Read Online Untamed by Elizabeth Lowell - Free Book Online Page B

tenderness.
    â€œTell me everything you know about the pin,” Meg demanded.
    â€œâ€™Tis little enough.”
    â€œâ€™Tis better than nothing,” retorted Meg.
    Gwyn smiled slightly. The smile faded as she spoke.
    â€œThe Glendruid Wolf was worn by our headmen back to the dawn of memory. As long as it was worn, peace reigned and we prospered.”
    â€œWhat happened?”
    â€œA brother’s envy. A woman seduced. A love betrayed.”
    Grimly Meg smiled. “The story has a familiar sound to it.”
    â€œGlendruids are but human. The headman was slain from ambush. The pin was taken from his cloak.”
    Meg waited.
    Gwyn said nothing more.
    â€œWhat happened then?” Meg asked.
    â€œFrom that day forth, strife reigned. And from that day forth Glendruid women conceived few babes, for there was little of pleasure in their lives; and without pleasure, no Glendruid female will quicken with a man’s seed.”
    â€œDidn’t our people look for the talisman if it meant that much to them?”
    The old woman shrugged. “They searched. They found only their own greed. The pin was never seen again. ’Tis said it is hidden within one of the ancient mounds between here and the mountain, guarded by the ghost of the adulteress.”
    Meg had an odd sense that there was more to thestory. Yet even as she started to ask, she looked into the old Glendruid’s eyes and knew that no more would be said.
    â€œI wish that I had the pin in my hand right now,” Meg said finally.
    â€œDon’t wish that.”
    â€œWhy?”
    â€œWhether you gave the talisman now to Dominic le Sabre or Duncan of Maxwell, blood would run through Blackthorne’s meadows rather than clear water.”
    Meg made a low sound of distress. “I fear you’re right. My poor people. When the land is at war, nobles might win or lose, but the simple folk always lose.”
    â€œAye,” Gwyn whispered. “Always.”
    â€œWhy can’t men see that the land needs healing rather than more hurting?” Meg demanded.
    â€œThey aren’t Glendruid to understand the ways of water and growing things. They know only the ways of fire.”
    â€œJohn’s plan will be the ruin of Blackthorne Keep and its people,” Meg said. “If we sow blood instead of seed this spring, the survivors will live only long enough to die of famine in the next winter.”
    â€œAye. If King Henry doesn’t kill them first. If John follows his plan, the king and his great barons won’t leave one stone standing upon another in all of Blackthorne.”
    Meg closed her eyes. She had only until tomorrow to find a way to save the land and the people she loved more than she loved anything in her life.
    â€œWhat will you do, Meg?”
    She stared at Gwyn, wondering if the old woman had somehow seen into her mind.
    â€œWill you warn the Norman lord?” Gwyn asked.
    â€œTo what purpose? It would be kinder—andquicker—to slay Duncan with poison. I cannot bear to see him hanged. Or worse. No. I cannot.”
    Meg’s mouth thinned as she continued. “In any case, Duncan’s death would change nothing. The Reevers would slaughter the Normans in reprisal and Blackthorne would be lost.”
    Gwyn nodded. “You are your mother’s daughter, Margaret. Shrewd and kind at once. What will you do? Flee into the forest and the haunted place?”
    â€œHow did you know?”
    â€œIt was what your mother did. But it won’t help you. Duncan is as shrewd as you.”
    â€œWhat do you mean?” Meg asked.
    â€œHe has stationed one of his men at the gatehouse. You are a prisoner, and the keep is your jail.”

6
    D OMINIC LOOKED UP AS HIS brother strode into the high keep room where the squire Jameson was helping Dominic dress. At the moment, all he wore was a cape for warmth and water from his recent bout with a razor. His hair was neatly cut to lie