Lords of Retribution (Lords of Avalon series) by K. R. Richards Read Free Book Online

lemony, with a hint of mint, and the sweetness of freshly cut geraniums.
    Senny could feel her cheeks burning. It was over. Gabriel must have guessed she had feelings for him because she had never told a single soul. He’d no doubt heard the women in the village. She had.
    Simple Senny thinks she’s going to land herself an earl ! What would a man with the devilish good looks of him want with an odd girl like that? An’ simple minded to boot, the girl never says a word. ‘Tis pure pity he shows her, that’s all! She’s away with the Piskies, that one.
    Senny didn’t know why they thought she couldn’t hear them . She could. Gabriel had either heard their chatter or guessed on his own and wanted to hear it from her. Had she given herself away? Worse still, did he think her a nuisance? Please no!
    She could deny it, but it would be a lie. She had no choice but to tell him the truth and accept the consequences. She might lose her dear friend forever. Yet, what if there was a chance? More than likely it would be a slim chance. She had to fight for it if there were. This was Gabriel. Her Gabriel. Her dearest friend.
    When she looked up at him, his jaw looked tight. It was the serious expression he wore that truly concerned her. Was he angry? Fear crept in. It would probably not be a good idea to tell him everything .
    Confusion washed over her when she saw the same kindness in his eyes she always did. That calmed her somewhat.
    Gabriel had never seen Senny look so perplexed, so lost . She actually trembled. Before he knew it, his hands were on her shoulders. “Zenny? I’m sorry. I’ve upset you. I did not mean to.”
    Senny managed to hold off the noise beginning to build in her head and the swirling, chaotic thoughts, difficult though it was. She wanted to speak. She had to.
    “S -so you’ve heard the women in the village, have you? Now y-you want to know if it’s t-true.”
    “Heard what, Zenny?” Perplexed, Gabriel cocked his head.
    “They call me S -simple Senny, and they say I think to catch myself an Earl. They laugh and say, What could he see in such an odd g-girl who’s simple-m-minded to boot? She’s away with the P-piskies, that one. I hear them, Gabriel! I don’t know why they think I can’t, b-because I can. I know you don’t think me simple-minded. I know you are not k-kind to me out of pity as they say, at least I h-hope you are not.” Senny looked upward into his crystalline eyes. She realized her fear of losing him and her anger at the village women had forced far too many words from her mouth.
    Well she might as well say it all . “My m-mother always told people you would be my husband, and many b-believed it. I know you probably do not like what she said. I am d-different, I know it.” She looked into his pale, clear blue eyes. They had darkened to a stormy gray. Was he angry? She noted his jaw tightened. Oh heavens, what had she done?
    That was the point she became completely overwhelmed. The noise threatened to crash in on her. The pressure built in her head. Her thoughts swirled. Still she managed to speak. She felt she had to. “I–I know you could never be interested in s-someone a-as different as m-me, G-Gabriel. I know that.” She began to tremble.
    W hen Senny was overwhelmed, she became either extremely nervous or she panicked. Gabriel knew exactly what to do. He had known her since she was a babe, and he a lad. Although her gift differed from his, he had always known she needed calming at these times. Calming her was foremost in his mind. He let go of his lust. He spoke soothing words to her. He gently rubbed her back and shoulders while he urged her to take deep breaths.
    He waited until she was completely calm to speak with her.
    “Zenny,” Gabriel whispered as he caressed her cheek. His fingers moved to capture her chin. He tilted her face upward, so he could see her eyes. He saw the tears threatening to spill.
    “You are far from simple . To me you are everything that