The Key Read Online Free PDF Page B

it here,
     Aelfread.”
    “I said I would wear the cream-colored one,” Iliana snapped sharply as the shorter of her
     tormentors moved forward.
    “The white one is nicer.” “I like the cream one better.” “My brother will like the white
     one.”
    “I do not care what your brother” Iliana cut her own words off as Lady Seonaid went still.
     Had she offended her? Angering the Amazon who towered over her was something Iliana was
     not quite brave enough to do. Iliana was a little above average height at five-foot-six,
     but Lady Seonaid was a good five inches taller and quite a bit stronger. She also seemed
     the rough-and-tumble type. A barbarian like the rest of these people Iliana thought
     irritably, then frowned when Seonaid continued to simply stare at her.
    “What is it?” she asked stiltedly when the silence became unbearable.
    “You...” Seonaid gestured helplessly unable to say that 'twas the other woman's figure
     that had her attention. 'Twas the type of figure she herself had longed for as a teen, all
     soft curves and plains.
    “Oh, give me the blasted gown,” Iliana snapped in exasperation, reaching out to rip the
     sheer gown from Aelfread's hands. 'Twas a drafty old castle and she'd had enough of this
     ridiculousness.
    She donned the gown as Seonaid watched, and then the woman turned to the door. “Get ye
     into bed. Aelfread and I'll go see what is takin' the men so long.”
    Iliana nibbled at her lip as she watched the women go, then whirled to face Ebba. “Fetch
     me that belt Francesco gave Papa. Tis in the chest this gown was in.”
    Ebba's eyes widened in honor. “Oh no, my lady. You can not wear that contraption.”
    Iliana's expression darkened. “I can and I will. Fetch it.”
    The maid hesitated briefly, then did as she was told. Finding the item, she grimaced with
     distaste as she held it out to her.
    Iliana took the leather belt sadly. Lord Wildwood had always endeavored to bring back odd
     and exotic gifts from his travels. This was one of the oddest. He had gained two of the
     belts on his last trip toItaly. Her father had laughed heartily as he had produced one for
     both his wife and daughter, explaining it to them as he did. They were an invention of his
     friend, Francesco Carraro. He'd called them "belts to
    maintain chastity."
    Iliana shook her head as she thought of the man. She had no idea what would make him
     create the silly thing. 'Twas a belt made of thick leather, but with a wide center strap
     that attached to it at the back, then slid between the thighs and was fastened to the belt
     in the front by a metal lock. It looked most uncomfortable.
    Undoing the lock, Iliana let the center strap chop to hang and worried her lip as she
     exarmned the ridiculous thing. Then, stiffening her resolve, she grimaced and yanked her
     gown up to fasten it on. 'Twas an awkward trick to manage. She had to grab at the strap
     hanging behind her and draw it up between her legs.
    Locking it into place, she nodded her satisfaction, then peered at the key. What to do
     with that?
    She peered around the room briefly, then glanced up at the bed drapes. Giving a shrug, she
     tossed it atop them, checked to be sure 'twas not obvious through the heavy cloth, then
     scampered into bed as the boisterous sound of approaching voices warned of her husband's
     imminent arrival.

The Key

Chapter Three
    Blushing brightly, Iliana watched as her husband was carried into the room by a bunch of
     men, laughing loudly and jesting in Gaelic. She was momentarily glad she couldn't
     understand them. Angus Dunbar was at the head of the group. Winking at her, he ordered the
     men to setDuncanon the ground; then they all began removing his clothes.
    Iliana's eyes became great, round holes in her head as they removed his plaid and then the
     long shirt he had worn beneath it. Her mother had prepared Iliana well for her wedding
     night and had even given her an idea of