The King's Favorite by Tanya Anne Crosby

Author:Tanya Anne Crosby
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
ISBN: 9781942820338
Publisher: Oliver-Heber Books

Chapter 17

Even at this distance Elspeth recognized the look of approval on Malcom’s face, and it took her breath away. “You see my lady,” Dominique said, leaning close to whisper. “I have never, ever seen any man look at his lady that way. I only hope I can be so fortunate someday.”

Malcom stood tall on the dais—taller than any—looking very noble, standing beside the lord’s table, with his long sun-kissed hair unbound and curling about his swarthy face. He smiled with those full lips, and she blushed and gave her new friend a timid glance. “I hope so, as well,” she said for Dominque’s sake, and then she was suddenly overly pleased with herself, though she hadn’t any true reason why. Everything about this evening was false, including her place at Malcom’s side.

And yet, for the first time in Elspeth’s life, she felt like a princess, in truth, and all her troubles were swept aside. Never in her life had she been treated as a guest of honor.

In her father’s home, children were not to be seen. They took their meals altogether, apart from the rest of the household. And then, at the priory, no one ever had any special treatment—not even the monks. For their part, she and her sisters had been relegated to a single table, but they were not to take their repast until the men were all finished and left the hall.

At the moment, she felt like her sister Matilda, all bedecked in finery, and she wanted to run to the dais and hug Malcom—for what, she hadn’t any clue.

Alyss took her leave of them as she had a seat reserved among the lower tables. But there remained two places available at the lord’s table, one on either side of the seat of honor.

Dominique would be seated to the right of her lord brother; Elspeth would be to his left, sharing a trencher with Malcom… her husband.

For the moment, even the simple fact that she must be seated beside William Beauchamp did very little to dampen her mood. Tonight, with so much reverie, it was easier to hope that she had been mistaken about the lord of Amdel. Here in this room alone, the colors were like the dazzling lights of Caer Arianrhod—the Moon Goddess, who shone her night rainbow from her palace up on high. It was only after seeing that Malcom stood to greet them that Amdel’s lord rose as well. However, whilst he sat again very quickly, Malcom skirted around him, never taking his eyes off Elspeth, and came to procure her hand, kissing her sweetly, before leading her to her seat.

Elspeth’s heart beat so fiercely that she feared he would hear. The blood rushed through her temples like the swoosh of a waterfall.

“As ever, my… love… you are stunning,” he murmured so smoothly and silkily, and Elspeth’s breast filled with a halting breath. She swallowed as he turned to Lady Dominique, “Demoiselle,” he said pleasantly. “Art lovely this evening.”

“My Lord Aldergh,” Dominique

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