Free A Gathering of Knights (The Northern Knights) by Amber Dane Page A

her duties and ignoring her fatigue, she had immediately set out to see things aright, but the family had remained in their quarters to rest. ‘Twas just a few minutes after dawn now and she looked forward to breaking her fast with them and the others who obviously had just arrived. She could hear voices now just outside the great doors.
    The overcast sky above had threatened rain for most of the morning and the air was filled with the scent of it, yet not one drop fell. Darc told her she fretted over naught, but still she could not stop herself from looking up each time she stepped outside.
    Caroline straightened out a crick in her back as her gaze swept over the room. Most of the decorations were complete. The hall looked resplendent, decorated with many flowers and green leafy vines to welcome the couple after the ceremony for the wedding feast.
    The castle folk had worked alongside her tiredly in seeing all was perfect. Now they returned to their normal duties as it should be to receive the guests and their families.
    Hearing a familiar laugh she exited the room and gave the signal to the men standing there to cover the archway and made her way up the case to the upper levels toward the sound.  
     
    Caroline pushed open the door and peeked in on Mildred and the boys. Both boys now shared her old chamber and Mildred slept in the connecting room.
    Kelbie and Cal played near the window embrasure. Faste and Gamble lay near the low fire burning in the hearth and next to the chair where Mildred sat embroidering. Faste and Gamble had taken to the children like protective guardians. Caroline entered the room and closed the door quietly behind her.
    Faste rose from his comfortable spot and stretched his large body and loped over to her with his tongue lagging out for a petting. She smiled and bent down to ruffle his ears and give his large muscular flank and fawn-colored belly the quick petting he wanted.
    The boys came over for their hugs and kiss for the night.
    Aye, all had settled in quite well. Cal and Kelbie thought their sister a thing of awe and the way they lorded over her, they were already knights of protection for their younger sibling. Caroline was happy.
     
    Laur met with her moments later in the chamber she now shared with Darc to help her with her bath and gown. Audri slept soundly now after her feeding and Caroline sat discussing the afternoon events with Laur.
    She nigh fell asleep when Laur smoothed her hair back from her brow and ignored the older woman’s frown of concern. She would rest after properly seeing to the meet and greet of their guests, not before. No matter how much her new family disagreed.
    ***
     
    ‘Oh, Aric I do feel awful. How could you have allowed me to sleep in so late?’
    Aric watched his wife fret and fuss from where he sat fully clothed on the side of the four poster raised bed as she stared out the window, the worry in her tone had him shaking his head.
    A smile came to his lips as she grumbled on about the approaching guests, the weather and everything else inside her head loudly. One of the many things he so adored about his Saxon wife. She turned from the window and repeated her question as she moved about the large chamber they’d been given.  Her curves, enhanced by the fine gown of soft blue she wore had sent his thoughts elsewhere. The color enhanced her tawny skin and his eyes dropped to the pulse at her throat as she walked over and stopped near the bottom of the bed.
    Danielle, Baroness of Gravane, stood with her hands on her full hips and studied her husband with a dark look. Her dark Norman warrior was not listening to her and from the look he was giving her as his eyes roamed over her from head to foot told her why. Ignoring the heat that warmed her blood at what he was thinking she wagged her finger at him.
    ‘Aric. The sky looks as if ‘twill open up any second now and ruin the day. This means no show of arms with your friends.’ Danielle paused.
    He responded