The Daring Twin - Donna Fletcher Page 0,3

be in good spirits, laughing and often raising his tankard to drink. The tankard stilled at his lips when he saw the twins, and then a towering shadow above him began to move. Slowly at first, then it appeared to drift away from Leith, taking shape and form until, from the dark into the light, a man emerged beside Leith.

He appeared to stand a good two to three inches past six feet, and for once Fiona was glad for her five feet seven inches. She would not feel thwarted by the size of this man Tarr of Hellewyk, for he could be no other.

His stance was one of pride and confidence. He was bulky and broad, though his mass was muscle not fat. His face was round and his features sharp, his shiny auburn hair fell past his shoulder while slim braids hung along both sides of his face.

His green and black plaid was wrapped tightly around and crossed over his broad shoulder and full chest. He wore a pale yellow linen shirt beneath and brown leather boots. A dirk was tucked at his waist and his claymore was strapped to his back, the silver handle visible behind his head. His features were more compelling than handsome, and the look in his dark eyes—one of warning. He was not a man to cross.

Fiona sensed her sister’s fear and reached out to clasp their hands together, giving the impression she was the weaker twin.

Aliss gave a grateful squeeze and, holding tight, took the first step forward.

Fiona joined her determined pace until they stopped in front of Leith and Tarr.

Their cousin looked from one to the other, his brown eyes looming large as though in shock. His cheeks glowed red and his nostrils flared, he appeared ready to erupt.

“Your appearance insults.”

Aliss stuck her chin out and struck with a sharp tongue. “You demand our immediate appearance and now offend us?”

Leith’s face reddened even more. “You knew wedding arrangements were being made, Fiona.”

“Against my wishes,” Fiona snapped.

Leith’s head jerked left to stare at the twin he had assumed was Aliss. “What game is this you play?” He looked from one to the other then slammed his tankard on the corner of a table, the ale sloshing over the sides. “Fiona, step forward.”

The twins dropped hands, folded their arms across their chests, and took a step forward.

Leith shook his head, stared at the two women, then reached out and grabbed Aliss. “You cannot fool me, Fiona. You will wed Tarr of Hellewyk this day.”

Aliss began to beg pitifully. “Nay, please do not force me to wed.”

Leith instantly released her and grinned with satisfaction, which vanished as soon as Fiona joined with her sister in begging for mercy, their pitch growing to a piercing shriek.

“Enough!”

The thundering shout had men jumping in fright, walls trembling, and immediate silence reigning.

Tarr stepped forward, his stern glance shifting from twin to twin, then to Leith. “You told me all was settled.”

“Along with Fiona’s strength comes a mind of her own.”

“What of obedience to her chieftain and duty to her clan?” Tarr focused on the sisters, his dark eyes intimidating in their scrutiny. “I will wed Fiona. She will step forward.”

Aliss and Fiona glared at him, neither making a move.

Tarr folded his arms over his chest and circled the twins slowly. “They appear no different, and if the weaker can appear stronger then she has the courage I seek. I will wed either one.”

“But does she have the strength you seek?” Aliss asked.

Fiona grinned, her sister’s remark so caustic that she thought she herself had spoken.

Tarr lowered his arms and walked up to stand only inches from Fiona. He remained silent, as did she. She noticed that the warm color of his sun-drenched skin made a short, narrow scar that cut through one eyebrow, and another on his jawbone below his right cheek, more prominent. Except for these two scars, his face bore no other marks or blemishes. His dark eyebrows were not thick, though they were full and arched over his eyes as if applied with perfect strokes. His eyes, she had first thought black, were a deep brown with faint gold specks that were visible only when the fire’s light caught them and turned them brilliant.

He was, Fiona decided, a handsomely compelling man.

“Now that you have assessed me what say we wed, Fiona?”

She laughed so that her shock at him guessing her identity would not show. “I cannot assess you in one glance. It takes time to know