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Each word her father spoke struck Je
Chapter Fifteen
Je
With the same unemotional detachment she'd felt for five days, she stood where she was, watching as the large group neared the castle gates. Now she could see there were women among them and a few standards bearing markings other than the Wolf. She had been told some English nobles would be present tonight, but she had not expected any women. Her gaze shifted reluctantly to the broad-shouldered man riding at the front of the party, bareheaded and without shield or sword, mounted atop a great black destrier with flowing mane and tail that could have been sired only by Thor. Beside Royce rode Arik, also bareheaded and without armor, which Je
Je
As if he sensed that he was being watched, he lifted his head abruptly, his gaze sweeping over the roofline of the castle, and without meaning to, Je
Two hours later, Je
"It won't be nearly so terrible as you think, Je
"If only the marriage could be as short as the wedding," Je
"Sir Stefan is down in the hall. I saw him myself. He'll not let the duke do anything to disgrace you down there. He's an honorable, strong knight."
Je
"Well," said Bre
"That's quite true," Je
"Oh, but he doesn't feel that way at all!" Bre
"You've already spoken to Sir Stefan?" Je
"I managed to have a few words with him in the hall, when I went to ask William a question," Bre
Je
"Sir Stefan," Bre
"I-" Je
She stared in stu
"Cream velvet-" said Aunt Elinor smiling and opening her arms. "So very impractical, my love, but so very beautiful! Almost as beautiful as you-"
Je
Bre
A terror that was almost uncontrollable swept over Je
"You shan't believe your eyes when you see how full the hall is," she jabbered in the mistaken belief that a crowd would lessen Je
Je
"Well, yes, but it isn't. Not exactly. There are more nobles than knights down there. King James must have sent half of his court here to witness the ceremony, and the heads of the nearby clans are here, too."