To Capture Her Heart (4 page)

“Pardon me, but I regret that I have yet had the chance for a formal introduction.” Gwendolyn turned to see that Tristan had been seated directly to her right. She shouldn't be surprised. For as her brother's lead defender, he would, of course, always be close by. She just hadn't expected to have to spend the entire feast by his side.

Smiling she said, “You already know who I am, but if formalities must be observed, my name is Gwendolyn.”

“'Tis true; I did already know that, but it's nice to hear it from your own lips.” She wasn't sure, but Gwendolyn thought he may just be attempting to flirt with her, and she thought she just might let him.

She relaxed as the servants began bringing in tray after tray of the most delectable food in the Kingdom. There were trays of roasted mallard, pigeon pie, sturgeon and even boars head complete with the tusks brought in along with plates beautifully arranged with sage fritters, delicate tarts, sweet dariols, and plenty of wine and mead to quench the thirst of the entire Kingdom. Gwendolyn had never seen so much food in one place in her life.

As everyone began to feast on the bountiful offerings, the talented harpist resumed her playing and a half-dozen peacocks entered the room and began strutting languidly around the crowds, adding to the magical charm of the celebration.

“Tell me about yourself,” Tristan said just as Gwendolyn had placed a bite of roasted rabbit into her mouth.

She quickly chewed and swallowed before answering him. “I'm afraid there's not much to tell. I am really quite an ordinary person.”

“I highly doubt that. What do you do with your time? What are your interests?”

She wiped the corner of her mouth with a linen napkin before replacing it in her lap. “Well I do play the harp, though I must confess I'm not nearly as talented as tonight's performer. My mother has trained me in the art of healing, so I suppose I enjoy learning about various herbs and their medicinal properties.”

“Well, if I ever find myself injured, I shall have them send for you to heal me. It almost makes a man crave an injury just to have someone so pretty see to his needs.”

Gwendolyn blushed at his forwardness, but couldn't help asking. “You think I'm pretty?”

“But of course. I think it's fair to say that any man would.”

Though she held no fancy for the man sitting next to her, she couldn't deny that his compliments made her feel special, especially in light of Gavin's comments to the contrary. His comments gave her an added boost of confidence, and she couldn't help but seek more of his flattering words. “Not every man would agree with you. I've recently been told I'm not womanly, that I appear as a nothing more than a young child.”

Tristan took a sip of wine, boldly assessing her over the rim of his goblet. Setting it down, he leaned forward and said, “Only a fool would confuse you with a child. You have far too many...charms to be mistaken as one.” Gwendolyn wasn't sure what made her happier, that he had just inadvertently referred to Gavin as a fool, or that he found her appealing, womanly even.

Washing down the last bite of rabbit with a swallow of sweet mead, Gwendolyn's attention returned to the plate of fruit she had been eying earlier. She noticed the juicy plums had all been taken. A quick glance to the other platters of fruit revealed that she was not the only one who had been looking forward to partaking of the delectable treat. Without realizing what she was doing, her lips twisted into a pout.

Tristan chuckled lightly, “Whatever 'tis the matter, my sweet Gwendolyn?”

“'Tis nothing of great importance,” she replied, trying but not succeeding at tampering down her disappointment.

“'Tis of great importance if it causes you any amount of distress. Please, do tell me what troubles you so.”

“You really wish to know? 'Tis really quite silly.”

“Tell me,” he urged.

“I just noticed all the plums have been taken, and I did so have my heart set on eating one today.”

“Well then, your wish is my command.” Gwendolyn watched with wide eyes as Tristan waltzed around the hall inspecting each tray on every table for a plum. She actually thought it quite funny that he would go to such great lengths to please her.

Eventually he returned to her empty handed. “It seems I have failed in my mission to procure you your plum. But do not fret, I will simply send Gavin to the gardens to fetch you one.”

“Gavin?” she asked through a chuckle. “Why in the world would you send a defender to perform that task?”

She didn't miss the look of haughty disdain that passed across his face. “Because everyone else is either attending the feast or serving the meal. Besides, he is required to do whatever I instruct him to do. If a plum is what you wish, a plum is what you will get.”

