wasn't filled with venom or malice. To the contrary, she spoke softly, which
only added to the rebuke. The hackles on the back of his neck rose.

Griffin
bowed to Aelwyd in deference. “I assure you, Missus, I have only the utmost
respect for your sister. I would never do anything to harm her or her
reputation.”

She frowned
back at him. “It is not her reputation that worries me overmuch, Sir Reynolds,
it is her heart. She is young and vulnerable, which means she could easily be
misled by the likes of you.” She folded her arms over her bosom, her lips
thinned into a look of disdain.

Griffin
inclined his head slightly. “I give my word of honor that I have taken no
liberties with your sister.”

Aelwyd’s
mouth formed a sour expression as she scrutinized him. “I believe I just
witnessed what appears to be at least one liberty, Sir Reynolds.”

He cringed
at the truth of her words. “I assure you, my intentions towards Catlin are most
honorable.”

She sighed
deeply. “I believe you do have the best of intentions, Sir Reynolds, but as we
all know, the road to hell is paved with such.”

The eldest
Glyndwr sister turned and swept from the small alcove before he could compose a
response, leaving the spicy scent of cinnamon in her wake.

He pulled on
his doublet to remove the wrinkles left on the garment when he held Catlin
within his arms. Despite the warning he’d received from Aelwyd, he had no
intention of giving up on his pursuit of Catlin Glyndwr. He found her
irresistible, and he wanted to get to know her better, despite threats from the
vixen who guarded her virtue like a harpy.

Catlin was a
mystery that Griffin intended to explore fully, thoroughly and completely.

Chapter Eight

“I really
don’t understand why you’re making such a fuss over an innocent little kiss.”
Catlin flopped down upon the heavily embroidered silk coverlet of the bed. She
traced the intricate pattern of peacocks, palm trees and golden sunsets. “I
think he must have an immense talent for kissing, because I enjoyed it very
much.”

Aelwyd
snorted. “And how would you know such a thing, since I cannot believe you’ve had
enough experience at the task to compare one man’s skill against another?” She
stood at the end of the bed with her arms folded across her bosom and she gave
a mocking laugh.

Catlin stuck
her tongue out at her sister. “At least I didn’t marry an old man who could not
have been good for much of anything, most especially kissing.”

Aelwyd’s
face paled and her lips thinned.

Catlin
immediately regretted the bluntness of her remark. She sat up. “I’m sorry,
Aelwyd, that was a cruel and thoughtless thing to say.”

Aelwyd's
emerald green eyes snapped and she fisted her hands at her waist. “It is
especially mean since you know William was not my choice for a husband, but
that of our father. My marriage was arranged to protect all of us.”

Catlin
climbed down from the high four-poster bed. She was contrite as she offered her
apology. “I know,” she confessed, “but I do so enjoy kissing Sir Reynolds, that
being told I cannot do so is like telling me I shall never have plum pudding
again. It seems most unfair.”

Aelwyd gave
a deep sigh and finally smiled at Catlin’s mournful plea.

“So, his
kiss is as sweet as plum pudding,” Aelwyd cajoled, “then I’d say ’tis most
sweet indeed! Perhaps I shall try kissing him, just to see if you are correct.”
She tossed her head. “You know, I do have a great fondness for plum pudding.”

A surge of
jealousy flashed through Catlin, even though she knew her sister was teasing.
“I vow, since I’m forbidden from kissing the man, if I catch you doing so, I’ll
make it rain in your bed.” She paused. “I shall douse your fire dragons!”

Aelwyd
sighed. “Neither of us shall be indulging in kissing, or any sort of antics,
with any gentleman. At least not until I sort out the image I saw in my scrying
mirror. Is that understood?”

Catlin
nodded, although she did so with great reluctance. She shivered at Aelwyd’s
reminder of the vision she’d seen in her smoky mirror that might reflect images
of the future.

A dark and
dangerous stranger had appeared, and Aelwyd had experienced a feeling of
extreme peril while gazing into the mirror. Most frightening was the sense that
they were all in danger. The menace Catlin felt when the Witch Hunter attacked
her combined with the warning Catlin received from her mother while in Dream
Time forced her to agree with Aelwyd’s precautions.

Aelwyd held
up a hand. “Enough has been said.” She waved a hand to indicate the space
around them. “Sometimes these old houses have ears in the most interesting
places.”

