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"It-" Agnes faltered. " 'Twas brought down along with whatever gowns could be found belonging to the old lord and his daughters," she said gruffly.
Instead of tossing the used gown aside with contempt, as Agnes half-expected her to do, the young duchess smiled with joy and said, "But look-it's going to fit!"
" 'Twas-" Agnes faltered again as she tried to compare the reality of the ingenuous girl with the stories being told about her. The master himself had called her a slut, according to the serfs' gossip. " 'Twas cut down and shorted while you slept, my lady," she managed, carefully laying down the overgown and mantle upon the bed.
"Really?" Je
"Aye."
"And in only a few hours?"
"Aye," Agnes said shortly, disliking the confusion she was being forced to feel about the woman she was set to despise.
"They're very fine seams," Je
"Do you want me to help you put your hair up?" Agnes said, coldly disregarding the compliment though she felt somehow that she was in the wrong for doing it. Walking around behind Je
"Oh no, I think not," her new mistress declared, smiling brightly over her shoulder at the dumbfounded maid. "Tonight, I'm going to be a bride for a few hours, and brides are allowed to wear their hair down."
Chapter Twenty
The noise that had been audible in her bedchamber became a deafening roar as Je
She knew, without needing to look, that the hall would be filled with men who knew all about her; men who'd undoubtedly been present in camp the night she'd been delivered to Royce like a trussed-up goose; other men who'd undoubtedly participated in her removal by force from Merrick; and still others who had witnessed her humiliating reception in the village today.
A half hour ago, when her husband had been talking in his deep, persuasive voice about memories to store, the prospect of a celebration had seemed wonderful; now, however, the reality of how she had come to be here was demolishing all the pleasure. She considered returning to her chamber, but her husband would only come up to fetch her. Besides, she told herself bracingly, she would have to face all these people some time, and a Merrick never cowered.
Drawing a long, steadying breath, Je
There were women present, too, Je
Alerted to Je
Belatedly realizing that he was forcing his courageous young bride to come to him, he walked forward, meeting her partway. Taking her cold hands in both of his, he drew her close, gri
"I was given to understand, my lord, that one of your many reasons for objecting to marrying me-even if I were the queen of Scotland-is because I am plain." Je
"I'm sure I voiced many objections during that angry interview with Henry, but that was assuredly not one of them." Quietly he added, "I am many things, Je
"In that case," she answered teasingly, "I yield to your excellent judgment on the matter of my appearance tonight."
There was a meaningful note in his deep voice as he said, "And will you yield to me on anything else?"
She inclined her head like a queen bestowing a regal favor upon a lesser mortal. "Everything-for as long as we remain down here."
"Stubborn wench," he said with sham severity, then his eyes took on a tender, intimate look as he added, " 'Tis time for the bride and groom to join their guests." Tucking her hand into the crook of his elbow, he turned, and Je
The apology was made with such sincerity, and so prettily, that Je
Je