Read Online The Silver Cup by Constance Leeds - Free Book Online

I’m to blame for this miserable weather and my stupid stockings and anything else that goes wrong today,” said Anna angrily.
    â€œWhoa, enough! I have a treat from Mother’s storage,” said Martin, producing two heads of cabbage from the sack. “She said cabbage will help your father’s stiff knees. I hope it will fix your bad temper as well, Cousin. I’m off to the tanner now, but I’ll look forward to a fine dinner.” Martin slammed the door and was gone.
    Maybe today will turn out all right after all , she thought as she peeled the cabbage heads. There is still some rabbit meat and now this fresh cabbage. I can finally make a meal that will please everyone.
    Although the outside cabbage leaves were dark and spotted with black, Anna found the insides bright and fresh. She shredded the cabbages into pale green ribbons that she slipped into a simmering caldron of ale and water. When the cabbage was soft and wilted, she lugged the heavy pot to the table and began sifting in bits of salt. Anna hummed as she worked.
    There was a clatter of horses and voices. The door was flung wide by two boys. They were older than Anna and dressed in fine blue tunics trimmed at the sleeves with gray fur. With dread, Anna recognized her noble cousins, Magnus and Wilhelm.
    â€œWhy look, it’s our bastard cousin,” snarled Magnus, the younger boy.
    â€œHard at peasant work. It stinks in here,” added Wilhelm, wrinkling his nose. “Where is Gunther? ”
    â€œWhat do you want? ” asked Anna.
    â€œHow rude! You ugly little wretch, where is your father, the famed swordsman and peasant groom? ” barked Magnus.
    Anna continued to stir the cabbage, “He’ll be back shortly.”
    Wilhelm advanced toward Anna. He pinned her wrists to the table with one hand and grabbed her hair with his other, pulling hard, snapping her head back. Anna cried out.
    â€œQuiet or I’ll cut you,” said Magnus, who flashed a small, mean dagger and grinned. “What do you think our little squab looks like under her grime and rags? ”
    Wilhelm began to giggle nervously. Anna jerked her head, and turning quickly, she clamped her teeth into Wilhelm’s soft flesh. He screamed and released her. Yelping and clutching his bruised wrist, Wilhelm jumped away from Anna.
    The door swung open a second time.
    â€œLord Wilhelm, Lord Magnus,” said Uncle Karl, flanked by his two massive sons from the forge. “I see you have mistaken your uncle’s house for the forge.”
    â€œWe don’t make mistakes, smith,” snapped Magnus. “We’ve come for swords.”
    â€œThe girl is mad,” Wilhelm rubbed his wrist.
    â€œOur horses need water. We rode them hard,” said Magnus, ignoring his brother.
    â€œOf course, my lord. Just the next doorway, we’ll see to your weapons and your horses.” Karl held the door for the boys who swept past without further notice of Anna.
    When Martin returned shortly, he had already heard of Anna’s incident with her other cousins.
    â€œYou bit one of them? ” asked Martin, wide eyed, amused, and surprised.
    â€œWilhelm. He grabbed me by my hair, and that horrid Magnus had a knife, and they said they would cut me,” said Anna, trying to blink away tears.
    â€œThey wouldn’t dare.”
    â€œHow do you know? They insulted Father. They called me their bastard cousin.”
    â€œOf course! They’ve never recognized your father’s marriage. That would make you a bastard.”
    â€œI hate them.”
    â€œMost everyone hates them. Magnus is a fierce one,” said Martin. Then he laughed. “Did you draw blood?”
    â€œI don’t think so. Wilhelm is a bully, but Magnus is a monster.”
    â€œThey don’t care what you think, Anna. But they’re too scared of your father to ever hurt you.”
    â€œScared of Father?”
    â€œHis sword is famously