Read Online The Black Lyon by Jude Deveraux - Free Book Online Page B

or the deep scowl on his face.
    After the meal, Lyonene played her psaltery, a harp-like instrument, and sang. Her voice was clear and pretty and she looked only at Ranulf as she sang the old love songs.
    He kissed her hand as he bade her good sleep, and they parted for the night, both very aware of the one thin wall separating them. Ranulf was glad Lucy had returned from the village so he would not be tempted to enter her room as he'd done the night before.
    For a brief instant, before he slept, questions came to his brain, questions as to the wisdom of marriage with this unknown girl. It was true-that she looked at him as no other woman ever had, but did she also look at other men so? Was she a better mummer than the women at court, to make him believe she cared for him and not the wealth of M alvoisin? He dismissed the thoughts, but they were to haunt him later.

    * * *
    Lyonene stretched luxuriously—a tawny cat. She felt that something good was to happen today, an excitement she could not name. Then, eyes fully open, she sprang nude from the bed, careful not to wake Lucy, and hastily dressed. Lion would leave this morn and she must see him.
    In the Great Hall below in the dim light she saw that her father's men yet slept soundly, but the Black Guard were not present.
    Silently, she made her way to the door and toward the stables. The sun did not even show pink yet, it was so early.
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    She stood at the stable door, her eyes focusing in the dark building.
    "M y Lioness awakes early." His voice was low, his breath soft as he sent shivers of pleasure through her body.
    She whirled and sent him a brilliant smile. "And so does my Lion, it seems."
    "Careful with those smiles. Lioness, or I may find a den for us." He rolled his eyes in meaning.
    She covered her mouth over the giggles that trilled out. It was then that she saw Geoffrey standing so close. Over his shoulder was a horse's bridle. "You go also?"
    Geoffrey was very aware of the scowl that grew on his brother's face, but it scared him not. This new jealousy of Ranulfs deserved some teasing.
    Lyonene looked into the blue eyes of her brother-in-law. He was more handsome at close range, with lashes that shadowed his cheeks. She watched with interest as he lifted her limp hand and kissed the back of it. His eyes sparkled into hers. "I may kiss you before we leave?"
    As he took her slim shoulders in his hands, his eyes met Ranulfs, teasing his older brother. His lips met Lyonene's briefly, and they were pleasant and sweet. With a smile, he left her to finish with his horse. Lyonene turned to watch him mount. "Well, my brother," he said, "why do you tarry? Kiss Lady Lyonene and let us be off." He motioned his horse out the stable door, leaving Lyonene and Ranulf alone.
    Her heart and breath had changed at the mere thought of kissing her Lion again. She turned to him, her face as serious as his. A big hand buried itself in her hair, and he roughly pulled her to him, his chest steel against her woman's softness. His lips met hers in an urgency that she eagerly met. Her arms twined themselves about his strong body, pulling him closer to her. She could feel his thighs against her, and she instinctively moved her hips against his.
    He almost threw her from him, and she leaned against the stable wall, her breast heaving, her lips parted and exceedingly soft.
    "You expect too much of me. It is well that I leave." His voice was harsh and low. "See that your mother keeps you safe."
    "You will not forget me?"
    "Never, my Lioness. I will think of naught else."
    "Nor I." Tears choked her words.
    He kissed away each tear that formed on her lashes and then he was gone. Lyonene did not know how long she stood there, and even though the sun was shining when she entered the stone castle, for her all thought of sun was gone.
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Chapter Four
    M elite saw the lost expression on her daughter's face when Lyonene came into the Great Hall. She knew her son-in-law had gone, and now the long