Strangclyf Secret Read Online Free PDF

head and the scarf from her throat then
dropped them to the floor. Pulling a cord at her waist, she
shrugged off her gown, letting it fall to her feet, revealing a
gold kirtle of Norman fashion that complemented his black tunic.
Made of chainsil with the same gold and black braid at the
shoulders and cuffs, the gown bore a black fighting bear
embroidered over her chest. A longer matching braid encircled her
midriff and double wrapped her waist, falling low over her hips
where a gold agraffe shaped like a fighting bear secured the girdle. A wide black
ribbon hid the bruises at her throat and shimmering short locks
haloed her head with gold.
    Bernon barely had a chance
to absorb her appearance before she went down upon her knees,
placed her right hand over her heart, and bowed her head. “You are
now The Strangclyf and my liege lord. To you I pledge my loyalty,
my protection, and my life. May your life be long, peaceful, and
prosperous.”
    The fairy princess was
wearing his colors and giving him her pledge. His chest tightened
and he schooled his expression. No pledge from any warrior had ever
affected him this way. So why did hers? He extended a hand toward
her.
    She stared at his hand as
if it might bite her then placed her left hand in his. He began
pulling her up.
    “ I forgot something,” she
gasped. She knelt again, bowed her head, and placed her right hand
over her heart while still clasping his hand. “I promise I will
honor you and obey you—at least as well as I’m able. But if I
displease you, then I hope you will be patient with me and tell me
what I do wrong, so I do not do it again. I do not know you very
well yet, but I’ll try to love you if you want me to. I make these
vows freely and forever.”
    She sprang up and moved to
his side with her head bowed and her hands clasped in front of her.
Her relieved sigh all but echoed in the hall. At least she knew her
place.
    “ What was that last bit all
about?” Bernon asked, approving of her submissive pose.
    “’ Twas my wedding vows,”
she answered without glancing up. “I meant to say them before I
made you The Strangclyf, because I have been rather worried that we
might not be truly wed. ‘Twas Geno I spoke the words to before,
after all.”
    Bernon wondered if she
always had this tendency to say asinine things? He placed a hand on
the small of her back, and guided her around to face William and
Matilda. “My liege, my queen, I present my bride, Lady
Strangclyf.”
    She knelt before the royal
couple, keeping her head bowed.
    King William smiled. “She
is charming, Bernon. The perfect height and your colors suit her.
Welcome to my court, Lady Strangclyf.”
    She remained silently at
the king’s feet, her tiny frame trembling. Leaning forward, William
slipped a finger under her chin and nudged up her head. “Why such
fright, little lady?”
    Barwolf gulped. “Please
forgive me, Your Majesty. I am feeling a little overwhelmed and I
am terrified I may say or do something that displeases my
husband.”
    The king gave her cheek a
paternal pat. “I am sure you’ll not displease Bernon.”
    Her eyes grew wide and a
touch of awe laced her lyric tone. “But you do not know me, Your
Grace. I have a tendency to ramble when I get nervous. I might
start speaking and not stop, which you would surely find a mite
tedious. Then Bernon would wish to instruct me, which, I can tell
you, I am not looking forward to at all, considering his size. Then
there is the fact that—”
    Bernon leaned down and
hissed between clenched teeth, “Silence yourself,
woman!”
    She immediately blushed,
bowed her head, and clasped her hands in front of her.
    He wiped a hand over his
face. Mortification would be a mood lift right now.
    “ Bernon, harness your ire.
I find the dear’s candor refreshing.” Matilda frowned at her
husband and took hold of his arm. “Do you plan to keep this child
on her knees all night, William?”
    Placing a hand over his
tiny wife’s fingers,