Free Devan Chronicles Series: Books 1-3 by Mark E. Cooper Page A

just how much.
    “My lord Kevlarin,” Jessica said with a deep curtsy.
    “You have the advantage of me lady,” Kevlarin said with a bow.
    “Yes I have, haven’t I?” She said with a laugh. Kevlarin grumbled something under his breath. It sounded like he wanted to hide in the stables. “Oh don’t do that my lord! We won’t be able to hear the music.”
    “I’m not dancing...” Kevlarin broke off looking sharply at her.
    Jessica grinned and closed her trap. “May I have the pleasure of this dance?”
    “You can’t ask me, I’m supposed to ask you!”
    “Thank you my lord, I accept.”
    Kevlarin looked around for a distraction or some other way to escape, but then he saw his mother heading toward him with a young woman in tow. He inclined his head to Jessica, “You honour me, lady,” he said and quickly led her away from his mother’s determined advance.
    “You haven’t told me your name, my lady,” Kevlarin said as he whirled her around the dance floor.
    Jessica was feeling a little breathless and wished now she had chosen a dress a little less tight. “Jessica—my name I mean,” she said breathing hard but enjoying the giddy feeling that was coming over her.
    “You are a vision come to life Jessica. Where did you come from?”
    “Don’t do that. Every man I’ve ever met says something like that and I’m sick of it! All my friends say I should let Athlone court me—he’s always saying stupid things like that.”
    “I meant no disrespect. I assure you that I meant what I said.”
    Jessica looked up at him in confusion. Did he really mean... ? She was feeling more than a little giddy now. She was having trouble concentrating upon his words.
    “Can we walk outside for a little while Kev? I’m feeling a little giddy.”
    “Of course,” Kevlarin said in sudden concern. “Here, take my arm and I’ll see you safely outside.”
    Jessica walked unsteadily on his arm, but she quickly regained control of herself as the night air refreshed her. They walked slowly around the courtyard. It was a beautiful night. The sky was clear and the stars shone down. She could still hear the music even this far away, and wished Kevlarin would dance with her under the starlight.
    “I’m sorry to be such a bother. I’m feeling much better now.”
    “It was my honour to escort you,” Kevlarin said guiding her steps through the darkness. “You still haven’t told me where you live.”
    “We have met before, my lord. My father is Padrig,” she said wondering if he would remember her.
    Kevlarin frowned. “Lord Padrig? I don’t recall ever meeting Padrig’s daughter.”
    “I was only eight at the time Kev,” Jessica said with a chuckle.
    Daylight dawned and he gaped. “You... you can’t be! What ever happened to that mutt?”
    Jessica laughed. She called her dog Lord Growley because he would always growl and bark at any stranger who came too close to her. “Lord Growley is not a mutt I’ll have you know. He is a noble beast!”
    Kevlarin boomed a laugh across the courtyard. “My apologies to the honourable Lord Growley, but he did bite me first.”
    “Only because he was protecting his lady,” she said grinning.
    Kevlarin stopped laughing abruptly and raised Jessica’s hand for a kiss. “I can understand his need to protect you.”
    The kiss made Jessica all tingly, and she wanted him to do it again on her lips, but he very properly escorted her back to the dance. Kevlarin danced beautifully. The night progressed with him glaring at anyone even attempting to come between them.
    Jessica was well pleased.
    “And what happened then Jessica?” Julia said breaking the mood that had come over her new friend.
    “What?” Jessica said blinking in confusion. “Oh, Julia I’m sorry. I was lost in the past there for a moment,” she sounded sad to be back. “Well... the next day we went riding together; the next hawking, and the day after that my father informed Kevlarin that we were leaving for home.