Showing a small pout, Shanna plopped herself down in the middle of the bed and watched Hergus from beneath lowered brows as the woman picked up the discarded clothes, folded them and carefully put them away in the armoire. When the maid had gone, Shanna threw a last glare at the door. Then, presenting her back to it, she slid down between the silken sheets and drifted contentedly to sleep with the memory of strong arms about her and persistent lips against hers blending into her dreams.
Chapter 10
THE SABBATH CAME; one chapel on the island served those who felt inclined to meet together in worship. It was the custom of the Trahern family to attend the services, and this day was no different in that respect. The exception this morning was that Ruark was there. Passing into the church, he brushed against Shanna and by some strange instinct she knew who it was even before she turned. Her gaze moved, as if compelled, to the back of the trim, tall man clothed in forest green silk.
“Ho, Mister Ruark,” the squire called jovially, and Ruark faced them as if surprised to find himself so near the Trahern family. Shanna marveled at his coolness. He was so casual about it all that no one, except perhaps Hergus who stood beyond them several paces looking back, could have guessed he had maneuvered himself so with deliberation.
Ruark returned the elder’s greeting before his regard passed to Shanna, feasting for a brief moment on her beauty as she stood in a shaft of sunlight, gowned in pale green lawn. She was as tempting as any confection he had ever set his eyes upon. She smiled at him coolly from beneath the wide brim of her hat.
“Why, Mister Ruark, I do believe you’re becoming civilized. Wearing clothes and coming to church? I can hardly believe my eyes.”
A roguish grin twisted his mouth. “I didn’t want to shock the minister unduly with my meager garb.”
“Oh?” Shanna responded. “I didn’t think anything bothered you, Mister Ruark. You’ve certainly shown no hesitancy wearing those dreadful breeches in the village where all the girls gawk at you. If you were modest, ‘twould seem that the village is the place to begin so you’d not abuse innocent minds overly much.”
Trahern leaned on his cane, eyeing the two, and wondered if their discussion would dissolve into more biting barbs. He could not understand his daughter’s irritation with the man.
“Madam,” Ruark said, spreading a brown hand over his lacy white jabot and seeming to make mockery of a humble apology, “I do not mean to abuse the innocent mind.” His eyes met hers squarely. “Nor do I wish to overly confuse the simple mind. But I have always respected a man of the cloth and give due credence to words and vows spoken in a church.”
Shanna’s eyes narrowed slightly. So, the rogue! Now that the bargain was done, he would claim her by right of wedlock. Well, so he might think, but she had other things in mind, and she would not play wife to any bondsman.
“Sit with us, Mister Ruark,” Trahern invited, trying to avoid a public scene, and caught his offspring’s glare for his effort.
“I’m sure Mister Ruark will much prefer sitting with Milly Hawkins,” Shanna replied tersely. She waved her fan in the direction of the young woman, who craned her neck to watch Ruark over her mother’s shoulder. “She seems to be agog over your new clothes, Mister Ruark.”
Briefly Ruark glanced in the girl’s direction, and Milly was suddenly aglow, a wide smile of pleasure beaming on her face.
“Why, thank you, squire.” He directed his words to Trahern, ignoring Shanna. “I would enjoy that very much.”
The squire preceded them, a low, muted chuckle setting his belly to shaking. His hands folded behind his back, Ruark walked along beside him and nodded as Trahern spoke. In the family box, Shanna quietly took a place beside her father and mostly ignored Ruark as she found herself again the object of Hergus’s shaming frown.
The chairs in the Trahern box were massive, with tall backs, and were spaced close together so all the carved wooden arms touched, except for the one belonging to Orlan Trahern himself. He sat slightly apart in order to give his bulk adequate room. The remaining chairs and those smaller ones placed before them, obviously made for children, were reserved for Shanna and her anticipated husband and offspring. Shanna would have choked before she would have revealed to Ruark that the chair he chose was the one intended for her spouse. He had already claimed too many of his husbandly rights for her peace of mind. Watching him askance, Shanna saw Ruark’s eyes take in the smaller seats and sweep the three large chairs that were occupied by them. Since there was a second row of chairs behind them for guests and she sat between her father and him, there was only one conclusion to be drawn. Shanna saw in his knowing grin that he well accounted for the chairs.