The Commander's Desire by Jennette Green

Author:Jennette Green
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Tags: historical romance, medieval romance, Arranged Marriage, romance historical, scotland, Revenge, jennette green, Historical, princesses, middle ages, Love Stories
Publisher: Jennette Green
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

* * * * *

Hagma and Elwytha altered more gowns that afternoon. Thoughts of the witness and the growing evidence of the Commander’s guilt plagued Elwytha, resulting in several painful needle pricks as she worked. It did not improve her mood. In the even, Elwytha donned the green dress, but made no effort to wait for her betrothed’s escort to the dining hall. She would sup too nearly of his closeness all even. More, she could not stand.

The Prince rested upon his plumply cushioned chair as she arrived. She cast him an unfriendly glance and sat. Servers delivered food to the table, and Elwytha sipped water, ignoring him.

After a few minutes, she sensed the Commander behind her. He slid onto the bench and had the nerve to smile at her. “You look lovely this even, as always, Elwytha.”

She glared at him, lips tight. A platter of food appeared before them and she helped herself to vegetables and broth, using her spoon to fill her trencher. The Commander watched silently as she did so. Usually he filled her plate for her, but she wished none of his false courtesies this even.

She ate a carrot, softened by the stew juice. Delicious. After a moment, the Commander served himself, and then cut meat for himself, too. Elwytha ignored this, although she longed for meat, too. Unfortunately, she had no blade to slice off a bloody hunk.

The Commander’s great hands moved slowly, assembling his meal, while Elwytha chewed next on bread. Finally, they stilled, and she felt his gaze upon her.

“Have I displeased you, Elwytha?” he growled in his uncommonly deep voice.

“Your presence displeases me,” she retorted. “I cannot stand to look upon your lying countenance.”

His fingers curled around her wrist, and she stared at them, displeased. “Unhand me.”

“Look on me, Elwytha.”

With reluctance she did so, still glaring, and he released her.

The steel gaze pinned her. “Speak what is wrong between us.”

She scowled harder. “What is wrong is that you are a lying bastard.”

He frowned now, which cast his mutilated face into fearsome lines. “I tell no lies. What do you speak of?”

The Prince interjected, “The Princess received a letter from her trusted brother today.” He gave a thin-lipped smile. “Verily, Princess, your heart seethes with contempt for all your enemies.”

Elwytha could not forget the Prince’s earlier, horrifying threat. She clenched her fists, trembling with anger. “You,” she hissed down the table, “disgust me. I have committed no treachery against you, yet you threaten to adorn your flagpole with my head. What a kind and gracious host you are!”

The Commander turned a frown upon his ruler. “Prince?” The rumble sounded too quiet.

The Prince sent Elwytha a narrow look. “I merely warned your fair princess that treachery against my crown has its price.”

Anger flamed Elwytha’s cheeks hot. “How weak you must be, Prince, to threaten a mere woman. Mayhap all your preening airs have made you feel half a man. You wish to bolster your manliness by threatening your unarmed guest!” She shouted this last, trembling with rage.

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