Read Online Everlasting by Kathleen E. Woodiwiss - Free Book Online Page A

Abrielle took herself mentally in hand and deliberately turned aside without acknowledging the man. Upon facing her intended, she said, “I was beginning to wonder if you were even aware that I was here, Desmond. You seemed so involved straightening out numerous details for the hunt that I was beginning to feel slighted.”
     
      Desmond chortled in amusement. “Banish such an inconceivable thought from your lovely head, my dear. I assure you with all sincerity that I did not dismiss you from mind. Be assured that I am counting the days and hours that must pass ere we are wed. If I were able to hasten them on their way, I would surely do so.”
     
      In spite of his averred enthusiasm, Abrielle preferred to think of that event not at all. Without issuing a yea or a nay, she swept a hand about to indicate her lifelong companion. “I believe you’re acquainted with the Lady Cordelia of Grayson. Lord and Lady Grayson have accepted your invitation to attend our wedding and are at this very moment visiting my parents in the chambers you have so graciously provided.”
     
      “Of course! Of course!” Desmond cheerily responded, bending his plump body forward several times in a manner that clearly evidenced his delight in being in the company of those with fine lineage. “Although this marks the first occasion of our actual introduction, my lady, I can assure you that I’ve been distantly acquainted with your parents for some time now.”
     
      Cordelia smiled gingerly and dared to lift a brow. “And they you, Squire.”
     
      The innuendo within her friend’s reply made Abrielle wonder if she had erred by insisting that Cordelia remain beside her. Although they were in full accord with their mutual abhorrence of the squire, there were occasions when Cordelia wasn’t nearly as subtle around people she disliked as caution might have dictated. But then, Abrielle reminded herself, her friend did not have the same need to be cautious.
     
      Cordelia, unlike Abrielle, had not lost a most worthy betrothed to fate, and her beloved father to his own overabundance of stubborn pride, leaving her in a most precarious position in a world where a man’s protection was not merely a luxury for a woman, but a matter of survival. It did not rest on Cordelia’s pampered shoulders to save her stepfather from ruin and her mother from public humiliation. Not that Abrielle would wish any of that on her dear friend, not for a single moment. She desired only that fate had had a different future in mind for her…one in which she did not have to sell her heart to save the family she loved, one that did not have her destiny quite so entwined with the misfortunes of men.
     
      Were the place where she found herself other than what it was, it wouldn’t have bothered Abrielle in the least to have her friend sparring with the man, since he was no match for Cordelia intellectually, but any tiff between the pair would likely cause tensions to rise in her own family, especially since Elspeth disdained Desmond as much as Cordelia did.
     
      It seemed excellent timing that a fish flipped into the air from the water beneath the drawbridge. Considering the fact that most drawbridges traversed moats notoriously stagnant and overgrown with an abundance of weeds, Abrielle was relieved to have something she could boast about while Desmond was in their midst. “Cordelia, did you see that? Imagine having a moat filled with fish so near at hand!”
     
      Though another might never have discerned the subtle change in her friend’s melodious tones, Cordelia readily sensed Abrielle’s nervous tension. She could hardly blame her for being anxious. For some time now it had seemed that whenever Desmond was afoot, strangely perplexing events were wont to happen, not the least of which dealt with the disappearances of people strongly opposed to the man as well as the theft of jewels, paintings, silver plates, golden goblets, and other costly