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Authors: My Ladys Desire
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casual liaisons.” Adelys smiled anew. “I suppose it is no fault for a man to finish well what he has begun.”
The twitter of feminine laughter grew louder as Yves strode farther into the hall, though he seemed indifferent to the women’s obvious attention. His glance flicked to Gabrielle, and he caught her eye almost by accident Once their gazes met, though, his sharpened and he did not look away.
And his footsteps turned in her direction.
Gabrielle swallowed the dryness in her mouth and knew full well that Yves would expect an accounting for her blow the night before.
Just as she expected one for his bold kiss. Yet as he drew closer, Gabrielle knew she could not face him before so many interested souls.
Adelys made a little growl of appreciation in the back of her throat. “Surely, Gabrielle, you cannot want to sacrifice the pleasures of the flesh quite so soon?”
That this woman believed her to be made of such loose mettle was insulting, indeed! Gabrielle spun away, not in the least interested in continuing the conversation. She could not even summon a word of dismissal, so distraught was she to find her sterling reputation cast in shreds about her feet so quickly.
Adelys apparently did not even notice her departure. “Good morning, Chevalier!” she purred, her voice carrying to Gabrielle’s ears.
Despite herself, Gabrielle glanced over her shoulder to find Adelys sliding to her feet with a sinuous grace that promised pleasures to be had. Yves bent over the lady’s proffered hand.
Just as he had bent over her own. Gabrielle’s heart lurched to see how readily he made the courteous gesture.
The cur! He had probably bedded Adelys at least once for her to give him such a glowing reference!
Yves had probably bedded all these women who watched him so adoringly, and left each with the impression that she was the only one to hold his heart. He might even have gone to the bed of one of them directly after stealing that kiss from her!
Gabrielle tossed her saddlebags over her shoulder and headed for the stables in poor temper. She should have guessed that as soon as she refused Yves rights to her bed, he would try to seduce her. Trust a man to see no further than the contents of his chausses!
But Gabrielle was not going to become another of Yves’ conquests, regardless of what he thought of the matter.
And that was final.
A light drizzle caressed her face as she stepped through the portal and into the courtyard before the stables.
Gabrielle had forgotten the rain, so upset had she been by Adelys’ words, yet she halted for a moment beneath its soothing caress. The sounds of trap and buckles carried from the stables opposite and Gabrielle simply listened for a long moment.
It was only when she heard a step in the corridor behind her and feared Yves himself might appear that she hastened onward.
Methuselah seemed to be watching for her, for the gray stallion gave a snort of welcome as soon as Gabrielle stepped through the portal into the shadows of the stable. His breath made puffs of steam in the cool morning air and he stomped impatiently in his stall, his velvety nostrils quivering in anticipation of the treat he knew she would bring him.
The beast was too clever by half.
“Well, good morning to you, sir.” The stallion nosed her saddlebags impatiently and investigated her pockets. Just being with the great, gentle beast vastly improved Gabrielle’sspirits, especially when he snorted disdain at not finding a gift of any kind and fixed her with a skeptical eye.
She produced the apple from behind her back, and Methuselah’s ears flicked with definite interest.
“This, sir, is in exchange for an easy saddling this morn.” Gabrielle said, offering the apple. The stallion gave it an assessing sniff, then lifted his head proudly, apparently spurning the offer.
Gabrielle laughed under her breath. She would have been surprised if Methuselah had taken the bribe. The contest with the saddle was part
The twitter of feminine laughter grew louder as Yves strode farther into the hall, though he seemed indifferent to the women’s obvious attention. His glance flicked to Gabrielle, and he caught her eye almost by accident Once their gazes met, though, his sharpened and he did not look away.
And his footsteps turned in her direction.
Gabrielle swallowed the dryness in her mouth and knew full well that Yves would expect an accounting for her blow the night before.
Just as she expected one for his bold kiss. Yet as he drew closer, Gabrielle knew she could not face him before so many interested souls.
Adelys made a little growl of appreciation in the back of her throat. “Surely, Gabrielle, you cannot want to sacrifice the pleasures of the flesh quite so soon?”
That this woman believed her to be made of such loose mettle was insulting, indeed! Gabrielle spun away, not in the least interested in continuing the conversation. She could not even summon a word of dismissal, so distraught was she to find her sterling reputation cast in shreds about her feet so quickly.
Adelys apparently did not even notice her departure. “Good morning, Chevalier!” she purred, her voice carrying to Gabrielle’s ears.
Despite herself, Gabrielle glanced over her shoulder to find Adelys sliding to her feet with a sinuous grace that promised pleasures to be had. Yves bent over the lady’s proffered hand.
Just as he had bent over her own. Gabrielle’s heart lurched to see how readily he made the courteous gesture.
The cur! He had probably bedded Adelys at least once for her to give him such a glowing reference!
Yves had probably bedded all these women who watched him so adoringly, and left each with the impression that she was the only one to hold his heart. He might even have gone to the bed of one of them directly after stealing that kiss from her!
Gabrielle tossed her saddlebags over her shoulder and headed for the stables in poor temper. She should have guessed that as soon as she refused Yves rights to her bed, he would try to seduce her. Trust a man to see no further than the contents of his chausses!
But Gabrielle was not going to become another of Yves’ conquests, regardless of what he thought of the matter.
And that was final.
A light drizzle caressed her face as she stepped through the portal and into the courtyard before the stables.
Gabrielle had forgotten the rain, so upset had she been by Adelys’ words, yet she halted for a moment beneath its soothing caress. The sounds of trap and buckles carried from the stables opposite and Gabrielle simply listened for a long moment.
It was only when she heard a step in the corridor behind her and feared Yves himself might appear that she hastened onward.
Methuselah seemed to be watching for her, for the gray stallion gave a snort of welcome as soon as Gabrielle stepped through the portal into the shadows of the stable. His breath made puffs of steam in the cool morning air and he stomped impatiently in his stall, his velvety nostrils quivering in anticipation of the treat he knew she would bring him.
The beast was too clever by half.
“Well, good morning to you, sir.” The stallion nosed her saddlebags impatiently and investigated her pockets. Just being with the great, gentle beast vastly improved Gabrielle’sspirits, especially when he snorted disdain at not finding a gift of any kind and fixed her with a skeptical eye.
She produced the apple from behind her back, and Methuselah’s ears flicked with definite interest.
“This, sir, is in exchange for an easy saddling this morn.” Gabrielle said, offering the apple. The stallion gave it an assessing sniff, then lifted his head proudly, apparently spurning the offer.
Gabrielle laughed under her breath. She would have been surprised if Methuselah had taken the bribe. The contest with the saddle was part
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