Camelot's Blood Read Online Free Page B

sure to make one of his speeches on the theme of her marriage.
    Risa touched Laurel’s hand. “Endure,” she whispered. “It is expected, and soon over.”
    Around her, the ladies smiled each according to their kind. Laurel saw superior sympathy, veiled anticipation, and open relish. Their knowing glances grew sharp, despite Risa’s frown, and the sterner, far more regal disapproval that had taken hold in the queen’s manner. Sir Kai, however, was not looking at Queen Guinevere, or Laurel, or even at Agravain. He smiled out over the court and sipped delicately at his cup, a player ready to take up a much anticipated part. All the gathering settled back. No musician reached for his instrument. Every face turned towards the seneschal.
    Beneath her silken sleeves, Laurel’s hands clenched until her nails dug into her palms.
    Sir Kai’s smile broadened, and he began.
    â€œWhat grander honour could be offered to a noble woman of the queen’s own country than to be given in most holy matrimony to our mighty king’s own nephew?” Shouts of assent rose up. Laurel’s gaze flickered to where Agravain sat. She saw nothing but his hand on the table, the fingers curled, as hers were, into a fist. For the first time, she felt a slight chord of sympathy vibrate between her and her promised husband.
    Sir Kai swallowed his wine, assuming an air of thoughtfulness. “Though between the noble, varied and prolonged deeds of Sir Gawain and Sir Gareth, it’s not surprising Sir Agravain had to send so far for a … suitable wife.”
    Laughter rolled out warm, full and piquantly tinged. It was obviously an old joke, but still much appreciated. Even the king did not entirely suppress his smile. Gawain leaned forward so he could to roll his eyes and wink at Risa, who blew out a long sigh.
    â€œI would hasten to reassure the bride that no deeds such as those achieved by his roving brothers are sung of Sir Agravain,” Kai went on. “Knowing that such glory is a most oppressive burden, he has sensibly shielded himself from it. Much as an oyster shields itself from sea water by never leaving its shell.”
    How did Sir Agravain receive all this? Laurel could not see. She could only see the king smile benignly. The queen, on the other hand, was making an attempt at good humour, but her brows drew more closely together as Sir Kai warmed to his recitation.
    â€œBut the trifling fact that Sir Agravain has remained his usual oyster-self about both bride and wedding, has in no way stemmed the flow of wise words through our court.” Sir Kai cast an owlish glance towards Laurel. Laurel could not keep her mouth from hardening, even while she prayed her cheeks would not shame her by blushing. The ladies tittered delicately, many making a great show of attempting to decently suppress their laughter behind jewelled hands.
    â€œIt is, after all,” he continued, his voice subtly changing, both warming and sharpening, “absolutely necessary that both king and bridegroom have the finest and most learned of advisors to study such matters.”
    There was a little more laughter at this, but it began to sound nervous. The glances between the ladies showed their humour growing uncertain. Laurel felt herself sit up a little straighter.
    What is the man doing?
    â€œLet me call your attention to the example of Lady Aylwen, one of our court’s most tireless counsellors.” Sir Kai bowed towards a black-haired, round-faced woman with mottled skin and watery blue eyes who sat three chairs away from Risa. “By tireless exercise of her peerless wisdom, Lady Aylwen would have us all to understand, as she does, that this marriage was a love match conceived — forgive me, Lady Aylwen, perhaps one of us should have chosen a more fitting word — ” A bark of laughter went up from somewhere in the hall. “When Lady Laurel was here in Her Majesty’s service. I must