"All too true," sighed Maggie, and she glanced at Phelan. "A life they dutifully train the wee lads to. I fear for me Angus each time he rides away. 'Tis hard tae watch him go when I ken he may ne'er come back alive."
" 'Tis the Eldons he rides against more oft than not, yet ye seem to befriend Lord Eldon's very daughter."
"But, Lady Helen," Phelan spoke up, "could that not be because she knows that Storm suffers the like when her men ride against the MacLagans? Sure 'n' there's naught either of them can do to stop the battles."
"Aye," Maggie agreed. " 'Tis a thing that gies us a bond strong enough tae overcome who we are."
"That I can understand." Lady Helen studied the delicate English girl seated across from her. "I must ask it, though it be forward, mayhaps impertinent, but curiosity compels me. Ye have been here a number of weeks and most of those with Tavis. Living with him in such, er, intimacy," she blushed, "is there not a chance that ye could fall in love with the man?"
Smiling crookedly, Storm replied, "Every chance in this world, m'lady. 'Tis the one thing I fear," she added, feeling no need to point out that it had occurred a long time past.
Maggie adroitly turned the conversation to matters of household and fashion. Seeing that some of the men were now standing about in groups, Phelan slipped away to join them. It was not long after his escape that Maggie also departed, for she was nursing her new son and it was nearly feeding time again. Storm found herself alone with Lady Helen and soon saw that the ways of polite conversation differed little either side of the border. A woman of the Scottish court, Lady Helen had an abundance of idle chatter.
When Alexander MacDubh strolled over and Lady Helen moved away to join her husband Storm was less than pleased. The man had so much in his favor that he overwhelmed her. She did not like the feeling. As she looked to Tavis for rescue, she frowned, for she had sensed that he had been watching her yet he was now apparently unaware of her presence. She edged away from Alexander as he sat down close to her.
Tavis was fully aware of Storm's presence, where she was and who she was with. Since Mary, he and Alexander had shared the favors of many women. The contest had been to see who could gain access first, a contest they were virtually tied in, or to see if one could draw a woman from the arms of the other. Since Mary, Tavis had found Alex's knowledge of his women, whether before, during or after his own use of them, only an annoyance until now. Now, for reasons he refused to clearly acknowledge, it meant more than it even had with Mary.
"How do you find the way of life upon this side of the border, m'lady?" Alex asked, leaning closer to her.
Storm felt his smooth, deep voice caress her and almost smiled, for the man was a perfect instrument of seduction. " 'Tis little different from what on the English side.
People and their manners differ little if at all."
"Nevertheless, ye will be glad to return to your own home."
"Would not anyone in my position?" she asked smoothly.
"Exactly what is your position, Mistress Eldon?" His gaze moved over her in a subtle caress.
"I think ye are well aware of what it is, sir." She wished he were not so close, but had no more room upon the settee to move away and could not be so rude as to suddenly stand up, at least not yet.
"You are a hostage who is treated much like a guest. It makes for some confusion, ye must admit."
"I see none. I can hardly pose a threat to a strong man. There is little chance that I will try to fight my way out of here or take a hostage myself. The chains may be invisible but they are there."
"Mayhaps the chains are not only those of a captor but of a lover," he said softly.
"Ye step out of bounds, sir. Hostage or nay, I am still a lady and should be tendered respect."
Alex smiled slightly, for here was one that was out of the ordinary. She was in a position that should rob her of dignity, yet she had it in force. There was also no coyness in her. She did not blush or try to deny what everyone knew, but simply pointed out his tactlessness in mentioning it.
"I merely wish to be sure that what I hear is correct, for I thought to offer you an alternative."
"I think ye needed no confirmation, but tell me of your alternative. Curiosity abounds."
"The MacDubhs are friends and connections of the MacLagans. Ones of long standing. I could speak to Colin, convince him that you would be better off in our keeping."
"Would I?" She mused idly that it was most unfair for one young man to have so much in his favor.
"You would be treated as the lady you are, one of high birth and breeding. I would ever be the gentleman."
"Think ye that Tavis does not treat me as a lady?" Somehow she felt there was more to his offer than a wish for her company or to shelter her from harsh treatment, but she could not guess what it was.
"I think not for, let us be open with each other, m'lady, he has brought dishonor to you."
Briefly she thought about putting the man in his place but decided it was absurd to act as if she and Tavis were not sharing a bed since all knew they were. "And ye would not?"
"It
