A Charm for a Unicorn Read Online Free Page A

transpired. “Oh, no,” Ann whispered.
    Although she shared her father's pale, wintry coloring, Leonie radiated the beloved warmth of spring where everything is fresh and new. Her gray eyes, so limpid and clear, reflected her emotions like sunlight on water, and her smile could melt even the coldest of hearts. That evening, dressed in silk the color of dawn, her ash blond hair caught in a looping braid that bared her long, slender neck, Leonie looked like the most regal princess in the world. And her world was about to be shattered.
    "Come meet your betrothed,” said their father to Leonie.
    Leonie staggered, catching herself just in time on the doorway. “My ... my betrothed?” Her voice sounded like ashes.
    "Yes. Sir Wulfe has asked for your hand in marriage and I have accorded him this honor. Come, daughter, you must have known you would be married some day. You celebrated your twentieth birthday last month, and now it's time for you to leave home.” Their father's voice sounded strangely hearty.
    Leonie managed to peel herself off the doorway and stand up straight. Moving like an automat, she crossed the room and dropped into a curtsy. “Sire, I would have hoped that my suitor ask me before he addressed his demand to you.” Her head bowed, Leonie spoke to the floor.
    Ann had never been prouder of her sister than at this moment. No screams or tears, just a quiet voice and tiny tremors that set the crystals on the dress's bodice sparkling.
    "Your opinion is not needed in this circumstance. As your father, I am best suited to choose for you.” He leaned back in his chair. “If you are to marry, you will need a trousseau and a wedding dress. Tomorrow, you can accompany me to the village to buy fitting cloth and order dresses while I post the bans."
    Sir Wulfe raised his eyebrows. “Is there a decent seamstress in the village? Otherwise, I can send one from my estate."
    Ann saw Leonie shiver again, but her father said, “We have an adequate seamstress in town. Leonie will be glad to choose her own dress, won't you, daughter?"
    Another tremor shook her, but Leonie simply said, “Sire, it is with great pleasure I accompany you to the village."
    Had she been ensorcelled? Ann had never heard that tone of voice from her sister. She wanted to rush in and scream that Leonie could never marry Sir Wulfe, but then Cook came and dragged her to the kitchen.
    Alone with Bob and Cook at the table, Ann tried to make sense out of what happened that day. What was Leonie up to? She couldn't seriously be thinking of accepting Sir Wulfe's proposal. Her thoughts clashed in her head. Leonie couldn't marry Sir Wulfe! Besides, he frightened her for some reason. She and Leonie had often made fun of him behind his back, calling him Sir Big Bad Wolf, when they were children. What had Father been thinking?
    Her food tasted like sawdust and her sister's plight made her head ache. She hardly ate a thing, and excused herself before dessert. But when she went to her room, she tapped on Leonie's door. It was closed and locked, and her sister did not answer when she knocked and pleaded with her to let her in.
    Finally, the tears she'd managed to hold back all day trickled down her cheeks, and she went to her room, buried her head in her pillow, and cried herself to sleep as silently as possible.
* * * *
    Leonie had never been one for tears. Her father detested shows of emotion, and she'd learned at an early age that sobbing never changed his mind. Therefore, she ate her dinner in silence, murmured politely when spoken to, and then excused herself.
    Sir Wulfe stood and bowed, taking her hand in his. “My dear, I hope you are as happy as I am,” he said.
    Leonie simply smiled. Ann and her father had always insisted she keep her mouth closed and say nothing. Smiling in silence was what she did best. As she left, she heard Sir Wulfe tell her father that she was “exquisite".
    Numb described her better. She sat in front of her mirror and unbraided