Lords of Darkness and Shadow: Four Great Le Veque Novels by Kathryn Le Veque

Author:Kathryn Le Veque [Le Veque, Kathryn]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Dragonblade Publishing
Published: 2014-11-13T06:00:00+00:00

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CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

Glenteige’s great hall had been made into a massive place of warmth and food and great pungent smells. As Emllyn entered the hall on de Noble’s arm, her eyes were wide at the extraordinary setting.

The hall was built from the same fieldstone that the keep was constructed from, a very long room with an open fire pit in the center of it. Smoke escaped through a series of vents in the thatched roof, which had also been coated with mud to prevent the thatch from catching sparks.

Two long tables flanked either side of the fire pit, worn tables that had seen their fair share of feasting. One had a broken leg that was propped up by rocks. Even now, both tables were burdened with food, more food that Emllyn had seen in a very long time. Both tables held huge flanks of the buck that de Ferrer had killed and men helped themselves to the meat. The room was a busy, noisy place filled with the hungry and the drunk.

Dressed in a pale green silk surcoat with a beautiful white shift underneath that fit her figure to perfection, Emllyn had taken great care with her appearance. Her hair had been carefully brushed and braided, knotted into an intricate bun at the nape of her neck and anchored with big iron pins, and Elyse had even shared some of her cosmetics with her. She wore a dusting of ocher on her cheeks and beeswax mixed with the same ocher on her lips, giving her a lush and rosy glow. To finish off the look, Elyse’s maid had dusted her neck and shoulders with a fine powder mixed with gold dust. Literally, the woman was shining.

It was an effort that was not missed by de Noble when he came to collect her for the meal. He’d never seen anything so lovely, and it was a proud man who entered the hall with Emllyn on his arm. She was glorious. He took her around the feasting English and scavenging dogs to deposit her at one of the tables. The moment Emllyn sat, servants appeared with a trencher and drink. She didn’t even have to say a word as food was instantly being heaped onto her trencher.

Elyse was there with Connaught, both of them sitting conspicuously close in conversation until Emllyn sat down. Then, Elyse’s focus shifted to her friend.

“You look so beautiful!” Elyse gasped, visually inspecting her. “That dress never looked so good on me.”

Emllyn smiled as she collected her pewter cup of wine. “I am sure that is not true, but it is kind of you to say so,” she said, sipping her wine. “You look stunning, darling. Yellow becomes you.”

Elyse smiled demurely. “It is a gift from Christopher.”

Emllyn wasn’t surprised because the neckline of the garment was rather low and daring. “It is perfect,” she said. “He has wonderful taste.”

As Christopher dipped his head in thanks, Elyse grasped Emllyn’s hand and began perusing the room. Together, the women looked curiously at the crowd of diners.

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