shadow and lace Read Online Free PDF Page B

quench it for you," called Sir Blaine.
    At the hoots and catcalls of the crowd, Mortimer wiggled his fingers at Sir Blaine in an effeminate salute of thanks. Blaine made the sign of a cross as if to ward him away. The crowd rocked with laughter. Rowena smiled without understanding. Sir Gareth still leaned over the canary-garbed woman on the stool, oblivious to the musical entertainment or lack of it. As Rowena watched,his hand slid beneath the woman's wimple. His lips brushed her swanlike throat. How could such a pale, delicate neck support a brocade wimple, much less a head? Rowena wondered. She touched her own throat, comforted by its sturdy familiarity. No matter how much her head was spinning at the moment, she knew it would not fall off.
    Mortimer's fingers gently teased the lutestrings. The crowd fell silent as he drew bittersweet chords out of the instrument with a skill they had forgotten he possessed.
    "You see, my dear lords and ladies, I have a new tune, a new song," he said softly.
    Tears started in Rowena's eyes at the haunting melody. Longing for home, she wiped them away with the same strand of hair she had been chewing on. The crowd crept nearer to Mortimer, starved even in their drunken stupor for fresh words and melodies. His lank hair fell across his face. They leaned forward to hear his muted words.
    " 'Tis a tune I first heard a fortnight ago at a castle across the channel in Touraine."
    Sir Gareth straightened with a frown. A chill of apprehension shot through Rowena as his brow darkened. But he was not seeking her; he was staring at the minstrel.
    Mortimer began to sing, his voice deep and pleasant.
    The fair Elayne Unfairly slain Her faithless hand Stilled by a name.
    With a nervous murmur and clearing of throats, the crowd took a step backward.
    The fair Elayne Hath fled the pain— With fearful flight From one dark knight.
    The fair Elayne
—
     
    Rowena was humming brokenly along when Mortimer's words choked to a halt. The lute crashed against the stones as the minstrel fell to the floor with Gareth's boot on his throat and the chiseled tip of a sword at his breast. The crowd cleared a healthy circle around the two of them. Rowena saw the two women who had accosted the minstrel duck out the door. She came to her feet, tucking her hair into her cap.
    Gareth's eyes glittered like black diamonds. His broad chest rose and fell in uneven rhythm. "If you care to sing another day, canary, tell me who wrote that song," he growled. Mortimer's pale hands fluttered upward in a mute plea. Gareth lifted his shiny boot half an inch, but his sword pressed deeper into the man's tunic. "Speak now or forever hold your tongue."
    Mortimer coughed weakly. "I told you. I learned it in Touraine. At a castle."
    "What castle? And from whom?"
    "I cannot remember."
    "You lie." Gareth's boot came down on his throat again.
    The crowd parted to let Sir Blaine through. The master of the castle cast a careless arm around Gareth's shoulder. Gareth whirled around, and, for a breathless moment, Rowena thought he would lop off his friend's head.
    "Come now, my brother-in-arms. Skillful minstrels are hard to find. I will be hard-pressed to find another if you skewer this one. Pardon his insolence this once. Perhaps 'twas an honest mistake." Blaine's smile was a shade too bright.
    Gareth stared down at his friend, his face as drawn and expressionless as a mask. He looked down at the minstrel. Mortimer grimaced hopefully. Gareth sheathed his sword with a snarl of contempt, but kept his boot on Mortimer's throat.
    He leaned forward, his whisper audible throughout the hall. "If those words ever leave your throat again, they will be your last."
    The crowd fell back as Gareth crossed the hall in long strides. Rowena started after him, uncertain if she should follow, but stopped when he reached the doe-eyed woman on the stool. Without a word he caught the woman's hand in his. She rose and followed him up the stairs, casting a look back at the