shocked until he realized that giggles were very close to the surface.
Unlike most finely bred ladies, the girl made no secrets of her thoughts. Aye,
she was bold and spoiled and after what Kirk told him had transpired last eve,
foolish too. But if he were to ignore her negative characteristics, she was
also the most beautiful creature he had ever seen.
"Lady Johanne
enjoys painting and poetry." He tried not to look at Mara as she continued
to make faces. "I would assume you are accomplished in both?"
Micheline nodded.
"I love to paint, although my knowledge of poetry is somewhat
limited."
"That should not be
a problem." Corwin was still in the conversation. "My wife writes
poetry. She would love to indulge you."
"Your wife?"
Micheline turned to the knight. "I did not know you were married, Sir
Corwin."
He nodded. "Three
years now. My wife, Lady Valdine, and her sister, Lady Wanda, reside at Anchorsholme."
"Are you married,
Sir Niles?" Mara stopped grimacing long enough to focus on Kirk's tall
associate.
The knight shook his
head. "Nay, lady, I am not. Do I detect your interest?"
A smile played on Mara's
lips even though she was doing her best to scowl. "Never!"
Niles sensed the game,
smiling coyly as she turned away. "Come now, my lady. There is no need for
modesty. Simply declare your interest and I shall consider you."
Mara shook her head
firmly, the black hair gleaming like silk as she moved. "I am not
interested and I never shall be."
Niles managed to rein
his horse in front of her, his smile wicked. "I am crushed. Why not?"
Mara tried not to look
at him. "Because you're too old, Sir Niles. Moreover, I do not want a
husband."
"I am only
twenty-six. And why do you not want a husband?"
She shrugged, watching
Corwin smirk from the corner of her eye. "Because I do not. I do not need
one, nor do I want one. Besides, who would be foolish enough tolerate my lively
nature?"
Corwin and Niles looked
at each other. "She has a point," Niles conceded. Sighing
dramatically, he returned his gaze to Anchorsholme. "Lady Mara, I have
decided to reject your suit. You will understand, of course. I am far too
feeble a man for your bold nature."
Mara fought off a smile,
giggling when Micheline whispered something in her ear. Ahead, Kirk suddenly
reined his horse around and lifted a massive arm, sending the escort dividing
into two long rows. Niles and Corwin, their exchange with Mara forgotten,
lowered their visors and took position in front of the ladies.
Mara and Micheline
watched as the great gates of Anchorsholme Castle slowly opened, the grinding
of wood and rope echoing off the stone. A color guard waited on the
battlements, the yellow and gray standards of the House of De Cleveley waving
in the brisk wind. The sisters drank it all in, the awe of the spectacle
outweighing the anxiety of their destiny.
CHAPTER FOUR
It was difficult to
describe the smell of their lovemaking; somewhere between animal fat and a
rotting corpse. When the heavy breathing subsided and the sweat cooled, it
always smelled the same. It was a foul stench, emitting from the foul depths of
their warped relationship.
A woman stood by one of
three lancet windows offering weak illumination into the richly-appointed
chamber. The heavy oilcloth was pulled back, a cool breeze caressing her naked
body as her lover languished on the massive bed behind her.
"They've finally
arrived," she said faintly. Perhaps a bit ominously.
The man on the damp,
dirty sheets stirred a bit, eventually rising. He went to stand beside the
woman, their gazes lingering on the activity in the bailey below.
"They are
late," the man said, turning away in search of his clothes.
The lady remained
focused on the scene, trying to catch a glimpse of the woman she knew to be in
the party. A woman she hadn't yet decided to love or hate.
"This marriage, Edmund."
She turned from the bright day, watching the man secure his hose. "You
promised me