Claire Delacroix (28 page)

What was happening to her?

“I asked about your father in town,” Bard said gently. Aurelia was surprised at how soothing she found the low rumble of his voice. “And no one knew him. Do you think he might have gone to Kirkwall, on the big island?”

Aurelia caught her breath. She had no idea where her sire might have fled. “Why would he go there? He has always stayed at Dunhelm.”

Bard shrugged. “Maybe he wanted to go a little further afield again. Find different work, a change of scene.” Aurelia examined his toes but he touched her chin with one fingertip, urging her to meet his sympathetic gaze. “Maybe he went a-viking, hmmm?”

Aurelia could not smile at his soft jest.

Bard cleared his throat. “I think we should go there tomorrow and look for him. Will you come?”

Aurelia eyed his concern as the wind danced around them. Maybe he could understand her pain because he too had lost a father. Aurelia remembered only too well that Erc had drowned in his flight from Dunhelm.

Leaving his infant son without a father. Had that been the event that colored Bard’s life?

“You know what it is to lose a father,” Aurelia said softly.

Bard grimaced and shrugged. “You could say that. It’s not important.”

Aurelia blinked in surprise. “Losing your father was not important?”

Bard gave her a pointed glance that told her she had asked too much. “Finding your father is what’s important now. The rest is just history.” His lips quirked, but the smile did not reach his eyes. “Kirkwall tomorrow? First thing?”

Aurelia was oddly loathe to refuse a day in Bard’s company. “I should like that,” she admitted before she meant to do any such thing, and immediately flushed.

But she did not deny her agreement.

Bard flung an arm over Aurelia’s shoulder and turned her back towards his hall, guiding Aurelia walking in that direction before she knew what she was about. There was something comforting about having the weight of Bard’s arm around her and Aurelia liked matching her step to his.

There was an odd sense of security to be found in this man’s companionship, one that made Aurelia forget all the dreadful things she knew to be true about him. She felt safe with him.

Was that all part of his scheme? Aurelia was no longer as certain of his dark intent as she would have liked to have been.

In fact, if she could have known for certain that he was honest with her about his character, Aurelia would have had no trouble accepting Bard for her spouse. He felt familiar to her, yet her body tingled with the dawn of something new.

Or was she simply the perfect pawn in his wicked scheme?

“Tell you what, princess,” Bard said with false casualness. “How about you and I make a deal?”

Aurelia was immediately wary. “A deal?”

“Yes.” Bard’s green eyes were twinkling with a vigor that dismissed her trepidation. Aurelia had to bite back a smile of anticipation. What mischief was he making? “If you aren’t going to be Gemdelovely Gemdelee, what do you say about me not being Bard, son of Erc?”

Aurelia was surprised. “You would deny your sire?”

Bard winced. “Erc the Destroyer? He doesn’t really sound like my kind of guy and, frankly, neither does his son.”

Bard wanted to separate himself from Ursilla’s tale. Aurelia’s mind flew like quicksilver. Had he seen that she knew part of the tale to be rooted in truth?

Or did he want to change his ways, leaving not only his name but his deeds behind himself? Was it just an undeserved reputation he desired to shake from his shoes?

“Who, then, would you be?” Aurelia managed to ask.

“Baird Beauforte,” he said firmly. “I’m Baird Beauforte to everyone in this world, except you. I’d like you to call me Baird, as well.”

Aurelia looked up at her escort and could see no insincerity in his eyes. They stared at each other for a long time, Aurelia seeking some hint in those emerald depths that he lied to her.

But she found none.

Aurelia’s words were reluctant when they came and not without wonder. “You are not at all what I expected, Baird Beauforte.”

Aurelia’s heart skipped a beat when Baird enfolded her chin in his palm. His lips were a finger’s breadth from her own, his eyes dark with import. Aurelia could see flicks of gold in his eyes, then his low words fanned her lips.

“And no one could have expected you, princess.”

There was an admiration in his words that warmed Aurelia right to her toes and for a dizzying instant, she was certain that she confronted the true man.

And liked him very, very much.

Baird brushed his lips lightly across hers, leaving a tingle in their wake. He hesitated, as though he meant to pull away but could not bear to do so. His gaze darted over Aurelia’s face and she could not move, her heart singing when his lips closed decisively over her own.

