Susan King - [Celtic Nights 03] Read Online Free PDF

she whispered.
    Friend, he thought. She did not suspect. He would keep his heart guarded, as he must for now, and he would see where her own heart lay when he returned. If she still waited for him, and truly desired him, it would be heaven's own grace in his life.
    "Go on, then," he told her. She hastened ahead, beckoning to him. Loath to see her leave so soon, he followed.
    * * *
    As the horn sounded again, Eva turned to Lachlann. "If they see us together, will they think—"
    "Not those two," he assured her wryly.
    She hesitated, her heart still tumbling within her. "Lachlann, I... I am sorry to bother you with my silliness."
    "Do not fret over it." He said no more than that, though she waited. Her heart sank like a stone.
    She whirled and hurried ahead, feeling her cheeks heat with embarrassment—and with a yearning that would not lessen. She had hoped for more than friendship from him, but that was all he would offer her. She would not plague him for more. Crossing the stand of trees that divided the two beaches, she did not look back, though she knew Lachlann followed her.
    Simon turned to see her, while Donal replaced the ram's horn on a tree limb. Her brothers loped toward her with lean animal grace, their long legs, dark heads, and wrapped plaids much alike in the darkness.
    "There you are!" Simon spoke impatiently, but she heard his concern. "You were not where we left you, and we saw Alpin's boat coming over the water."
    "I went for a walk," Eva said.
    "I am glad you are with her, Lachlann," Donal said. "She is safe with you. On Beltane, unmarried girls should take care, or find themselves having to wed quickly." He grinned.
    "The man who wants to wed me is not here, is he," Eva said irritably. She would not look at Lachlann, though she felt his gaze steady and sober on her.
    Hearing splashes, she looked toward the loch. A yellow spark floated over the dark water, and a boat emerged, with a lantern hanging from a pole. The golden haze expanded as Alpin rowed to the shore. "Is it you, young MacArthurs?" he called.
    "It is," Donal replied. "Eva and Lachlann are with us."
    They walked close to the water's frothy hem. Alpin beached the prow, his broad shoulders and the wild white halo of his hair silhouetted in the light. "Into the boat with you," he said, waving. "Hurry, for it is late and I am an old man." He helped Eva over the side, and she sat on one of the cross benches. While her brothers boarded the low craft, Alpin peered at Lachlann.
    "Blacksmith's lad, I will not ferry you this time of night!"
    "I only came to say farewell to the MacArthurs, and to you, Alpin MacDewar."
    "Ah. Luck to you in France, lad. We will pray for your safety. Now go home—foolish to be out on so dark a night." Shaking his head, Alpin sat, and the boat rocked.
    "Farewell to all," Lachlann said. "Eva," he added quietly.
    "God speed you well," she murmured, glancing at him. She could not look away. The lantern light poured like bronze over his black hair and wide shoulders. The need to be in his arms again was so strong it tugged at her like a wild thing.
    Alpin picked up the oars. "Did you stay with your brothers and cousins, as you were told to do this night?" he asked her. "Or did you wander and get into mischief, as is your wont?"
    She frowned under his stern, affectionate gaze.
    "Eva was with Lachlann," Simon answered. "She was safe."
    "Ach, and is that safe on Beltane?" the old man muttered.
    "Alpin," Eva scolded.
    "Lachlann loves Eva like a sister," Simon said.
    "Is it so?" Alpin growled.
    "How else would it be?" Lachlann asked.
    "Give us a shove, blacksmith," Alpin said. "Do not stand there looking like a sheep."
    Lachlann pushed at the prow, and the boat floated backward. Alpin pulled on the oars and moved the craft into the darkness and the mist. Within moments Eva could hardly see the shore, though she saw the pale blur of Lachlann's shirt where he stood in the shallows a long while.
    Her body still thrummed, her breath was