WolfeBlade: de Wolfe Pack Generations Kathryn Veque (interesting books to read .TXT) 📖

any further than it already had. Although Gavriella did not know much more about Andreas than his name, she instinctively knew that he was from a very fine family and there were several in the north where she was from. She knew he was from Northumberland, just as she was, but as she’d said to him, Northumberland was a large province. There were several great families and innumerable warlords. It was quite possible he was one of those warlords, one of the many who battled against the Scots or fought for the king’s army.

All she knew was that the man had a stamp of greatness about him.

It would have been so easy to pretend there was some manner of future between them. It would have been so easy to daydream that he was her husband, her handsome and powerful husband, and she was a wife worth having. She was coming to think that her father sending her to London had been a good thing because, here in London, she had no past and people didn’t know about the shames she had suffered. Essentially, she had a clean slate but, most importantly, Andreas didn’t know of her past and she could pretend that there was a future with him.

And that a man like Andreas was within her reach.

For the moment, she decided that she was going to enjoy this.

“My lady?” Andreas broke into her train of thought. “Did you hear me?”

Startled that she’d been caught daydreaming, Gavriella smiled weakly. “I am sorry,” she said. “My mind was wandering. I suppose I am more exhausted than I realized.”

He smiled faintly, collecting his cup of ruby-red wine. “It was quite a long night,” he said. “I did not sleep much after I returned home. Did you?”

She shook her head. “My cousin snores,” she said, grinning when he laughed low in his throat. “But do not tell her I said so. She would deny it and I would look like a liar.”

He shook his head. “I could never see you in such a light,” he said. “In fact, what I said earlier when you did not hear me was that I had an enjoyable time today in spite of the way it ended. Thank you very much for accompanying me.”

“Thank you for taking me,” she said, her eyes glimmering at him. “I cannot remember when I have had such a wonderful time.”

“Even with the fight?”

“Even with the fight.”

A smile played on his lips. “You were quite fearsome,” he said. “It is a rare lady who will take up arms like that.”

Her eyes dimmed a little and she averted her gaze. “I… I do not know why I did it,” she said. “All I know is that you were in trouble and I sought to help. I could not stand by and do nothing.”

His smile faded, the look in his eyes growing more intense. “That is quite noble,” he said. “And I am flattered. You are a rare bird, Lady Gavriella.”

She dared to look up at him, perhaps surprised he hadn’t scolded her. “I do not think so,” she said. “I am just like everyone else, but when threatened… I will fight back. I…I have learned to fight back. But let us speak no more of the incident, if you do not mind. Today’s visit shall be something I will always remember and treasure, fight or no fight. Mayhap one day, we shall meet in London again and you will let me take you to see an entertainment. I should like to repay the kindness.”

He had been drinking his wine, now looking at her as he set the cup down. “You would like to… see me again?”

She didn’t catch his meaning, not at first. “Of course,” she said. “I enjoyed myself a great deal today. I do not think I have laughed so much in a very long time.”

He sighed, long and slow, and sat back in his chair. “I do not get to London often at all,” he said. “There is no guarantee I will ever see you again once I leave this city, so can we please dispense with this guessing game you wish to play? Won’t you please tell me your name and where you live so that I may call upon you once we leave London?”

Her good humor fled. God, it would have been so easy for her to agree with him and tell him everything, but as long as he just knew her as Gavriella… he could pretend she was anything he wanted her to be.

But if he knew the truth…

After a moment, she averted her gaze, looking at her lap. She was trying to find words he might understand because she had to stop fooling herself. Maybe she was willing to pretend she was normal and that Andreas would make a fine husband, but that had only been for the moment.

That moment was up.

“This day has been one of the most remarkable days I have ever known,” she said softly. “I was free to be myself, with no hint of where I have come from. My lord, if you…”

“Andreas.”

Her head came up. “What?”

His gaze was fixed steadily on her. “My name is Andreas,” he said. “My friends and family call me Dray. That is what I wish for you to call me.”

She took a deep breath and lowered her gaze again. “Dray,” she said quietly. “You are a truly extraordinary man. I have never known anyone like you.”

“Then come to know me better,” he said, a hint of pleading in his tone. “Is there something about me you do not like, Gavriella? Something that prevents you from telling me where you live? If you do not want me to call upon you, you merely need to say so. I will not ask again.”

“Nay, it is not that,” she said quickly. “I would like nothing better. But you are a fine knight and you deserve better than someone like me. Please do not ask me more, for I cannot tell