"Kate Forsyth - Eileanan 06 - The Fathomless Caves" - читать интересную книгу автора (Forsyth Kate)

my bonny Beau."

He whirled her about so swiftly she had no breath to retort, and
smiled down at her with great warmth in his eyes. "So much has
happened since I last saw ye," he said. "How long has it been? Three
years? I see ye are a witch now, just like ye wanted. Soon to be a
sorceress, I hear."

She nodded, finding herself unaccountably tongue-tied.

"Congratulations," he said and bent his head to kiss her, his hand
tightening upon her waist. Then the steps of the dance separated them.
She was spun about by other arms, went from partner to partner all the
way down the line. Isabeau could not help looking back over her
shoulder. She met Dide's gaze, blushed hotly and looked away They met
again at the head of the line. His arm slid about her waist with great
assurance, pulling her closer than the etiquette of the dance truly
demanded.

"And I hear ye have been made an earl," Isabeau said lightly. "Who
would have thought it, the little boy I played with in the stableyard now
an earl with his own coat o' arms and a castle and everything."

He bowed with an extravagant flourish. "Didier Laverock, the earl of
Caerlaverock, at your service, my lady." They parted with a bow and a
curtsey, danced down the line and met again at the bottom. "I'm no' sure
how I feel about it," he admitted. "I'm glad for my grandam's sake,
though. She is auld now and badly crippled. I am glad she has
somewhere comfortable to bide awhile. And who kens? Happen I'll tire
o' the jongleur's life one day."

"Now that I doubt," Isabeau answered. The tune came to an end
with a flourish of violins, and they all clapped and bowed to each other.
Isabeau gathered up her long robe and stepped away, reminding herself
that she was a witch of the Coven and not a silly young lass to be dazzled
by a charming smile.

Dide caught her hand and halted her, seizing two cups of Merry May
ale from a tray. "Nay, I canna be allowing ye to sit around and mope like
a miserable auld maid! It's May Day and I be the Green Man! It is my
beholden duty to allow no one to mope, especially a bonny wee lass like
yourself. Drink! Drink!"

"Stop it, Dide!" Isabeau protested, almost choking as he poured the
ale into her mouth. "I ken what ye're like! Ye're only trying to get me
drunk so ye can have your evil way with me." She swallowed, coughing
and spluttering.

He laughed at her, his black eyes sparkling. "Och, I do no' have to
get ye drunk to do that!" he mocked, kissing her. It was the kiss of a