Claire Delacroix by The Bride Quest Series 3-Book Bundle Page A

Luc,” she retorted, but could not keep herself from edging toward the window in turn. Brianna did not even trouble to note Lady Ismay, her gaze flying of its own accord to the orchard.
    Where Luc Fitzgavin looked directly and steadily toward her.
    Brianna’s heart took an unruly skip. She drew back into the shadows, her finger clutching a fistful of cloth where her dame’s box was hidden.
    Though she could not precisely see from this distance, Brianna knew how Luc’s blue gaze had not wavered fromher own. ’Twas as though he knew about both the box and her intention, the very steadiness of his glance most unnerving.
    Her lips tingled in recollection of Luc’s kiss at that very inopportune moment. Brianna felt her cheeks flush scarlet and deliberately turned her back on the window.
    “Not your master Luc indeed,” Fenella muttered, a knowing glint in her eye. “Do you imagine that I have not noticed your preoccupation this morn?”
    Brianna could not stop her flush from deepening. To divert her maid’s attention, she waved to the window once more. “Is it only my eye or is Lady Ismay garbed rather more poorly than usual?”
    Fenella leaned out the window anew, greedily seeking details. “Aye, you speak aright! Has she no shame? Why, her gown is
filthy
!”
    Brianna did not care what Lady Ismay wore or did not wear, much less how she conducted herself. She was merely glad that Fenella was sufficiently interested to remain at the window.
    The maid wrinkled her nose in disapproval. “ ’Twould be an improvement to grant her the one you damaged last evening, unless I miss my guess. And not a single servant in their wake.” Fenella clicked her tongue like an elderly matron. “What has possessed the woman? Has she no pride? She comports herself like one born common and without grace.”
    Brianna hastily tied a sash about her waist, knotting it so that the box was secure, then passing it twice more around herself so that the bulk of the fabric hid the box’s shape.
    Fenella looked suddenly as though she might turn back to her duties. As she fumbled with the knot, Brianna blurted out the first words that came to her lips. “Do you think Dermot looks well?”
    “Not so very good, though he is always very pale,” Fenella acknowledged, leaning back out the window again. “ ’Tis his coloring, I think. So delicate in a man.” She sighed and her tone turned wistful. “Do you think he is happy with the match he has made?”
    Brianna shrugged without interest. The box was securely hidden, she was certain of it. “I would not dare to guess.”
    “Zounds!” Gavin’s bellow sounded just a few feet away. Both women jumped. “How long can it take a man to move a few trinkets? I would have occupancy of the solar
now
!”
    Brianna suddenly had a much better idea of how she could disconcert Luc Fitzgavin than with a few questions. After all, Luc confessed he had come to Tullymullagh only to speak with his sire.
    That could definitely be arranged.

    “Luc Fitzgavin! What is this you do?”
    Luc’s head snapped up at his sire’s shout. He grimaced at the sight of an enraged Gavin striding lop-sidedly across the bailey. Behind that man danced the princess Brianna in markedly sensible garb, clearly anxious to see the result of what she had wrought.
    For Luc had no doubt that ’twas her hand behind his father’s visit. ’Twas clear she had informed Gavin that Luc yet remained at Tullymullagh. Luc’s lips tightened to a grim line.
    Aye, he should have expected her to make trouble wherever she could. She was bound to see him gone, after all.
    Although this was not the circumstance under which he had hoped to discuss Llanvelyn with his sire, it seemed Luc would have little choice. All the same, he had no intent of providing a certain princess with the result she desired.
    He was not leaving Tullymullagh without Llanvelyn’s seal.
    Luc braced his feet against the ground and awaited his father. Gavin was in fine form,