Gwendolyn scoffed. “A defender should never be required to wait on me hand and foot. If my brother heard of it, he would be appalled.”

“Your brother would not have any qualms with it. Gavin isn't above the task, I assure you.” Though Gwendolyn didn't hold Gavin in high esteem, the thought of him being required, commanded even, to perform such a simple and menial task did not sit well with her. She was almost certain that neither of her brothers had ever been required to perform such a mundane chore as part of their duties as defender. The thought of either of them doing so was laughable.

Her mind wandered back to Gavin and back to the other assignments she had witnessed him performing, from the execution of Asher, to personally retrieving her for Terric, to a number of other odd jobs she saw him complete on the journey back to Herfordshire Castle and she wondered why it was that Tristan disliked him so to assign him such inconsequential tasks. Was it his personal dislike for the man that made him treat him so unfairly?

Gwendolyn rose from her chair. “Please do not bother him with such a task. I will simply go retrieve one myself from the gardens. I know exactly where they are located.”

“Nonsense. You are a lady and an important guest at this feast. King Terric and Queen Rosalind would be appalled if they heard I allowed you to go fetch one yourself.”

“Then at least allow me to go instruct Gavin where the best plums can be found. I find that I could use some fresh air as it is.”

“I will go with you.”

“Do not be silly; you cannot possibly leave my brother's side,” she pointed out. “I promise to return speedily.”

“Very well. But if you do not return promptly, I will come look for you myself and leave another defender in charge of your brother.” And though he said it lightly, as if he was almost joking, she couldn't miss the gleam of interest in his eyes, almost as if he wished to come after her, if only just to have some time alone with her. The thought caused her to scurry from the room quickly, uneasy with the thought completely.

Chapter 6

To Prove Himself

Gavin leaned back against the hard stone wall of the castle's entry, one booted foot propped up behind him as he watched the sun set gloriously over the rolling hills in the yonder distance. The rare appearance of the sun meant that sunsets such as this were rare to behold as well. He stood watching the wispy clouds in the sky change from brilliant pinks and oranges to a much deeper and muted dusky purple as the sun settled lower and lower behind the hills.

He could hear the sounds of the feast above him as he stood, mesmerized by the sunset before him. He wasn't sure when the last time he beheld such beauty was. He was so lost in the vision before him that he didn't realize that someone had joined him until he heard her speak.

“What a glorious vision to behold!”

Gavin turned at the feminine voice beside him and beheld a vision perhaps even more glorious than the sunset. Bathed in the luminescent light of the sun, Gwendolyn stood next to him, her sapphire eyes rounded in delight. The light from the sun caused her raven locks to glimmer wildly, giving them an almost reddish tint, suffusing her face with a golden glow.

He couldn't answer, he could only stare. He watched as her face registered pure delight at the sunset and knew her face only mirrored his own as he beheld her beauty for what seemed like the first time. She was dressed in a gown cut of the finest silk in Darth. The deep crimson silk hung to her petite frame effortlessly, and he knew that the gown had been expertly made for her slight frame. It enhanced the narrow curve of her hips, the bodice coming to a “v” at her tiny waist, angling down into a flowing skirt. The bodice had a golden design stitched into it that drove his eyes up to the modest neckline where her collarbone and slender neck were visible. Her chin tilted up towards the last of the sun’s rays as her heart-shaped lips opened slightly, tempting him more than they aught.

Shaking his head violently, he forced himself to snap out of his perusal of the girl that he once had mistaken for a child. “What are you doing here?” he asked, more roughly than he had intended. He couldn't help that his throat all of a sudden seemed dry making it hard for him to speak.

Gwendolyn turned to him slowly, “I had a craving for a plum, but the ones inside have all been eaten. Tristan said I should instruct you to go fetch me one.”

“But of course he did,” Gavin murmured, trying to keep the disdain out of his voice.

Catching him totally by surprise, Gwendolyn reached for and placed one hand delicately on his arm. “You don't have to do it, you know.”

“What do you mean?”

“I happen to know a thing or two about the duties of a defender, and I am confident they don't include climbing trees to acquire some fruit.”

