Read Online Never Kiss A Stranger by Heather Grothaus - Free Book Online Page A
Authors: Heather Grothaus
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but—”
“Mostly?” Alys asked, intrigue high in her voice as she skipped along behind him, and Piers winced inwardly.
“—I do know how gentle-born ladies behave: riding their ridiculous show mares, going visiting to their neighbors, skipping to market, insisting on accompanying hunts. You will not convince me that a female as sporting as yourself, who would adventure to an old ruin in the middle of the night alone, can not manage a short walk back to her home.”
“You think I’m sporting?”
Piers rolled his eyes. “Just go, Alys. No more stalling, I beg of you. Apologize to your sister and take your punishment like a big girl. I don’t want you here.” He threw thesmall bundle of sticks to the ground near the fire and then looked up at her, prepared to see her properly chastised.
She was looking back at him boldly, swinging Layla around her body, hand over hand. They both seemed to be enjoying their little game.
“You
have to take me back, Piers.”
He blinked at her. “What?”
“I’m sorry, but that’s the only thing for it. I already
told
you that Sybilla has promised me to Clement Cobb!”
“So?” Piers ground out expectantly.
“Well, when Sybilla and I had our row, I told her that I would rather take my chances at the Foxe Ring than marry him, which is where I was fortunate enough to meet you, dear husband.”
“Alys …” Piers growled.
“Sybilla told me that if I happened to meet a man at the ring, she would pay Blodshire my dowry and I would be free to do as I chose.”
He approached her then, causing her eyes to widen and Layla to scamper off to the safety of the lean-to. He grasped her upper arms. “Alys, this is most important, and so I want you to listen carefully:
we are not married.
I will not tell your sister that we are only so you don’t have to be related to Etheldred Cobb.”
“I know you think we’re not married, Piers,” Alys said quietly. “But I do. My parents met at the Foxe Ring, and I believe in the legend’s purpose with my whole heart. You don’t have to tell Sybilla that you
accept
that we are married, necessarily, but Sybilla always, always keeps her word. If you only corroborate my story of how and where we met, I shall be free. Please. Please, take me back to Fallstowe, Piers.”
“And if I refuse?”
Her pink lips thinned as she set her mouth. “I shall continue to follow you, for as long as I can keep pace.”
“And when you can no longer keep pace?”
She shrugged. “I don’t know what, then.”
He realized he was still holding on to her slight biceps and he let her go suddenly. He didn’t know how it was possible, but the girl actually seemed to smell of nobility. Sweet and clean. It offended Piers, used as he was to manure and sweat and nothing.
“Please,” she followed him as he walked away from her again. “This is my life, Piers. I need your help. I believe there is a reason you came to the ring last night, even if you do not.”
“Your life is imposing on mine, Alys Foxe, and I am in a terrible hurry.”
She hesitated. “I shall give you forty pounds if you will agree. And … and my own horse. I swear it. They should aid you on your journey quite nicely.”
Then it was Piers’s turn to pause. Forty pounds was a veritable fortune, not to mention the outrageous luxury of a mount. He could be to London in days, even with traveling through the forests. Perhaps returning Alys Foxe to her home was worth the risk.
In days, he could have his revenge on Bevan and Judith Angwedd.
He could claim his rightful place as lord of Gillwick.
Not a fortnight.
Days.
He turned to face her. “Your sister—would she not seek to detain me?”
Alys appeared perplexed. “Likely she will wish you away from Fallstowe as soon as possible, if only to prevent me from
legally
marrying you. I hope you’re not offended, but I do doubt Sybilla would consider you a catch.”
Piers stared at the girl for a moment. He could feel the weight of
“Mostly?” Alys asked, intrigue high in her voice as she skipped along behind him, and Piers winced inwardly.
“—I do know how gentle-born ladies behave: riding their ridiculous show mares, going visiting to their neighbors, skipping to market, insisting on accompanying hunts. You will not convince me that a female as sporting as yourself, who would adventure to an old ruin in the middle of the night alone, can not manage a short walk back to her home.”
“You think I’m sporting?”
Piers rolled his eyes. “Just go, Alys. No more stalling, I beg of you. Apologize to your sister and take your punishment like a big girl. I don’t want you here.” He threw thesmall bundle of sticks to the ground near the fire and then looked up at her, prepared to see her properly chastised.
She was looking back at him boldly, swinging Layla around her body, hand over hand. They both seemed to be enjoying their little game.
“You
have to take me back, Piers.”
He blinked at her. “What?”
“I’m sorry, but that’s the only thing for it. I already
told
you that Sybilla has promised me to Clement Cobb!”
“So?” Piers ground out expectantly.
“Well, when Sybilla and I had our row, I told her that I would rather take my chances at the Foxe Ring than marry him, which is where I was fortunate enough to meet you, dear husband.”
“Alys …” Piers growled.
“Sybilla told me that if I happened to meet a man at the ring, she would pay Blodshire my dowry and I would be free to do as I chose.”
He approached her then, causing her eyes to widen and Layla to scamper off to the safety of the lean-to. He grasped her upper arms. “Alys, this is most important, and so I want you to listen carefully:
we are not married.
I will not tell your sister that we are only so you don’t have to be related to Etheldred Cobb.”
“I know you think we’re not married, Piers,” Alys said quietly. “But I do. My parents met at the Foxe Ring, and I believe in the legend’s purpose with my whole heart. You don’t have to tell Sybilla that you
accept
that we are married, necessarily, but Sybilla always, always keeps her word. If you only corroborate my story of how and where we met, I shall be free. Please. Please, take me back to Fallstowe, Piers.”
“And if I refuse?”
Her pink lips thinned as she set her mouth. “I shall continue to follow you, for as long as I can keep pace.”
“And when you can no longer keep pace?”
She shrugged. “I don’t know what, then.”
He realized he was still holding on to her slight biceps and he let her go suddenly. He didn’t know how it was possible, but the girl actually seemed to smell of nobility. Sweet and clean. It offended Piers, used as he was to manure and sweat and nothing.
“Please,” she followed him as he walked away from her again. “This is my life, Piers. I need your help. I believe there is a reason you came to the ring last night, even if you do not.”
“Your life is imposing on mine, Alys Foxe, and I am in a terrible hurry.”
She hesitated. “I shall give you forty pounds if you will agree. And … and my own horse. I swear it. They should aid you on your journey quite nicely.”
Then it was Piers’s turn to pause. Forty pounds was a veritable fortune, not to mention the outrageous luxury of a mount. He could be to London in days, even with traveling through the forests. Perhaps returning Alys Foxe to her home was worth the risk.
In days, he could have his revenge on Bevan and Judith Angwedd.
He could claim his rightful place as lord of Gillwick.
Not a fortnight.
Days.
He turned to face her. “Your sister—would she not seek to detain me?”
Alys appeared perplexed. “Likely she will wish you away from Fallstowe as soon as possible, if only to prevent me from
legally
marrying you. I hope you’re not offended, but I do doubt Sybilla would consider you a catch.”
Piers stared at the girl for a moment. He could feel the weight of
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