Page 63 of Highlander's Captive Bride
People were starting to come forward to greet Elodie and express their surprise and pleasure at seeing her there.
“I’ll see ye in a little while,” Daisy told her, drawing back to allow them through. “I think there are a few people who would like to talk to ye.”
She smiled to see the little girl’s excitement at seeing all her friends gathering around her. It made Daisy feel warm inside, but the warmth was tempered by the sorrow at knowing that she would soon be leaving the little girl she had come to care for so much.
She looked around to see if she could spot Nadia, to compliment her on the impressive decorations. An oversized banner showing the Murdoch coat of arms had been hung from the castle battlements, making an impressive show. Colorful pennants and banners flew from poles sunk into the ground, which had thick garlands of greenery wound around them.
“’Tis a fine sight, is it nae?” came a familiar, deep voice from behind her.
With her heart suddenly racing in her chest, Daisy whirled around to see Bellamy’s handsome face grinning at her. He had a tankard of ale in one hand and a goblet full of wine in the other. He handed her the wine.
“I thought ye might need a drink,” he said.
“Thank ye,” she answered, touched by his thoughtfulness. She sipped the rich, fruity wine and then said, “’Tis a splendid show, indeed. I’m very impressed by all the decorations. Nadia and her committee have clearly worked very hard.”
“Aye, everyone has pulled together and played their part to make it all happen,” he agreed. “D’ye think she’ll be all right?” he asked, lowering his voice, his eyes flicking to Elodie.
Daisy looked over at her, but the child was hardly visible among the throng gathered around her chair.
“I think she’s more than all right,” she said with a chuckle. “She’s enjoying all the attention. It seems everyone is pleased to see her.”
“Aye, but I still have me doubts whether it’s safe out here for her. That poisoner is here somewhere, I’m certain of it.”
Daisy saw Bellamy take a deep draught of ale, scanning the growing throng over the rim of his tankard. But then, he lowered his tankard, turned his gaze back to her, and smiled. There was a speculative gleam in his eyes.
“Now, how about a dance?”
Startled by the sudden invitation, Daisy stared at him, her heart fluttering like a horde of delirious butterflies in her chest. A dance with Bellamy Kane seemed like the thing she wanted most in the world. At the same time, she feared it could be the most dangerous thing she could ever dare to attempt.
This could be yer one and only chance to dance with him.
“A dance? Aye, I’d like that very much,” she managed, finding her tongue at last, the butterflies clamoring inside her.
“Grand,” he replied, beaming at her and holding out his arm. She took it, and he led her over to where some musicians were playing a lively jig, and two columns of excited dancers had already formed.
Couples were dancing up the center at a fast clip, while the others whooped and clapped them before the next couple at the end took their turn.
“Come on!” Bellamy called, joining the end of the two columns nearest to them.
Daisy marveled at the way he seemed to throw himself into the proceedings, clapping and cheering along with the rest as the latest couple pranced up the middle of the columns.
She followed suit, smiling and clapping along, briefly wondering just how much he had already had to drink. But she figured it could not have been much, for it had only been a short while ago that he had brought Elodie down, and she knew he would never drink around her.
Suddenly, the dancing couple appeared beside them, puffing and red-faced, and it was hers and Bellamy’s turn to dance up the center. He suddenly seized her around the waist and lifted her right off her feet, whooping with merriment as he clasped her to him and whirled her up the middle, his steps in perfect time with the music. It was exhilarating and entirely wonderful!
By the time they reached the top and ran back to the beginning, Daisy was flushed and excited. Being held against his long, warm body as they skipped along had sent the butterflies quite mad, it seemed. She could hardly catch her breath, and she could not keep the smile off her face as they cheered, whooped, and clapped as enthusiastically as the rest.
For a while, she forgot all her worries and just enjoyed herself.
Soon, it was their turn again, and this time, Daisy was ready for Bellamy. She threw herself into his arms, reveling in the feel of him against her as he held her close and spun them around as they danced up the middle. Breathless, she smiled into his eyes, and the look he gave her made her legs turn almost to jelly. She never wanted to stop.
They danced for another half an hour or so until she was just too exhausted and breathless to carry on.
“I cannae dance anymore for the minute,” she gasped, holding her sides. “I need to rest a wee while.”
“Naething simpler,” Bellamy told her, annoyingly unaffected by the exertion. If anything, he seemed livelier than ever. “Let’s go and get something to eat, eh? Ye have to admit, that roast boar smells delicious.”
“All right, as long as I can rest me feet,” she told him, panting.
