Read Online The Succubus by Sarah Winn - Free Book Online Page B

to think she was a paragon of virtue. Daniel suddenly realized how he could obtain his revenge against her.
    He would make her his leman, not to satisfy any need he had for her, but to show the people at Tewsbarrow exactly what kind of woman she was and to teach her she must reap what she had sown.
    The next morning, Daniel set about rearranging his living quarters. The lord’s bed in the solar did not suit his plans. With most of the castle’s servants bedding down each night in the hall one wall away and an entry to the nearest tower opening directly into the solar, there was little privacy.
    With Ambrose in tow, he inspected the tower. The first floor was used for storage, just as it was in the great hall. The second floor, on the same level as the solar, had been Lady Isabel’s room and still contained the furniture she’d used. The third floor room contained an elaborately carved cradle that looked like a dragon sitting on his haunches with a bed carved into his belly, while his fearsome head towered over it.
    Daniel had never seen such a thing and stared at it in amazement.
    Ambrose cleared his throat. “Lord Kendrick had it made before the babe was born. He-he was expecting a boy child.”
    â€œI’d think it would frighten a boy or a girl.”
    â€œLady Isabel apparently thought so too, for the child never used it.”
    Daniel walked over to the nearest window. It was larger than the usual arrow slit and gave an excellent view of the fields surrounding this side of the castle.
    He liked looking out over land that was his, and this room would certainly give him the privacy he desired. “Have the large bed in the solar along with my chests moved up here.”
    â€œYes, sir. And what of the cradle?”
    â€œMove it to the lower room. In fact, make that into a nursery.”
    â€œShall I leave Lady Isabel’s furnishings there as well?”
    â€œNo. Move her clothing chests up here and pack away the rest of her furniture.”
    â€œBut-but, sir—” Ambrose stammered.
    Daniel cut him off with, “Do as you’re told.”
    Ambrose ducked his balding head and hurried from the room.
    Returning to the solar, Daniel looked about the large, cluttered room with disgust. He called Father Clemens to discuss what could be done with Kendrick’s numerous books and parchment scrolls. The elderly priest pointed out that ancient records of births and deaths and land boundaries were recorded on many of them.
    Daniel cut him short. “Now that Kendrick is no longer here, I’m afraid these old records will molder away. Is there someplace they can be safely stored?”
    â€œBut, my lord, it would be a shame to pack these records away. There are scholars who would find them of vital interest.”
    â€œWhat scholars? Where?”
    â€œWhy—ah—the monks at St. Martin’s have an extensive collection of such parchments.”
    â€œGood. We’ll donate these to the monastery.”
    â€œAll of them?”
    â€œLord Kendrick told me he was working on a history of Tewsbarrow. Did he finish it?”
    â€œAll but his own family history,” Father Clemens said.
    â€œKeep that. Future barons may be interested.” Standing in the middle of the large room, Daniel gestured with his hand. “I’d like to have an area in this corner where you and I can work on the records of the demesene and the manors, and we’ll keep the most valuable books on these shelves along this wall. The rest of the room will be turned into a comfortable sitting area where special guests can be entertained. The Baron of Bettany has such an area and uses it frequently.”
    The priest looked befuddled. Daniel hurried to reassure him. “If you’ll just see that the papers are safely packed for transport, I’ll discuss the other arrangements with Ambrose.”
    Two days later, when he was sure all of his plans were being implemented, he