Read Online Noble Hearts 03 - The Courageous Heart by Merry Farmer - Free Book Online
Authors: Merry Farmer
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believe that may be up for some debate.”
“You have no evidence against them!”
“Don’t I?”
Aubrey’s blood ran cold. She fought down the raging panic in her gut. “Fine. Then take me down to the dungeon with them!”
Pennington shook his head. “Oh no, my lady. That would defeat the purpose entirely.”
“What purpose?” Aubrey’s stomach clenched.
“Why, the purpose of you rising to the place you were born to have, of course.” He caressed the crown of the white queen with a tenderness that made Aubrey sick.
She stared at him, mouth clamped shut.
When she didn’t play along with the dialog Pennington sighed and lowered the chess piece. “I think I might give you the chance to, shall we say, improve your husband and friend’s lots. I have influence, you know, and I have always been fond of you.” He raked her with a leering glance and stepped closer to her. “Perhaps if you are very nice to me, my dear, I might show you my evidence .” He stroked the white queen across her cheek.
Aubrey flinched away but could only go so far with the massive guard holding her. She swallowed, weighing the consequences of kicking the bastard in his evidence .
Pennington stepped back with a happy sigh before she had a chance. “Alas, if only there was time. But rest assured, my dear, I will be back to discuss the many various ways you might earn your husband and his peasant reprieve and to play with you. Chess, of course,” he added with a wink, pocketing the white queen.
He swung away and sauntered into the hall. The guard holding her let go. He and his mate rushed towards the door, closing and locking it before she could make a break for it. She didn’t have the strength to try.
Aubrey rushed to the tiny window by the table. She grabbed its bars and peered out into the yard at the White Tower. Somewhere in the depths of its dungeon Crispin and Jack were prisoners. The only people who knew what kind of trouble they’d gotten themselves into were Madeline and Joanna, and at best her friends were alone and adrift in the city of London.
Chapter Five
Dear Joanna,
Our voyage to the Holy Land has taken an unexpected turn so I’m able to write to you much sooner than I’d anticipated .
We left Marseille in good spirits, ready to take on all of Saladin’s armies and return Jerusalem to the Holy Father. The weather was perfect. The Mediterranean sea was so blue and calm. Ethan, Sir Geoffrey, and Sir Baldwin went swimming every day. I was certain they’d turn into fish or be carried off by mermaids.
Ethan has been determined to teach me to swim, particularly after Sir Baldwin nearly drowned me. Sir Baldwin wasn’t aware that I couldn’t swim and threw me overboard in jest. Ethan dove in to save me. I was so terrified I almost drown ed him in h is rescue attempt. He pulled me out of the water in the end and gave Sir Baldwin a tongue-lashing s o severe I pity Saladin’s men!
Sir Baldwin was as penitent as could be about the inci dent. He’s a good and kind man - quite handsome too - but it took a long time for him to win back Ethan’s trust. I told Ethan he was being foolish, of course, that Sir Baldwin was only joking and was truly sorry. And yes, I accused Ethan of being as bull-headed and unforgiving as you! He answered me by sulking as hard as you ever have. Dear God, the two of you are so alike sometimes. I wonder that I’ve kept my sanity this long dealing with the both of you.
All was quickly forgotten when we reached Sicily, however. Yes, Sicily. I’ve no idea if King Richard planned the visit or not, but it turned out that his sister, Princess Joan, was being held captive in the castle at Messina. Joan’s husband, King William of Sicily, died last year and the new king, Tancred, has been holding her captive ever since. King Richard, of course, couldn’t stand for this, and when negotiations broke down we attacked the city.
I’ll not lie to you, Joanna, I was terrified. Ethan has
“You have no evidence against them!”
“Don’t I?”
Aubrey’s blood ran cold. She fought down the raging panic in her gut. “Fine. Then take me down to the dungeon with them!”
Pennington shook his head. “Oh no, my lady. That would defeat the purpose entirely.”
“What purpose?” Aubrey’s stomach clenched.
“Why, the purpose of you rising to the place you were born to have, of course.” He caressed the crown of the white queen with a tenderness that made Aubrey sick.
She stared at him, mouth clamped shut.
When she didn’t play along with the dialog Pennington sighed and lowered the chess piece. “I think I might give you the chance to, shall we say, improve your husband and friend’s lots. I have influence, you know, and I have always been fond of you.” He raked her with a leering glance and stepped closer to her. “Perhaps if you are very nice to me, my dear, I might show you my evidence .” He stroked the white queen across her cheek.
Aubrey flinched away but could only go so far with the massive guard holding her. She swallowed, weighing the consequences of kicking the bastard in his evidence .
Pennington stepped back with a happy sigh before she had a chance. “Alas, if only there was time. But rest assured, my dear, I will be back to discuss the many various ways you might earn your husband and his peasant reprieve and to play with you. Chess, of course,” he added with a wink, pocketing the white queen.
He swung away and sauntered into the hall. The guard holding her let go. He and his mate rushed towards the door, closing and locking it before she could make a break for it. She didn’t have the strength to try.
Aubrey rushed to the tiny window by the table. She grabbed its bars and peered out into the yard at the White Tower. Somewhere in the depths of its dungeon Crispin and Jack were prisoners. The only people who knew what kind of trouble they’d gotten themselves into were Madeline and Joanna, and at best her friends were alone and adrift in the city of London.
Chapter Five
Dear Joanna,
Our voyage to the Holy Land has taken an unexpected turn so I’m able to write to you much sooner than I’d anticipated .
We left Marseille in good spirits, ready to take on all of Saladin’s armies and return Jerusalem to the Holy Father. The weather was perfect. The Mediterranean sea was so blue and calm. Ethan, Sir Geoffrey, and Sir Baldwin went swimming every day. I was certain they’d turn into fish or be carried off by mermaids.
Ethan has been determined to teach me to swim, particularly after Sir Baldwin nearly drowned me. Sir Baldwin wasn’t aware that I couldn’t swim and threw me overboard in jest. Ethan dove in to save me. I was so terrified I almost drown ed him in h is rescue attempt. He pulled me out of the water in the end and gave Sir Baldwin a tongue-lashing s o severe I pity Saladin’s men!
Sir Baldwin was as penitent as could be about the inci dent. He’s a good and kind man - quite handsome too - but it took a long time for him to win back Ethan’s trust. I told Ethan he was being foolish, of course, that Sir Baldwin was only joking and was truly sorry. And yes, I accused Ethan of being as bull-headed and unforgiving as you! He answered me by sulking as hard as you ever have. Dear God, the two of you are so alike sometimes. I wonder that I’ve kept my sanity this long dealing with the both of you.
All was quickly forgotten when we reached Sicily, however. Yes, Sicily. I’ve no idea if King Richard planned the visit or not, but it turned out that his sister, Princess Joan, was being held captive in the castle at Messina. Joan’s husband, King William of Sicily, died last year and the new king, Tancred, has been holding her captive ever since. King Richard, of course, couldn’t stand for this, and when negotiations broke down we attacked the city.
I’ll not lie to you, Joanna, I was terrified. Ethan has
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