Read Online Raised By Wolves Volume four- Wolves by W. A. Hoffman - Free Book Online
Authors: W. A. Hoffman
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because you cannot comprehend who and what you are dealing with when it comes to lords and their sons.”
Thorp found quiet amusement in that, and watched Collins expectantly.
Collins flushed and balled his fists. “You are wrong, my lord. I do know. And I should not bandy words with the Devilin your soul. I amhere to cure you of the affliction that mars you in the eyes ofanymanofworth, lord or not.”
The chill returned to my belly, but I was very much devoted to the game now. “Truly, and what might that be?”
“Your sodomiacaltendencies,”Collins spat.
Despite my assurances that this was a matter we could handle, my Horse started and reared. I stood. “And how do you propose to do that, geld me?”I roared.
Collins jumped back, and Watkins waved a club at me menacinglythoughI could reachnone ofthem.
“Nay, nay!” Thorp called and stepped between me and the others. “There will be no gelding, my lord; or any other damage to your privates. Your father specifically forbade that.” He shrugged. “He wishes for heirs. However, Mister Collins is empowered to do whatever else he feels necessary to convince you to become a good Christian man with no interest in other
men.” I stared into his eyes and saw that—as he had shown—
he obviously thought this was foolishness; however, he would do as he had beenpaid to do withlittle thought ofme.
I calmed myself and returned to my seat on the pallet. Thorp stood before me still, regarding me with more concern now thanhe had duringmysuddenire.
I ignored him, and looked around his legs to address Collins. “How muchdid myfather payyou, Mister Collins?”
“That is not…”
“What value did youplace onyour life?”I added.
“Mylord?”
“If all of this is being done to bring me back into my father’s favor, then it is assumed that I will become the next Earl ofDorshire, is it not?”
“Aye, mylord,”Collins said withconfusion.
“Aye, mylord,”Collins said withconfusion.
Thorp sighed heavily and returned to his seat with a knowingsmile.
“Well, Mister Collins,” I continued calmly. “If you do anything to my person other than bore me with Bible verses in your attempt to rectify my deficiencies ofpropriety, I willkillyou at the first opportunity: be that on this voyage, or ten years from now when I can use my position as Earl to hire men such as Mister Thorp to do it for me.”
Collins’ mouth fell open, and he stammered for a bit before marshaling his convictions. “You will not, my lord, because I will succeed in freeing you from the Devil’s influence, and then you will not wish to do such a thing. You will thank me.”
I snorted disparagingly and looked to Thorp. “And how muchis your life worth?”
He smiled. “My lord, I asked for a great deal of money from your father for this business, enough for me to disappear. Please understand, when I was first contracted, I thought you to be some little fop sodomite, and I rather thought Mister Collins could not help but be successful. But now…” He shrugged and met mygaze levelly. “I see I was wise to ask for the sumI did.”
I smiled. “Even if I die: even if Collins is successful in breaking me such that I will not seek your head: there are those who willnot forgive you.”
He looked away. “I have come to realize that.”
“And so… Youare a fool, or youfear myfather more?”
Thorp smirked. “I like myjob.”
I recalled his words about deriving pleasure fromcruelty
I recalled his words about deriving pleasure fromcruelty and I smiled grimly. Though Thorp dressed and acted much as Alonso once had, this was a man much as Hastings had been: a manwho enjoyed the painofothers.
I looked to Watkins and Lots, and they looked away
quickly.I gave yet another disparaging snort. “The excuse that
you are merely doing a job you were paid to do, by men who will bear the responsibility in this life and the next, will not save you, either.”
This seemed to give Watkins pause, but it angered
Thorp found quiet amusement in that, and watched Collins expectantly.
Collins flushed and balled his fists. “You are wrong, my lord. I do know. And I should not bandy words with the Devilin your soul. I amhere to cure you of the affliction that mars you in the eyes ofanymanofworth, lord or not.”
The chill returned to my belly, but I was very much devoted to the game now. “Truly, and what might that be?”
“Your sodomiacaltendencies,”Collins spat.
Despite my assurances that this was a matter we could handle, my Horse started and reared. I stood. “And how do you propose to do that, geld me?”I roared.
Collins jumped back, and Watkins waved a club at me menacinglythoughI could reachnone ofthem.
“Nay, nay!” Thorp called and stepped between me and the others. “There will be no gelding, my lord; or any other damage to your privates. Your father specifically forbade that.” He shrugged. “He wishes for heirs. However, Mister Collins is empowered to do whatever else he feels necessary to convince you to become a good Christian man with no interest in other
men.” I stared into his eyes and saw that—as he had shown—
he obviously thought this was foolishness; however, he would do as he had beenpaid to do withlittle thought ofme.
I calmed myself and returned to my seat on the pallet. Thorp stood before me still, regarding me with more concern now thanhe had duringmysuddenire.
I ignored him, and looked around his legs to address Collins. “How muchdid myfather payyou, Mister Collins?”
“That is not…”
“What value did youplace onyour life?”I added.
“Mylord?”
“If all of this is being done to bring me back into my father’s favor, then it is assumed that I will become the next Earl ofDorshire, is it not?”
“Aye, mylord,”Collins said withconfusion.
“Aye, mylord,”Collins said withconfusion.
Thorp sighed heavily and returned to his seat with a knowingsmile.
“Well, Mister Collins,” I continued calmly. “If you do anything to my person other than bore me with Bible verses in your attempt to rectify my deficiencies ofpropriety, I willkillyou at the first opportunity: be that on this voyage, or ten years from now when I can use my position as Earl to hire men such as Mister Thorp to do it for me.”
Collins’ mouth fell open, and he stammered for a bit before marshaling his convictions. “You will not, my lord, because I will succeed in freeing you from the Devil’s influence, and then you will not wish to do such a thing. You will thank me.”
I snorted disparagingly and looked to Thorp. “And how muchis your life worth?”
He smiled. “My lord, I asked for a great deal of money from your father for this business, enough for me to disappear. Please understand, when I was first contracted, I thought you to be some little fop sodomite, and I rather thought Mister Collins could not help but be successful. But now…” He shrugged and met mygaze levelly. “I see I was wise to ask for the sumI did.”
I smiled. “Even if I die: even if Collins is successful in breaking me such that I will not seek your head: there are those who willnot forgive you.”
He looked away. “I have come to realize that.”
“And so… Youare a fool, or youfear myfather more?”
Thorp smirked. “I like myjob.”
I recalled his words about deriving pleasure fromcruelty
I recalled his words about deriving pleasure fromcruelty and I smiled grimly. Though Thorp dressed and acted much as Alonso once had, this was a man much as Hastings had been: a manwho enjoyed the painofothers.
I looked to Watkins and Lots, and they looked away
quickly.I gave yet another disparaging snort. “The excuse that
you are merely doing a job you were paid to do, by men who will bear the responsibility in this life and the next, will not save you, either.”
This seemed to give Watkins pause, but it angered
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