Read Online By Right of Arms by Robyn Carr - Free Book Online Page B

on one elbow to look down at her profile. His hand casually toyed with her hair.
    “You might have saved yourself much misery, had you told me.”
    “What difference?” she flung. “Would it have delayed you?”
    “Nay,” he said softly. “But there are certain remedies …”
    She turned abruptly and looked at him. “You would not have believed me.”
    He laughed a bit ruefully, shaking his head. “Even now I do not believe it.”
    She rolled away from him again, this time trying to put some greater distance between their naked bodies. His hand was quick to find her hip and draw her back. “Aurélie,” he said, again the master of the smooth but commanding tone. “Whatever tragedy marks your past, you may bury it now along with your Giles. I share your secret,
chérie.
I don’t know what Giles was to you, but I know he was not a husband. You have one now, and I shall remain. You must not expect me to show great patience with your anger and hate.”
    “I expect nothing,” she wept.
    He gently nuzzled her neck. “In that event, my lovely Aurélie, you will be very surprised.”

Chapter Four
    Aurélie heard the reigning cock of the yard crow and warily opened her eyes. The curtains were yet drawn in the room and there was a suspicious absence of morning chill, but she lay alone in the bed. She rose slightly and turned. Hyatt had pulled a chair near to the bed and sat there, one foot casually hoisted up onto the straw mattress as he silently observed her. He wore his chausses, leather boots, and a linen shirt, holding of cup of some steaming brew in his hand. It looked as though he had been awake for a long while, for the fire was stoked and his eyes were clear.
    “Good morning, my lady,” he said softly.
    She settled back against the pillows again and pulled the covers up to her neck.
    “I was going to wake you in a moment, for the castle will be astir shortly. I have noticed that your people rise with the rooster at dawn.”
    “Have you been awake a long time?” she questioned.
    He laughed ruefully. “You have inspired great thought, Aurélie. You, and your keep, are full of surprises.”
    She felt the color come to her cheeks, but kept her eyes fixed on his just the same. “Do you say that you had no idea what you conquered, sir knight?” she asked with no small amount of sarcasm.
    He leaned forward toward her, a frown of puzzlement wrinkling his handsome brow. He firmly planted both feet on the floor and leaned his elbows on his knees, holding his steaming cup in both hands. “If you wish to address me formally, lady wife, you may assume my lordship. When the villeins are settled and word of this occupation is delivered to Edward, I will carry full title in his name. Yea, I will be your lord.” He took a sip from his cup. As he swallowed, his eyes burned into hers. “What was Giles to you?” he asked flatly.
    “My husband; my beloved,” she replied without hesitation.
    “Nay,” he said quietly. “Whatever love you had for him did not bind you in wedlock. Why did you play me false? Was the truth so painful?”
    She felt the sting of tears threaten, but forced herself to face him with strength. “I do not expect anyone to understand what I felt for my husband,” she said defensively, hearing the tremor in her own voice. “That I loved him deeply is absolute. The consummation of our marriage was delayed …”
    “Delayed? It is reasonable to shelter and protect a child bride, and I was told you were very young when delivered here. But, for twelve years? Aurélie, do you deceive yourself even as you attempt to deceive me?” He shook his head as if he pitied her. “Had you told me the truth, I might have dealt with you differently than I did.”
    She could bear no more and turned away from him. She did not understand how or why she had failed with Giles; she could not explain it to Hyatt, of all people. She felt his weight press down the bed and a hand on her shoulder turned her back to look