Tempted Read Free Page B

grapple. Do ye think ye might be in need of company the nicht?”
    Ada tossed her head so that her earrings swung provocatively. “I might,” she admitted.
    * * *
    When Ada entered Tina’s chamber, she found her before the polished silver mirror with her mouth open and her neck contorted at an odd angle.
    “Let me have a look,” Ada said, picking up a candelabrum.
    Obediently Tina opened her mouth wide and pointed to the back. After a moment Ada said with relief, “It’s a wisdom tooth having a spurt of growth because it’s spring. Thank heaven you didn’t let Butcher Bothwick pull it. A woman should keep her back teeth at all costs. It keeps your face young looking. Once your back teeth are gone, your cheeks fall in to age you terribly.”
    “Thank you, Ada. If I leave it alone, it should be gone soon?”
    “If I were you, I’d be off to bed, and perhaps it will be gone by morning.” Ada wanted what was best for Tina, but at the same time she had her own interests in mind. “Tomorrow is May Day.”
    “Beltane!” Tina said, hugging her arms in anticipation of the Celtic holy day. In daylight the villagers would dance around the maypole, but at night they would have revels and dance about Beltane fires—aye, and do more than dance!
    Tina yawned and lifted a pretty shoulder. She shook out her bedgown and said, “Good night, Ada. I think I’ll take your advice.”
    The minute Ada was through the door, Tina shoved the bedgown back beneath her pillow. “Not bloody likely,” she murmured happily. Tonight was the night that the Gypsies returned to the Valley of Galloway.

Chapter 2
    Degenerate Douglas! Unworthy Lord He!
Hush thee, hush, my little pet ye,
The Black Douglas will not get thee.
    Thirty miles away at Douglas, the Black Ram lay stretched on the floor of the hall, casting dice with his brothers and some of his moss-troopers. The Boozer, his fierce wolfhound, sprawled at his feet before the fire. The flames turned Ram’s swarthy face into planes of light and shadow.
    Ramsay Douglas had saber-sharp cheekbones and pewter-colored eyes with heavy black brows arched above them, giving him the Devil’s own look, and he’d the Devil’s own temper when roused. Tonight, however, he seemed in a mellow enough mood as he lazily cast the dice.
    The noise level in the hall was high but that was usual. The borderers were such a rough and rowdy bunch of lusty rogues, it always sounded like a brawl or a rape. A bagpipe skirled from somewhere on the walls, and Cameron, the youngest Douglas, was singing a bawdy song: “‘Hooray, hooray, the first of May, outdoor fuckin’ starts today.’” The words then became even more grossly indecent, and two of his cousins joined in the chorus.
    The Boozer stood up and stretched, thinking the company sufficiently drunk, it wouldn’t be noticed if he helped himself to the leftovers littering the tables.
    The massive wolfhound stood with great paws on the table, crunching a mutton bone with its razor-sharp teeth. A servitor tried to wave the beast from the board, but the Boozer laid his ears flat and growled deep in his throat.The servant backed off with a filthy epithet, and the dog tipped over a goblet, then lapped up its contents before they had a chance to drip to the floor.
    Gavin, every bit as dark as Ramsay, but handsomer and less dangerous looking, eyed his brother with speculation. “Would ye care tae raise the stakes to make this more interesting?”
    “Why not?” Ram drawled.
    With great audacity Gavin said, “Would ye put up Jenna?”
    Ian and Drummond, captains of Douglas vessels, exchanged swift, apprehensive glances. The Black Douglas wasn’t a man to share anything, let alone a woman who warmed his bed.
    Ram Douglas lifted an amused brow. “Against what?” he asked.
    Gavin’s eyes glittered. “Against my falcon.” He knew Ram admired his beautiful raptor. Ram shrugged. “Why not?”
    Gavin knew Ram had more confidence in his own ability than any man