Believe by Victoria Alexander Page B

century, obviously men were all alike. She had no doubt this one had a very definite quest in mind that had nothing to do with the Grail and everything to do with adventure of a far different nature. She’d have to watch him.
    “So what’s first on the tour?” She smiled up at him. His eyes really were remarkable. A woman of any era could drown in their blue depths and count herself lucky for the demise. Still, Tessa had a job to do.
    “I…” Distinct discomfort crossed Galahad’s face. He cleared his throat and tossed Merlin a helpless look. “My lord, I think…that ’twould be best…”
    “Her clothes?” Merlin nodded knowingly.
    “Damn. I forgot about that. I suppose when in Rome…” She cocked her head at Merlin. “I assume you can do something here?”
    “Certainly, my dear.” The wizard straightened the cuff of his gown. “If you are willing to trust my, what was that word, oh yes, ‘trite’ sense of fashion.”
    “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to be so nasty. I was just lashing out. Today hasn’t turned out the way I thought it would when I woke up this morning.”
    “Think nothing of it, my dear.” A gracious note underlaid his words. “I quite understand. Now, is there a particular color you prefer?”
    “I think the fair Tessa would be beyond compare in gold,” Galahad said with a quiet intensity. “’Twould match the flecks in her eyes, deep and velvet as a doe’s.”
    “And I thought they were just brown.” She gazed at him and realized she wouldn’t just have to watch him. She’d have to watch herself. She jerked her gaze to Merlin. “Actually, all those mustard yellows are really bad on me. They make my skin look sallow and sick. I’d prefer something dark, a jewel tone, green, red, blue, something like that.”
    “Very well.” Merlin’s figure grew faint. “Galahad, I shall leave our guest in your capable hands.” Only his black eyes lingered. A queasy sensation settled in her stomach. She’d never get used to this. “My dear, I shall see you later.” At once, even his eyes were gone.
    “Hey,” she said to absolutely no one. “What about my clothes?”
    “My lady.” Galahad nodded. “I believe that has been resolved.”
    Tessa glanced down and sighed heavily. Merlinhad indeed changed her twenty-first-century attire to something more appropriate for a medieval king’s court. A gown hugged her breasts then flowed to the floor in a wide sweep of soft fabric. Embroidered flowers and birds danced around the bodice in colorful abandon. Here and there threads of gold caught the light and winked and glittered. It was in many respects a magnificent gown.
    Except, of course, that it was a truly horrible shade of mustard yellow.

Chapter Four
    “O kay, Big Guy.” Lady Tessa sighed. “What’s next?”
    Galahad studied her silently. Only a fool would think her a lad now. Her hair was freed from its bonds and glowed golden in the shafts of sunshine and light reflected like stars in the dark of her eyes. The gown produced by the wizard’s hand molded to the curves of her hips and the swell of her breasts like the soft leather of a fine glove. By the heavens, she was a woman to warm the bed of any man.
    Her eyes narrowed. “What are you looking at?”
    If any man could get past the stubborn thrust of her chin and the defiant gleam in her eye. Still, ’twas said the true thrill of the tigress was in the taming. “The gown becomes you, my lady.”
    “It’s really a bit much.” She raised her arm and glanced down at the dress. Abruptly, her eyes widened. “Why that son of a bi—wizard. He took my und—”
    Galahad drew his brows together. “Is something amiss?”
    “Something is definitely missing, all right. I know this is probably historically accurate and all that but I’m not used to going without any—”
    “Without what, my lady?”
    A charming blush spread up her cheeks. ’Twas the same when she’d spoken of her boobs . Galahad bit back a