Highland Vampire Read Online Free PDF Page B

ken."
    "Ah, of course." It was yet another reason to tame her infatuation with Jankyn. If they wed, when she traveled to see her kinsmen, she would undoubtedly do it alone or risk losing her man to a hastily built pyre in some village.
    "Father has discovered a few missing pieces in his lines, a few mysteries. He looks for answers. He begins to wonder if he is truly as pure-blooded as he was told. One thing that stirred his curiosity was how I am—more Outsider than Pureblood. 'Tis true that a mating of the two produces varied offspring, but I am more akin to my mother than my father in too many ways. That is unusual."
    Efrica was unable to stop herself from being intrigued. Was Jankyn not a full MacNachton? Could he be more akin to his laird than to the ones who spent most of their long, long lives in the caves beneath Cambrun? It did not matter, she told herself firmly. He was more one of the cave dwellers than his laird was. More feral, more a creature of the night. There may be more Outsider blood in him than he thought, but it had obviously been well cowed by that of the pure-blooded MacNachtons. David may be more like his mother, but he still suffered some beneath the sun and still had a taste for blood, even a need.
    Once she had left David at his chamber, Efrica sought her own. She was a little surprised to find Barbara there. Although they shared the chamber, Barbara was more often out than in.
    "Looking for me?" Efrica asked as she moved toward the basin of water to wash her hands.
    Barbara turned a little in the chair she sat in, warming her feet by the fire. "Nay, although I did wonder where ye had gone. I but grew weary of listening to the gossip of women, useful though it can be."
    "I think ye begin to miss your husband." Efrica poured herself a tankard of cider and sat in the chair facing Barbara. "We can leave, ye ken."
    "Nay. I do miss him and my bairns, but we shall linger here for a while longer. The finding of a husband for ye isnae something one can do quickly. Ye have stirred interest. Best to give it more time."
    Efrica grimaced and drank some of her cider. "I could weel do without some of that interest." She brushed a clinging rose petal from the skirts of her elaborately embroidered blue gown. "Those two swine who attacked me are out of hiding again."
    "Have they troubled ye?"
    "Nay, save that they make my skin crawl. They humbly begged my pardon, blaming drink for their crimes against me, and I gave it. A quick exchange of lies and polite smiles. E'en Lady Eleanor has begged my pardon, proclaiming herself appalled that her innocent, friendly suggestion caused me such trouble."
    "How did she ken it caused ye trouble?"
    "A good question. I ne'er told anyone save ye and ye would ne'er tell. Nor would Jankyn." Efrica stared into the fire. "I believe she aided those two, was fully aware of their intentions."
    "Best to avoid all three."
    "I try. Lachlan and Thomas I can avoid without raising questions. 'Tis a little more difficult to avoid Lady Eleanor if she doesnae wish to be avoided. Whore she may be, but she is a verra highborn, rich whore who has many a powerful friend. Most of them men, of course. She willnae trick me again, howe'er." Thinking of how the woman had questioned her about Jankyn and the MacNachtons, Efrica frowned. "Her interest in Jankyn is verra keen."
    "I believe they were lovers for a brief while, but nay since we arrived. Indeed, nay since a long time before."
    That was something Efrica wished her cousin had not told her, although she had suspected it. "She obviously doesnae consider the affair over. Judging by some of her questions, she is also wondering if I am to blame for Jankyn's sudden loss of interest. Then again, from what ye say, 'tisnae sudden." She shrugged. "It doesnae matter. She need but look about and she will see that I have naught to do with it."
    "I dinnae like the sound of that. Be verra careful around the woman, Effie. Verra, verra careful."
    "Oh, I intend to be.