Rose in Bloom (Sex and the Season #2)(69)

“Admittedly, that sounds good,” Daniel agreed, “but the ladies—”

“Oh for goodness’ sake, go on with them,” Lily said. “You’re allowed a few carefree remnants of your bachelor days.” She shooed the men off. “The girls and I will shop. I want to look at the oriental silk some more. Let’s meet back here in an hour. I don’t want to miss the spiral dance.”

“Perfect,” Daniel said. “Buy whatever you want, love.”

“Do you hear yourself, Lybrook?” Thomas chortled. “I’m not sure you need another drink.”

The three men laughed as they tottered off together.

Alexandra sighed. “I do believe those are the three best-looking men in England,” she said thoughtfully. “My cousin, my cousin-in-law, and my future stepbrother. Of all the rotten luck!”

“Ally, do you ever think of anything but men?” Sophie shook her head.

“Come now, they’re splendid, and you know it.”

“I have to agree with her,” Lily said. “Especially the one in the middle. Now come on, let’s shop! I want to get some of that incredible silk.”

“I still can’t believe you aren’t marrying Evan, Rose,” Ally said. “I admit he isn’t my favorite person in the world, but he’s damned good-looking!”

“Ally! Your language.” Sophie sighed.

“I’m beginning to regret our mutual decision,” Rose said.

“Really?” Alexandra raised her eyebrows. “So you feel more for him than you thought?”

“I’m thinking about it,” Rose said, “and that’s all I’m saying.” She shot Lily a look telling her to keep quiet.

“Well, I certainly can’t blame you,” Ally said. “He is spectacular.”

Spectacular indeed. Alexandra was right. All three of them were. But one existed who put them all to shame, who stole her breath with a single glance.

Cameron. The father of her child.



The men returned from their jaunt to the tavern, pleasantly relaxed. The ladies awaited them, their arms full of parcels.

“Dear God, Lybrook,” Thomas said, approaching. “Do you see what you’ve done? They’ve gone and bought out the place.”

“I’m sorry, Daniel,” Lily said. “We didn’t have time to deliver our purchases to the carriage or we would have been late to meet you.”

“No problem, love. We’ll take them for you.” He motioned to Thomas and Evan.

“You’re kidding, right?” Thomas said, winking. “She’s your problem now. Once you married her, all big brother duties officially ceased.”

“Thomas, you fool,” Lily laughed.

“You’re still her brother,” Daniel said. Then, to Evan, “and you’re her cousin, almost. Come on.”

“To be fair, it’s not all Lily’s,” Ally chimed in. “Rose and I both purchased the most beautiful scarves, and Sophie found a wonderful shawl.”

By the time the men returned from their errand, the spiral dance had begun. The druids, clad in white diaphanous veils and flower garlands and crowns, moved slowly in a circle, their arms outstretched. A flautist accompanied them as they spiraled toward the center of the circle, never colliding.

“During the dance,” Daniel explained, “each dancer faces each other dancer at least once. As they spiral, they raise energy to call the Goddess.”

“It’s beautiful,” Lily sighed.

“Yes, it is,” Rose agreed.

“Oh my!” Sophie exclaimed, as the leader of the spiral joined hands with another woman and kissed her on the mouth.

“That’s just part of the dance,” Daniel said. “Physical contact helps them raise energy. Sometimes they do this dance during a full moon. It’s called drawing down the moon. They raise energy from the moon to work their magick.”

“Magic?” Rose queried. “They hardly look the smoke and mirrors type.”

“Magick with a K, Rose,” Daniel said. “It’s how the pagans pray.”

“How do you know so much about this, Daniel?” Lily asked.

“My parents brought Morgan and me to all the festivals when we were lads.”

“It’s really beautiful, isn’t it,” Rose said. “Who would have thought pagan rituals could be so inspiring?”

“Not Papa, that’s for sure,” Lily said. “He’s as devout a Christian as there is.”

“This is all new to you then?” Evan asked.

“Oh, yes,” Rose replied. “Papa never allowed us to participate in any of the pagan celebrations. No May Day, no Midsummer, no Samhain, no Yule.”

“We saw some in Scotland,” Alexandra interjected. “Especially where the Celtic clans settled. Sophie and I didn’t go often, but when our father was out of town, which, unfortunately, wasn’t near enough, mother sometimes took us. It was quite a treat.”

“I don’t know much about your father,” Evan said. “My father hasn’t enlightened me much about Iris’s past.”

Alexandra shook her head nonchalantly. “Believe me, you’re better off not knowing.” She turned to Daniel. “Shouldn’t we be leaving soon, if we’re to dine and change for the theatre?”