The Black Lyon Read Free Page A

full and soft, tempting. Her hair intrigued him as he thought of it spread about her, covering her shoulders and lying across her breasts, the color unusual, a tawny gold.
    M on Dieui What ailed him so that he sat here dreaming of a bit of a girl when there was work to be done? He had seen pretty girls afore now—aye, many girls—but there was a difference, somehow, with this one. When he had touched her chin, he had thought he might disgrace himself by kissing her before her parents and his men. What would have been their reaction had he buried his hand in this unknown girl's hair and...
    "I have brought you wine." Lyonene's soft voice shattered his thoughts.
    He stared at her, unsmiling, studying her, not aware of the offered refreshment.
    "It is cold and some time before dinner and . . ." She looked away from his intense stare, shy of a sudden, regretting her impulsive action.
    He took the warm mug and sipped the delicious sweet wine, the smooth liquid trickling down his throat, his eyes never leaving hers. "You will share it with me?"

    "Aye," she said, smiling at him, her fingers lightly grazing his as she took the cup. A drop of wine rested on the rim and she touched the spot with her lips, amazed at her boldness. She returned the mug and took a linen packet from under her mantle, unwrapping it to show bread and cheese.
    Her smile at him was brilliant, and he found he could only watch her, her eyes sparkling like the finest jewels, her cheeks pinked by the cold air. The hood hid most of her lovely hair, but the white fur framed her face and contrasted beautifully with the thick, long lashes.
    Neither of them seemed to need words, and both sat quietly enjoying the wine and food. A sudden gust of wind blew the dead leaves of the forest about them.
    Lyonene covered one eye with her hand as a sudden sharp object struck it. "M y eye!" she cried, tears blinding her, the pain increasing each moment
    "I will look." Warm hands held her face; strong, gentle fingers forced her to uncover the eye.
    "It is a rock, a boulder," she sobbed.
    "Nay, I do not think so. Look up at me and I will find it. Open your eye, slowly."
    His voice was soft and soothing, and in spite of the pain, she made herself open her eye, her trust in him complete, sure in the knowledge that he would remove the pain.
    "There! See, it was but a,speck of dirt, truly smaller than a boulder."
    She blinked several times to remove the sting. From the moment he had touched her she had known that he would take away the pain. She was now very aware of his hands on the side of her face, the dark eyes that stared into hers, eyes bordered by short, thick lashes. The irises were truly black—yet, at this close distance, she could see that they had tiny gold flecks in them.
    "You are well now? Your eye no longer pains you?"
    She did not answer immediately, and as he began to draw his hand away she held it for a moment to her cheek. "Nay, the pain is gone. Thank you."
    He moved his hand and looked away and Lyonene was afraid she had offended him. She felt as if a stranger were gradually overtaking her body, for she could not believe her forwardness of this morn. She tried to make conversation. "I wonder—however do you stay so warm when I am so cold, and it is I with the fur mantle?"
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    Ranulf looked startled. "We will return to the castle to the fire." At the look of disappointment on Lyonene's face, his heart leaped. She did not want to leave his company any more than he hers. "Come then and I will show you a sport to make you warm."
    They stood and she watched as Ranulf took the long stick and bent it to fasten a long string of silk to either end.
    "Have you seen this ere now?"
    She shook her head.
    "It is a Welsh bow, and it is called by some, because of its length, a longbow."
    "It does not look to be a bow at all." She gave him a skeptical look. "How can one fire an arrow from a mere stick?"
    "You have not seen it used and already you decry it?"
    She sniffed and put