Conquering the Queen by Ava Sinclair

Author:Ava Sinclair [Sinclair, Ava]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Stormy Night Publications
Published: 2016-09-08T21:00:00+00:00

Chapter Eleven

Cynric wasn’t used to being taken off guard, and realized Lady Fleur’s unannounced arrival meant that Lord Reginald was no longer taking him into his confidence. This was a dire development, as it was decidedly easier to spy on one’s enemies than on one’s allies once those allies had grown suspicious.

After quietly witnessing the reintroduction of Lady Breton to the king, Cynric set about gathering information on the beautiful visitor. He knew the reputation of the Breton family, whose expansive lands bordered Ravenscroft. But he knew little of their children, and found the visiting nobility eager to gossip, especially once they saw her sitting with King Xander.

Cynric learned that Lady Fleur’s sweet countenance hid not just a strong will, but a deep well of hurt and resentment. The young lord her sister Rose had been married to after Xander was betrothed to Avin was no ordinary lord, but the object of Fleur’s infatuation.

For years, she’d blamed Rose and Avin for ruining her happiness. Now she sought revenge and status by netting a bigger prize.

On the day of the feast, a hunt was held for the noblemen while the ladies were given an opportunity to tour Windbourne now that it was part of a realm united under one king. Cynric quickly situated himself as the guide for Lady Breton, and arranged seating in the same carriage as Lady Fleur Breton. He was surprised when he climbed in to find not only Lady Breton, but Lord Reginald as well.

“I thought you’d be preparing for the hunt with the others,” Cynric said, but Lord Reginald waved him off. “That’s a young man’s sport,” he said. “I’ll see them off, but I prefer to spend time with the fairer company.” He chuckled. “And who could be fairer than our guest?”

“Few exist who could be fairer,” Cynric agreed, seeking to disarm Fleur with a compliment. But he knew it would take more than flattery to lower her guard.

By the time he sat across from her, Cynric had a better picture of a young woman he believed was as shrewd as she was beautiful. Lady Fleur smiled frequently, but the sweet innocence of her expression never seemed to reach her eyes, which were as cunning as his own.

She was also intelligent, and as the carriage moved through Windbourne, she was asking questions about Windbourne’s history and architecture. She already possessed a knowledge of the north that impressed not just her host, but a begrudging Cynric as well. It was clear she’d been studying the region.

“I find new places fascinating,” she said with a convincing sweet enthusiasm, “especially when they become part of the realm.”

“She is clever, is she not, Cynric?” Across from him, Lord Reginald smiled. Cynric inclined his head in the old lord’s direction. “Indeed she is.”

The carriage had turned down a street so narrow that the merchant carts moved to alleys so the royal carriages could pass. Here, the stone buildings loomed, and women with small children rushed to run alongside the carriage, begging for coins.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.