(1993) Desire by Amanda Quick

Author:Amanda Quick [Quick, Amanda]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: love_history
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

10

Ulrich studied the white linen bandage plainly revealed by the tied-back sleeve of Gareth’s gray tunic. “Dangerous things, daggers.”

“Aye.” Gareth flattened his hands on the table and leaned forward to study the sketch of the Isle of Desire that was spread out in front of him. “You have done excellent work on this drawing, Ulrich.”

“Thank you, my lord.” Ulrich’s mouth kicked up at the corner. “Twas done rather hastily from notes I made during the past three days. I shall improve upon it as I grow more familiar with the isle.”

“I am pleased. This map will prove useful as we plan the isle’s defense.”

“Judging by the gossip which had swirled through this hall all morning, it might be wise if you prepared a defense against your bride.”

Gareth looked up from the parchment map. “Twas an accident, Ulrich.”

“Aye. Whatever you say.”

“I was entertaining my wife by demonstrating some tricks with my dagger.

The damn thing slipped.”

“Tricks with your dagger.” Ulrich looked thoughtful. “In the marriage bed.”

“Aye.”

“Accidents will happen.”

“Aye.”

“Is dagger juggling in bed a local custom here on Desire, sir?” Ulrich asked politely.

“Tis the custom of a man who has had one too many cups of wine.”

“I have never known you to drink a quantity of wine sufficient to make you careless with your dagger.”

“You have never known me to get myself wed, either.”

“Aye, that is true.”

“There is a first time for all things, Ulrich.”

“That would, mayhap, explain the laughter that is said to have been heard coming from the bridal chamber very early this morning.”

“Laughter?” Gareth gave his friend a quizzical glance.

“A man’s laughter. Or so gossip has it. Great peels of it, apparently.

Loud enough to be heard by a pair of maids in the hall outside your bedchamber.”

Gareth shrugged. “Household servants are inclined to gossip.” He went back to the map.

“You would know nothing of any laughter, naturally,” Ulrich said.

“Nay.”

“Never having been known to laugh at anything in your entire life.”

Gareth ignored that. “For the most part, Desire appears to be naturally fortified by its high cliffs.”

“Aye.”

“The only obvious place to bring a boat ashore is the village harbor.”

“Aye. But I noticed a couple of tiny coves here along the side of the isle that looks out across the channel toward Seabern.” Ulrich indicated the points with his forefinger.

“Could a boat be landed in either place?”

Ulrich glanced at the sketch. “A small fishing boat, mayhap. But the climb up to the top of the cliffs would not be easy. One definitely could not bring a party of mounted men ashore at either of those two locations. There is no cause for concern there.”

“Tis often the small things that cause a man to trip and fall.”

Ulrich’s eyes gleamed with amusement. “Small things such as daggers?”

“Aye. Are there any other interesting features of the isle?”

“Young William is very observant. He tells me that there are some caves in the cliffs near one of the small coves.”

Gareth frowned. “Could men or arms be hidden in them?”

“Nay. At least not for more than a few hours.

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