Read Online My Lady's Guardian by Gayle Callen - Free Book Online

I help her if I don't know what I'm looking for?"
    Gareth stared hard into Desmond's eyes. He hadn't trusted a soul in so many years that he was unsure who was an enemy and who was not. But Desmond had no stake in Margery's troubles, and had been faithful—so far.
    Gareth leaned against a fence, and motioned Desmond nearer. "The king recendy gifted her with wealth and the power to choose her own husband. Since then various men have been trying to compromise her. Her brothers are away with the king, and she's been dealing with this all alone."
    "So are we here to play midwife to a marriage?" Desmond asked in disbelief.
    "No. She's hired me as her personal guard. But she doesn't want anyone to know she's become desperate. To stay near her, I'm pretending to be another of her suitors."
    Desmond grinned. "So when I saw you earlier in the garden on your hands and knees..."
    "I was acting as a suitor," Gareth said uncomfortably.
    "Have you ever courted a woman?"
    Why had he ever felt it was necessary to confide in Desmond? The man was a fool. "Is it so inconceivable?"
    "But women usually crawl into your lap. I never quite understood why they would want to warm up that cold demeanor of yours, when they could have sunny, cheerful me."
    Gareth clenched his fists. "Wait here while I find a sword."
    Desmond shot him an amused glance. "You look.. .aggravated."
    "Only from lack of training."
    "I don't think so."
    Desmond was waiting, sword drawn, when Gareth returned from the armory carrying a blunt sword. Gareth immediately attacked. With a grunt, Desmond parried the weapon aside and stepped back.
    "You're not one to waste words," Desmond said. He thrust forward.
    Gareth stepped aside. "Not when my meaning is clear. You, on the other hand, talk too much."
    Gareth let himself merge with the fury of emotions he never showed the world. Anger, frustration, bitterness, all poured down his arm to power his sword. He drove Desmond back across the tiltyard.
    It took almost all his concentration to keep from wounding his opponent, yet he still noticed the soldiers and knights stepping back, wary looks on their faces. No one would bother him at Hawksbury now, for fear of igniting this consuming wrath that threatened the edge of his control.
    Sweat ran in rivulets down his face and chest. He jumped to avoid Desmond's swipe at his knees, then turned—and saw Margery.
    She stood at the top of a flight of stairs near a side entrance to the casde, frozen as if she'd been watching them for quite some time.
    She must be horrified. Good, let her fear him; let her never risk touching him again. He straightened and faced her, proud of his sweat and his skill and the fear he inspired.
    But she didn't run. She stared at him for a moment longer, her face unreadable. Then she walked down the stairs, carrying something in her apron. She came out from the shadow of the castle and lifted her face to the sun, which shimmered around her in a golden haze. Her skirt swayed with the movement of her feet, raising small clouds of dust that sparkled about the ground. She made clucking sounds with her tongue, and soon dozens of squawking hens clustered around her. She scattered handfuls of grain as she walked, and the chickens pecked in her wake.
    Gareth had seen countless noblewomen in their finest garments, giving parties and hunts for others of their kind. He had no wish to be a part of such a world. But watching Margery do a servant's humblest task shook everything he had known women to be. He couldn't begin to understand her.
    "Gareth!"
    He turned to Desmond.
    "I've called your name three times. No matter what she is doing, you cannot keep your gaze off Mistress Margery."
    "My duty is to protect her," he said stiffly.
    Desmond groaned. "Saints above, save me from foolish men. I think you feel something for her."
    "In case you forgot, I'm also supposed to be her suitor," Gareth said with a scowl. "A suitor would stare."
    "A suitor would also give her