Lords of Darkness and Shadow Read Online Free PDF Page B

a measurable amount of awkwardness. She wasn’t particularly comfortable with de Russe, nor did she care for him much, so she was determined to vacate his presence as soon as possible.
    “You have my thanks,” she said. “Now, if you will kindly leave the room, I shall dress and find my own way.”
    He didn’t move. “It is late, my lady,” he said. “You may sleep here tonight.  I have ordered food and your cloak is still being cleaned. It would not due for you to be out and about at this time of night.”
    Her brow furrowed as she looked at him. “You do not need to be concerned for me. I can take care of myself.”
    He lifted an eyebrow as if he did not doubt her. “Be that as it may, your father would never forgive me if something happened to you.  Please be my guest this eve, enjoy the room and the meal, and that will be the end of it.”
    “The end of what?”
    “Our association. I apologized that it has not been pleasant.”
    Ellowyn was caught off guard by the apology. She was smug in her acceptance of it, gratified he had been the one to acknowledge and make amends for their rough relationship, but it began to occur to her that he was not entirely to blame. If she thought hard on their first meeting, she realized that she had been the first one to throw a metaphorical punch. True, he had been rude, but she had taken it to an entirely different level with her reaction. Perhaps if he was apologizing, she should give it a try as well. But swallowing her pride was easier said than done.
    “It...,” she tried again, shrugging in resignation. “It is not solely your fault, my lord. I... well, I believe I was quite angry with you this afternoon when you ignored me and I should not have been so…furious.”
    “You were belligerent.”
    “Aye, that too.”
    He fought off a smile. “You, my lady, have a bit of a temper.”
    “I do. I admit it. But if you know my father, then you also know it is an inherited trait.  He is a de Nerra, after all.”
    Brandt’s grin broke through, a surprising gesture. “Your father and I have fought a few battles together,” he said. “Fortunately, I was always on his side.  There were times when I pitied the enemy.”
    Ellowyn couldn’t help but smile in return; she really couldn’t. It came so easily when he smiled first. She also couldn’t help but notice de Russe was a truly handsome man with a dashing smile. He had straight white teeth and big dimples in both cheeks. Embroiled as she had been in her anger towards the man, it was the first time the thought of his handsome looks had occurred to her.
    “He has considered taking me into battle with him, in fact,” she said. “He is convinced I would make a fine commander.”
    Brandt’s grin broadened, an unusual gesture for him and one he did not readily display. But Ellowyn, in spite of everything, seemed to easily provoke it. Perhaps it was because she was truly a beautiful woman, more beautiful when she smiled, and her smile erased her bad behavior from his mind. Something about that warm, angelic face just made him want to smile as if he had no control over such a thing.
    “I would believe that implicitly,” he said. “You have shown tremendous bravery in the short time I have known you, an admirable quality.  And you showed no hesitation in showing me that side of you.”
    He meant earlier by the Thames. Ellowyn simply lifted her shoulders. “I was angry,” she said, realizing she was feeling rather bad for her behavior now that the conversation was becoming civil. Warm, even. “I am sorry if I was insulting.”
    He waved her off. “You already apologized,” he said.  “Further apologies are not necessary. I am as much to blame as you are. I am willing to forget about it if you are.”
    She nodded fervently. “I am.”
    “Then you will accept my hospitality tonight?”
    She had to admit, the bed looked inviting.  “I will. Thank you. You are very kind to offer.”
    He continued to smile at