Read Online Conquering William by Sarah Hegger - Free Book Online Page A
Authors: Sarah Hegger
Ads: Link
serving wench gave him a saucy grin, invitation glinting in her fine eyes.
Alice tensed.
William dropped his hand onto her shoulder. Whatever the future brought for them, his wife should know he would not accept every invitation cast his way. William sensed it would matter more to Alice than most. Even though her words on their wedding night would lead a man to believe she understood the way of things, even accepted them. Such a fool would grow frigid in his wedding bed. Behind her grass-green eyes lurked a fragility that tugged at William.
Rich notes of nutmeg and orange rose from the warmed wine in his goblet and almost brought him to tears of gratitude. Aonghas probably used Tarnwych’s meager bounty to support his lifestyle, and William planned to enjoy it to the fullest.
“It was good of you to visit, with your wedding so recent.” The old fox gathered details with each sweep of his gaze.
William’s blood rose to the challenge. He’d spent years slithering his way around the venomous halls of King John’s court. First rule of engagement: never underestimate your opponent. Men could appear weak and then develop a spine of hardened steal. Strong men could crumple at the first sign of opposition. Some might look at Aonghas and see a border Scot with no manners and refinements, but William knew better. He saw a man as canny as a ferret.
“Verily.” William toyed with the edges of Alice’s wimple. He’d like to damn the thing to hell for covering her glorious hair. “As nearest neighbors, I thought it wise for us to meet. Get the measure of each other.”
“Ah, indeed.” Aonghas sipped his spiced wine.
He took a small sip, enough for politeness but not enough to risk muddling his senses. “It is so easy in these troubled times for small annoyances to blossom into larger disagreements. Sir Arthur of Anglesea, my father, has earned a reputation as a man of war, but he has always taught his sons that war only happens when diplomacy and reason fail.”
Aonghas’s swinging leg paused, and then resumed. Aye, he got the message. William had powerful allies and a wealthy family.
“A wise man, indeed.” Aonghas rested his chin on his palm. “Anglesea lies to the south, does it not? A goodly ways south.”
“It does.” William silently applauded Aonghas’s parry. It’s what he would have done. “We are a close family, and they write often.”
A different serving maid refilled his goblet. This one even prettier than the last, with her generous bosom overflowing her bodice. So, Aonghas had made it his business to know all about William.
Aonghas sipped his wine, watching all the time over the goblet rim if William would take the delicious bait. “Tarnwych and The Crags have long been the most harmonious of neighbors.”
“So Gord, my bailiff, informs me,” William said.
“How is Gord?” Aonghas accepted a refill from the same girl. His gaze didn’t stray near her bosom either.
“Gord is well.” William grimaced. “Actually, Gord is not so well. He finds himself at a bit of a loss.”
“Indeed.” Aonghas cocked his head.
William slipped his hand beneath Alice’s wimple and caressed her nape. “He finds himself unable to account for some missing beasts: cattle, goats, most of the deer. Enough for a man who keeps such excellent records as Gord to bring it to my notice.”
Aonghas’s shocked expression was wondrous, a thing of skilled dissembling. “I would like to tell you, Sir William, that such things do not happen in the north, but alas, I am unable to.”
“Please call me William.” William smoothed a charming grin over his features. He tightened his grip on Alice’s nape. Please God, let the girl be sharp enough not to leap into this battle of wits. “Are you telling me theft is common in these lands?”
She sipped her wine. Twining the fingers of her free hand with his hand against her shoulder, she gave him a subtle squeeze.
Aonghas swung his leg faster. “I would not say
Alice tensed.
William dropped his hand onto her shoulder. Whatever the future brought for them, his wife should know he would not accept every invitation cast his way. William sensed it would matter more to Alice than most. Even though her words on their wedding night would lead a man to believe she understood the way of things, even accepted them. Such a fool would grow frigid in his wedding bed. Behind her grass-green eyes lurked a fragility that tugged at William.
Rich notes of nutmeg and orange rose from the warmed wine in his goblet and almost brought him to tears of gratitude. Aonghas probably used Tarnwych’s meager bounty to support his lifestyle, and William planned to enjoy it to the fullest.
“It was good of you to visit, with your wedding so recent.” The old fox gathered details with each sweep of his gaze.
William’s blood rose to the challenge. He’d spent years slithering his way around the venomous halls of King John’s court. First rule of engagement: never underestimate your opponent. Men could appear weak and then develop a spine of hardened steal. Strong men could crumple at the first sign of opposition. Some might look at Aonghas and see a border Scot with no manners and refinements, but William knew better. He saw a man as canny as a ferret.
“Verily.” William toyed with the edges of Alice’s wimple. He’d like to damn the thing to hell for covering her glorious hair. “As nearest neighbors, I thought it wise for us to meet. Get the measure of each other.”
“Ah, indeed.” Aonghas sipped his spiced wine.
He took a small sip, enough for politeness but not enough to risk muddling his senses. “It is so easy in these troubled times for small annoyances to blossom into larger disagreements. Sir Arthur of Anglesea, my father, has earned a reputation as a man of war, but he has always taught his sons that war only happens when diplomacy and reason fail.”
Aonghas’s swinging leg paused, and then resumed. Aye, he got the message. William had powerful allies and a wealthy family.
“A wise man, indeed.” Aonghas rested his chin on his palm. “Anglesea lies to the south, does it not? A goodly ways south.”
“It does.” William silently applauded Aonghas’s parry. It’s what he would have done. “We are a close family, and they write often.”
A different serving maid refilled his goblet. This one even prettier than the last, with her generous bosom overflowing her bodice. So, Aonghas had made it his business to know all about William.
Aonghas sipped his wine, watching all the time over the goblet rim if William would take the delicious bait. “Tarnwych and The Crags have long been the most harmonious of neighbors.”
“So Gord, my bailiff, informs me,” William said.
“How is Gord?” Aonghas accepted a refill from the same girl. His gaze didn’t stray near her bosom either.
“Gord is well.” William grimaced. “Actually, Gord is not so well. He finds himself at a bit of a loss.”
“Indeed.” Aonghas cocked his head.
William slipped his hand beneath Alice’s wimple and caressed her nape. “He finds himself unable to account for some missing beasts: cattle, goats, most of the deer. Enough for a man who keeps such excellent records as Gord to bring it to my notice.”
Aonghas’s shocked expression was wondrous, a thing of skilled dissembling. “I would like to tell you, Sir William, that such things do not happen in the north, but alas, I am unable to.”
“Please call me William.” William smoothed a charming grin over his features. He tightened his grip on Alice’s nape. Please God, let the girl be sharp enough not to leap into this battle of wits. “Are you telling me theft is common in these lands?”
She sipped her wine. Twining the fingers of her free hand with his hand against her shoulder, she gave him a subtle squeeze.
Aonghas swung his leg faster. “I would not say
Similar Books
