Read Online The Gorgon by Kathryn Le Veque - Free Book Online Page B

dared to break the
spell. After a moment, Summer offered a timid smile. He smiled back.
    "Did you enjoy your first
melee, my lady?” he asked politely. “As I have understood, it was your
first."
    Summer rose to her feet, her
smile broadening. Before she could speak, however, Edward and Genisa thrust
themselves forward, intercepting Summer's reply.
    "She was terrified at first,
my lord, but she calmed when you and Stephan battled for victory,"
Genisa's shrill, squeaking tone was irritating. "Congratulations on your
win, although my husband undoubtedly feels otherwise."
    Bose looked to the woman, pretty
and flashy with big teeth and a sensual smile. But, already, her high-pitched
voice annoyed the hell out of him.
    "In fact, he has already
congratulated me on a fine match, Lady du Bonne," he said respectfully.
"But his younger brother, I am sure, feels otherwise. I sent Ian to the
ground within the first minute or so."
    "A magnificent defeat, my
lord," Edward agreed. "We've not yet met, but I am Edward du Bonne. I
have heard a great deal about you, as my sons' most formidable nemesis."
    Bose bowed his head slightly in
thanks, his onyx eyes fairly glittering at Summer. "Where it is my
pleasure to vex your sons, most assuredly, my intentions toward your daughter
are precisely the opposite," when Summer blushed profusely, he could not
help but smile. "Might I have a word in private with her, my lord?"
    Edward's smile faded and Bose
caught the nervous glance he cast to his daughter. "I... that is to say,
my daughter is a proper maiden, my lord. I am uncomfortable with your term
'private'. Mayhap it would be best if you said your farewell at this time;
undoubtedly, you are tired and wish to rest after your thrilling victory."
    Sensing that Bose was focused on
the baron, the crowd began to filter from the lodges to take in a bit of the
merriment intended to accompany such an event. Jugglers, men who breathed fire,
and other entertainment perused the grounds, vying for attention and coinage.
Since the melee was over for the day and the joust would not commence until the
morrow, there were a hundred other diversions to occupy the guests until the
evening feast.
    But Bose ignored the throng as
they vacated the stands, still focused on the baron and his evasive answer. Feeling
his annoyance mount, since he had yet to be given a valid reason as to why he
must steer clear of the lady's company, he fixed the short, fat man with a
heady stare.
    "When I used the word
'private', I simply meant to infer having a confidential conversation with my
lady, not to whisk her into a darkened tent and have my way with her," as
Genisa gasped with the shock of his bold words, Bose drew in a deep breath and
attempted to calm his irritation. "I assure you, my lord, I have no
intention of vexing or molesting your daughter. A brief word is all I ask. You
may stand where you are and observe the entire happenstance. In fact, I would
encourage you to do so for your own peace of mind."
    Edward's gaze was unusually hard
and unusually soft at the same time. He knew little of Bose de Moray other than
what his sons had seen notable to mention, nearly all of their tales revolving
around the man's uncanny strength and knightly ability. Still, he was unsure
and reluctant.
    "As well I appreciate your
noble offer, I find I must decline yet again," he said quietly. "We
thank you for your query, sir knight, but my daughter is not interested."
    "Did you ask her?"
    "N-Nay, he...."
    Summer's budding reply was
abruptly cut short by Genisa's grating voice, overshadowing her sister-in-law's
attempt at speech.
    "I am afraid this day has
been most taxing on Summer and myself," she said quickly, grasping her
sister-in-law firmly by the arm and practically dragging her toward the exit.
"If you will excuse us, sir knight. My lord baron."
    Bose watched, his black eyes
glittering, as Genisa literally yanked Summer down the small flight of stairs
leading from the lodges. Onyx-black