The Gorgon (11 page)

Summer continued to recline
against the ancient oak, ignoring the pesky owl and listening to the faint
rumble of the surrounding camp. The sea breeze had increased in intensity,
casting a chill in the air and Summer rubbed her arms to keep warm, the golden
silk providing little protection against the damp wind.

Even so, she had little intention
of leaving her quiet haven beneath the great tree. Although her thoughts had
calmed somewhat since fleeing the field, there still remained a distinct
measure of anger toward her selfish, proud family.

Clearly, she had struck home with
her accusations. Genisa had most likely returned to the keep to inform the rest
of the family that Lady Summer was aware of their ‘alleged’ protective actions.
Her thoughts darkened as she pondered her relationship with her family from now
on.

Toying with the grass absently,
she was so consumed with her gloomy visions that she was gradually aware of
glittering black eyes staring up at her. Even as she found herself gazing into
the tiny orbs, she wasn’t quite sure what she was looking at; only when the
eyes blinked, rapidly, did she realize that she was no longer alone beneath the
aged, sheltering oak.

Summer sat up from the tree
trunk, not particularly afraid of the small, dark eyes as they studied her
curiously. Sitting very still so as not to startle her little visitor, she was
eventually rewarded when the small gray and white ferret emerged from the
shadows and into the weak moon light.

It was a beautifully maintained
little beast, clean and bright and well fed as it scampered onto her lap.
Sensing from the behavior and condition of the animal that it was exceptionally
tame, she began to stroke the silky fur.

"My goodness, little
one," she cooed in flawless speech. "Who do you belong to?"

Tiny whiskers licked her arm as
the ferret moved up her torso, sniffing her skin and wiggling its little nose.
Summer giggled as tiny claws tickled her skin, collecting the ferret into both hands
as to better inspect the best. Golden orbs met with curious, rodent black and
she smiled brightly, noting the beautiful shadings of gray and white upon the
fuzzy coat.

"I would suspect that
someone is missing you right now," she said softly, tearing her eyes away
from the pet long enough to glance to the glowing encampment. There appeared to
be no lady in frantic search of her pet. With a shrug, Summer rubbed noses with
her newest friend. "I suppose I should discover who you belong to. After
we've become acquainted, of course."

Within her soft hands, Antony was
quite content to allow his rescuer to gently caress him. But his attention was
finite and he worked his way to her shoulder, perching atop the tender skin and
sniffing the brisk sea air. Summer giggled as he scampered along her neck,
losing himself in her hair and eventually coming to the conclusion that her
thick mane was a wonderful, warm haven in which to hide from the frightening
world.

Summer attempted to coax the
furry creature from of her hair, but he ignored her and she suspected the
hooting of the owl had something to do with his reluctance. She did not blame
him in the least and was content to allow him to remain for the time being. The
restless creature, however, eventually emerged from the silken blond cave and
worked his way down her arm, moving to the comfort of her lap once more.

Summer continued to stoke her new
companion, thoughts of finding its owner fading by the moment. She'd never had
a pet, not even a bird in a cage, and she realized that she could come to love
the little animal deeply. He was sweet, well-behaved and clean, and she wasn't
the least bit sorry that she was stealing someone else's property. If they were
careless enough to allow him to escape, then they did not deserve the
responsibility or the pleasure accompanying such an animal.  She kissed and
cooed to the little animal.

"He has never been quite so
affectionate with me."

The baritone voice startled Summer
and she looked up as a massive form stepped from the shadows into the
moonlight, his hands raised in supplication. She must have recoiled or
otherwise displayed fright, because the figure came to a halt.

"I am sorry if I frightened
you, my lady, please forgive me," Bose said quietly, keeping his hands
raised to prove he was no threat. "I heard your laughter from the trees
and followed the sound. I wasn't spying on you nor do I intend you harm, I
swear it."

Summer continued to stare at him
with big eyes, surprised by his appearance, unsure what to say. Even though the
man was without his helm, she remembered those features. She had seen him,
earlier that day as he had asked permission from her father to speak with her. 
It was Bose de Moray in the flesh and delight mingled with her surprise,
becoming nervous apprehension.  Here they were, alone, and she was uncertain.
Uncertainly sealed her lips. She just sat there and looked at him.  She’d never
been in this position in her life.

Bose sensed her hesitance. He,
too, was struggling to overcome the shock of coming across Lady Summer, with
Antony in her hands no less. He still wasn’t even sure he wasn’t dreaming it. Eager
to ease her anxiety, he lowered his hands while maintaining a distant, unmoving
position.  For a moment, all he could do was look at her. He’d never seen
anything so beautiful in his entire life.

"Antony has never been as
loving with me as he apparently is with you," he said quietly, wondering
why his voice was tinged with an odd quiver.  "He escaped this night and I
was frantic with worry for him. How fortunate for me that you have found
him."

Summer tore her eyes away from
Bose long enough to gaze at the fuzzy creature in her grasp. Obviously, the
little beastie belonged to the knight. Without hesitation, she extended her
hands to offer Bose the animal. He eyed her a moment, his black eyes blazing
with warmth, before slowly shaking his head.

"He likes you better, I can
tell," his voice was soft. "Please... you will keep him."

His tone was soothing, his manner
gentle. Summer's brow furrowed and her lovely face washed with a curious
expression, looking to Antony as if the ferret could confirm his master's
directive. Bose continued to stare at her a moment before slowly crouching in
an attempt to make himself appear less threatening.  He wanted to be on her
level.

"I did not mean to disturb
your peaceful evening," he said quietly. "I would be honored if you
would allow me to join you."

