The Golden Bell by Autumn Dawn Read Free Book Online Page A

pants and cropped vests with tulip or full sleeves, to exotic
robes and Grecian style gowns. The crowd wove around them, the
packed sand under their feet muffling some of the noise as the
scent of baked goods and savory delights filled the air. Butchers
with their logs of hanging sausages and crocks of cured meats stood
next to vendors with colorful jars of layered dried fruits and
nuts, glass cases full of confections and rows of fat-bellied wine
bottles. Several stands with steaming kettles and carved wooden
boxes full of bread served customers in a pavilion-covered dining
area, filling their wooden bowls full of something that smelled
good. Dishwashers accepted the bowls and cups, keeping the area
clean as diners left.
    “Yellow arches, eat your heart out,” Rain
murmured, her mouth watering. Before she could ask what they were
serving, the stall on her left captured her attention. She gasped.
A beautiful jacket of wine-red velvet was displayed on a wooden
mannequin, complete with matching choker and earrings. Cropped,
close-fitted at the bust to hug a woman’s body, it fastened with a
gold clasp between the breasts. The sleeves were full and made of a
sheer, burgundy fabric with ruby and diamond crystal cuffs. At
least she assumed the stones were crystal; she wouldn’t dare
display real stones like that in an open market. A black silk
sarong and gorgeous sash were tied around the mannequin’s hips,
teasing the shopper with visions of trying it on.
    Rain took a deep breath and put it out of her
head. Where would she wear it, even if she could afford it?
Ignoring a tempting, embroidered gold and silver sheath displayed
next to it, she lowered her gaze and tried not to drool over the
jewelry in the case below. A vine necklace with marquise cut white
crystals sparkled next to matching earrings displayed on black
velvet. The rest of the jewelry was impressively designed, but
nothing, in her opinion, matched that pretty set.
    She glanced at Fallon, found him near, yet
conversing with another man as she window-shopped. He caught her
eye, smiled, and waved her on. Since he seemed content, she was
more than happy to keep looking.
    “Good morning. Would you like a manicure or a
haircut?” an older woman with a hopeful smile greeted her as she
moved to the next stall. Before Rain could decline, Fallon stepped
forward and paid the woman.
    “Pamper her,” he told the shopkeeper. “My
ward is being very patient with my preoccupation and deserves the
reward.” Giving Rain a dazzling grin white enough to keep her
blinking, he turned away and resumed his conversation.
    The shopkeeper’s eyes widened at the coins
he’d set in her palm, and she beamed. “Come, dear, have a seat. My
daughters and I will make you the loveliest girl in the
Citadel.”
    Before Rain knew what was happening, she was
seated in a comfortable chair and bombarded with questions about
split ends, what color nail polish she preferred and how long it
had been since she’d had a pedicure.
    “Er, never,” she admitted, trying to catch a
glimpse of Fallon before the beautician tackled her ragged ends. It
had been a long time since she’d been to a salon, and she’d never
had three women hovering over her like the personal maids of some
pampered duchess. It felt marvelous and novel, and was a far cry
from how she’d expected the morning to go. The girls even massaged
her hands and feet, which tickled but also felt great. When they
finished painting pretty silver and gold designs on her nails, the
elder woman handed her a fruit drink, then beckoned in a man with
clothing cradled in his arms.
    “For you, milady, compliments of Lord
Fallon,” he said, displaying his wares with a flourish. A midnight
blue top similar to the red one she’d admired was draped over his
arms. This one had short tulip sleeves and was embroidered with
silver and gold and had a silver and crystal butterfly clasp.
    Her attendants “ooohed”.
    The man offered an apologetic bow.