Catlin
understood the warning. Too much said about magic or witchcraft with a servant
eavesdropping behind a chamber door or secret panel could send them both to the
gallows.

“We have an
opportunity to take advantage of the young earl’s gratitude. His father, Lord
Shrewsbury, is an important man who has the King’s ear. Perhaps we can prevail
upon Lord Cranbourne to take up our cause and intercede upon our behalf. It is
even possible he might convince his father to carry our petition to His
Majesty.”

“But Mam
said our destiny does not lie within Cymru or Britain. She told me it lies
beyond the sea in the New World.”

“You spoke
with Mam?” Aelwyd paused in her stalking across the floor, frozen to a spot in
the middle of the carpet.

Catlin
squirmed uncomfortably for a few moments before puffing out her chest with
pride. “Yes, during the Dream Time. She told me I must find a way to travel to
the colony of Virginia because our future depends upon it.”

“Those were
her exact words?” Aelwyd crept across the carpet like a cat stalking its prey.
“
You
must go to Virginia?” Her voice was just above a whisper.

Catlin
fidgeted for a few moments longer. “Well, I believe that was truly what she
meant. She said our destiny lies across the sea in the New World.”

“It’s a very
big place, across the sea to the New World.” Aelwyd said.

“Mam wasn’t
specific regarding the exact place, geographically speaking.” Catlin raised her
eyes to stare at the ceiling. “But I’m sure Virginia is what she meant.”

“Geographically
speaking, that’s an interesting conjecture,” offered Aelwyd. “And most
opportune since I heard Sir Reynolds is planning to sail there soon.”

“Perhaps
that is what she meant about destiny.” Catlin smiled sweetly. “It cannot be
simple coincidence that he happened to arrive at the gaol just when I needed
him.”

Her sister
tapped her fingers on the foot of the carved wooden bedstead. She lifted her
head and her gaze speared her younger sister. “Do not delude yourself with
dreams about this man, Catlin. He cannot be trusted.”

Catlin
tossed her head and narrowed her eyes. “You’re wrong, Aelwyd. I would trust my
life to Sir Reynolds, and you can, too.”

Aelwyd
shoved back away from the bed, shook her head and the fiery red-gold waves of
her hair tumbled down her back. Small flames lit her jade eyes with amber
highlights.

“I shall
never again be foolish enough to trust any man with such a treasure.” She
pointed at Catlin. “’Twould be wise for you to learn the same lesson without as
much heartache as I have borne.” Aelwyd opened the door and stormed out of the
chamber, leaving her sister sitting in bewilderment, confused by her angry
outburst.

Catlin
dressed with exquisite care, for she rarely had the opportunity to be in the
company of young men, much less handsome gentlemen. Since arriving in
Shrewsbury, she and her younger sisters had remained isolated within the
confines of Aelwyd’s house and shop, venturing out only for short errands.

Catlin shook
out the folds of the pale blue satin gown and admired the intricate lace that
trimmed the scooped neckline and full sleeves. She had begged Aelwyd to design
a dress with pieces of lace insert, but the trim was all her sister would
allow. Lace was a dear luxury unnecessary for the wardrobe of a country lass.

Still, when
the maid who had been loaned to them finished fastening the ribbons of the
heavily embroidered bodice over the dress, Catlin was pleased.

Aelwyd had
insisted on returning home with several footmen to bring back a trunk packed
with a suitable wardrobe for their visit to Mabley Manor.

Sir Reynolds
couldn’t help but notice her tonight, for she had taken pains to brush her hair
to a glossy sheen before the maid arranged the unruly curls upon her head. The silver
bodkins inserted in her coiffure should hold the arrangement in place for the
evening.

The maid
fastened her most precious piece of jewelry about her neck. The sapphire and
diamond necklace reflected the color of her eyes, and she smiled again as she
added the matching earbobs.

Catlin stood
to turn in several directions to gauge the effect of her multiple petticoats.
She had no intention of heeding her sister’s advice to avoid Sir Reynolds
tonight.

She tilted
her head to see her reflection in the hand mirror, only to catch Aelwyd’s
expression as she crept up behind her.

“I shall
most certainly be forced to guard your virtue this evening, for it seems you
have put a small price upon a very worthy prize.”

Catlin
grabbed her gloves, slowly pulled them onto her fingers, and adjusted their
length upon her arms. “’Tis only flirting, sister. I am a young woman and yet
can hardly dream of marrying a wealthy merchant and attending court, as you
did. My dreams must be of marrying a much simpler man of more common
background. It cannot hurt to enjoy one evening of pleasure in so handsome a
company as Sir Reynolds and Lord Cranbourne.”

