Read Online Knight of My Dreams by Lynsay Sands - Free Book Online Page B

phrase.
    â€œAlice, your mother is not feeling well, and she would like you to accompany her back to your room.”
    Jonathan wasn’t at all fooled by the claim. He could clearly see the determination in his mother’s eyes. He had also taken notice of the startled expression on Lady Houghton’s face before she managed to cover it with what he supposed she believed could pass for the pathetic expression of an ailing individual.
    â€œOh, Mother!” Alice was immediately at the older woman’s side, offering her arm for support. “Is it something you ate, do you think?”
    â€œI, er, I am not sure, dear.” Lady Houghton’s gaze jumped to Lady Fairley, then away. “It may be. I simply feel awful.”
    Lady Houghton was a lousy thespian, Jonathan decided. He sighed unhappily as his chance to get Alice outside, alone under the moon and stars, slipped away.
    â€œWell, come, we shall get you above stairs and put you to bed.” Casting a regretful glance in Jonathan’s direction, Alice departed with her mother, leaving Jonathan to turn an irritated glance on his own. Before he could catapult the accusations swimming around in his head, however, she drew forward a young stick like figure in a dress and smiled brilliantly. “This is Lady Estemia Kolpepper, my dear. You have not yet had the chance to dance with her.”
    Outmaneuvered again, Jonathan gave his mother a look that promised retribution and took the arm of his latest offering.
    J onathan was heartily sick of seeing Alice fly by on the arm of some man or other. It did not matter that he himself had danced with equally as many women. The fact was, she was far too popular with the men in attendance at this, his last day of bridal feasting, and he did not like it.
    The dance finally ended and Jonathan escorted his latest partner off the floor. He left her in the general vicinity of where he had collected her, then strode purposely toward Alice. He’d had quite enough of dancing with clumsy oxen and spoiled mama’s girls. Jonathan had also had quite enough of watching Alice dragged across the floor by every lecher at court. Had his mother deliberately invited every ne’er-do-well who gathered around the king?
    â€œOh, Jonathan.” Alice beamed on him when he paused before her. “Have you met Lord Roderic of Somersby?”
    â€œNay, and I do not wish to,” was his abrupt answer. He swept her out onto the dance floor as the musicians started again.
    The first song had ended and a second begun before he noticed the way Alice was shaking silently at his side. For a moment, his black mood was displaced by concern that she might be crying or some such womanly thing, but then he glimpsed the expression on her face. It was mirth she was attempting to subdue that was making her shake so.
    â€œWhat the devil do you find so amusing?” he asked.
    â€œYou,” she answered promptly, a laugh slipping out before she could stop it. “You look like a sulky boy. What has gotten under your cap, my lord? Not enjoying this bridal feast?”
    Jonathan growled at her gentle teasing, his gaze moving hungrily over her sparkling eyes and cheerful grin. “No, but I notice you have been enjoying it.”
    â€œIf you think so, my lord, I fear you are sadly mistaken.” She spoke so cheerfully, for a moment Jonathan wasn’t sure he had heard right.
    â€œAre you saying you are not enjoying the feast?”
    Her smile slipped and she sighed. “My lord, my feet ache, it is positively stifling in here, and if I have to listen to one more grand tale of bravery in battle, I shall surely die of boredom.”
    For some reason, her litany of miseries cheered Jonathan somewhat. He found himself smiling at her in return.
    â€œMy lord, are you aware that the music has changed again?” When he stared at her blankly, she explained, “This is our third reel.”
    â€œI had not