Free Claimed & Seduced by Shelley Munro Page B

shopping in the company of two beautiful women and a youth.”
    Keira bit her lip. He smelled flowers and woman and closed his eyes to savor her presence.
    “I wish we were alone,” he whispered.
    “I’m not…it’s not a good idea for people to see us together. I don’t want to drag you into a gossip storm. You don’t know my stepchildren. Sitting with me is bad enough.”
    “All we’re doing is sharing a meal and going shopping,” he said and dared to reach over to touch her arm. He swore he felt the heat of her skin through her cloak, and again, he wished they were alone instead of chaperoned by a maid and a street urchin.
    “Where do you live?” Keira asked Cristop.
    “In the lower town,” Cristop said through a mouthful of food.
    “Don’t speak with your mouth full,” Hortese scolded and her pink eyes flashed a warning when the youth opened his mouth again. “Don’t.”
    “Is everyone almost finished?” Jarlath asked. “I’m ready to shop.”
    “The food isn’t finished,” Cristop said.
    Keira gestured for a waiter. “We’d like a go-pack please.”
    Jarlath watched her pack the excess and hand it to Cristop. “You’re a growing youth. You should take this and eat it later.”
    “Thanks,” Cristop said.
    “Masterfully done,” Jarlath whispered to Keira. “Where are we going first?”
    “You don’t need to accompany us,” Keira protested.
    “I have the evening to while away.” Jarlath stood. “Besides, I’d enjoy the company and require help with my shopping. How do I know what to buy? I’ve never been shopping before.”
    Keira’s hand flew to her chest. “Never?”
    “My education is sadly lacking.” He watched the thoughts chasing over her face and the way she chewed her bottom lip. He wanted to be the one doing that. Grata! The urge to take her in his arms and snatch a kiss had him sidling nearer. He forced himself to back off and instead breathed in her flowery scent and relished her company.
    A relationship wasn’t possible. He had to remember his parents expected him to adhere to duty and assume bigger responsibilities. He stepped back farther, his feline stirring, his gruff bark of protest echoing in Jarlath’s mind for long secs.
    Keira stiffened then retreated to Hortese’s side, and Jarlath froze.
    She’d heard his feline? Curious. Maybe he should’ve asked more questions about her heritage and her abilities. He strode to her side and ignored her glower of frustration.
    “How long have you lived here on Viros?”
    “Just over five cycles,” she said, and her chin lifted in hauteur. “I am not a spy.”
    “I don’t believe I suggested the possibility.”
    “But you were thinking it,” she snapped. “The courts cleared me of espionage charges too. I am not, nor have I ever acted as a spy for the House of Cawdor.”
    Jarlath stared, mesmerized. Keira in a high dudgeon was a remarkable sight. Her eyes flashed with golden lights and a surge of delicate green highlighted her cheekbones.
    “What do you want to buy first?” Cristop demanded, his loud voice breaking the tension.
    “I need a new hat to cut the cold from the coming wintery months and a coat,” Jarlath said. “What are you shopping for, Keira?”
    “We need some charms from a magical stall—if we can find one,” Hortese said.
    “You in luck. The ban against magical stalls relaxed recentlike. Soldiers ignore. This way,” Cristop said.
    Hortese’s hair tendrils stirred, and she frowned. “I thought the magical stalls were nearer the exit streets in case of raids.”
    “Not true now. New one this way.” Cristop gestured with a jerk of his head. “Better spells. More expensive but better.”
    “Do you get a commission for steering customers to this new stall?” Hortese demanded. “We require top-quality spells, not shoddy pretenders.”
    “You see, then decide,” Cristop said.
    Jarlath lifted a brow and offered his arm to Keira. “With that sort of endorsement, you need to at