Page 37

Again, there was hesitation between the sisters, and then Thora, forcing a smile on her face, said, “Well, we dinnae think about it too much.” Her eyes fell to the book in Katherine’s hand. “What are ye reading?”

Clearly, she was trying to change the subject, but Katherine suddenly felt panic rush through her body. She couldn’t lie, for what if they took the book from her to look? But nor did she want to admit what the book was.

“Oh, its, er… it’s not really that good.”

Thora raised an eyebrow and smiled knowingly. “Ye are hiding something from us, Katherine. Ye have nae need. We’re all friends here.”

“Sisters actually,” Enya added.

“Aye.” Thora nodded. “That’s right.”

Maybe it was the fact that Katherine had never had sisters, coupled with the fact that they were so likable and open, that caused Katherine’s panic to lessen. Since her arrival, they had been nothing but kind and caring, as different in personalities as they were. She could not lie to their very faces.

“I am ashamed to tell you what I am reading,” Katherine admitted.

Thora’s face lit up, while Enya looked confused.

“Dae tell us,” Thora pressed, clearly the more adventurous of the two.

“Well—”

“Wait,” Enya interrupted. “We need wine.”

Five minutes later, all three of them had a glass of wine in hand as Katherine tried to explain what the book was about, blushingthe whole time. The twins became more and more excited, and urged Katherine to read some of it to them.

“I couldn’t,” Katherine gasped.

“O’ course, ye can,” Thora said with a grin. “Come on. We might all learn something.”

The three giggled, and now that her panic had completely gone, Katherine turned to the page she was reading before the twin’s arrival.

Katherine continued to read, feeling parts of her body reacting to the words, while at the same time, feeling heat in her cheeks as she spoke the words aloud. She dared not look up to see the reactions of Enya and Thora, but she sensed they were hanging on her every word, for she could hardly hear them breathing.

Katherine paused and lifted her wine to take a sip. Her mouth was dry, but she was certain it was not just from reading.

“My god, have ye ever heard anything like this?” Enya gasped, taking advantage of the break.

Katherine grinned but shook her head. “Never.”

“Where ever did ye get it?” Thora pressed.

There was no way Katherine was going to tell these women that their brother had given it to her, and instead, thinking quickly, she said, “I found it… in a tavern we stopped at on the way here.”

Thora started to giggle. “Well, we all ken what happened in that room ‘afore ye arrived. I hope someone changed the sheets.”

Katherine gave them an appalled look which sent the twins into hysterical laughter. Katherine couldn’t help but join in, and the three giggled for ages.

Rather than continue with the book, the conversation turned, and they discussed the approaching Yule holidays. The twins were clearly excited, and talking over each other, nearly bombarded Katherine with all the things that would take place; feasts, dancing, hunting, to name a few.

“Maybe we might even find our men,” Thora said whimsically.

“Aye, and maybe if ye find one,” Enya teased, “ye can welcome him in like the book said.”

Again, the women fell into hysterical laughter. Thora nearly fell off her chair, and Katherine choked on her wine.

It was nearly too much, and the three of them laughed and laughed. With red faces, and tears running down their cheeks, they couldn’t stop. Between the giggles, they groaned in pain as their sides, tummies and cheeks hurt.

When they all finally calmed down, Katherine felt tired again, though she also acknowledged, she had never felt so happy, relaxed, and comfortable.