Rose of Rapture by Rebecca Brandewyne

Author:Rebecca Brandewyne [Brandewyne, Rebecca]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Romance, Middle Ages, (¯`'•.¸//(*_*)\\¸.•'´¯)
ISBN: 9780505524560
Publisher: Love Spell
Published: 1984-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

She could no longer look into his eyes, those amber orbs that would search out relentlessly her innermost thoughts: and she was glad when a knight, bearing a covered silver dish ornately encrusted with jewels, approached the table, though she wondered at the sudden tittering of the courtiers that just as quickly faded to a strange, expectant silence.

"My Lord Hawkhurst"—the knight spoke and bowed with an exaggerated flourish—"His Grace begs ye accept this small token of congratulations on your recent marriage." He lifted the lid to reveal a brown-and-gold hawk, which, though still alive, had been securely bound up and lay helplessly amid a bed of white rose petals.

Isabella gasped, then gave a small cry of horror at the bird's plight and what she knew was a nasty jest on the King's part: for none present, having heard the story of what had occurred that afternoon, could have mistaken the meaning of Edward's wedding present to the couple.

"Oh, cruel. Cruel!" the girl whimpered and attempted to spring to her feet, intending to release the poor hawk at once. ,

Warrick's arm, however, shot out rapidly to encircle her waist— lovingly, it seemed, to those who watched—but to Isabella, it was as though she had been imprisoned by an iron band: for her husband's grip had tightened wamingly, almost painfully, around her, restraining her impulsive action.

The Earl smiled wryly at the knight who had delivered the trussed bird, then glanced casually about the great hall.

"I see that His Grace has not lost his sense of humor during my absence," Warrick said loudly enough for all to hear. A smattering of appreciative laughter rang out but then died as still the courtiers watched and waited, like animals stalking their prey. "Come, 'Sabelle." Warrick rose and offered his arm to her, his eyes cautioning her to do nothing rash. "Methinks the King would like to meet ye."

Trembling with rage, she stood, her grey-green orbs flashing defiantly; and though she was desperately frightened by the idea of bringing Edward's wrath down upon herself and her husband, she made no move to lay her hand on Warrick's arm.

Instead, in the breathless silence that had once more fallen over the great hall, she took the heavy plate dish from the knight and set it on the table. Then she drew the dagger at her waist and, crooning soothingly to the hawk all the while, deftly cut the thongs that tied it. The bird stirred and struggled to rise but could not. The girl saw, with fury, that one of its wings was broken. Having, by now, learned how hateful those at Court could be,

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