Gem of Gravane (The Northern Knights) Read Online Free PDF Page A

mean?”
    “Norman or not. He is quite
handsome.” Edie tittered.
    Danielle’s mouth opened and closed
and she felt the heat burn her cheeks. “I did not notice.”  She shrugged
off the falsehood as Edie stood back with her hands on her hips and an
expression of doubt on her pretty face. 
    Danielle turned back around. “What
does it matter anyhow?  He looks at me like everyone else, with disgust.
‘Twas foolish to think a man would not care what I looked like nor care that I
have this bloody affliction.”  Danielle choked on a sob as she rose again,
nearly tripping over the wedding gown hem her and Edie had made.  She
tugged at the long material and went to the window, not seeing Edie trail after
her grabbing for the short train. 
    “Milady,” Edie said breathlessly.
“Your knee and limp is not an affliction. ‘Tis barely noticeable.  I tell
you, if that was disgust I read on milord’s face last eve, then I must be going
blind in my old age.”
    “Nay, Edie, you are but two years
older than me. It was disgust.  I have seen that look on the men in
the village aplenty and know it well when I see it.”  Danielle sighed
heavily, ignoring Edie’s attention to fastening up the laces and the finishing
touches to her attire.
    “Pardon me, milady, but, nay.
 I think this time ‘tis you who is not seeing it clearly.  He looks
at you in the same way his man, Balwain has been looking at me.”  
Edie blushed heavily, talking easily among her lady.   “I am older
than you and far from a virgin. So, trust me, I can definitely say I know when
I see lust in a man’s eye, milady.” 
    Danielle blushed at her maid’s
frankness, but could not stop the smile that turned up her lips.  “Bless
your good heart, Edie. But I think not. You make me laugh at the thought
however.   But, nay. I know what I saw.  I may not know what
this lust looks like, but I am quite experienced with the look of disgust.
 I did notice the pleasing stares that Balwain was giving you however,
but, they were not the same.  He is a man of good looks.” 
    Edie was really red now.  “Aye
milady, these Normans seem to have that look about them and they are quite a
large lot in size, are they not?”  
    They both shared a spell of laughter. 
Edie continued.  “Surprising too that they look far better than their men
without the backs of their head shaved in that bowl cut.”
    “Aye, I did find that odd too,
Edie. But what do we know of them? They are naught more than invaders,
strangers and mayhap copying the Saxon way as to not look out of place.”
Danielle replied with a shrug still fidgeting under Edie’s ministrations.
    “Mayhap. Done!”  Edie stood
back and looked over her lady head to toe.  The green colored gown
complimented all of Danielle’s curves in all the right places and she looked
beautiful.  Edie just wished her lady could see this in herself.
 “Now, mark my words, milady. You will come to know the difference sooner
than you think.” 
    She winked and Danielle gave her a
big hug.  They parted when Hilda, Rose’s maid intruded to announce that it
was time.
     
    Aric had a sleepless night.
    He’d woken in a foul mood, shaven
his face clear of that bothersome beard and dressed quickly with the aid of his
squire.  Now he stood in his best black and gold tunic.  His scabbard
and sword strapped to his side.  Not the clothes of the hardened,
fearless warrior known on the battle field for his prowess and easy stroke with
dispensing any opponent.  No, today he would appear to the untrained eye,
a handsome groom, despite the fierce scowl riding his attractive features.
  
    Aric knew that it was not just lack
of sleep that caused his sour mood or some of the events from the night before,
but of the events this morning as well.   Balwain had walked with him
around the manor.  He’d noted places that would need strengthening to turn
the manor into an even more elaborate stronghold to ward off