The Knight and the Dove by Lori Wick Read Free Book Online Page B

downstairs?”
    “I have nothing to wear.”
    “I don’t care—” Bracken began, thinking that women could be very tiresome over their wardrobes, but Megan cut him off.
    “Yes, I can see that you don’t care.” She stood now, the furs still wrapped around her, feeling angry as well. “I have known a week of humiliation in your keep, and now you ask me to parade myself in your great hall without a stitch of clothing on. Well, I won’t!”
    They were toe-to-toe now, but hardly nose to nose. Bracken eventually noticed what she was wearing, and for the first time his normal good humor was restored to him. Here she was, wrapped in furs, hair all around her face, the top of her head stopping somewhere around the middle of his chest, and she was giving the orders. Bracken’s eyes lit with amusement, and Megan’s narrowed with indignation.
    “Do you find this amusing, Lord Bracken?” Her voice was low, and he noticed for the first time how husky it was.
    “Indeed, I do, Lady Megan,” he admitted “But,” he spoke when sheopened her mouth to berate him, “I will see that clothing is provided for you, and I will expect you to join me as soon as you are able. Does this meet with my lady’s approval?”
    Megan caught the sarcasm in his question, but she nodded just the same. The sooner they could talk, the sooner she might be able to leave.
    She stood still while he exited the chamber and was still standing when Helga returned, surprising Megan by bringing both of the dresses that had been left in her trunk.

     
    “What say you, Arik?”
    “Concerning your lady?”
    “Yes. When did you find her?”
    “She arrived with Elias, the peddler. She tried to gain entrance to the castle but was denied.” The huge man’s voice was rusty from lack of use.
    “And she ended up working in the creamery?” Bracken had been pacing the floor of the war room but now stopped for Arik’s reply. He answered with a nod.
    “Where did she sleep?”
    “The smithy’s.”
    Bracken’s eyes slid shut. What on earth had possessed the girl to come early?
    Watching him, Arik decided that now was not the time to say that the Lady Megan had arisen each night and tried to leave the smithery while still sleeping.
    “While here in the keep, did she come to harm in any way?”
    Arik didn’t bother to answer or so much as lift a brow. It was a foolish question with him as her protector, and Bracken knew it the moment the words left his mouth.
    “Bracken.”
    The young lord turned at the sound of his name. Lyndon, the knight as close to Bracken as his own brothers, stood just inside the door.
    “Lady Megan is in the great hall.”
    Bracken nodded and shot a glance at Arik. The larger man wasstudying him, but as usual Bracken could not discern his thoughts. Without another word, he walked from the room, both Arik and Lyndon at his heels.

     
    Megan could feel several eyes on her as she swept down the main stairway and into the great hall, but the hall itself was such a pleasant surprise that she gave the scrutiny little heed.
    It was very spacious and could rival her mother’s for cleanliness. It sported not one, but two mammoth fireplaces, and Megan thought how practical this was for chasing away the cold on winter days.
    Megan stopped before the fireplace on the north wall and studied the family crest above the mantel. Twin hawks, wings up for landing, flew talons-first toward the center, where a shield which sported a huge male lion, his noble head proud, seemed to stare out over the hall. Megan was very impressed with the symmetry and grandeur of the entire crest. She was still looking at it when Bracken approached. Megan heard his footsteps and turned.
    She watched him hesitate, and for some reason flushed with embarrassment. She knew she did not look her best. Her dress was not pressed, and she had no combs for her hair. She would have been stunned to know that Bracken’s hesitation was over her looks, but not because he found them