Chapter Ten #4
She appeared absolutely terrified and Bose knew if he showed any measure of rage, she would most likely collapse.
Either that, or openly defy her father as she had earlier in the day, and Bose had no desire to see her ordered to the vault for another display of disobedience.
Therefore, it was with great misgivings that he forced a smile and patted her hand gently.
“Go and dance, love,” he said softly. “Show me how beautifully you can dance and we shall continue to dance all night, just you and I.”
Summer’s eyes widened, as if she hadn’t heard him correctly. Then her brows drew together with genuine puzzlement. “B-But… why do you agree? I do not want to dance with anyone but you.”
He patted her cheek gently, looking to Duncan with a fading smile. “One dance, Kerry. And not too close else you will sorely regret your interest this night,” practically thrusting Summer at Duncan, he turned to Edward. “I should like a word with you, my lord. Immediately.”
As Duncan reached out to grasp Summer by the arm, Edward eyed Bose with disinterest. “Later, mayhap. At this moment, I’ll not have my wine spoiled with menial talk.”
Duncan was attempting to pull Summer with him, but she dug her heels to the ground like a stubborn old mule. She was intensely interested in the conversation occurring between Bose and her father and had no intention of leaving at the moment.
She suspected she knew why Bose was so determined to speak with her father; although Bose had never said a word regarding a betrothal, from the moment they had met up until the afternoon they had so recently spent locked within each other’s embrace, there had never been a doubt in her mind that she had found the man to spend the rest of her life with.
From the expression on Bose’s face as he fixed on her father, she suspected he felt the same.
Edward, however, seemed uninterested in Bose’s solicitation and repeatedly evaded the man’s polite requests with a myriad of weak excuses.
Summer grew increasingly frustrated as her father seemed intent to ignore her potential husband, frowning at Duncan when he continued his weak attempts to pull her toward the center of the writhing hall.
Just as the tugging between her and Duncan appeared to be on the increase, a large body suddenly materialized at Summer’s side.
Ian’s face was grim, his focus on Bose and his drunken father. “Go with Duncan, love. I’ll… I’ll convince father to listen to your beau.”
Summer’s expression washed with relief and thanks. “Oh, Ian, would you p-please? Father is being most unreasonable and….”
“I know,” Ian patted her shoulder, giving her a slight push in Duncan’s direction. “Go and dance. I shall attempt to alter our father’s attitude.”
Summer continued to gaze at her middle brother, a strong, somewhat calm and even tempered man with a vicious sense of humor.
He would have been a stunning and astute eldest brother had Stephan never existed; nonetheless, Summer considered herself extremely lucky to have two such devoted siblings.
Three, actually; Lance was rather perceptive and intelligent when he wasn’t wearing a pig mask.
“I thought you were unsure of Sir B-Bose’s character and motives?” she murmured quietly, ignoring Duncan’s gentle tow on her arm. “Moreover, why would you defend the man who will defeat you in the joust come the morrow, with my insistence no less?”
Ian’s blue eyes moved to his sister briefly, a faint smile tugging at his lips.
“He will defeat me with or without your insistence,” he pinched her lightly on the cheek, his focus returning to his obstinate father and the massive man attempting to engage him in conversation.
“Now, if you will excuse me, I shall endeavor to aid your lover.”
Ian moved away, but not before Summer reached out to grasp his arm gently. Duncan Kerry all but forgotten, her golden eyes glowed at her devoted brother.
“He did not kill her, you know,” her voice was barely audible. “B-Bose’s wife died in childbirth. You mustn’t believe what you’ve heard about him. He’s quite wonderful and I do believe he shall make a fine husband.”
Ian’s expression softened somewhat, knowing that she believed in the hulking knight’s innocence with all her heart.
Ian’s opinion was much like Stephan’s; he was having a difficult time dispelling four years of rumors regarding the king’s former captain.
But from what he had witnessed this day between his sister and the mysterious knight, he was coming to think otherwise.
He smiled faintly. “As you say, love. But if you do not let me go, I may never get the chance to prove my belief in your convictions of your future husband.”
Summer watched her brother go, immediately engaging his father in conversation with a firm manner and steady voice. Bose looked to Ian as well, an element of surprise across his scarred face as the middle du Bonne brother lent his support.
Duncan Kerry tugged again and this time Summer did not resist; all would be well with Ian supporting her cause.
He was intelligent and tactful and Edward would have a difficult time spurning the reasoning of the two determined men planted before him; in fact, Summer was relying heavily upon her father’s known weak-willed nature.
For once, it would be an advantage.