The Jewel of Kamara (The Delthenon Chronicles) by Bridie Blake Read Free Book Online Page B

is not my, oh gosh I sound
quite mean.” Her porcelain cheeks had gone red as her blue eyes darted about,
frantically searching for an explanation.
    “It’s
quite all right. I do not wish to marry him either. There is nothing wrong with
that, so there’s no need to look so worried.” Tempani placed a hand on
Dahlia’s.
    “There
must be something wrong with us. I have never heard of a lady not wanting to be
queen one day!”
    The
two of them laughed and Tempani made a mental note to thank Chae for escorting
Dahlia this evening. She really did like her.
    “Excuse
me, my lady, Sir Otto of Amarill requests an audience with his daughter. If you
will please come with me,” a footman interrupted. Tempani obeyed and excused
herself from Dahlia, who waved away her new friend’s apology.
    Otto
stood by the marble fountain on the outside terrace chatting to Lord Darby. The
sight of the odd looking pair brought a smile to her face. One that she quickly
dispersed of when she reached her father’s elbow.
    “Papa.”
She curtsied to her father and then to Darby. “My lord.”
    “Ah
Tempani, my dear girl. I was just telling your father about our meeting earlier
today.” He turned to Otto. “Her fondness for reading did not escape my
attention, and I was hoping she would like to visit me at my manor whenever she
pleases. My library is hers to explore.”
    Tempani
grinned and grabbed the older man’s hand. “You wouldn’t mind? The convent was
so bereft of books that I fear I have a lot to catch up on,” she said. “Are you
sure I wouldn’t be taking up too much of your time?”
    “Time?
I have more time than I know what to do with. You would be doing me a favor. It
would save me rattling around court like a stray dog looking for a bone,” he
laughed.
    She
turned back to her father. “Please papa, may I?”
    “So
long as you stick to your commitments as a lady and not use it to escape
possible suitors.” He dismissed Tempani’s scowl with a wave of his hand.
    “It’s
settled then. You just let me know when you want to make your first visit,”
said Darby, a glint of excitement in his eyes. “Now if you’ll excuse us elders,
we will retire to our table and leave you in the hands of all these young
noblemen.”
    Tempani
frowned as she was met with glares from the noblemen Darby referred to. Her
face burned as she saw the disgust, the hatred, in their eyes. No matter where
she went, she would always be the Kalaowin among the Kamaris. She would never
belong. She wished she didn’t have to walk through them all to return to the
safety of her table.
    As
if reading her mind, Madoc materialized at her side and offered his arm. She
took it and smiled her thanks. They turned their backs on her as she walked
past them, and all she wanted to do was rage and scream at them, but she could
not.
    “Savage,”
one of the ladies hissed as she passed.
    Tempani
felt Madoc tense under her arm, and when she looked up, she saw his jaw was
clenched tight.
    A
clap of lightening flashed over their heads, and the lady who had just insulted
her shrieked. Tempani felt a small sliver of satisfaction and allowed herself
to believe the weather was on her side.
    They
re-joined Dahlia at their table, and Madoc’s hand went straight for his glass
of brandy. He downed it in one and poured himself another.
    “Care
to share that around?”
    He
raised an eyebrow at her but poured her a glass. Tempani brought it to her lips
and shuddered as the liquid hit her tongue and moved down her throat. She
spluttered and hit her chest, trying to stop the burning sensation she now
felt.
    “The
first drink is always the hardest.”
    “If
Mother Chennai could see me now,” she muttered as she took another sip.
    “So
is the first ball. It’ll get easier,” he whispered.
    She
nodded as she cupped her glass between her hands and fought off tears. What had
she expected? That putting on a pretty gown and walking into the room on the
arm of her father meant she