Read Online Midnight's Bride by Sophia Johnson - Free Book Online Page B

Elise pleaded.
    â€œWhy not? He relishes angering me,” Netta fumed.
    â€œBecause of his temper.” Elise’s voice did not raise above a whisper. Her face blanched with fright.
    â€œEveryone has a temper.” Netta shrugged.
    â€œAye. But not like Mereck’s. When King William and King Malcolm forced Lord Damron to marry Brianna, Lord Damron came to collect Brianna carrying the kings’ decree. Why, she kicked his shins and boxed his ears. Lord Damron’s cousin Connor said she had ‘the fearsome temper of a Mereck.’ Though I have never seen him so angered, I am afeared of causing it.”
    â€œDid Damron beat Brianna?” Netta’s lips puckered in annoyance as she reached for the hem of Elise’s tunic.
    â€œOh nay, I don’t believe so,” Elise said. “Still, it is much more than that. Damron and Mereck, born on the same day of the same father, had different mothers. Mereck’s Welsh mother died after the birthing. Lady Phillipa, Damron’s mother, took Mereck to nurse alongside her son.” Elise’s voice was muffled by her clothing.
    Netta’s eyes widened in surprise. How could Lady Phillipa be so forgiving?
    â€œAfter their fathers’ deaths and the time came to foster the boys, the lady took Damron and Connor to Normandy. Their grandfather kept Mereck in Scotland,” Elise continued.
    â€œHow cruel! Why was he not allowed to foster with them?”
    â€œBecause of his terrible temper. They say he blames himself for his mother’s death. He becomes fearsome if anyone dares call him bastard. It is an awful slight on his mother. At but ten and three, he skewered a man with his sword afore the man finished the word.” She gasped for breath before she continued. “Oh, I beseech you, don’t make him angry.”
    â€œBrianna married into a strange family. She must dislike them all.”
    â€œOh, nay. Her sister Abbess Alana told my parents their love for each other is fierce.” Elise nodded for emphasis.
    Netta ran her fingers through her hair, troubled. “Why did Damron’s mother not scorn a husband who sired a bastard?”
    Elise shrugged. Netta felt pangs of sympathy for the young boy Mereck had been. How terrible for him, forced to stand by while his brother owned it all.
    Netta helped Elise don a warm smock. She realized she would have to sleep in her clothing, for with a hundred men watching, she could not remove her tunic. Maybe not a hundred, she corrected herself. They did not look to be on the courtly side, either. Scruffy best described them. The sounds of someone approaching the tent drew her attention.
    â€œNetta, I wish to retire.” Mereck’s impatient voice boomed, “Come at once.”
    Netta jumped. Elise threw her a pleading look to remind her not to anger him. Netta rushed through the tent opening, knowing he would likely barge into their privacy and pull her out if she did not quickly appear.
    â€œOomph.” Her eyes crossed. She shook her head. She had slammed into the solid length of Mereck. He felt like a massive tree. A very staunch tree. He wore a shirt, not armor. Was his body built of iron muscles? She detected no softness like her father’s.
    Dafydd and the other young squires, already rolled in their tartans, snickered at the mishap. She ignored them. Close behind Mereck a man laughed, the sound was more like the braying of an ass than a man. Hearing the hated sound, she grabbed Mereck’s shirt, seeking his protection.
    Roger? Bile flooded her throat. Had Roger of Mortain hunted her down for her father?

Chapter 5
    Fear near buckled Netta’s knees. Mereck’s warm, muscled arms closed around her, drawing her close. The sound of his steady heartbeat against her ear soothed her. She clung to him.
    For the first time in her life, she felt safe, protected. Holding tight to him, she steeled herself to peek to see who loomed behind him. Had Roger