The Libertine by Saskia Walker Read Free Book Online Page B

lolled back in reaction to his touch. It made her
bones melt and filled her mind with thoughts she could scarcely believe she was
having. Imagining herself turned in his hands she recalled that magical heat he
had conjured in her very center, and she felt dizzy.
    “I will call upon the rich vitality of the earth and the power
of the seasons to flourish inside you.”
    The seductive tone of his voice as he said those intimate words
made her body heat, rapidly. More images assailed her, shocking her. She saw
their two forms entwined while he imbued her body with magical prowess. She saw
him hold her, set her alight. She swayed. Then she felt him begin to draw
away.
    An immense sense of loss swamped her.
    “Your hostess is about to return,” he warned. “Give me a sign
and I will come to you at midnight tonight.”
    Shocked, she looked at where the crowd was breaking apart—where
the Keavey coachman was counting coins into the chicken keeper’s hand, and where
Jean turned on her heel and flounced away.
    There was no time to think on it. Jean’s warnings flitted
through her mind, but she had to know more. Her body wavered momentarily but
when she looked ahead she saw that Jean was striding back to her, the coachman
in tow. It was dangerous, but she had to know. She had to pursue it, or forever
regret that she had not taken this chance.
    Once again his breath was warm at her ear. “Give me a sign and
I will be gone. They will not even notice that we have spoken.”
    He truly was prepared to wait for her to respond, even though
Jean was almost upon them. Jean who had warned her against him moments before.
Chloris should have felt panic, she knew it. All she felt was his presence, as
if the encounter had sped the entire burgh away and only the two of them existed
in this place. She slipped her hand behind her back and reached for him. His
fingers entwined with hers, setting alive a chaotic thread of arousal in her.
She squeezed his hand.
    “Tonight,” she responded, whispering the word that he had
whispered to her. Doing so made her feel even more light-headed.
    His fingers slid from hers, and her eyelids lowered in
relief.
    Then he was gone.
    Breathing deep to steady her nerves, she suddenly realized
she’dagreed to his ultimatum. He would come to
her, at midnight. In Tamhas’s house? The dangerous nature of the proposal became
all too clear, as if her clarity of mind had returned on his departure. Her
thoughts reeled.
    What have I done?

CHAPTER FOUR
    Tamhas Keavey slipped on his formal cloak and took his
seat in the town council chambers. As he did, he nodded his greetings at the men
gathered, surveying them all with an eye to allegiances. The prominent townsmen
and civic leaders were there, landowners such as himself, as well as those who
represented their guilds—the head of the bakers, the craftsmen and merchants. A
representative of the university was also present, the illustrious academic
trophy that Saint Andrews held in pride, for it brought them attention and
prestige, drawing many of the great learned minds of Europe.
    The murmured conversations around the table desisted, and a
quick glance assured him that everyone was present.
    Master MacDougal, the head of the council, rose to his feet and
welcomed them, moving on quickly. “As council members we are here today to
progress our membership. For many hundreds of years Saint Andrews has been the
religious and intellectual center of Scotland, the jewel in its crown. The
situation has changed since the union with England.” His expression grew
overcast. “It is our duty to protect and build the reputation of our town. On
our previous meeting we discussed ways in which we might achieve this, and we
agreed that opening the council to more guildsmen would strengthen it.” Master
MacDougal smiled. “Word had scarcely been put about and noble craftsmen stepped
forward to represent their guilds.”
    A murmur of approval went around the table.
    MacDougal gestured