Shadowmoor (de Lohr Dynasty #6) Read Online Free PDF Page B

smile. She loved to tease the lad because he put up such a fuss, but it was all done in good humor. There was never any malice between the two.
    It was a silly joy she never thought she would know again considering Bramley had taken Gunnar and the man’s terms of release were non-negotiable. She never thought she would again pull at his little ears. At least, that had been her sad thoughts mere moments before. But Gunnar had come home.
    A knight had brought him home . Liselotte wasn’t nearly so curious about the knight as she was simply eager to see her brother, so she didn’t linger on thoughts of the heroic stranger. Just as she reached the entry to the hall, the big door heaved back and caught her as she put her hands up to open it. Caught off balance, she stumbled back as a big hand shot out to steady her.
    Sky-blue eyes were gazing back at her.
    The biggest man she had ever seen had hold of her. Liselotte’s eyes widened at the sight. With saddlebags and sword slung over one shoulder, he was dressed in layers of wool and mail, with enormous gloves on his hands. He was very tall, with very broad shoulders, and his chin-length wet hair had a hint of the blond color beneath the damp. With his square jaw and long nose, he looked like a Viking god she’d once heard of in a myth. And those eyes… those starry eyes of brilliant blue… looked back at her with some curiosity.
    Dare she say it… even with interest?
    It was a moment Liselotte would remember for the rest of her life, as if the gloom had been pulled away and suddenly, glory was filling her vision. There was no other way to describe it.
    “Forgive me, my lady,” the man said in a deep, rather booming voice. “I should not have been so clumsy in opening the door. In my haste to get out of the rain, I fear I may have injured you.”
    Liselotte was actually dumbstruck. All of Shadowmoor was cursed with colorless, plain men and now, in their midst, came a shining star unlike anything she had ever seen. Was she actually dreaming this encounter? Had she gone mad? She seriously wondered.
    “You did not,” she said, noticing that his big gloved hand was still holding her steady. “I… I am Liselotte, Etzel’s daughter. My father is Lord of Shadowmoor. Who are you?”
    The man smiled, big dimples carving into his cheeks when he did so. “Sir Daniel de Lohr at your service, Lady Liselotte,” he said. Then, his gaze turned appraising. “So you’re the one.”
    “The one what? ”
    “The one who would drive men to do bold and reckless things. Now, I understand.”
    Her cheeks flushed a deep red, knowing he meant it as flattery and wholly unpracticed in accepting such honors.
    “Understand?” she repeated. She thought she sounded rather silly, as if she were stammering. “What do you mean, my lord?”
    Daniel let go of her arm and stepped into the hall, closing the heavy door behind him. He faced her, his eyes glimmering in the weak light. “I understand that you are the fairest maiden in all of Yorkshire,” he said. “No wonder that fool Bramley would go to such lengths to demand your hand. Now, I understand his motivation completely. You are exquisite.”
    Liselotte seriously thought her face might burst into flame. She was utterly off guard with his kind words and she lowered her gaze, having no idea what to say to the man. As she cleared her throat softly and scratched her head nervously, Daniel spoke.
    “I have said too much,” he said quietly, a hint of a smile on his lips. “Forgive me. I did not mean to offend. But when I entered this hall, I did not expect to see someone of your beauty. It is, indeed, a privilege, my lady.”
    Liselotte couldn’t help the silly grin that was slowly taking over her expression. “You did not offend me,” she said. “But I will admit it has been a very long time since I have heard such praise.”
    Daniel’s eyebrows lifted. “Why?” he asked. “Are you surrounded by blind men?”
    She laughed, giddy,