Conquests: Hearts Rule Kingdoms by Emily Murdoch Read Free Book Online Page A

condone one moment of this shambles of a wedding. But, what was done was done.
    Taking Avis by the shoulder, Richard somewhat roughly turned her around to face him, and the other people who had witnessed their wedding.
    “And now you are wed!” He said.
    “Yes,” Avis replied dully. “Now I am wed. And now I am going home.”
    Sweeping her skirts around her, she started to push her way through the throng of people, but once again a hand on her shoulder stopped her. But this was different. This was not the lecherous hand of Richard. This was someone different.
    “If you don’t mind,” said a strong voice, “I think we’ll go together.”
    Melville took her brusquely by the arm, and began to march her towards the manor.
     
     
     

 
     
    Chapter Nine
     
    The musicians were incredibly loud and the fire too hot as the merriment of the wedding celebration in the Great Hall continued late into the night. Avis could feel her tight bodice pressing into each of her ribs, and the lace at the back of her spine pressing deep into her flesh. The jewels that adorned her neck flashed in the candle light, reflecting around the room and drawing the gaze of many revellers to her eyes, which perfectly matched the diamonds gently resting on her décolletage. Her eyes stung from the smoke issuing from the huge fire, and all she wanted to do was rest, but still she could not get away. She was a wife now, and it was her obligation to remain at table as long as her husband chose.
    But then, Melville did not look as if he was enjoying himself either. She studied her husband who sat on her left hand side; a man that she was now legally tied to her for the rest of her life. His left arm rested heavily on the wooden trestle table, toying with a pheasant bone, his other hand tangled in his own dark hair. Melville looked worried, and his eyes were focussed across the hall. Avis looked, but could see nothing that could have attracted his interest to such a degree. He did not seem to be present in the room, and Avis was offended. Could he not at least try and concentrate at their wedding feast?
    “My lord?” she ventured to speak, hoping to force his attentions on her. Despite their argument at the river’s side, she could not help but notice that he was the tallest, most attractive man in the Great Hall. As his wife, she could not help but wish he could be focussed on her.
    He grunted at her, not looking away from whatever was fascinating him at the opposite end of the hall.
    “My lord, are you quite well?”
    “What?” Melville eventually turned to her with a face of contempt. She blushed, and felt the temper that she had inherited from her mother rising up within her. She had never seen her parents argue which she was thankful for, but she knew that her mother’s temper had been a fierce one to behold once it was unleashed on an unsuspecting victim. It had always been her greatest difficulty, keeping her own temper under control, and as a child she had often been punished for not being able to contain it – but then she was sorely tried by this brute of a Norman!
    Avis took a deep breath, and spoke again.
    “I was merely enquiring, my lord, if you were well. You do not seem to be enjoying the festivities.”
    Melville’s eyes flickered from her face, giving her entire body his full attention for the first time. Avis’ feeling of discomfort increased. He’s judging me, she thought. He’s examining me to see whether the wares that he has purchased are of the highest quality that he is used to! Well, it’s too late for that now. If he didn’t like the look of her, he should have mentioned it before the priest declared them man and wife.
    “Thank you.” It clearly pained Melville to make such a concession to her. “Thank you for your kindness. But you are astute. I am indeed unused to such merriment and jollity. I think it is time that we retired.”
    With these few abrupt words, Melville rose and pulled her right arm with a