Suzanne Robinson by Lord of the Dragon Read Free Book Online Page B

way he preyed upon any maid who came within his reach. She glanced at Yolande, who was blushing at more frank remarks about her encounter with de Valence. Dear, credulous Yolande, who had remained her friend despite Juliana’s choleric temperament.
    How fortunate that she’d promised Father she would attend this tournament. It was clear poor Yolande needed a guardian. Oh, she had Mother, but Mother was busy being hostess, and her sisters were no help.
    De Valence thought he’d thwarted her with his threats to tell Father of their encounter. He’d soon see that Juliana Welles wasn’t cowed by mere threats. The cursed arrogant rooster knight.
    “Come, Juliana, it’s time for another dance.” Laudine was tugging on her arm.
    Juliana shrugged her off. “Not again. I’m weary of all this foolish prancing. I’ve got herbs to put by early tomorrow before the jousting begins.”
    “Oh, Juliana, you’re such an old woman.”
    “Someone has to provide medicines for this castle, and it’s certainly not going to be you, my fine mistress.”
    “Healing is a great virtue,” Bertrade said. “The Scriptures tell us to honor the physician.”
    Laudine laughed. “Juliana the leech.”
    Juliana lifted a brow. “I’ve cured many a headache for you, Mistress Love-ale.”
    Turning on her heel, she left her sisters to form another dancing chain. As she threaded a path between the clusters of guests, Yolande touched her sleeve. Before Julianacould speak, the younger girl pulled her behind a column and began to chatter.
    “What do you think of the Sieur de Valence? Is he not the most chivalrous of knights? And his eyes, so green, like spring leaves reflected in a fountain. When he smiles my bones tremble—”
    “Merciful saints!”
    Yolande flushed and dropped her gaze to the floor.
    “Oh, forgive me,” Juliana said, “but you’re such a contradictory creature, Yolande. I know you’re a sensible girl, but you become pigeon-witted in the presence of a comely man.”
    Yolande said quietly, “I know, but you forget all the time I spent in locked towers, a prisoner to my inheritance. I used to dream of having a companion. I—I prayed to God for one, and then Edmund came to deceive me as he did you, but now perhaps I’ve found …”
    Yolande gave her a curious, sideways glance that reminded Juliana of one of the flat-headed cats that prowled the granaries at night. Then the girl’s chin lifted in defiance.
    “He’s a suitor worthy of me.”
    Watching her friend march off to join the dancers, Juliana shook her head. Yolande had always been troublesome and changeable. She knew the complexities of her vast property and yet delighted in simple entertainments that bored Juliana. And her temper, seldom seen, could be far more frightening than Juliana’s, reaching greater violence and sustaining itself when Juliana’s had long ebbed. But since Juliana had cured her of a dangerous fever, they had shared a bond. Yolande gave to the older girl a respect she reserved for few others. However, Juliana was beginning to suspect she wouldn’t listen to her opinions about the Sieur de Valence.
    Muttering curses against arrogant Viking knights, Juliana found her maid and quit the new hall. She was on her way to the keep when Richard called her name and came running across the bailey after her. Sending Alice on ahead, she waited on the sparse grass that grew in front of the wooden keep stair.
    “Juliana,” Richard said as he came up to her. “I wanted to thank you for persuading Yolande to dance. Your father wants me to make better friends with her. I think he’s scheming to arrange a match between us.”
    Richard lived at his father’s barony several days’ ride from Wellesbrooke and his duties rarely allowed for long visits to the family.
    “It was naught.”
    “No, it was much. I know how you hate to dance, especially since Edmund Strange …” He cleared his throat and scuffed the grass with his boot. His finger stroked