So Speaks the Heart by Johanna Lindsey Read Free Book Online Page A

prepare to meet her betrothed.
    Brigitte spent most of an hour in a large tub, soothing some of the stiffness from her body. But nothing could be done for the roughness of her hands, the broken and chipped nails, evidence of months of toil.
    After her bath, she went to her clothes wardrobe. Only two respectable garments were left to her. A smaller chest was inside the larger one, but the costly jewelry it had once contained had disappeared. A spiked comb and a steel looking glass were all that remained of what had once been a fabulous array of jewels. Looking beneath a pile of cotton garments, Brigitte withdrew two tunics of fine blue linen, embroidered with silver threads. The longer tunic was sleeveless, to be worn beneath the shorter outer tunic, which had long, wide sleeves. The outer gown was, she was astonished to see, inlaid with rare sapphires all over the bodice. The gown had been a gift fromher father just before he died. The long mantle that was made for these gowns was fringed with silver cord and matched her undergarment, and was clasped with a large sapphire. Why had the jewels not been removed?
    Brigitte could only imagine that this ensemble had been overlooked when she moved to the servants’ huts. Why else was she still in possession of such costly gems? Like emeralds, sapphires were rarer than diamonds or pearls. The sapphires might even buy her freedom.
    At a little after dawn, a horse was brought around to the front of the manor house for Brigitte. She was dressed in her blue gowns, the fringed mantle clasped at her throat, looking much like her former self. She looked beautiful and even defiant, her golden hair braided into two long plaits falling over her shoulders to her waist.
    Druoda was mounted and waiting. Also present were two burly men whom Brigitte had never seen before. She was offered no introductions or explanations before Druoda led the way through the gate in the stone wall surrounding the manor. The two men rode on either side of Brigitte.
    It was not until hours later, when they came within a mile of Lord Wilhelm’s domain and Druoda slowed enough that Brigitte could ask about the two men, that her suspicions were confirmed.
    â€œThey are here to guard you,” Druoda informed her curtly. They will see to it that you do not disappear before your marriage ceremony.”
    Brigitte was frantic. How could she escape if she was continually guarded?
    The rest of the day was no less dismal. They spentthe afternoon with Lord Wilhelm and his obese daughter. Wilhelm was a grossly fat man, much older than Brigitte’s father, with thin tufts of grey hair circling his head. He was ugly, with a red and bulbous nose and beady black eyes that never left Brigitte until the banquet was served.
    They dined in the great hall, a barren room except for the trellis tables and the armor which adorned the bleak stone walls. Brigitte could not touch any of the food, and her stomach churned as she watched the others stuff themselves. Druoda was in fine company, among fellow gluttons.
    Rare jellyfish and spiced sea urchins were served first and quickly devoured. The main course, broiled ostrich with sweet sauce, turtle dove, mutton, and boiled ham, went just as quickly. Cakes and stuffed dates fried in honey were served last, and were accompanied by wine spiced with myrrh. A banquet customarily took hours, but this one did not last more than one hour.
    After the banquet Brigitte feared that she would become sick when she was forced to watch the entertainment Wilhelm had planned, the baiting of a tame dog against a wolf. Brigitte loved animals and was frequently upset by such displays.
    She ran from the hall to the courtyard and took deep breaths, grateful to be away from the others. But her relief was short-lived, for Wilhelm’s daughter followed her and said abruptly, “I am mistress of this house and shall always be. You will be the fourth child bride my father has brought home, and if you