Read Online The Lady and the Falconer by Laurel O'Donnell - Free Book Online

like a little whirlwind to march the other way. She was one whirlwind he wouldn’t mind being caught in.
    “Practice your embroidery. I’d like to practice my embroidery -- around your neck!” she whispered harshly.
    Logan’s grin widened into a full-fledged smile. She was spirited! He had to give her that.
    “Thinking he could find a murderer!” she gritted out between clenched teeth. “He can’t even find his own sword in a siege!”
    Logan laughed out loud, his pleasure rolling from his throat in a low timbre.
    Solace gasped and whirled to face him.
    Logan pushed himself from the wall to approach her. Those brilliant green eyes flashed like precious emeralds caught in torchlight as she glared at him, the remnants of her anger seeping into her whiplash greeting. “Do you always spy on women?”
    “Spy?” he asked in shock. Spying was something he had never been accused of where women were concerned. There were so many other things to do with them. Especially women with large green eyes and full, kissable lips. “No,” he answered in a low voice.
    Solace stepped away from him as a flash of unease crossed her features. “What do you want?”
    A dangerous question, Logan thought. His gaze brushed her lips before rising to her eyes. “I came to offer my services,” he said softly.
    Solace frowned slightly. “Services?”
    He would gladly offer her his services -- any services -- if only she would tell him where Peter was. “Protection.”
    “Protection?” Solace echoed in disbelief. “You’re a falconer!”
    “If there’s a killer in the castle, it might be dangerous for you to be walking around alone in the courtyards so late at night.”
    Her eyes widened in surprise. “Have you been watching me?”
    Logan’s laugh was low. “No. I was in the courtyard and I saw you.”
    “Oh,” she said, fidgeting slightly, averting her gaze at her erroneous assumption. “Well, thank you very much. But I’m safer in Castle Fulton than anywhere else.”
    The amusement suddenly left Logan. She was too naive, too trusting. “Don’t be too sure. A murderer can be anyone. Someone you trust, even.” He saw the change in her immediately. Determination clouded her eyes; her chin rose in defiance. He knew instinctively what the little spitfire planned to do. His brows furrowed. “You’re going after him, aren’t you?”
    Shock rocked her body and she stepped away from him, bowing her head to conceal her thoughts. “Don’t be silly.”
    His hand shot out, capturing her chin and lifting it until her eyes met his. Radiant orbs challenged him, dared him to contradict her. They were so vibrant, so full of life and courage. “Solace,” he murmured. He’d hate to have to extinguish that life if she got too close to the truth. He dropped his hand. “Be careful.”
    She nodded once and backed away down the hall. Logan watched her go until she was swallowed by the darkness.
     
     

 
     
    Chapter Six
     
     
     
    S olace stared down at the map of Castle Fulton spread out on the table before her.
    “All the outer walls are stationed with extra guards,” Captain Montgomery said.
    Solace watched the captain of the guard’s finger trace an area on the map. She turned her gaze to him as he ran his hand over his blond mustache and down his beard. His brown eyes gazed intently at the detailed sketch for a moment before shifting to Solace. “I expect that the arrow attacks will start any time now, and it appears the trebuchet might be ready tomorrow, at the earliest. With any luck it will rain and slow the production.”
    “You’ve doubled the men at the gatehouse?”
    The captain nodded. “And we have men in the storerooms listening for sappers. No one’s going to tunnel into Castle Fulton without us knowing about it.”
    “Well done, Captain,” Solace congratulated. “I’m certain Barclay will have a very difficult time finding entrance to Castle Fulton.”
    “Thank you, m’lady,” the captain