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Je
"However," her father continued, turning to address the entire hall without ever actually looking at the English on his right, "the feasting will take place as pla
A babble of voices burst out on both sides of the room. Ignoring the stares aimed at her, Je
When the heavy oaken door of her bedchamber closed behind her, Je
"There, there now, my kitten," said her mother's elderly aunt, patting Je
Swallowing back her tears, Je
Cupping Je
Je
Seated at the long table on the dais, oblivious to the din of three hundred people dining and drinking around and below her, Je
A future of verbal attacks and physical beatings loomed before her, for even among the Scots it was not uncommon for a husband to beat his wife if he felt she was in need of discipline or encouragement. Knowing that, and knowing the temper and reputation of the angry, cold man beside her, Je
Royce reached for his goblet of wine and she stole a glance at him from the corner of her eye. He was, she noted sourly, watching a particularly comely acrobat who was balancing on her hands on a bed of sharp swordpoints, her skirts tied to her knees to prevent them falling over her head-a necessity that allowed her shapely, stockinged legs to be exposed from knee to ankle. On the other side of the room, jesters wearing pointed hats with balls at the ends, cavorted before the table which ran the full length of the hall. The festive entertainment and lavish supper fare was her father's way of showing the hated English that the Merricks had pride and wealth.
Disgusted with Royce's open admiration for the acrobat with the pretty legs, Je
"Look at that haughty face," a man had said as Je
Turning her gaze from the jesters, Je
Tonight, however, her father seemed to be in a very strange mood, particularly given the awful circumstances. All evening, while talking and drinking with the other heads of the various clans in the hall, he'd seemed preoccupied and edgy, and yet… oddly… pleased. Satisfied about something. Feeling Je
That remark seemed so absurd that Je
"Trust me," he said, "all will be well on the morrow."
Je
Curious, Je