Courtly Love Read Online Free Page B

great." Gyles looked down and his gaze was immediately trapped by soft blue eyes. He became suddenly aware of Serena, the gentle curves of her body, the creamy texture of her skin, the subtle fragrance that assailed his senses with more force than a battering ram.
    "But of course, m'lord," Serena said demurely. "How thoughtless of me to delay the festivities." She offered her hand. "Will you lead me to sup, m'lord? I should like to learn more about your family and household lest in my ignorance I offend." Serena slanted a glance at Gyles from beneath her lush brown lashes as she glided by his side.
    "Hah!" Gyles barked as he handed her into a chair. 'I've no doubt, Serena, that you care not whom you offend."
    Serena pouted. "Surely, m'lord, you mistake me for someone else? Beda perhaps!" The last had a slightly malicious note, as Serena had already felt the bite of Beda's tongue when they met. She turned from him and bent her attention to Richard who had managed to seat himself beside her.
    The meal did little to improve Gyles's spirits, as he was caught between Beda's mocking looks and the fact that Serena ignored him completely in favor of the Saxon. When the last of the meal was cleared away, Gyles realized that Serena was no longer at his side but had wandered with Richard and Bryan to examine the weapons that decorated one wall. He watched with rising ire as first one, then another, and then another of his knights began to flock to her like moths to a flame, and soon he could hear her gentle laughter bubbling over their heads.
    "Your bride is most charming, Gyles. Aren't you going to fight your way to her side to win her favor?" Beda's voice was a silken purr as she watched him closely.
    "She could charm the skin from a snake," Gyles muttered. "I've no intention of joining her retinue; what's one man more or less to a woman of her kind."
    "Poor Richard, I fear he may never get over his loss." Aurelia's voice was a duplicate of her sister's. "Have you noticed, Lord Gyles, how he hangs on her every word? I warned my dear husband many times of the danger of allowing those two easy access to each other, but Serena has always managed to have her way. Why, she even swore to Geoffrey that Richard had done no more than kiss her. Of course, I never believed her."
    Gyles ignored the two women's innuendos, concentrating instead on watching Serena and Richard. Richard's bright golden head bent often to Serena, yet as far as Gyles could tell they exchanged no yearning glances. Richard treated her with the respect she was due; and while it was plain to see they held each other in tender regard, neither acted with an intimacy born of sharing a bed. So Serena was an innocent, ignorant of a man's touch and body; and he, Gyles, who had privately sworn never to marry, would soon take her to wife. His finger absently traced the scar on his face as he watched the sparkling creature across the room. As if she sensed his scrutiny, Serena's eyes found him and she stood rooted to the spot, unable to move or speak as those brilliant green eyes impaled her while Gyles walked slowly toward her.
    " Tis time you were abed, Serena," Gyles mocked. "For I wish you well rested for tomorrow. I vow you will get little sleep tomorrow night."
    Serena's eyes flashed but she had no time to retort because Gyles was already propelling her up the steps to her bedchamber. He stopped outside her door but made no move to release her, only tightened his already painful grasp on her wrist.
    "There was no need to be so crude, m'lord. If you felt I acted improperly there are other ways to remove me from a situation such as that. And would you mind releasing my arm before you break it!"
    Gyles complied immediately and with such force that Serena fell against the door. Gyles raised his hands to the wood on either side of her, his look cold and bone-chilling.
    "I ought to break your neck for the way you've behaved. Now listen well and remember: This castle is mine, these