Summer continued to stare at him,
knowing that he had been carrying on a once-sided conversation until this
point. Sooner or later, he was going to expect a reply. But she did not want to
make a fool of herself, as she wasn’t certain she could reply without
stammering all over herself. It seemed to get worse when she was upset or
nervous. As she pondered her next move, Antony abruptly scampered across her
lap and onto the ground. Mounting Bose's arm, he scurried to his familiar post
atop his master's broad shoulder.

"Ah, my treacherous little
friend, so you think to return to me?" his thick fingers scratched
affectionately at the animal. "For certain, I thought I'd lost you. But it
would seem that you and I had the same ideals to find a certain young
lady."

Summer watched him play with the
pet, blushing furiously when he turned his gaze upon her. Averting her eyes,
her respiration began to come in sharp pants.
Say something, you foolish
wench!

"I did not receive a reply
from you earlier, when I asked if you had enjoyed your first melee," he
said, drinking in her exquisite profile and finding that the peculiar quiver in
his voice had spread to his limbs. "Your brother's wife seemed most
anxious to answer for you. Does she do this habitually?"

Summer stared at her hands. Then,
she nodded faintly. "S-She does."

Bose's gaze held even, although
there was no mistaking the stammer in her softly-uttered reply. As an inkling
of suspicion came to mind, a curiosity took hold and his stare grew in
intensity. 

"I have heard Lady Genisa
possesses the ability to talk God off his throne," he said casually.
"I see that the rumors were truth."

A faint smile creased Summer's
beautiful lips. "Indeed, my lord," she nearly whispered. "Genisa
is most chatty. And most overb-bearing at times, although she means well."

Then it was true.  Bose came to
realize that he had not imagined the catch in her speech. He also knew why the
lady had remained so silent in his presence, why her sister-in-law and father
has answered for her, and why Ian had dragged her away when a conversation was
imminent. It made his heart ache for her, because what they did not know what
that Bose understood such things. God help him, he understood a great deal.

“I see," his baritone was
scarcely audible as he replied belatedly to her statement. "Since she is
not here to answer for you, then I would expect to hear your thoughts personally.
Did you, in fact, enjoy the melee?"

Summer continued to stare at her
hands, the ground, and finally Antony as he scampered down Bose's arm and
clamored up her thigh. Petting the fuzzy creature, he heard her give a faint
sigh before she gave him her full attention.

"Nay," she replied
frankly. "I thought it was a horrible d-display of savagery and male
pride. I never want to see another melee as long as I live."

He met her gaze a long moment,
his lips creased with mirth. Before he could control himself, he was howling
with laughter such as he had never known and Summer watched him, horrified and
ashamed, knowing that he was laughing at her affliction. With a whimper of
anguish, she bolted to her feet and gathered her skirts. But massive hands were
suddenly holding her firm.  Somehow, he had covered the distance between them
and was now grasping her.  His grip was like iron.

"Where do you go?" he
demanded softly.

"Let me go!" she cried.
His fingers were like iron, biting into the soft flesh of her arms and much to
her dismay, Summer felt the sting of tears. Throwing herself about, she
struggled fiercely to release his hold before she disgraced herself further.
"Release m-me immediately!"

Instead of complying, Bose's grip
tightened. Summer gasped as bolts of pain coursed through her arms and her
struggles came to a halt. Golden orbs locked with onyx-black and Bose could
literally read the shame and terror brimming in the depths.

 "You believe me to laughing
at you?" when she refused to reply, he shook her gently. "Answer me.
Do you believe me to be laughing at you?"

After brief consideration, during
which she realized that she had little choice but to respond to him, Summer
nodded once. He released her and she stumbled away from him, her eyes wide and
accusing. But she did not run.

"I wasn't laughing at you,
my lady, I swear it," his voice was soothing and sincere. "'Twas your
words I found humorous and nothing more. You are entirely correct in your
description of the melee. `Tis a contest to promote the male ego."

She continued to stare at him,
the shame and fury fading from her expression. Near the tree, Antony continued
to scamper about and above her tumultuous thoughts, Summer realized that she
had virtually thrown the animal from her lap in her haste. Embarrassed, she
lowered her gaze and returned to the tree.

"I am sorry, Antony. I did
not mean to be brutal," her apology was whisper-soft as she scooped up the
fuzzy creature. Rubbing noses with her newest friend, she could feel Bose's
massive presence over her shoulder.

She did not know why she should
believe him; the man was a stranger. But there was something in his tone that
relaxed and enchanted her at the same time. True, she had wanted to know of his
reaction to her defect; even so, the process of discovery was a frightening,
overwhelming thing.

"My f-father would not allow
you to speak with me today for obvious reasons, my lord," slowly, she
turned to Bose, raising her eyes to meet with those of piercing black.
"You must understand that they do not wish for my... imperfection to
b-become public knowledge. They do their best to protect me."

Bose met her gaze, feeling
anguish for her plight.  "That is why Stephan refused to allow me to speak
with you after I won the melee.” He watched her nod her head.  "And your
father. That is why he discouraged me, as well."

Again, she nodded. He studied her
closely as she continued to clutch Antony, knowing from experience of the shame
she had encountered. After a moment, he reached out and gently stroked the
animal within her grip, succeeding in capturing her hooded gaze.

When their eyes met, he smiled
his charming, lop-sided grin. "In their defense, I will say that I can
understand their fear. However, regardless of their shielding instincts, there
is nothing on this earth powerful enough to discourage my attention toward
you."

He watched with delight as her
golden orbs widened with surprise. In spite of the colorless moon glow, he
caught an unmistakable mottle to her cheeks.

"Why would you say this, my
lord?" she asked breathlessly.

"Because it's true. You, my
lady, are the embodiment of the perfection God has intended for all womankind.
I knew it from the first moment I saw you. And if your father and brother
believe that an insignificant speech irregularity is going to discourage me
from coming to know you, they are sadly mistaken."