Page 62 of Highland Sword
She cheered on a young woman who went into the barrel up to her shoulders only to come out with her face and hair and clothes soaked, but no fruit.
“What’s the prize if you get one?” she asked.
“Good fortune for the coming year.”
“More fortune.” She shook her head, smiling at all the excitement. “I like apples, but you won’t catch me standing in a line to dunk my face in cold water.”
“You might be very good at this.”
“Ha! And have you and everyone else make sport of me? No, thank you.”
Aidan tugged at her hand. “Come with me. There is a game here I know you’ll enjoy playing.”
“Will it involve an apple? Do I eat it afterwards?”
Aidan recalled Briana’s grumbling about wanting an apple. Morrigan didn’t sound much different. She wanted itnow. “Of course.”
Nearby, a group of young women were peeling apples. More people stood around them, urging them on. He put a hand in the small of Morrigan’s back and guided her to the front of a crowd of onlookers.
“This doesn’t look like a game.”
“Ah, but it is.” He nudged her closer. “You need to peel an apple all in one paring.”
“That’s all? That seems far too simple. Is it a race?”
“It’s more difficult than it looks.” He motioned to the person who was handing out the fruit. She offered one to Morrigan.
She eyed the apple. “Perhaps I’ll just eat it.”
This playfulness in her was something new. Her eyes sparkled with mischief. Aidan wanted to kiss the smile pulling at her lips.
“Peel it first.”
The woman offered her a knife, but Morrigan shook her head and drew her sgian dubh.
“You don’t need to kill it. Just peel it.”
“You don’t need to tell me how to use a knife. As you well know, I’m an expert.”
He snorted and she stared into his face.
“You have no cuts or bruises at the moment, Mr. Grant. Some of these women might say you look handsome. So don’t tempt me to use this on you.”
He took her chin in his hand. Her eyes widened in surprise. They were deep black pools with glints of firelight reflected in them. Their faces were inches apart. “There are better ways to mark me than with the knife.”
Morrigan’s gaze drifted to his mouth. He wanted to kiss her. Right now. Aidan’s hands itched to pull her hard against his body and tell her to do her worst.
She pulled away and fixed her attention on the fruit. A single line furrowed her brow, and her eyes focused on her task. She was all concentration as she peeled the fruit with precision and speed. Heads turned in their direction. Those around them cheered her as the entire skin came away unbroken.
“Fine work, lass,” an onlooker called out. “Now throw the peel over yer shoulder.”
Shouts came from all sides as Morrigan tossed the skin.The women nearby all gathered around where the peel landed. Everyone had an opinion.
“What are we looking for?” Morrigan wanted to know, joining them.
“The letter. What letter do ye see?”
She took a bite of the apple and leaned down to study the pattern of the curled skin.
