< previous page page_90 next page >

Page 90
sensual lower lip protruding just a bit beyond the upper. And there was in her expression sufficient worry to send his pulse leaping with the thought that she was concerned for him. The wrong words rose to his lips, not proper, civil words of greeting, but hot and passionate words most unfit for this time and place.
Sybelle had seen Walter long before he had seen her. Somewhat bored by the relation and discussion of news that was not news to her, she had allowed her eyes to wander over the hall now and again while she listened. Thus, she had seen the party advancing toward the hearth where Prince Llewelyn's chair of state was set. She had not recognized the Earl of Pembroke, not having seen him since she was a childalthough she might not have recognized him anyway owing to his injuries. However, she had recognized Walter, despite the dim light, with an ease that surprised her and made her feel self-conscious.
The early scrutiny, which noted his bad limp, had told her of one of his injuries before her grandmother had noticed them. The fact that he was walking without support had quelled her first impulse to rush to his assistance. She remembered her proud words when her mother had said her father and grandfather would assure Walter she was already his devoted slave: I will swifty disabuse his mind of that notion, she had said.
It would hardly be possible to convince Walter that she was not totally committed to him if she ran to him weeping and asking breathlessly how he was hurt. It was necessary and proper to maintain a reserve. As proof that her reasoning and actions had been correct, she had been rewarded by her grandmother's order to take Walter into her care.
Concentrated as she was upon his injuries, Sybelle misunderstood Walter's slowness to respond when she asked him to accompany her. She believed pride had made him deny a need for assistance. It was silly, but Sybelle was accustomed to the idea that a man's pride must always be protected. She came even closer and said, even more softly, "I am very strong. You can learn on me. No one will notice."
Walter thought of saying that there was no need, but he was afraid his voice would come out as a squeak, or nothing would come out at all when he opened his mouth. Besides, the thought of putting his arm around Sybelle and learning on

 
< previous page page_90 next page >