The Darkland by Kathryn le Veque

Author:Kathryn le Veque [Veque, Kathryn le]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Amazon: B00CYR4NKK
Goodreads: 17977535
Publisher: Dragonblade Publishing
Published: 2013-05-22T05:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER TWELVE

Lord Lionel le Vay, Baron Wyresdale, was a big man with bushy black eyebrows and gray hair. He greeted Kirk as one would a lost son, welcoming him into the Norman stronghold of Quernmore Castle. And the same warm greeting went for Lionel's flame-haired daughter as well.

Mara tried not to lash out when Lady Lily le Vay turned her pretty smile in Kirk's direction. And she further kept her mouth shut when the graceful young woman took his arm and escorted him into the great hall of Quernmore’s tall and block-shaped keep where a lavish table had been set. With Niles as her escort, Mara's spirits continued to sink as she watched Lady Lily tend to Kirk hand and foot.

The fare served by Lord Lionel was premium. He was a very wealthy man, having gained much of his wealth in shipping so close to the sea. Roast beef, ale, vegetables and sweetcakes filled the lengthy dining table as Niles helped Mara to her seat. The fair-haired knight served her himself but Mara had little appetite; her bright blue eyes were riveted to Kirk as he politely responded to Lady Lily's attentions.

He met Mara's piercing stare, several times, winking reassuringly at her. But Mara refused to respond to his gesture, instead, glaring headily at the lovely young woman so obviously infatuated with him. Even after Kirk introduced Mara as Edmund’s sister-in-law, she maintained her grim mood in the face of Lady Lily's bubbling personality.

She seemed to be nice enough, but Mara could hardly see past her own jealousy. Lady Lily's ladies-in-waiting joined them for the refreshments and Mara found herself contending with not one, but four women all eager to speak with Kirk. Her cheeks flushed but she said nothing, as hard as it was for her to control herself. She had promised Kirk that she would behave and was determined to keep her promise no matter what the circumstance.

Kirk did not seem particularly interested in the women, his gaze mostly on Mara or on his food. She had long since stopped glaring in his direction, instead, focused on her trencher lest she be forced to break her promise. Next to her, Niles' voice lifted in greeting and much to her reluctance, Mara found herself pulled into the conversation.

Lifting her gaze, she found herself staring into the pale blue eyes of a very large, very blond knight. He was a handsome fellow with a wide, toothy grin and he took Mara's hand chivalrously.

"Sir Spencer de Shera, my lady," he kissed her fingers gently, his eyes never leaving her. "At your service."

Mara was a fast thinker. Gazing into the face of the handsome knight, she suddenly saw the opportunity to make Kirk pay for Lady Lily's attention. If she could only make him jealous enough that he would shun the woman and drop to his knees to beg Mara's forgiveness, then she would ask no more. Smiling brightly at Sir Spencer, she gestured him to sit between her and Niles.

"A pleasure, Sir Spencer," she scooted over to allow the man room.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.