“Well, if you don't wish for me to retrieve a plum for you, why are you here?” he asked her gruffly. She didn't even flinch.

“To tell you that you don't have to put up with this nonsense. Don't let Tristan bully you around. Stand up for yourself, Gavin.” When he didn't respond, she continued, “You deserve better than silly, meaningless assignments.”

“No I don't,” he finally quipped.

“Aye, but you do. My brothers’ were never treated so lowly, not even when they were in training.”

“Do not compare me with your brothers. I am in a far different league than they.”

Feeling defensive she snapped back, “They weren't automatically elevated to the positions of lead defender, you know. They had to work their way up as well. If you won't stand up for yourself, I will. I'll talk to Terric and tell him that Tristan is treating you unfairly.”

“Don't you dare,” he barked, then inwardly berated himself as she flinched. He closed his eyes and inhaled deeply, forcing himself to think rationally before he spoke once more. How could he tell her that she was wrong, that he did deserve every lowly task he had been given and then some? How could he tell her that the current position he was in was all of his own making without embarrassing himself by divulging his own stupidity? He was lucky to have his post back at Herfordshire Castle after what he had done. He had no cause to complain about the tasks he was given, no matter how much he hated doing them.

When he was sure he could speak more calmly he said, “You don't understand the way of things.”

“Of course I do,” she said, outrage filling her eyes. “I understand perhaps better than you do yourself. My father was a lead defender and as you know; Terric was as well. And Aeden is currently the High King's lead defender. You insult me by suggesting I don't understand.”

Once more, Gavin found himself unintentionally insulting the girl. He softened against his will and stepped towards her. His voice was gentle as he spoke, “Please forgive me. 'Tis not my intent to continually insult you; truly it isn't.” He was very aware that his apology sounded awkward, but he hoped she could hear his sincerity as well. He wasn't in the habit of making his apologies to women. He continued, “I don't intend to come across so uncivilized and brusque. It's just that I don't like...”

“Me.” she interjected before he could finish his thought.

“Nay, not necessarily. 'Tis not that I don't care for you personally. 'Tis just that I don't care for women in general.”

Gwendolyn's eyes went round with surprise as she blurted out the first thought that came to her mind, paying no mind to decorum, “You care for men? I've heard of the oddity but hoped it was only a falsehood that certain men have an unnatural preference for...”

Gavin quickly interjected her, not liking her insinuation one bit. “Nay, you are very mistaken. I like women very much, or at least I did.”

“You did?” she asked, confusedly.

“'Tis a long story. Suffice it to say that not all women have noble intentions nor tender sympathies.”

“Your heart has been broken,” she stated simply, striking a chord of discomfort deeply in his heart. But quickly he erected the all familiar walls around his heart, refusing to let another person in. He had vowed to never trust another woman again, no matter how honest and sincere they seemed.

Both sat staring at each other, unsure of how to proceed to break the awkward silence. Turned out, neither of them had to. Tristan sauntered out and stood next to Gwendolyn, taking her hand and placing it on his arm. “I was beginning to get concerned by the amount of time you were taking. I came to see if perhaps you had gotten lost.”

“Nay, I am not lost,” she spoke quietly.

“Very well. Then allow me to escort you back to the feast before your brother notices either one of us is missing. The dancing has just begun, and I'd hate to miss my chance to claim you for a dance.”

“But of course,” she replied as she allowed him to lead her back inside.

Just as they had stepped into the entry, Tristan turned his head over his shoulder to speak to Gavin. “Make haste and fetch that plum for the lovely Gwendolyn, now would you?”

Gavin bowed his head slightly then waited for the pair to disappear before cursing under his breath. What was it with the girl that brought out so many emotions inside of him, emotions he had long ago suppressed? He worked hard to erase the painful memories of his past from his mind, with the regular consumption of ale of course, yet in one conversation she was able to bring it all to the forefront of his mind.

Cursing once more he took off for the gardens, anxious to pick her the largest, most juicy plum he could find before the light completely disappeared from the sky above. It may be a task that she did not see him suited for, but he would show her that he could perform any task assigned him to perfection, no matter if she agreed with his duties or not.