The Pendulum (10 page)

Airin glimpsed a hint of blood on the brooch's edge just before strong arms surrounded her.

* * * *

Airin paused as she knelt beside the chest at the foot of her bed. She lifted the brooch from its wooden box and ran a finger across what remained of the scratch. If it had looked in the beginning as it did now, she would have believed the brooch was Brianna's. Would her great grandmother have approved this forgery? Airin closed the lid, then tucked it beneath blankets and baby gowns in the bottom of her chest.

She laid a hand on the children's gown lying on top of the clothes. It was as if the brooch had begun healing itself, then stopped when she took it off. Her arm, however, would heal.

How long before her heart followed suit?

"You do not like my wedding gift?" her husband asked, breaking into her thoughts.

She closed the chest and looked across the bed at him.

"Where did you get it?"

He stared at the ceiling and began in a dramatic tone,

"'Twas a long, hard journey—"

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The Pendulum

by Tarah Scott

"Do not jest," she said. "Tell me."

He shifted his gaze back to her. "You might ask your father when he wakes."

"My father?"

"He told me of the quest before making the announcement public. I needed time to commission the brooch." Deryll grinned. "It would not have done for another knight to appear with the real brooch—or another forgery."

"You knights think nothing of forgery," Airin commented.

But he seemed not to hear her. "The silver smith has not claimed his pay," he murmured

"Be sure to pay him well," Airin said.

Deryll's gaze cleared. "You have yet to forgive your sister."

Airin was not surprised at the change of subject.

"You cannot be sure Perry spoke the truth," he added.

But she was sure. She found not one iota of proof against Jason, and Madeline had withdrawn from life long before her death. "If she had but confided in me." Airin lowered her head. "May God have mercy on her. She was good. He must still love her."

"And you, Airin, do you love me?"

The question brought her head up. She arched a brow.

"What knight requires love?"

He stood and crossed to her. Deryll pulled her into his arms as he murmured, "The one who loves you."

His head lowered, and Airin's pulse quickened when his lips met hers in a slow, sweet kiss.

He at last pulled back, and she regarded him. "What did Gewain mean about Argyll's daughter?"

94

The Pendulum

by Tarah Scott

Deryll looked startled.

She caressed the scar on his cheek. "Why did you not marry
her
?"

He hesitated, then shrugged. "I saw you two years ago at the Edinborough fair." He gave her a smile that reminded her of the boy she loved.

Airin smiled back, then kissed him.

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