Forbidden Magic by Catherine Emm Read Free Book Online Page B

William would become a knight for King Richard and rule Harcourt Castle. Jewel's only aspirations were to bear fine grandsons for her father to dote over and fulfill the old man's dream of uniting his lands with those of his beloved friend. Lord Ryland, through the marriage of their children.
    Resting her head on the edge of the wooden tub, her long, coppery curls draped over it, she opened her eyes and stared into the flames of the fireplace: Its yellow glow reminded her of her younger sisters and she thought again of how they had been blessed with fairness and beauty. Each had golden hair the color of the sun, with blue eyes to match the heavens. Any man would be a fool not to play for their attention once they grew to womanhood. The corners of her mouth turned downward. Had her father not betrothed her to Sir Amery before her birth, she doubted her time to wed would have come so soon. Although others had told her so, Jewel did not consider herself pretty, not like Gwynne, who stood tall and slim. Gwynne did not have to hide a full bosom or round hips as Jewel had had to do. Gwynne's garments hung smoothly from her shoulders with only a slight curve visible now and then. But Jewel fought to conceal the firm mounds of her breasts and added layers of cloth to her much-too-slender waist. And her hips! The dimple showed in her cheek when she crimped one corner of her mouth. She had seen the flat profiles of other young women. Why must hers be more full? It accentuated the narrowness of her waist!
    And why dwell on it? she scolded silently. I cannot change what God has made. Perhaps He had a reason. The smoothness of her brow wrinkled. But what? she asked herself. Angrily, she began scrubbing the knee, that was peeking out from the surface of the bubbles. To remind you that you are nothing more than His servant, a voice within her continued. Vanity is for the wicked and you have greater goals than passing idle hours wishing for something so unimportant.
    She concentrated on washing away the evidence of her fateful journey until her thoughts began to wander again and Radolf's handsome face came to mind, with its dark brown hair shaded the color of fire and amber-hued eyes similar to her own. No one could deny that he presented a striking profile and turned many a damsel's head, but Jewel had always found his presence a threat rather than a pleasure. He never tried to hide his affection for her and although her father claimed it to be out of friendship, Jewel wondered if he really suspected. She dreaded the thought of seeing Radolf again but could only pray Amery's return would cool Radolf's advances and remind him that Jewel belonged to another. And now that their king was in danger, perhaps Radolf would join his half brother in his quest to free Richard. Yet no matter what Radolf decided to do, Jewel realized that sooner or later he and Amery would have words and she would be the cause.
    The bath water having grown tepid, Jewel hurriedly washed her hair, rinsed it as best she could, then squeezed the moisture from it and stepped out of the tub. The cool air against her naked flesh sent a shiver up her spine and she quickly wrapped herself in the large piece of linen the innkeeper had been gracious enough to supply. Crossing to the hearth, she stood before the fire rubbing her arms and enjoying the warmth it gave, until her gaze caught sight of her soiled gunna, chemise, and hose lying in a heap where she had dropped them. She had draped the fox-lined mantle over a chair to dry when she had first entered the room and, deciding it would be more pleasant to clothe herself in clean garments rather than mud-stained ones, she scooped up the offensive items and returned to the edge of the tub. Tucking one end of the linen wrap in its folds across her bosom, she knelt down and submerged first the ivory-colored hose, then the chemise, and finally the gunna, wondering if any of the garments would ever again resemble their original state.