Free Whistle Down the Wind (Mystic Moon) by Sibelle Stone Page A

members, in gratitude for Miss Glyndwr’s
assistance last night.”
    Aelwyd
appeared to relax, and a beneficent smile graced her face. “That is most kind
of you Lord Cranbourne, but we could not possibly—”
    “Offend you
by refusing,” Catlin interjected. “I think I should stay here for a few days,
just to make sure you are fully recovered.”
    The heat of
the glare from her older sister could have blistered skin with its intensity.
“Perhaps we need to discuss this privately, Catlin.”
    Catlin still
had her arm linked with Griffin’s. When she attempted to pull away from him he
put his hand over hers. She smiled at him.
    His reaction
was quick and unmistakable, as his blood heated and his cock grew hard. He
tried to shift his attention away from his carnal needs “I think that’s a
sensible suggestion.” He allowed his grasp upon her arm to relax, hoping he
might be able to step away from her before she became aware of his state of
arousal.
    “And my
dear—” He gazed down at her with what he hoped was a rapt expression “It will
allow me to become better acquainted with your family.”
    His words
hung in the air. Catlin’s sister surveyed him with an expression that
transformed from suspicion, to annoyance, to outright curiosity. He’d intrigued
her, and that was certainly his purpose. He’d do anything to gain a few more
hours with the delectable Catlin. But he slid a few inches from the enticing
warmth of her skin and the fragrant scent of her hair.  At the moment, she was
too much of a temptation.
    After what
seemed like an eternity, Aelwyd nodded. “I believe I will remain here for a day
or so, Sir Reynolds, and rest assured, I’m extremely curious about your
relationship with my sister.”
    He winced. A
clear image of a moth dancing around a dangerous flame popped into his head. It
was clear that Aelwyd ap Pryd intended to guard and protect her younger sister.
    Griffin had
no doubt the woman could be a relentless and unforgiving enemy if provoked.
     
     
    Catlin
needed to steal away from her sister and find Griffin, yet she couldn’t seem to
get even a moment of peace and quiet solitude, much less privacy. The beautiful
suite of rooms they were lead to couldn't even fully distract Aelwyd.
    While her
sister marveled at the rich ruby colored silk and velvet fabrics draped at the
windows and surrounding the bed, she also watched Catlin carefully. Catlin
trembled, waiting for the questions she knew were coming and wishing she could
avoid the inevitable angry confrontation.
    “Just how
well acquainted are you with Sir Griffin Reynolds?”
    Catlin’s
cheeks heated.
    “We met the
night I was arrested, when I was being questioned in the gaol.” She took a deep
breath. “I wasn’t waiting for him in the coach, as you well know.” She spoke
slowly, pausing dramatically to buy some additional time. “I was facing serious
charges and when he came to speak with Lord Cranbourne, he seemed . . .
sympathetic.”
    Aelwyd
snorted. “I imagine he was especially so after you cast a glamour to entice
him.”
    Catlin shook
her head vehemently. “I couldn’t, at least not when we were at the gaol. I
tried, but it was much later, when we were in the carriage with Lord Cranbourne.”
She twisted her hands as she paced across the room. “I discovered he’s
unusually strong and resistant to spells.”
    Aelwyd
laughed harshly, but the sound clearly held no mirth. “Resistant? By the
Goddess, I find he is just as easy to fool as all sophor men.”
    Jealousy
flashed through Catlin. Of course, as a fire adept, Aelwyd’s magic was so
intense when focused that few sophor s could resist her. In fact, she was
one of the strongest practitioners of the arcane arts in the land. Few Mages
possessed the ability to resist her will when she chose to impose it.
    Catlin had only
been initiated as an air adept for three years, and the weakness of her powers
compared to those of her older sister incensed her.
    “So if