Page 23 of Dare to Risk it All

“Virgin sacrifices?” Greer asked, interested now.

She smiled as Aisling shot her a quick grin. She was such a quiet girl, rather shy, but she often had the most interesting opinions and seemed to know things other people didn’t.

“I’m not sure about that, but I suppose it’s possible,” Aisling said.

Greer looked at the stones in a new light and suppressed a shiver.

“There, now you feel it.” Aisling sounded pleased with herself.

They walked in silence for a bit and Greer watched Raphe, who was walking outside the circle, frowning down at the ground. He looked as if he had the weight of the world on his shoulders and Greer wanted to go to him and smooth the furrow she knew had settled between his brows.

“He’s very handsome,” Aisling observed, a teasing light in her eyes.

Greer stiffened. Lud. Did everybody know? She really was hopeless at being discreet.

“Handsome is as handsome does,” she replied with a sniff.

Aisling only made a sound of amusement. Greer scowled at her.

“Sylvester is also very handsome,” she retaliated, seeing Aisling's lovely face cloud.

“He’s annoying.”

Greer felt her eyebrows go up. Aisling was the sweetest natured creature on earth and never had a bad word to say about anyone. She always seemed to see the good in people. Coming from her, that was damning indeed.

“Why?”

Aisling shrugged. “Oh, I don’t know. I ought not judge him so harshly perhaps but, he’s so big, and full of himself and… and he’s always there!”

“Where?”

“Where I don’t want him to be,” Aisling shot back, exasperated.

Greer considered this. Sylvester and Raphe were much alike, except for their colouring. They were both tall and athletic, very good-looking, and though he could be a little brusque, she liked Sylvester. He seemed a decent fellow, and he had clearly found a great deal to like in Aisling.

“He admires you.”

Aisling’s cheeks grew pink. “I can’t help that. I never asked him to,” she returned, sounding flustered. “He doesn’t know me at all.”

They did a circuit of the stones in silence before Greer spoke again.

“Have you seen Ash recently?”

Aisling’s blush deepened and the look she gave Greer was reproachful. “No.”

Greer grinned at her, and they both turned as Elspeth called them.

“Shall we ride back? It’s getting chilly,” her sister asked.

The women agreed and made their way back to the horses.

Greer greeted her mount with a small piece of sugar she’d taken at breakfast. The sweet-natured bay mare, named Lily, nickered and crunched happily as Greer patted her silky neck. She waited for her turn as the men helped the other ladies back into their saddles, a little surprised when Raphe sought her out. It would not have surprised her if he’d avoided her, especially as her mount stood out of sight of the others.

“Shall I help you up?” he asked, his face impassive.

Greer nodded, moving aside as he went to check her girth.

“I already did that,” she said.