Page 65 of A Sinful Night with a Scot
Those words made Elsie’s heart sing. She knew, of course, that Keane did not go around announcing his gifts to the world, and yet, hearing his sister pay her such a compliment seemed tomake it all the more intense. As though recognition from her was a standard to achieve.
“Then he told ye o’ our lineage,” Iseabail said.
Elsie tilted her head. “In a manner o’ speaking. He mentioned that he had inherited his gifts from his maither’s side.” Only as she spoke those words did something else occur to her, and then, she gasped. “Och, dae ye have a gift too?”
Iseabail smiled. “Ye dinnae think the men get tae have all the fun, dae ye?”
“Ye read thoughts?” Elsie pressed.
But Iseabail shook her head. “Nae. Me gift is far more persuasive than that, though I will admit, kenning what another is thinking would be helpful in many scenarios. Me gift has more tae dae with compulsion. I can compel someone tae dae anything I want them tae, as long as I am looking them in the eye.”
Elsie could hardly believe what she was hearing, and excitedly, she said, “Ye can get anyone tae dae anything?”
Iseabail nodded. “Ye want tae try?”
Elsie hesitated fer a second, and then, she nodded. “Aye.”
“All right. I’m going tae look away from ye so ye dae this with yer own free will.”
“All right,” Elsie said, watching as Iseabail looked straight ahead.
“I want ye tae clasp yer hands together, as though ye’re praying,” Iseabail said, still looking out onto the room of people.
“Done,” Elsie said, pressing her fingers and palms together.
“Good. Keep them as tightly pressed as ye can. Whatever I say, try and keep them together, like yer life depends on it,” Iseabail said. She then turned and looked Elsie in the eyes. “Are ye ready?”
Elsie nodded, a nervous smile dancing at her lips.
“Now I want ye tae put both hands on yer head.”
Immediately, Elsie felt a strange sensation in her body, and without any hesitation at all, she lifted her hands and placed them on her head.
“Och, me god,” Elsie whispered.
Iseabail beamed a smile and then pulled her gaze from Elsie. Immediately, the sensation left her, and Elsie once more, felt in control of her own mind and body.
“That is a very useful gift tae have,” Elsie said, when Iseabail looked back at her and they resumed their conversation.
“It has definitely made me life easier in certain circumstances, though I am mindful tae use it only when it is necessary. I dinnae want tae abuse it, and besides, it tires me. Though I admit, it has saved me from having tae fight on many occasions and gave me the freedom tae travel alone.”
Elsie’s jaw dropped once again. “Ye can fight?”
Iseabail nodded. “I can. It is a very useful skill tae have. I’m surprised Keane hasnae already offered tae teach ye.”
“We’ve only been married fer five minutes,” Keane cut in, clearly overhearing the conversation even as he conversed with Owen. “Besides, I have been injured. I couldnae hardly lift me own sword, let alone have the ability tae teach Elsie tae lift hers.”
Elsie now gazed at Keane excitedly. “Will ye teach me? Please? I dinnae want tae feel as hopeless as I did when we were attacked.”
“Ye saved me life,” Keane reminded her.
It was now Iseabail’s turn to gasp. “Ye saved me braither’s life?”
Elsie didn’t get a chance to answer, for Keane said, “Indeed, she did. She jumped ontae a man’s back and stabbed him with her dirk. Only fer her intervention am I sitting here beside ye.”
“Good fer ye,” Iseabail said proudly.
“Thank ye,” Elsie replied. Receiving praise from Keane’s sister felt validating, perhaps because the woman knew how to fight. Looking to Keane, she said, “I still want ye tae teach me, though. It will mak’ me feel more confident with mesel’ if I am ever forced intae such a situation again.”