Aurelia was honest enough to admit that she would have been disappointed with anything less. She stretched and slid her arms around Baird’s neck, loving the taste of him, ale and all. Aurelia felt a glow spread around her heart, for there was no doubt that Baird was complementing her with both his words and his embrace.

And she felt oddly reassured after the tumult of this day.

Baird did not believe she was a mere tale. Baird did not believe that her sire had died of grief. Baird believed they would find Hekod.

And Aurelia found solace in his certainty.

Then Baird lifted his lips from hers and the doubts tumbled back into Aurelia’s mind. He gave her shoulders an unexpected squeeze and started to hurry her towards the hall. Baird cleared his throat and cast a twinkling glance her way.

“Tell you what, though,” he said easily, “don’t go telling Elizabeth too soon that you’re not this Gemdelovely Gemdelee. She’s taken a shine to you and has apparently been cooking up a storm all afternoon. I don’t know what she’s making but it smells really good.”

Aurelia gasped in mock outrage. “And you think that if I tell her the truth, you will not get any of it!”

Baird shrugged, his eyes dancing impishly. “Why take the chance?”

“Why, you shameless cur!” Aurelia pulled away and swatted him on the shoulder. “You would use me to see your own belly filled! You would see to your own comfort first and foremost!”

Baird laughed and danced out of her range. “Oh, and you wouldn’t do the same?” He granted her a wicked grin that made her heart jump awkwardly. “Aren’t you hungry, princess?”

She was.

Of course.

And Baird knew it! That only made his teasing worse. Aurelia’s expression must have changed with the realization, for Baird laughed out loud.

“Last one in has to do the dishes,” he taunted and ran for the hall.

Aurelia did not know what that meant, but she recognized a threat when she heard one. Oh, and he was so much taller than she! She had to run hard to even catch up with him.

Aurelia bolted after Baird, stretching to tap him on one shoulder. Baird turned to look, and Aurelia darted around him on the other side.

“Cheat!” Baird bellowed when Aurelia ducked through the door first. They both stumbled laughingly into the hall, and came quickly up short.

Marissa stood with a stranger, a coy smile toying with her reddened lips. “Playtime over?” she asked archly. “We’ve simply been waiting forever for you two to come to dinner. Haven’t we, darling?”

And she smiled up at the man beside her.

He was tall and of about the same age as Baird, his sandy hair tousled by the wind. There was a smattering of freckles across his cheeks, giving him a boyish air that was reinforced by his garb.

Actually, it was not his garb that made him look young as much as a general sense that he had slept in them.

Though he was dressed in chausses of ribbed velvet similar to those Baird wore, and his tweed jacket was of clever cut, Aurelia had the sense that this man was permanently disheveled. His leather shoes were scuffed and his creamy shirt was wrinkled.

He pushed his gold-rimmed spectacles further up his nose and summoned a grin so engaging, Aurelia could not help but smile in return.

She felt Baird stiffen behind her and was instantly curious. Did they know each other? Was there something amiss between the two? Or maybe Baird did not like his whore lavishing her attention on another.

Whatever the reason, Aurelia knew that Baird was not pleased. That playful side of his nature was banished once again and he looked the grim warrior from head to toe. His lips were tight and she thought she heard a thrum of anger in his voice when he spoke.

Though his words confused her all the more.

“Baird Beauforte,” he said frostily, stepping forward to offer his hand as though he would rather be doing anything but. “I don’t believe we’ve met.”

* * *

Baird had never felt such a strong animosity towards another person, especially one he had never met. The dislike he felt on sight of the other man went against his usual refusal to judge a book by its cover, but he couldn’t shake free of it.

The new arrival looked easy-going and innocent. Baird sensed malice coming from the other man in waves, despite his appearance. Baird fought the urge to toss the man bodily into the street, but was glad he had won the battle just a moment later.

“Darian Mulvaney,” the man supplied with a grin that should have been reassuring. “I’m a scholar from the National Heritage Preservation Society. We had word that you had discovered a Pictish site here.” He looked as hopeful as a pup. “Would that be true, Mr. Beauforte?”

