Free Gem of Gravane (The Northern Knights) by Amber Dane

caused him
to speak more brusquely than intended.   “I would like a word with
you, milady. Now.”  
    The seriousness of his deep timbre
did not bode well, yet Danielle heard herself saying, “But of course,
milord. Of course.”
    Her demure tone garnered a peculiar
look from him and she licked her lips nervously.  He stood frozen
just staring at her. Danielle held her breath and waited. She kept her eyes
trained on his even though her heart now thundered inside her chest. 
    “We will speak in the
solar. Come.” 
    He stepped past her and walked on
ahead with her behind him. Righteous anger filled Danielle over the
slight; still she followed behind him from the gardens and through the manor to
their chamber.   
    Once there, he went to the window
and she stood there in the middle of the room, waiting.  Finally, he addressed
her, although he still faced the window.  His words came out strong.
    “How long have you known of your
cousin’s thievery, Danielle?” 
    She stiffened. He knew! 
    Her shoulders sagged with sudden
relief.  She went to his side and looked up at him.  She refused
to respond until he turned to face her.   Although it took a moment, he
finally acknowledged her scrutiny and turned, his stormy dark eyes meeting
hers.   
    Her question burst from her mouth
“How did you discover this?”  
    “Do not question me on the
particulars, Danielle.” came his cool reply.  “I ask you this now
because very soon the matter will be put to your cousin and he will pay for his
crimes against you and Gravane. His character lacks much and is quite, how
shall I put it? Peculiar.”
    She knew of what he spoke. 
    Thomas did not hide his weakness
and cowardice from the men as easily as he thought.  Always hiding and
making himself scarce whenever the slightest mention of battle erupted.
Soldiers of the manor all knew the truth.  Then there was the other rumor,
that none had ever seen him with a woman. Danielle had heard of such things and
Thomas's physical appearance and dress, gave thought to it. But she’d said
naught nor encouraged the rumors floating about the manor.
    “Yea. That he is…peculiar.” When he
remained quiet, she fidgeted and heard the anticipation in her tone when she
asked, “Do you aim to challenge him?” 
    Aric frowned at her.  She did
not listen well.  “Did I not just warn you not to question me on such
matters?”
    She made a tsking sound with her
tongue and Aric blinked when she walked away from him to the middle of the
room. 
    Danielle bristled with irritation
under his demand.  She turned back and he was right behind her.  She
took a step back and gazed up at him. 
    “That is going to be hard to do
when I have questions of my own for you after you have the answers to yours, milord . 
Or is it Aric now that we are in our chamber?”  Danielle said in a haughty
tone and had to stop herself from slapping a hand over her mouth.
    Nay, she was too worked up.  A
twinge of something she could not name filled her heart as she wondered if he'd
even thought about what had happened this morning.  Nay, men did not think
on these things, Danielle thought growing even angrier.
     He could beat her because of
her actions, but something in her told her he would not.  Even though she
was nervous, she lifted her chin higher and met his shocked gaze.  
    Surprise at the coolness in her
tone quickly wore off and Aric arched a brow, the scar above it pulling taut.  So,
she was not as timid as she had been earlier.  He was glad, but he also
knew his earlier slight toward her had something to do with the anger shining
from her eyes and her sudden bravado. A part of him liked it.
    Liked it very much. 
     “Aric,” he told her keeping
his tone curt. 
    What questions could she possibly
have for him? he wondered as he thought of Balwain’s words by the river.
Tendre? He’d no time for such nonsense.
    He’d shown her this tendre plenty
last night.
    Desire sparked