The Key by Lynsay Sands Read Free Book Online

eyes
     widened when she continued, "You
    passed out drunk on the floor."
    “Nay!” he protested proudly. He had neverever been too drunk to bed a woman and could not
     believe that he would be so last night of all nights.
    “Aye.”
    Duncantugged the blankets aside and peered at the pristine white bed linen. He had just
     realized that what she said was true when a knock sounded at the door. Cursing under his
     breath, he leapt to his feet and grabbed his sword from where the men had left it lying in
     the middle of the floor the night before.
    For a moment, as he turned toward her, sword in hand, Iliana had the mad thought that he
     meant to run her through; then he slid the blade along his own hand, producing a thin
     sliver of a cut that immediately gave up blood. While she watched, amazed, he set the
     blade back on the floor, leapt into bed beside her, and quickly wiped his hand on the
     bottom linen of the bed as the knock sounded again. Her mother's fine linen!
    Iliana opened her mouth to blast him for staining it but did not get the chance. In the
     next instant, he had whipped her gown up over her head, thrown it across the room, and
     tugged her down to lie beside him. “Come in!”
    Iliana ducked beneath the linens with a squeal of dismay as the door opened.
    “Good morn,”Duncanmurmured as his father, Seonaid, Lord Rolfe, and the bishop crowded into
     the room.
    “Good morn, son.” Angus beamed at his progeny as Iliana peeked out from under the bed
     linen. “Ye... er... slept well, I hope?” He turned his head away as he asked that,
     embarrassment painting a blush on his rugged skin.
    “Well. But not long,” wasDuncan's answer, and Iliana reddened at his suggestive tone,
     wishing herself dead.
    “We are here for the bed linens,” the bishop explained gently when Angus Dunbar could not
     seem to do so.
    “The bed linens?” Ignoring the way his wife had suddenly stiffened beside him,Duncanpeered
     at them in feigned confusion. “Why would ye be needin' the bed linens?”
    There was complete silence as the men peered helplessly at each other while Seonaid
     watched in confusion; then Angus suddenly turned on him irritably. “Just give us the
     bleedin' I mean the bloody I mean Just give me the damn things!”
    “All right, all right. No need to sic a splore. Seonaid, turn yer head.” He waited until
     she had done so, then rose, gathered Iliana in the top linen, and carried her to the side.
    All four visitors peered at the bed then, taking in the splotch of blood with differing
     reactions. Lord Rolfe appeared relieved. Lord Angus looked satisfied. Lady Seonaid seemed
     stunned, and the bishop simply smiled in approval. Then Lord Rolfe turned to gesture to
     someone in the hall and Ebba rushed in. Stripping the linen off the bed, she hurried out
     of the room with it, barely sparing a glance for Duncan, who stood naked as the day he was
     born, a bundled Iliana his only cover.
    “Well.” The laird ofDunbarnodded, his face brilliant red as he shifted toward the door,
     dragging Seonaid with him. “Well done... we'll... Will ye be down to breakfast...?” His
     voice faded away, the red of his face deepening at his son's grin as he shook his head.
     “Well, then... We'll... er... leave ye to it. Shall we? Gentlemen?” He glanced about for
     Lord Rolfe and the bishop, only to find that they had already exited. “Good night then I
     mean... er...” Nodding with relief as he reached the door, he pushed his daughter through,
     followed, and slammed it closed.
    When the arms holding her suddenly started to shake, Iliana peered atDuncan, stunned to
     see that he was shaking with silent mirth. She took a moment to wonder what he thought was
     so funny, then kicked her feet unhappily. “Set me down.”
    When he did so, Iliana clasped the bed linens closer about her and turned to glare
     accusingly, “You ruined by mother's bed linens.” That only seemed to make