Aelwyd
heaved a great sigh. “You are right, my dear. Since coming to live with me
you've all been forced to hide away like novices in one of the old nunneries.”
She grimaced. “It is not a circumstance I would have wished upon you, but
there's little I can do in times such as these.”

She turned,
her dark black velvet gown sweeping the floor. Despite her mourning garb, the
cut of her gown was exquisite and the fabric was of a soft and delicate weave.
The emeralds that circled her neck and hung from her ears were a perfect hue to
compliment her fiery tresses.

The two
women exited the suite of rooms and proceeded down the hallway to the large oak
stairway.  They paused on the staircase when they discovered Lord Cranbourne
and Sir Reynolds gazing up at them. Both men wore wide grins.

“Our
Goddesses return, Griffin. Let us worship them with our most outrageous
compliments, richest food, and a liberal share of spirits.” Lord Cranbourne
bowed to them as they descended.

When the two
women reached the bottom, Lord Cranbourne extended his arm to Catlin. “Might I
have the honor of escorting you to the dining room, Miss Glyndwr?”

Aelwyd
frowned at the breach of etiquette, for as the eldest sister the host should
have offered to be her escort. Sir Reynolds cleared his throat and then turned
to Aelwyd.

“Goodness, Cranbourne,
in your rush you’ve overlooked the crown jewel of this assemblage.” He bowed to
Aelwyd. “Missus ap Pryd, I would be most honored to escort you to the table.”

Griffin gave
Lord Cranbourne a dark glower.

Lord Cranbourne
seemed momentarily baffled as he covered one of Catlin’s hands with his own,
and then shrugged. “I’ve been away from the niceties of court life too long and
I forget the rules of gentlemanly conduct. Of course, I should be delighted to
escort both of these beautiful ladies to the table.”

He offered
his other arm to Aelwyd, and they proceeded in the direction of the dining
room, leaving Griffin standing alone at the foot of the staircase.

Catlin
twisted her head slightly to look back at Griffin. He shot her a wide, devilish
grin that displayed his perfect white teeth. She shivered at the voracious look
he gave her, and then turned away to find her older sister studying the
exchange between them.

Aelwyd's
brow wrinkled and her expression hardened into a cold mask. Catlin resisted the
urge to stick out her tongue in defiance. Instead, she turned back to Lord Cranbourne
to bestow what she hoped was her most gracious and dazzling smile upon him.

“I hope you
are planning a long stay with us, Miss Glyndwr.” Lord Cranbourne said.

Catlin
shrugged and leaned toward him, letting her scent of sweet herbs and roses
drift up to entice him even more. “We shall see how long you can endure our
company, my Lord. Since you have only recently recovered your health, I hope we
do not tire you overmuch.”

Lord Cranbourne
gently raised her gloved hand to his lips. “I cannot imagine any tonic more
healing then two such lovely women in my home.” He kissed her hand. When he
lifted his head a bright smile slowly spread across his face. “In fact, you
have not only restored my health, but the very presence of such charming ladies
has lifted my dark spirits to make me giddy with the delight of your company. 

“And after
dinner, perhaps we can enjoy some games. It has been ages since I have played at
cards.” He called over his shoulder, “What say you, Sir Reynolds, are you
willing to roll the dice and take your chances with our lovely guests this
evening.”

“You know
I’m always willing to tempt the fates,” Griffin said. “But you would be wise to
guard your treasure well, for I’m inclined to steal it away from you.”

Catlin
turned to see a feral glow in his eyes that kindled a heated response and
burned to her very core. She shivered again, enticed by the way his gaze slowly
rolled down her body, then back to focus upon her mouth.

She licked
her lips as his eyes grew darker and sultrier. She knew she played a dangerous
game, yet the man tempted and captivated her like no other before him. As she
swept toward the dining room, Catlin understood exactly how a wild rabbit felt
when a great hawk swooped above it. Beautiful to behold, but deadly to
encounter.

Was Sir
Griffin Reynolds the dangerous stranger who meant to harm her and her sisters?

Catlin
didn’t want to stay away from Griffin. Despite her sister’s warning and
Catlin’s own promise, she had to figure out her mysterious attraction to the
man. She most certainly couldn’t do that by avoiding him.