Read Online Heartsong by Allison Knight - Free Book Online Page A

come tonight. She knew it. He would force himself on her and would destroy her with his lust.
    A short time later Mildred returned with a tray of food but Rhianna still found it impossible to eat. At times she shook so badly she knew she’d be unable to even remove her own garments.
    As the hours crawled by, it seemed deShay intended to stay below with his men. Some of her tension dissolved. Mayhap he would not come, after all. When the flame of the candle wavered before her eyes, she gave up her fearful vigil and dragged the borrowed garment over her head. She climbed into the feather-soft bed and slipped into an exhausted sleep.
    ~ * ~
    Below in the great hall, Garrett sat staring off into the empty hearth. All of that day, as he trained with his men, Rhianna’s face danced before his eyes. Her pained expression of that morn mocked his well-laid plans. A short time before, Mildred told him how distressed Rhianna had been all day. That too concerned him, although he could not say why.
    Though he still could hardly believe it, it was possible she was an innocent. He also had no wish to ravage her. Her distress suggested he would have to force her if he wanted to take her. To be honest he had never compelled a maid to share his bed. They always came willingly.
    His confused thoughts swirled through his mind. He hated her, didn’t he? She represented everything that had gone asunder in his life. Yet, he had to admit that he wanted her. She was one of the spoils of war, his to take, but he knew he could not force her.
    “My Lord,” Lydon said as he approached the hearth. “‘Tis late. I’m for my bed. What about you?”
    “Aye, in time.”
    “She bothers you, doesn’t she?”
    Garrett looked up, startled. “Aye, but how did you know?”
    “‘Tis plain for all to see that you are troubled. I know of your hatred for the ruling class of Wales, so it was an easy guess.”
    “I fear she is related to the Lord of Brynn Ffrydd that Edward wanted as hostage. If she is, he will insist I bring her to him.” Garrett’s frowned deepened. “I don’t want to send her to him.”
    “Aye, she is a beauty. And, she has spirit. But, Garrett, she is Welsh.” As Lydon turned away, Garrett caught a glimpse of Edina waiting for his knight. His scowl deepened more. Lydon had the warm willing body of a woman to comfort him. All Garrett had this night were his pain-filled memories, for another maid did not interest him.
    He made his way up the curved staircase. It was past time to seek a bed. Unfortunately with her in his bed, he would have to find another.
    The chamber he selected was comfortable enough, but Lydon’s last words repeated over and over in his head. She is Welsh.
    Again ugly memories tried to surface. This time he was too tired to stop the onslaught.
    Once again it was spring at Knockin and he was a lad of five summers.
    Before the window of the solar, his beautiful brown-haired mother stood, the jewels around the neck and hem of her gown glittered in the rays of a warm afternoon sun.
    He’d come looking for her, wanting to show her the sword he fashioned from a fallen branch. Instead he found her, with her husky, lilting voice, a voice that sang sweet songs to a frightened little boy, in the arms of a strange man.
    Before Garrett made his presence known, his father, William, stumbled into the room. There were sharp words exchanged. William grabbed at his mother. Garrett saw the dagger his father released from its scabbard.
    Somehow his mother, Gwendolyn, put herself between the man and William. She tried to say something, but William was furious and tried to push her away. He lunged at the stranger.
    Something about William’s white face drew Garrett’s young eyes back to his mother. A deep scarlet liquid spread over the top of her bliaud, down over her breast. She lifted her hand to the spot, her life’s flow seeping between her fingers as she sank slowly to the floor.
    A moan of such terrible intensity poured