Free Binding Vows by Catherine Bybee Page A

resting in her lap under the table. His gentle squeeze reassured and calmed her.
    “Those competing for Lady Tara’s hand have the opportunity to meet with her tonight and are given one dance each.” Gwen signaled the musicians and sound filled the air. “Enjoy your evening.”
    Gwen tilted her head and left the platform.
    Men lined up, adding to Tara’s distress. The music was soft and resembled a waltz. Her knees trembled when the first man approached.
    Tara smiled at Duncan and then glared at Cassy. She moved forward and let her first partner lead her to the dance floor.
    He was short. His name was Jimmy or Timmy, Tara couldn’t remember. He counted while they danced which kept him from talking. It was awkward dancing with a stranger, but Jimmy or Timmy seemed as uncomfortable as her.
    Outside of a sore toe, Tara was less scared than she thought she’d be when the next man came forward.
    After the third dance partner, Tara’s earlier jitters started to subside. The men asked the same questions. ‘Are you having a good time?’ ‘How is it, being in the limelight?’ Harmless men, most of them married, or so they said.
    Her fourth partner was familiar and handsome for a blond. It took her a few minutes of meticulous dancing to realize who the man was. He embodied the part of English knight, from accent to dress. He didn’t have to count to dance, which afforded him the opportunity to talk.
    “You look ravishing, Lady Tara.” His voice was 64

    Binding Vows

    smooth.
    Her cheeks grew warm. “Thank you, Mr. Steel.”
    “Please, call me Michael. You wound me with your propriety.”
    “I’m more worried about wounding your feet.”
    Almost on cue, her feet skipped a step, forcing her partner to hold her closer.
    “Be careful, we wouldn’t want you to injure yourself before tomorrow.” He gazed down at her.
    “Unless you want out of the spotlight.”
    She chuckled. “Going to the dentist would be more fun for me.”
    Michael laughed, putting her at ease.

    ****
The other man’s laughter grated on Duncan’s nerves. His hand rested on the hilt of his sword, the muscle in his jaw twitched. The man’s hands rested far too comfortably around Tara’s waist, and to his dismay, she was smiling at him.
    “Easy brother,” Fin warned, “’Tis only a dance, one she is obligated to have.”
    Duncan’s eyes followed them around the room.
    When the dance ended the man reach for her hand, his lips touched the back of it. He felt some satisfaction when she pulled away quickly after he released it.
    “My turn.” Fin jumped to his feet.
    Fin cut off a clumsy, overweight man and whisked her around in a very large circle before pulling her into his arms, keeping a comfortable distance from his frame.
    “How are you holding up?” Fin asked, with a loud enough voice for Duncan to hear.
    “You don’t happen to have a flask of whisky on you?” Tara teased.
    She relaxed, and Fin swept her out of earshot.
    Duncan’s eyes narrowed, wondering what secrets his brother whispered in his lady’s ear.
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    “Tara tells me you’re both leaving for home after this is over.” Cassy moved to a seat closer to Duncan so he could hear her.
    “Aye,” he said, never letting his eyes wander from where his brother was making moves on Tara.
    “That’s too bad.”
    “What is bad?” He diverted his attention to Cassy.
    “That you’re leaving. Any chance you and your brother could spend a little more time in the States.
    I’m sure I could talk Tara into showing you both around L.A. for a week or so.”
    “That’s not possible, I’m afraid.”
    “Bummer.” His gaze slipped back to Tara and Cassy said, “I think you’re good for her.”
    “Why do you say that?”
    “I don’t know, I just think you are. She would never have gone along with all this if she hadn’t met you. Tara was ready to leave last night, and today she’s more...” Cassy swirled wine in the glass she held. “That probably