Read Online The Red Wolf's Prize by Regan Walker - Free Book Online

Norman king. The Red Wolf’s uncompromising character had stirred a
feeling inside her that she did not comprehend. Mayhap it was the same respect
displayed by his men. Mayhap it was more. Those same tingling feelings she’d
experienced when he stroked her palm returned. Against her will, she was drawn
to the uncompromising knight. Yet at the same time, she wondered what
punishment he would mete out for her, who had deceived him and denied him the
wife he was due.
    Sir Maurin took Sir Hugue by the arm and, with another
knight, led him toward the door to the yard where presumably the punishment
would be carried out.
    The Red Wolf turned to Eawyn, his eyes first pausing on
Serena. “Eawyn, I am sorry for what has happened. I know you came but to speak
with me. I welcome you.”
    Eawyn had calmed, but her cheeks were still flushed and
stained with tears. Serena had taken her to the chamber above stairs and given
her one of the Lady Serena’s gowns to replace the one that was ruined,
explaining to the others that Lady Serena would have done no less. Sir Geoffroi
stood on Eawyn’s other side lending the young woman his strength as she leaned
close to him.
    “Thank you, my lord,” Eawyn said to the Red Wolf. “I did but
want to tell you I was living in the west manor should you have need of it for
your knights.”
    “You can stay there for the present, Eawyn, but I will have
one of my men escort you back. Do you dwell there alone?”
    “Nay, my lord. I have a female servant who works at the
manor, a stable boy and men who dwell nearby and tend the fields and see to the
stock. The men have all sworn fealty to you. I know I should not have come to
Talisand alone, but I had done so before, and I did not want to take the men
from their work as they plant the new wheat.”
    He nodded and turned to Sir Geoffroi. “See that one of the
men escorts the lady back to the west manor.”
    “Would it be acceptable, my lord, if I undertook the task?”
asked the blond knight.
    Serena did not miss the tenderness in Sir Geoffroi’s eyes as
he glanced at Eawyn. She remembered his kindness to her friend in the clearing.
    The Red Wolf gave his knight a curious glance before
nodding. “As you wish, Sir Geoffroi.”
     
    * * *
     
    Tired, Renaud climbed the stairs to his chamber, every muscle
in his body tense from the trials of the day. The duties of being lord of
Talisand were ones he readily accepted, even looked forward to, but they did
not allow him the single focus that warfare did. It was a different kind of
fatigue, not so much bone weary as mind weary, and it left its mark.
    When he reached his chamber, the door was ajar. Thinking it
might be his young squire’s doing, he pushed it open and surveyed the room,
looking for Mathieu’s brown head of hair. The usually dark chamber was aglow
with light from candles set on each of the tables and rush lights near the bed.
Renaud was instantly wary. It was not Mathieu’s habit to spend the candles so
freely.
    His eyes were drawn to the bed cover, which had been turned
down. Resting upon it was a woman, the same dark-eyed wench who served him wine
at the evening meal.
    “What are you doing here?” he asked. As he said the words,
he realized the question was unnecessary. The woman was in his bed, her dark
hair splayed over the pillow and her breasts barely covered by the thin
undertunic she wore. Her intent was easily discerned.
    “I thought ye might want some company m’lord.”
    “Where is Mathieu?”
    “I sent him away, thinking ye might prefer to be private.”
    She rose up and sat back on her heels, the effect being to
push her breasts out in blatant offering.
    The woman was attractive and clearly had seduction in mind.
But she held no appeal. Mayhap it was her dark eyes. There was only one woman
at Talisand he wanted in his bed and her eyes were the color of violets.
    “I appreciate your offer, Aethel…is it? But not tonight.”
    “Yea, m’lord, I be Aethel.” She climbed