To Capture Her Heart Read Online Free PDF Page B

the other assignments she had witnessed him performing, from the execution of Asher, to personally retrieving her for Terric, to a number of other odd jobs she saw him complete on the journey back to Herfordshire Castle and she wondered why it was that Tristan disliked him so to assign him such inconsequential tasks. Was it his personal dislike for the man that made him treat him so unfairly?
    Gwendolyn rose from her chair. “Please do not bother him with such a task. I will simply go retrieve one myself from the gardens. I know exactly where they are located.”
    “Nonsense. You are a lady and an important guest at this feast. King Terric and Queen Rosalind would be appalled if they heard I allowed you to go fetch one yourself.”
    “Then at least allow me to go instruct Gavin where the best plums can be found. I find that I could use some fresh air as it is.”
    “I will go with you.”
    “Do not be silly; you cannot possibly leave my brother's side,” she pointed out. “I promise to return speedily.”
    “Very well. But if you do not return promptly, I will come look for you myself and leave another defender in charge of your brother.” And though he said it lightly, as if he was almost joking, she couldn't miss the gleam of interest in his eyes, almost as if he wished to come after her, if only just to have some time alone with her. The thought caused her to scurry from the room quickly, uneasy with the thought completely.

Chapter 6
    To Prove Himself
     
    Gavin leaned back against the hard stone wall of the castle's entry, one booted foot propped up behind him as he watched the sun set gloriously over the rolling hills in the yonder distance. The rare appearance of the sun meant that sunsets such as this were rare to behold as well. He stood watching the wispy clouds in the sky change from brilliant pinks and oranges to a much deeper and muted dusky purple as the sun settled lower and lower behind the hills.
    He could hear the sounds of the feast above him as he stood, mesmerized by the sunset before him. He wasn't sure when the last time he beheld such beauty was. He was so lost in the vision before him that he didn't realize that someone had joined him until he heard her speak.
    “What a glorious vision to behold!”
    Gavin turned at the feminine voice beside him and beheld a vision perhaps even more glorious than the sunset. Bathed in the luminescent light of the sun, Gwendolyn stood next to him, her sapphire eyes rounded in delight. The light from the sun caused her raven locks to glimmer wildly, giving them an almost reddish tint, suffusing her face with a golden glow.
    He couldn't answer, he could only stare. He watched as her face registered pure delight at the sunset and knew her face only mirrored his own as he beheld her beauty for what seemed like the first time. She was dressed in a gown cut of the finest silk in Darth. The deep crimson silk hung to her petite frame effortlessly, and he knew that the gown had been expertly made for her slight frame. It enhanced the narrow curve of her hips, the bodice coming to a “v” at her tiny waist, angling down into a flowing skirt. The bodice had a golden design stitched into it that drove his eyes up to the modest neckline where her collarbone and slender neck were visible. Her chin tilted up towards the last of the sun’s rays as her heart-shaped lips opened slightly, tempting him more than they aught.
    Shaking his head violently, he forced himself to snap out of his perusal of the girl that he once had mistaken for a child. “What are you doing here?” he asked, more roughly than he had intended. He couldn't help that his throat all of a sudden seemed dry making it hard for him to speak.
    Gwendolyn turned to him slowly, “I had a craving for a plum, but the ones inside have all been eaten. Tristan said I should instruct you to go fetch me one.”
    “But of course he did,” Gavin murmured, trying to keep the disdain out of his voice.
    Catching him