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that.
    Surmising the earl's thoughts, Wulfgar smiled faintly.
His features relaxed. "Aye, more than adequately, my lord," he
replied, a twinkle in his eye. What an
understatement! he thought fleetingly. Eager to
please, the earl's lusty servant girls had amply seen to his men's needs all
afternoon!
    Wulfgar looked at his men, who sat at their own table
warily watching the festivities. He was glad there would be entertainment
during the feast. Somewhat uncomfortable himself amid all these Anglo-Saxons,
he could well imagine the thoughts of his battle-hardened warriors as they sat
among the people who had been their enemies for the last hundred years. Yet his
oath of allegiance to King Edgar was their oath as well, and they were
foresworn to maintain the peace. Wulfgar smiled grimly. He hoped that tonight
the musicians and jugglers would be enough for a diversion to prevent any
provocations or insults between his men and Earl Godric's thanes.
    Earl Godric chuckled heartily at Wulfgar's answer, and
slapped him approvingly on the shoulder. "More ale!" he shouted.
    Lady Bronwen glanced down the length of the hall, but
there was still no sign of her daughters. Growing somewhat nervous herself at
Anora's delay, she wondered if Gwendolyn might have something to do with it. As
much as she loved her daughter, she was very aware of her willful and
mischievous nature. She started to rise from her chair to go look for them,
when a roar of approval went up from the guests. Spying her daughters at the
foot of the stairs, she breathed a sigh of relief. She turned to Wulfgar. "My
lord, your betrothed awaits her escort," she announced softly.
    Gwendolyn and Anora stood for a moment at the end of
the vast hall, blushing at the obvious stir they were causing among the guests.
Resplendent in their silken tunics, they were bathed in an ethereal glow from
the myriad candles, their silver-blond hair shimmering and catching the light.
    Many of the guests, first-time visitors to the earl's
stronghold and having only heard of his daughters' legendary beauty, stared
awestruck as the sisters began to walk toward the dais. Truly, they made a
dazzling pair!
    Anora could not tear her eyes away from Wulfgar's tall
figure as he made his way toward them. His steel blue eyes, boldly taking in
every aspect of her appearance, seemed to devour her. Feeling suddenly as if
her heart would stop, she forced herself to breathe steadily. Her memories of
him had not done him justice. Sweet Jesu! she whispered to herself. She had never seen him look
more strikingly handsome!
    His tall, lean body was clothed in a forest green tunic
richly embroidered with gold threads. Stretched tautly across his broad
shoulders and muscular chest, the tunic fell to his knees, meeting the tops of fine
leather boots. Wide gold bands glinted brightly at his wrists, and a heavy gold
chain and medallion hung around his neck. At the center of the medallion was a
blood-red ruby that sparkled in the candlelight. A wide, metal-studded belt
encircled his waist, from which hung the scabbard of his dress sword. Resting
one hand on the silver-engraved pommel, Wulfgar looked every inch the virile
warrior as he walked toward his betrothed with agile grace.
    "Lady Anora . . . Lady Gwendolyn," he stated
formally in a low, resonant voice, bowing slightly as he stood in front of
them. Gwendolyn acknowledged him with a nod and a faint smile, then passed by him to take her seat beside Lady Bronwen.
    "Welcome, my lord," Anora murmured, overtaken
by a sudden shyness. Trembling, she felt rooted to the ground. Wulfgar was
standing so close to her that she could feel the warmth emanating from his
strong body. His clean, male scent enveloped her senses.
    Wulfgar took her small hand and lifted it to his lips,
gently kissing the delicate fingers. Anora's breath caught in her throat. She
looked up at him, her emerald eyes locking with his steely gaze in an unspoken
embrace.
    "Come, Anora," he whispered huskily,