Free dragon archives 02 - pursued by a dragon by linda k hopkins

interrupt.
    “Please, Favian, I’m very tired,” she said.
    “I want to propose a truce,” he continued, ignoring her interruption. Cathryn looked at him in surprise.
    “A truce?”
    “Yes. You are here as my mother’s guest, and I do not want you to feel uneasy. As long as you are staying here, we will treat each other with perfect respectability.”
    Cathryn eyed him suspiciously. “You won’t say anything about my betrothal?”
    “Only if you don’t.”
    “And you won’t discuss your feelings for me?”
    “Not so long as you do not wish me to.” Cathryn continued to look as he went on. “I will behave like a perfect gentleman. We can become better acquainted.”
    “Friends then?”
    Favian smiled wryly. “We can try.”
    Cathryn nodded. She wasn’t willing to lower her guard, but you don’t look a gift horse in the mouth, she knew. Unsure how to continue, she watched him cautiously from across the room, but he took matters into his own hands.
    “Do you read?”
    “Of course. I learnt to read when I was still a child.”
    “Oh, I know that. What I meant was, do you read for enjoyment?”
    “Whenever I am able. Unfortunately, Father believes that the only books worth reading are those that will impart knowledge and increase understanding, so there is little opportunity for me to read for pleasure.”
    “Well, we have a fine library here at Drake Manor, and you are welcome to borrow one or two titles. Would you like to see it?”
    “Oh yes!” All thought of sleep flew from Cathryn’s mind. “I would love to.” Favian smiled.
    “Come,” he said, leading the way out the door and heading down the passage. He paused at a door and gestured for her to enter first, following close on her heels and almost bumping into her when she stopped in her tracks. The room was filled with more books than she had ever seen. Opposite the doorway was a window which looked out towards the front lawn, while on either side of the window was shelf upon shelf, all filled with leather-bound tomes. A fire burned in a grate set in the wall to the right, while a desk stood in the center of the room. Cathryn looked around, her eyes taking in the rows of books that lined the walls, before moving slowly forward. She headed to a shelf and ran her fingers over the embossed leather spines, reading the titles softly as she did so, before turning around to face Favian.
    “This is incredible! Where did you get all these books?”
    Favian shrugged. “My father’s been collecting them for many years.”
    “But there must be over a hundred!” Turning back to the shelf, Cathryn slowly moved along its length, reading the titles under her breath. She paused at Canterbury Tales , and reaching up, pulled the heavy volume off the shelf. The book had a thick leather cover, the title embossed in gold. Carrying the book over to the desk, Cathryn opened it carefully, turning the pages until she reached the Prologue. The writing was in a fine script, carefully executed by a master scribe, the first letter of each page beautifully decorated in bright hues. Curling tendrils embellished the margins of the yellowing pages, and Cathryn traced them with her finger, skimming through the opening lines of the tale. She gave Favian a sly look as she read aloud the description of the knight:
     
    He found the highest favor in all eyes,
    A valiant warrior who was also wise
    And in deportment meek as any maid.
    He never spoke unkindly, never played
    The villain’s part, but always did the right.
    He truly was a perfect, gentle knight.
     
    “Was it you that Chaucer saw at the Tabard, going on pilgrimage?” she asked.
    Favian leaned over her shoulder as she read, and with a laugh, turned the page and read another passage:
     
    Of table manners she had learnt it all,
    For from her lips she’d let no morsel fall
    Nor deeply in her sauce her fingers wet; 
    She’d lift her food so well she’d never get
    A single drop or crumb upon her breast.
    At