Read Online Knight's Caress by Lynette Vinet - Free Book Online

have to be mad to place Amberlie de Fontaine in any more danger, and Tedric had heard the rumors that his cruel enemy lusted after his dead nephew’s widow. Tedric believed that Edytha would be released, but his heart lurched in his chest as he realized he’d be forced to return Amberlie to de Bayonne. He needed to forget, to feel nothing for his captive. The sooner he parted with her, the better off he’d be, he resolutely decided —and swore under his breath.
    “Watch your shoulder!” Tedric shouted in aggravation to one of his men who wielded an ax at an invisible enemy. “If you were in combat with a Norman, you’d have lost your arm by now!”
    Amberlie heard Tedric’s shout and looked in his direction. He oversaw a group of men who parried and thrust in mock battle, and she realized he had their complete attention. He was their leader, the man whom the displaced Saxons followed and to whom they looked for guidance. Even at a distance, Tedric was a huge man, wild in appearance, but there was something about the way he held his leonine head that reminded her of a king amongst his doting subjects, rivaling even King William himself. Despite her hatred for him, she watched in fascination how the muscles in his upper arms strained, how he stood with legs wide apart, his calves strong and thick, but yet lithe of limb. He was a magnificent-looking man, she decided silently, but felt the sting of her own traitorous thoughts when his cool blue eyes met hers. Hurriedly, she turned her head away and went about stirring a pot filled with barley soup.
    “‘Tis time for Lady Mabel to sup,” said one of the women, and handed a wooden bowl to Amberlie to fill. “Make yourself useful and bring it to her.” No please or thank you was forthcoming, and Amberlie grimaced at the woman’s rudeness. But, strangely, she was becoming used to it, realizing that her situation here was little different from her situation in the keep, for the servants there thought more of Julianne than her.
    Carrying the evening fare, Amberlie made her way to Lady Mabel’s side. Glenna’s cold gaze swept over her, and she’d have rudely swiped the bowl from Amberlie’s hands if Tedric’s mother had not stopped her. “I should like very much if Lady Amberlie would tend to me,” Lady Mabel said softly. “You may go now, Glenna.”
    “But I cannot leave you alone with this Norman witch, my lady,” Glenna protested hotly. “‘Tis foolhardy.”
    Mabel smiled pleasantly but her tone was stern. “I trust the Lady Amberlie shall not harm me or wish me ill. Will you, child?” Mabel asked Amberlie with a probing look.
    “I would not harm you, my lady.”
    Mabel seemed satisfied, and gestured toward Glenna to leave them alone, something Glenna did with little grace, sending a black scowl in Amberlie’s direction before she left. “You mustn’t mind Glenna, my dear. She’s quite possessive of me but is truly harmless.”
    Amberlie wasn’t certain of that, but she warily smiled at the older woman and sat on the rushes beside her to hold the bowl while Mabel daintily sipped the broth. This was the first time she’d met Tedric’s mother, and she could see that Tedric resembled her in the strong chin, the probing eyes. But where Tedric’s features were angled and chiseled, Mabel’s were softly refined. Finally, after a few more sips, Mabel waved the bowl away.
    “You’ve hardly finished, my lady,” Amberlie noted.
    “‘Tis enough,” Mabel said dismissively.
    “Is there anything else I may do for you?”
    Mabel squeezed Amberlie’s hand. “Aye, tell me how is my daughter. Is she well? I fear so for her.”
    “She is well,” Amberlie reassured her. “Old Magda keeps close watch over her.”
    “Magda, you say? Aye, ‘tis good. She is trustworthy.” Mabel’s features relaxed some but her eyes were guarded. “How do I know you’re telling me the truth? Edytha isn’t like others … and she could have come to great harm in a nest