the hawks in the mews.
Miles still stared at her in that odd, piercing way, and she stole a glance at her husband, who seemed to be badgering Raine about some jest about an ugly woman. Raine, shorter than Gavin, wore a black velvet jacket trimmed with silver. He was a handsome man with his deep dimples and his laughing blue eyes. Miles was as tall as Gavin, but of slighter build. Of the three brothers, Miles's clothes were the brightest. He wore a dark green wool doublet and a brilliant green jacket, lined with dark sable.
About his slim hips was a wide leather belt set with emeralds.
They were all strong, handsome men; but as she saw them together, Gavin seemed to outshine the others. At least, it seemed so to Judith.
Gavin felt her eyes on him and turned toward her. He took her hand from her side and kissed her fingers. Judith felt her heart race as he put the tip of one finger in his mouth, touching it to his tongue.
"I think you should wait a while, brother, although I can see the reason for your impatience," Raine laughed. "Tell me again about fat, overbred heiresses."
Gavin released his wife's hand reluctantly. "You can laugh at me all you like—but it is I who has her, so I have the last laugh. Or maybe 'laugh' is not the right word."
Raine gave a throaty sound and nudged Miles. "Come on, let's see if we can find any more golden-eyed goddesses in this place. Give your new sister-in-law a kiss of welcome and let's go."
Miles lifted Judith's hand and kissed it lingeringly, his eyes on hers all the while. "I think I shall save the kiss for a more private time," he said before following his brother.
Gavin put his arm around Judith's shoulders possessively. "Don't let them upset you. They're only teasing."
"I rather like their teasing.'
Gavin smiled down at her, then abruptly released her. Touching her had nearly set him on fire. The bedding was many hours away. If he was to live through the day, he knew he must keep his hands off her.
Later, as Judith accepted a kiss from a withered woman, countess of someplace, wearing a shimmering gown of purple satin, she felt Gavin stiffen beside her. She followed his eyes down the line to a woman so exquisite that several men did little but gape at her. When she came to stand before the bride, Judith was taken aback at the hatred that smoldered in those blue eyes. She was almost tempted to cross herself in protection. Titters drew Judith's attention and she saw that several people were greatly enjoying the sight of the two women, both beautiful, but so different, face to face.
The blonde woman moved quickly past Gavin, refusing to meet his eyes and Judith noticed an expression of pain on her husband's face. It was a puzzling and disconcerting encounter which she did not understand.
Finally the reception was over. All the guests had spoken to the newly wedded couple, Judith's father had given each person a gift, according to his or her importance and at long last the trumpets sounded for the feasting to begin.
While the guests had greeted the bride and groom, the tables had been set about the great hall. Now they were being covered with food: chicken, duck, quail, crane, pheasant, partridge, as well as pork and beef. There were meat pies and twelve kinds of fish. Vegetables, seasoned with spices from the Orient, were abundant. The first strawberries of the season would be served, as well as a few of the rare and expensive pomegranates.
The estate's portable wealth was seen in the gold and silver dishes used by the most important guests who sat at the head table on a slightly elevated platform. Judith and Gavin had matching glasses—tall, slender, made of silver, the bases of finely worked gold.
In the center of the grouping of tables was an open area. Here jongleurs played and sang, Eastern dancers moved enticingly, acrobats cavorted and one traveling troupe put on a play. The noise was tremendous, filling the two-story-high room.
"You do not eat much," Gavin said,
Miles still stared at her in that odd, piercing way, and she stole a glance at her husband, who seemed to be badgering Raine about some jest about an ugly woman. Raine, shorter than Gavin, wore a black velvet jacket trimmed with silver. He was a handsome man with his deep dimples and his laughing blue eyes. Miles was as tall as Gavin, but of slighter build. Of the three brothers, Miles's clothes were the brightest. He wore a dark green wool doublet and a brilliant green jacket, lined with dark sable.
About his slim hips was a wide leather belt set with emeralds.
They were all strong, handsome men; but as she saw them together, Gavin seemed to outshine the others. At least, it seemed so to Judith.
Gavin felt her eyes on him and turned toward her. He took her hand from her side and kissed her fingers. Judith felt her heart race as he put the tip of one finger in his mouth, touching it to his tongue.
"I think you should wait a while, brother, although I can see the reason for your impatience," Raine laughed. "Tell me again about fat, overbred heiresses."
Gavin released his wife's hand reluctantly. "You can laugh at me all you like—but it is I who has her, so I have the last laugh. Or maybe 'laugh' is not the right word."
Raine gave a throaty sound and nudged Miles. "Come on, let's see if we can find any more golden-eyed goddesses in this place. Give your new sister-in-law a kiss of welcome and let's go."
Miles lifted Judith's hand and kissed it lingeringly, his eyes on hers all the while. "I think I shall save the kiss for a more private time," he said before following his brother.
Gavin put his arm around Judith's shoulders possessively. "Don't let them upset you. They're only teasing."
"I rather like their teasing.'
Gavin smiled down at her, then abruptly released her. Touching her had nearly set him on fire. The bedding was many hours away. If he was to live through the day, he knew he must keep his hands off her.
Later, as Judith accepted a kiss from a withered woman, countess of someplace, wearing a shimmering gown of purple satin, she felt Gavin stiffen beside her. She followed his eyes down the line to a woman so exquisite that several men did little but gape at her. When she came to stand before the bride, Judith was taken aback at the hatred that smoldered in those blue eyes. She was almost tempted to cross herself in protection. Titters drew Judith's attention and she saw that several people were greatly enjoying the sight of the two women, both beautiful, but so different, face to face.
The blonde woman moved quickly past Gavin, refusing to meet his eyes and Judith noticed an expression of pain on her husband's face. It was a puzzling and disconcerting encounter which she did not understand.
Finally the reception was over. All the guests had spoken to the newly wedded couple, Judith's father had given each person a gift, according to his or her importance and at long last the trumpets sounded for the feasting to begin.
While the guests had greeted the bride and groom, the tables had been set about the great hall. Now they were being covered with food: chicken, duck, quail, crane, pheasant, partridge, as well as pork and beef. There were meat pies and twelve kinds of fish. Vegetables, seasoned with spices from the Orient, were abundant. The first strawberries of the season would be served, as well as a few of the rare and expensive pomegranates.
The estate's portable wealth was seen in the gold and silver dishes used by the most important guests who sat at the head table on a slightly elevated platform. Judith and Gavin had matching glasses—tall, slender, made of silver, the bases of finely worked gold.
In the center of the grouping of tables was an open area. Here jongleurs played and sang, Eastern dancers moved enticingly, acrobats cavorted and one traveling troupe put on a play. The noise was tremendous, filling the two-story-high room.
"You do not eat much," Gavin said,
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