Lady Knight by L-J Baker

Author:L-J Baker
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub, pdf
Tags: ! Yes
ISBN: 9781933110752
Publisher: Bold Strokes Books
Published: 2010-12-21T06:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

Riannon nodded to the red-cheeked page for him to deliver his message.

“Sir—Lady, I come from her Eminence, the Naer Aveline,”

he said. “She wishes you most particularly to attend her at the Earl Marshal’s feast.”

Riannon frowned as she tossed the boy a coin and dismissed him.

Aveline? Why would the naer wish her to attend yet another feast?

Riannon stood on the verge of persuading Eleanor to forgo the invitation in favour of returning to bed.

Eleanor, who had reluctantly risen from their scandalously long interlude in her chamber to receive the visit of her principal man of business, strode across the hall. Lover and beloved. The strength of her own feelings did not surprise Riannon, for Eleanor was a woman whom bards should sing about rather than the wilting, insipid, passive creatures they favoured as their subjects. What had taken her unawares was Eleanor’s professed reciprocation of feelings. To Riannon, that seemed little short of a miracle. Even more perplexing, she could not understand why men did not fi ght each other for the privilege of the lady’s attention. Or why Guy lingered a single moment before declaring his interest in her—though, Riannon knew she would fi nd it impossible to watch if her brother prosecuted a more active suit of Eleanor. Thank all the gods that Eleanor had the wealth to pay for her continuing widowhood.

Eleanor smiled up at Riannon with a wicked warmth that dragged most of Riannon’s mind along wanton paths all leading to Eleanor’s bed.

“I’m happy to say that I can afford to entertain you in good style,”

Eleanor said. “Though I’ll not bore you with talk of pennies. Most

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L-J BAKER

timely, too, was this accounting, for I received a summons to talk with her Grace. I assume she has set a price for my fi ne. How glad I am that she does not know that my love has added greatly to my desire to remain unwed. She’d be astounded to learn how much she could screw out of my purse for the privilege. Now, I suppose we’d best not tarry in getting to the Earl Marshal’s feast.”

Riannon resigned herself to biting her tongue and struggling not to ram Henry’s teeth down his throat.

Soon after they arrived in the crowded hall, Riannon left Eleanor talking with an acquaintance and sought out Aveline.

“I’m here,” Riannon said. “For what reason did you wish my presence?”

“I’ve barely seen you since we came to the city,” Aveline said.

“You’re much in Lady Eleanor’s company, I hear?”

“I am the lady’s guest.”

“You’re sworn to the Goddess. Forget that not.”

Riannon frowned. “I do not forget oaths. Does this mean you have something I must do?”

“If all goes well, yes.” Aveline smiled in the direction of the ambassador. “I have every reason to believe that all will go very well.”

Riannon directed her frown at the small group of the Lion Emperor’s men. The beefy one with the tattoo glared at everyone and looked like he wished he had his sword in hand. Although, given the general reaction to them at the wedding, she could scarce fault him.

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