The two earls pressing their wills upon me fell silent in trepidation. So they should, by my thinking. A reckoning was come before them.
Merlyn rode the prancing destrier between the tables, and whispers rippled through the company in his wake. He halted before the high table and flung back his hood as the steed snorted and stamped.
My heart leaped at the risk he took, but it was William who uttered my husband’s name. Both earls crossed themselves and both looked pale, as if a ghost stood before them.
Merlyn dismounted, then strode forward to take my hand, touching his lips to my fingertips. “I apologize, chère, for my unavoidable delay. I cannot help but note that you have defended yourself and your rights quite splendidly.”
chèreI nodded, unable to make a sound. I was both delighted
