Page 38 of The Shadow Path
“These are the stag dancers,” Cadell said. “They start any formal Anglian dance.”
It was ceremonial dancing, and nothing like what Carys had experienced in Scotland. A company of brightly clad men in red-and-blue outfits walked into the garden, carrying massive racks of deer antlers over their shoulders. As the pipes sounded and drums beat, they wove together like a braid, singing a deep chorus in a language Carys immediately knew.
“Old English,” she whispered. “I recognize it.”
“How?” Cadell curled his lip. “It’s from the continent.”
“From the continent like… a thousand years ago.”
He lifted his chin. “Still, it’s not nearly as beautiful as Cymric.”
“And you’re not biased at all, of course.” Carys smiled. “Trust me, if you’d been forced to readBeowulfas many times as I have, you’d recognize it too.”
The stag dancers finished their chorus and dance, were greeted with applause, and then the violins in the orchestra immediately broke into a bright dancing song that had couples lining up in a more familiar set.
“Okay, I can follow along with this one,” Carys said. “This is kind of like the dancing in Alba.”
“Good, because Duncan is heading toward you.” Cadell raised his eyebrows. “As is Lachlan.”
Indeed, the two brothers were walking straight toward her with Duncan having a slight head start because of his position on the ground instead of the head table.
“Carys.” He hadn’t exactly run, but the laird hadn’t strolled either. “If you’d join me?” He held out his hand, and Carys took it just as Lachlan arrived.
“Don’t give me that look.” She glanced over her shoulder as Duncan pulled her away. “He asked; you didn’t.”
Lachlan’s mouth was a thin line. “I assumed?—”
“Well, you shouldn’t have,” Duncan snapped. “You should never assume anything, especially not with Carys.” He put his warm hand over the fingers that rested in the crook of his elbow. “Lady Carys?”
“I’ll dance with you later,” she said to Lachlan before Duncan led her away.
Once they reached the dance floor, she turned to Duncan, facing him and bowing before she took his hand again to let him lead her through the dance. “Was that really necessary?”
“Absolutely yes.” His lifted his chin, and though his hair was shorn close to his head, he was just as regal as Lachlan in that moment. “I take nothing for granted with you, Carys. And I want no confusion.” He pulled her close, and she could feel the heat pouring off his chest. “I aim to win your heart. In my opinion, our destinies are tied together and always have been.”
Duncan angled her to the side, and they walked through the column of dancers together, the music making her feet move almost as if by magic.
Carys’s heart was beating fast, and it wasn’t only from the dancing.
Duncan guided her across the dance floor in circles, weaving in and out of the other dancers, spinning her under the light of the pixies whirling overhead.
Duncan twirled her around, then pulled her close. “I’ll be your man if you’ll have me, Carys Morgan. I’ll live where you live. Follow whatever path you want to take. The shadows. The light.” His arm was firm around her waist, and her breasts werepressed to his chest as he tilted her chin up so she was looking into his eyes.
Her breath caught at the warm emotion in his eyes. Gone was the churlish blacksmith. Banished was the antagonist Scot who couldn’t wait to be rid of her.
“Duncan.” She whispered his name.
“I love to hear my name on your lips.” They were still in the middle of the dance floor. “I don’t think I liked my name before I heard you say it. It was a curse to me. The legacy of a hard man who loved nothing but himself.”
Carys felt tears gather in her eyes. “You never talk about your family.”
“Ask me anything and I’ll tell you.” The music changed, and couples shuffled around the dance floor. “I’ll tell you whatever you want to know.”
Carys felt weightless in his arms. She wanted to feel his lips on hers. She wanted to fold herself into his arms and sleep against his chest.
“If you trusted me to hold you while you slept, it would be the greatest honor of my life,” Duncan whispered.
Carys blinked. “Oh my God, did I say that out loud?”
