Read Online Lois Greiman by Seducing a Princess - Free Book Online Page A

there was caution in his eyes now. “And what’s that got to do with you, bonny boy?”
    “I’m sure you’re not as daft as you look, Oxford.” He said the words with a stiff grin, though he would have sworn he had no wish to die. “It would almost have to be true. So I’ll let you work it out in your own mind. We were in Tayside. I was wounded. Vic was killed. That tell you anything, Ox?”
    The Irishman snorted, then shuffled his feet as if to turn away, but he didn’t. Instead, he kept his narrowed eyes steady on his adversary. “You sayin’ you killed ’im?”
    William watched him for a moment, saw the fear spark in his eyes, saw the caution overtake the bravado, and for a moment he almost felt whole, almost felt human. Indeed, his hands were all but steady, and he smiled.
    Ox shifted his feet about again. “You’re a fuckin’ liar.”
    Will managed a shrug. Pain shot like slivers toward his heart, but he held on tight to the grin. Held on tight to the other’s gaze.
    “Let the lass go,” he said finally, and his voice was low and even, though his muscles were cramped tight with gnawing tension.
    For a moment, Will was certain Ox would refuse, was certain he would lunge. Could already feel the pain of his strike against the burning ache of his chest.
    But instead he snorted and shoved Gem aside. “Don’t ’ave time for a skinny wench like ’er nohow,” he said, and, turning like a stiff-legged mongrel, stalked off.
    The room fell into absolute silence. From some distant part of the house, a door slammed. Will’s body went limp. In fact, he let his head drop back against the wall behind him and hoped to heaven he wouldn’t be sick again. After all, it might undermine his role as conquering hero.
    Footsteps pattered across the hardwood as Gem hurried to gather up the bowl from where it spilled onto the floor. “I’m ummm…” she began, and Will turned to glance at her. She straightened, searching for words. “Y’ didn’t ’ave to do that,” she said. “I can fend for myself.”
    Better than he could. He was now quite certain of that, and yet something had flared in his chest. Something hot and wild and irresistible. Like life itself.
    “Still, I’m…” The word “grateful” seemed to quiver on her baby’s lips, but it didn’t quite come. “I’ll fetch more broth,” she said, and, turning, hustled from the room.
    And he was going to piss in his pants. Fucking hell! His bladder felt weak and his stomach queasy, and he wondered vaguely if he could make it to the window before spewing his guts onto the street. Or perhaps, while he was at the window, he might just throw himself out before the facts were revealed to one and all, for he knew the truth now. Oh yes, he knew. He’d been in a drunken stupor when he’d been accosted by the two thugs who had left Rambert dead on the street.
    “Should I fetch your bowl?”
    He raised his eyes with some difficulty. Princess stood in the doorway, her brows slightly raised as she stared at him. Will held his palms flat against the coverlet lest she see them shake. “What bowl is that?”
    She smiled a little, and though she still looked like royalty, there was something of the imp there now, the glimmer of a small girl who knew his innermost secrets. “You look rather green.”
    He leaned his head back again since he had little choice, but continued to watch her as she walked across the floor toward him. Her russet gown was a bit short for her regal height, but the lines of it were smooth and graceful and somehow managed to make it look as if she were gliding instead of walking.
    Gem entered the room with a steaming bowl, and Princess turned toward her. The women’s eyes met. Not a word was spoken for a moment, then, “You’d best put a cold cloth on that cheek,” Princess said.
    Gem’s gaze dropped. “It’ll be fine.”
    A flicker of something feral snarled in the woman’s eyes, but in an instant it was gone, replaced by her usual