Baird found himself oddly reluctant to provide details. “I wouldn’t know,” he said evenly. “It does appear to be quite old.” Baird felt his eyes narrow. “How exactly did you hear about this? We only just found the site and haven’t had the chance to notify the authorities?”

Darian laughed. “Oh, we get phone calls all the time! One of your workmen or someone local might have called it in.”

Baird arched a brow skeptically but his tone was scrupulously polite. “You don’t keep records of such calls?”

The other man sobered. “Is there an ancient site here or not?” Baird thought he heard the edge of a threat in the other man’s silken tones. “We had understood, Mr. Beauforte, that you had every intention of cooperating with the authorities in such matters.”

“And so I do,” Baird said smoothly. “The site has been undisturbed since its discovery - I simply want to ensure that only the proper authorities gain access.” He smiled with cold charm. “You would, of course, have identification?”

Baird knew he didn’t imagine the antagonism that flashed in the other man’s eyes. Then, Darian bent to rummage for his wallet in pockets apparently stuffed full of miscellanea.

This man would be entrusted to sift through an ancient site?

Three coins leapt to the floor and rolled, followed by a key ring that Darian managed to catch in midair. Aurelia bent to pick up an escaping coin and Baird’s gut clenched when Darian winked at her as she returned it.

His fists clenched in his pockets when Aurelia smiled back.

No less than a dozen torn snippets of paper fluttered to the floor like maimed confetti. Four pens, two pencils, a dog collar - that seemed to confuse Darian with its presence as much as anyone else - and a butterscotch candy that looked worse for wear came to light before the wallet.

Darian triumphantly waved his billfold at Baird, unfolding a picture identification from the Society that was obviously his own. Baird examined the photo and felt an unreasonable disappointment that not only the man was who he said he was, but that he could prove it.

Darian meanwhile gallantly offered the butterscotch candy to both women, who politely declined. Darian, untroubled, removed the lint-encrusted cellophane and popped the candy into his mouth, his expression expectant as he watched Baird.

“Well, I suppose you’ll want to see the site first thing in the morning, then.” Baird handed back the man’s wallet, finding it troubling to have the other man’s possession in his grip. He fought against the urge to wipe its taint from his fingers.

Darian’s eyes gleamed. “Were there any artifacts?”

Baird refused to look at Aurelia, speaking quickly before she could get herself in trouble. This man might misunderstand her confusion, after all. Baird’s protective urge was in full armor, especially after the soft confession she had just made to him.

Aurelia might be confused, but no one - no one! - was going to hurt her in his presence.

“No, nothing other than what’s still there,” he said flatly. “As I said, it’s undisturbed. The workmen won’t go near it.”

“Local superstition, I suppose.” Darian rubbed his hands together in gleeful anticipation. “It’s been a tremendous boon to us over the years, that’s for certain.”

Julian made his appearance at that moment and introductions were made. The lawyer fired a fierce glance at Baird before turning to Darian. Then he coughed discreetly into his hand.

“You must be looking for a place to stay,” Julian began and Baird’s heart sank.

Darian shrugged. “I hadn’t actually thought about it, I was so intent on getting here quickly. Is there somewhere you could recommend?”

Baird glared at his friend, who steadfastly ignored him. Julian wouldn’t.

But he did.

And without hesitation.

“You really must stay with us, we insist. We’re still under construction, of course, but the accommodations are as adequate as anything you’ll find in town.”

Julian coughed again and Baird knew things were going to get worse. “Actually, Beauforte Resorts has made a tremendous commitment on all our sites in preserving the history of the locale. Why don’t you join us for dinner, Mr. Mulvaney, and tell us a bit about your work?”

“Oh, yes, darling!” Marissa cooed, linking her arm through Baird’s and pointedly ignoring Aurelia. “Just imagine, Baird darling, an Indiana Jones of our very own! This is so exciting! You simply must tell us all about your adventures, Mr. Mulvaney! Baird and I just love a good story.”

Darian smiled again. “Thank you for your generosity, Mr. Beauforte.” For a fleeting instant, his gaze locked with Baird’s and Baird caught a quick glimpse of cold calculation.