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attempted what he hoped would look like a reassuring smile when her
eyes searched him. Her hand trembled and grasped him firmly. They
walked together before the priest and parted.
Although a gasp of awe went through the room when Jane walked
to her groom, Chase stared only at Sheri.
As Logan and Jane exchanged vows of always and forever, Chase
took in the array of emotions passing over Sheri s features. Hope, awe,
love. Her gaze met his briefly before skirting away. When her eyes landed
on Logan and Jane, her features softened, and a small smile flickered on
her face, the happiness shooting straight to her eyes.
As Logan pressed his body to Jane and sealed their union with a
kiss, Sheri s gaze landed on his. A sharp, sudden yearning inside him
burst in his chest. He would step before the priest instantly if he would be
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assured Sheri wouldn t run away in protest.
He needed to be a little more patient. He needed to wait a little
longer.
Logan presented his wife to the witnesses and raised her arm in his.
The room rumbled with the merriment of the occasion, the players picked
up a lively tune, and the servants rushed in with plates full of food and
flasks full of wine and ale.
Sheri stepped to the side, allowing a woman to pass. Her eyes lifted
to the high ceilings of the Keep and squinted closer to look at the tapestry
hanging on the wall. Her jaw dropped and head tilted as she peered at the
battle scene created with needles and thread. Amazing, she mumbled
under her breath.
A maid offered her a flask of wine, forcing her gaze from the wall.
Sheri nodded, took the wine, and said her thanks.
Chase eased up to Sheri s side. Come, lass. Let me introduce ye.
Are you sure that s a good idea?
Aye. There are many who will question yer presence, so let me do
the talking.
Sheri licked her lips. No problem. She pushed her free arm
through his and held on with a death grip. Chase understood her unease.
The first time he had walked through her city streets, he d been lost in
silence and dumbstruck emotion as he took in the busy city of Seattle.
Patrick, he called to his friend. Have ye met Lady Lansing?
Sheri jerked at his side.
My lady, Patrick MacBride.
Ah, Chase. What a lovely lady, he said bringing his hand out to
Sheri. Chase noticed how she stuck her hand out to be shook. Instead,
Patrick lifted her hand to his lips and kissed the back of it. Although
stunned, she recovered quickly. A pleasure.
The pleasure is mine, my lady.
Patrick moved along with only a few words, and Sheri leaned
closer to Chase. Why are you calling me my lady?
Tis what ye are, lass. He d explain the social classes to her later.
For now, he wanted to make her feel welcome and at home.
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* * * * *
By the time Logan followed Jane up the stairs, Sheri s energy level
had waned. Keeping track of names and faces and dodging the constant
barrage of questions on everyone s lips grew tiresome. Like a rock, Chase
stood by her side and directed every unexpected ploy to gather
information about her sudden appearance.
Sheri couldn t help but admire the broad chests and muscled
forearms of the men in the room. Many of the men wore kilts, some longer
then others. All sported a sword on their hips and appeared to have the
biceps necessary to hold off their enemy with ease.
Swaying into Chase s side, the day caught up with her. Chase
pressed his lips into her hair. Come, he said, walking her to the base of
the stairs. Megan? he called to the girl Sheri recognized as Jane s
personal maid. See the lady to her chambers and draw her a bath.
Aren t you coming?
Chase glanced around and lowered his voice. Later.
Appearances.
Oh. She sighed, having no idea what he meant. Sheri followed
Megan up one flight of stairs and down a dark hall.
Once inside, Megan closed the door and came up behind her. When
the woman s hands touched the back of her dress, Sheri flinched.
I ll help ye undress.
Sheri stood in stunned silence. It was one thing to dress in front of
her best friend, but to find herself with a complete stranger removing her
dress was beyond awkward. However, Jane had helped her into the
garment she wore, and she couldn t imagine removing all the clasps up
the back in order to get out of it. Letting a girl help her out of her gown
suddenly became a necessity.
A knock sounded at the door. Sheri hoped to see Chase. Instead, a
boy brought in a metal tub and soon a parade of servants brought in
water, filling it to the rim.
Not only did she need help getting undressed, but apparently
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drawing a bath as well. These people would flip if they knew how she
really lived her life.
Megan undid every button and slipped the dress from her
shoulders. Standing in something that looked like a long slip, Sheri turned
her way. I ve got it from here.
The maid s eyes narrowed.
I can see to my own bath.
Megan s mouth drew into an O. She curtseyed and left the room.
Alone for the first time, Sheri walked around the room and touched
the items in it. On the surface, the heavy bed appeared like any in the
twenty-first century, but upon closer inspection, a homemade mattress sat
upon ropes tightened and latched at the side. Large linen sheets covered
the binding covering the frame. Sheri tested her weight on the bed and
flattened her hands along the sheets.
Walking over to the roaring fire, Sheri pulled the slip-like thing
from her frame and let it float to the floor. She couldn t remember ever
bathing in front of a fireplace. Sheri picked up the bar of soap Megan had
left on the small table by the tub and brought it to her nose. The scent of
lavender filled her senses. Hmm, my favorite, she murmured.
Tis what I told Megan to bring.
Sheri swirled and found Chase smiling at her from the doorway.
She hadn t heard him come in. It hadn t been long since she left his side,
but having him within arm s reach gave her a sense of security that she d
lacked only moments before.
His eyes drifted over her nude body, pausing at her breasts and
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