The Pendulum by Tarah Scott Read Free Book Online Page A

binding is made."
    Cerdwin tied the two ends, then let them drop.
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    The Pendulum
    by Tarah Scott
    Deryll held her gaze. "As our hands are bound, so our lives and spirits are joined."
    The brooch shifted between her breasts. Her belly heaved, and the room went black.

    * * * *
Airin woke with a gasp and bolted upright. She looked wildly about, her gaze jumping to the mantle clock—a gift from the mother she never knew—then the embroidered picture hanging on the wall beside the hearth, and the sun dial near her window. Her breathing slowed. She was home—
    and her father lay dying. She threw back the covers and jumped from bed as Cerdwin entered.
    "Airin," she called sharply.
    Airin took a step toward her. "My father."
    "Is resting. There is naught you can do for him. Return to bed."
    "How is he?"
    The maid's eyes softened. She set the blanket she carried on the foot of the bed and came to Airin's side. "I speak the truth." She took Airin's hand in hers. "He is resting."
    "Will he live?"
    "Only God can say."
    "Has he lost more blood?"
    "Nay. The bleeding has ceased."
    Airin closed her eyes and sent up a prayer of thanks.
    "Now, back to bed with ye," Cerdwin said. "Your father would not be pleased to learn you are taxing yourself. Neither will your husband, for that matter."
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    The Pendulum
    by Tarah Scott
    "Husband—" The wedding ceremony returned in a rush.
    Airin eased back onto the bed. "'Twas no dream."
    Cerdwin laughed. "You never cared for accepting something you didna' like." Her expression sobered and she opened the blanket to reveal a document. She extended it to Airin and opened her mouth, but Airin cut her off. "The wedding contract."
    "Aye," the maid replied.
    Airin took the document, and Cerdwin fetched the quill and ink blotter from the small desk beside the armoire. She dipped the quill in the ink, then handed it to Airin. Airin signed her name. The maid took the quill, placed it in the blotter, then set it on the side table. She reached for the contract, but Airin waved her off and began reading.
    All the land bordering the south was now Deryll's. The hectares that surrounded them to the west and butted the loch were his. He owned everything, she realized, except the castle. The first male born will receive —Airin thrust the contract toward Cerdwin.
    "I am finished."
    The maid regarded her, but took the document without comment.
    "Where is Sir Deryll?" Airin asked.
    "Your husband is with Gewain."
    "They have learned something?"
    "I know not," the maid replied Airin glanced at the sundial. Not yet noon. She had slept nearly an hour. She wanted to curl up in the bed, then shake herself awake to discover she'd suffered a nightmare.
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    The Pendulum
    by Tarah Scott
    She stood. "I am going to my father."
    "Airin." Cerdwin's brow creased in worry.
    Airin smiled softly. "Dear Cerdwin. You have served me well all these years. You have reared no fool. Do not fear. I am well. It is my father I would have you care for now." She grasped the maid's hand. "There is no one I trust more than you."
    Cerdwin blushed. Airin hugged her, then started to turn.
    She halted at sight of a rose petal stuck to Cerdwin's apron.
    She plucked it from the cloth. "What is this?"
    "The spices I am preparing for the wedding bed."
    "Wedding bed?" Airin's gaze flicked to the bed.
    "Aye." Cerdwin gave her a light elbow jab. "Be sweet when Sir Deryll comes to you. He is no fool, but ye need not throw the truth in his face."
    Airin frowned. "What—"
    "I have something for ye." Cerdwin stepped to the chest and opened it. She withdrew a small package wrapped in plain white cloth and tied with an ivory ribbon. She smiled shyly. "I saved this since ye were a girl."
    Airin took the package, placed it on the bed, then carefully untied the ribbon. She laid it on the night table, unwrapped the cloth, then paused at sight of the snow-white flax fabric.
    "Go on," Cerdwin urged.
    Airin grasped the corners of the fabric and lifted it to reveal a