dragon archives 02 - pursued by a dragon Read Online Free Page A

it concerns you in the least.”
    “A business partnership,” he mused. “Do you have no feelings for the man?”
    “Of course I do,” she retorted. “I admire his business sense and respect his intelligence.”
    “Ah. A fine foundation for a successful marriage. Is there no-one that you love, then? One with whom you share mutual affection?”
    “No. I have seen love make fools of my friends, and I choose not to go down that road. Nor have I ever been tempted to.”
    She carried on for a few more steps, glancing at Favian when he didn’t reply. His face wore an expression of deep consideration, but it cleared as he returned her look.
    “Good day, Mistress,” he said with a small bow. “I will leave you to your perusals.”
    Cathryn nodded, staring after him as he turned away and strode through the crowd. Clearly her words had made him leave. What was not clear, however, was why she felt so bereft. She was still pondering this when he glanced back over his shoulder, his gaze catching hers for a moment before he turned back and disappeared between the masses.
     

Chapter 5 
    Hannah bustled around the room as Cathryn lay in a tub of warm water, the scent of roses rising from the crushed petals that had been strewn into the bath.
    “I’m thinking the green gown, Mistress,” said the young woman, “trimmed in silver.”
    “Perfect,” Cathryn said, lathering soap over her arms as she answered. She was looking forward to an evening spent at the Bradshaws’. Thomas Bradshaw was a fellow merchant and a great friend of her father’s, while his wife, Elise, was a kind, motherly woman. Twice each year the couple held a great feast, where they offered entertainment in the form of traveling troubadours and musicians. This year, Father had informed her, Elise had even managed to find a bard to end the evening’s entertainment with a tale or two.
    A pail of steaming water stood next to the tub, and hefting it Hannah poured the water over Cathryn in a gentle stream. She held out a large linen sheet as Cathryn rose out of the water. Fetching a small bottle of colored glass from the chest of drawers, she rubbed attar of rose over Cathryn’s smooth skin, rubbing in vigorous circles over her shoulders and neck.
    “Will a certain gentleman be there this evening?” Hannah asked.
    “Geoffrey? I don’t believe so,” Cathryn said. “He does not enjoy this kind of entertainment.” She smiled at Hannah's look of indignation.
    “That is not the gentleman I was referring to.”
    “Then I cannot imagine to whom you could be referring,” said Cathryn. “Thinking of any man other than my betrothed would be most improper.”
    “Very well,” Hannah said. “I will not press you any further.”
    An hour had sped past by the time Cathryn emerged from her bedchamber, a silk cloak thrown over her dark green gown. The hair around her face had been braided with silver ribbons, while the rest hung loose over her shoulders and flowed down her back. On her wrist she wore the filigree bangle that Favian had selected for her, the pattern curving in an intricate design that caught the light. Silver slippers covered her feet, peeking from beneath her gown as she quickly made her way down the stairs to where her father was awaiting her.
    “Ready?” said Father, holding out his arm when she nodded her agreement.
    The Bradshaw family lived only a few streets away, and Cathryn and Father were soon ambling down the street in that direction, forgoing the carriage and instead traveling on foot. It was a lovely evening, the waxing moon shining brightly in the night sky. When they arrived at the house they were quickly ushered into the hall. The room was long, running the length of the house, with a high, beamed ceiling that soared above them. Rush torches were interspersed at regular intervals along the walls, creating light that danced and shimmied in the moving air. A huge fire roared in a hearth set in one of the long walls, while at the