"What do you want, deWarenne?"
Leila started at Roger's angry voice. She plopped theroasted pheasant leg she was holding into a puddle of brown gravy and twistedaround to find Guy standing almost directly behind her, Roger and Baldwinflanking him. Her mouth flew open in surprise.
How could she have forgotten how truly handsome he was?shewondered crazily. Her wide gaze quickly took inevery pleasing aspect of his appearance, from the snug fit of his dark bluetunic across his massive chest, a heavy gold medallion dangling around hisneck, to his polished black leather boots. Now that he was this close to her,it seemed everyone else in the hall had fallen away, leaving only the two ofthem.
"My lady," Guy greeted her,an appreciativewarmth in his eyes though his expressionremained serious. But the minute he turned back to Roger, the warmth faded. "LordGervais, Lady Eleanor has requested that I accompanyyour sister to the dais for a personal introduction. You need have no fear. Ishall return the young lady to your table shortly."
Leila's attention was drawn to Roger as he visiblytensed, his scarred hand straying to his sword belt. She glanced back at Guy,who did the same, and for the first time she noted that they were almostmatched in size, although Roger was perhaps an inch or two shorter. She thoughtfleetingly of mythic titans preparing to do battle and was certain these twoknights were their perfect embodiment here on earth.
"You forget, deWarenne.Fear is unknown to me, especially when it comes to you," Roger grated. "Ifmy sister is to be introduced to Lady Eleanor, it is I who shall escort her tothe dais. Is that understood?"
"Is there some slight problem here, my lords?"
Leila gasped as Lord Edward strolled casually intotheir midst.
"Lord deWarenne. LordGervais. You are causing a stir among my guests. They aregaping so, their food is assured to grow cold, and then how shall I everreconcile my cooks who have slaved so long and hard over this wondrous meal? Iwould prefer you save this display for the tournament field, where it will bemuch more appreciated and proper wagers may be placed. Are we in agreement?"
"Yes, my lord," Roger muttered.
"As you say,"cameGuy's terse response.
"Good." Edward turned to Leila, his eyesmoving over her in a manner common to all men. Not a leer, just openappreciation, much as Guy had done. "I believe my wife would like to makeyour acquaintance, my lady." He offered her his arm and she took it,rising dazedly from the bench. Her fingers were trembling from this unexpectedattention as she settled her hand in the crook of his elbow. "Leila, isn'tit?"
She nodded, nervousness bubbling up within her as sherealized the hall was virtually silent, just as it had been in prayer. Exceptthis time no one's head was bowed. The guests were all looking right at her.She was certain her hot cheeks matched the deep rose of her gown.
"A beautiful name for a most enchanting beauty."Edward shot a glance at Roger over his shoulder. "Sit down and enjoy themeal, LordGervais, and have your knights do thesame. I trust you grant me the right to escort your fair sister?"
"Of course, my lord."
Edward didn't deign a reply. "Lead the way, deWarenne."
Leila kept her eyes focused on Guy's broad back as he strodetoward the dais, not daring to look to the left or right for fear she wouldfind everyone still staring at her. She could not measure her relief when theclamor of conversation began building anew in the hall, but as she overheardbits and pieces along the way she soon realized that she was the topic offurtive discussion.
"Have you ever seen such hair? Like fine wateredsilk—"
"Aye, a man could find himself ensnared in it easyenough. I'd die for such a fate."
"I've already heard about this wench from one ofGervais'sknights. He said she grew up in Damascus amongthe infidels . . . in a harem!"
"By God, it makes a man hard just thinking aboutit! All that female flesh, just lying there for the taking . . ."
Leila had never felt so mortified. Was that what thesebarbarians truly thought?That haremswere no morethan mere brothels instead of an ordered way of life for a vastly superiorcivilization? Close to tears, she felt a light squeeze on her arm and metEdward's eyes. They were astonishingly kind.
"Forgive any ignorant and rude remarks on the partof my guests, my lady," he said in a low voice meant for her ears alone. "ThoughI went to the Holy Land to strike a blow against the infidels, I came awayknowing we could learn much from them. My life was once saved by your Arabicmedicine, much as you saved Guy's."
She was so startled she could not speak, and she didn'thave time to reply, for they had reached the front of the huge hall. In onebewildering instant she was handed over to Guy. He took her arm, the warmpressure of his hand spinning her senses as he led her up the steps and acrossthe dais toward Lady Eleanor, who was smiling in welcome.
"How absolutely lovely," she said, risingfrom her chair and taking Leila's hands in her own. "Oh, Guy, I can seenow why you are so anxious to w—"
"Harumph!" Edwardcame up behind them, clearing his throat and saying in a low-spoken aside tohis wife, "My dearest Eleanor, you must take care. Remember, things havenot yet been settled . . ."
"Ah, yes, forgive me."
Leila saw Eleanor flash Guy a look of apology andcaught his wry smile in return. Whatever were they talking about? What thingshadn't been settled? Unless . . .
She drew herself up slightly, her flustered nervousnessvanishing as indignation reared hotly at her vexing realization.
Bastard! Guy had obviously told them much about her.But had he shared everything . . . what had happened inProvins,in Canterbury? She feared so. She was also convinced from Eleanor's hasty wordsthat they assumed the wedding was as good as done. How preposterous! Theycouldn't be more wrong.
