Free Gentle Warrior by Julie Garwood Page B

for his hot gaze was so lustful that she feared he would soon see the terror she was trying so hard to hide.
    "The priest is waiting," he suddenly announced, his tone surprisingly gentle.
    "Then you have not changed your mind?" Elizabeth asked, her voice no more than a whisper.
    "Aye, I have not changed my mind. We will be married," Geoffrey said. "Get dressed. The guards will escort you when you are ready. Do not keep me waiting," he warned. He did not wait for her response but turned and left the room, slamming the door behind him with such force that the logs in the fireplace shifted from the wind that stirred them.
    Elizabeth found herself hurrying to do his bidding. She would have the marriage over and done with! She dressed in a plain white gown, winding a gold chain around her waist as her only decoration. Her hair was damp and it was difficult to get order achieved, but she finally managed to secure it to the back of her head with a gossamer-thin strip of ribbon.
    Her hands trembled as she opened the door and followed the guards down the corridor, toward her fate.
    Geoffrey stood at the bottom of the stairway, his hand extended. Elizabeth placed her hand in his and walked with him into the great hall.
    She was startled to see that all the men in the room were kneeling, their heads bowed. It was awesome to see so many show such respect.
    The priest's benediction turned her thoughts back to the vows she was about to exchange.
    He was asking her to pledge herself, body and soul, into the keeping of the man kneeling beside her.
    It was all happening so fast. Elizabeth could not even remember kneeling. How had her hand gotten into his? Where had the ring come from? "To love and to honor, to cherish…"
    The priest's monotone voice insisted, quietly demanded. I do not know if I love him, Elizabeth found herself thinking, even as she repeated the words, "I, Elizabeth Catherine Montwright, do hereby…" Her voice was a thread of a whisper, but the priest seemed content, merely leaning forward with a benevolent smile upon his leathered face as he listened to her replies.
    "I, Geoffrey William Berkley…" His voice, proclaiming his many titles, was forceful and clear. And then it was over, and Geoffrey was lifting her to her feet. He gave her a firm kiss and then turned her, presenting both of them to his men. She heard his deep sigh just seconds before the hall was filled with a resounding cheer.
    The noise and the shouts escalated in volume and intensity. Elizabeth saw her brother, standing next to the lord's companion. She instinctively started to go to him, only to be stopped by her husband's hand. "Wait," he instructed, placing his hand on her arm.
    He nodded to Roger and a path was cleared. Roger pulled Thomas to stand before the couple. The little boy only had eyes for Geoffrey, the worship there for all to see. He hadn't given his sister so much as a glance. "I do not think he remembers you," her husband said.
    "But that will change," Geoffrey added when he noticed her distress, "for his voice has returned and he now talks constantly."
    Elizabeth nodded and smiled and then knelt before her brother so that they were at eye level. He ignored her as she softly called his name.
    "Thomas, I am your sister," she insisted for the second time. The little one finally turned when Roger nudged the back of his head.
    "I am to be a knight," he boasted. Then, remembering his manners, he knelt down and bowed his head. "I will guard you, my lady, from this day forth." He peeked up at Geoffrey to see if he had pleased his lord.

    Geoffrey nodded and helped Elizabeth to her feet. She turned to take her brother's hand but found that he was already halfway across the hall, following Roger.
    Elizabeth turned back to her husband and allowed him to lead her toward the table and the wedding feast. "Where are Thor and Garth?" she asked as she sat down.
    "Who?" her husband asked.
    "My dogs," Elizabeth explained. "They are called Thor and Garth.