The Bride Price by Francis June

Author:Francis, June [Francis, June]
Language: eng
Format: azw3, epub
Publisher: Endeavour Press
Published: 2016-07-18T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter Eleven

‘Eat and drink, missy,’ said John coaxingly. ‘Sir Cadfael told me that you have not broken your fast this day.’

‘I am not thirsty or hungry,’ she said mutinously, shoving the cup away.

‘Now they’re foolish words. You need all your strength. ‘Sir Cadfael is an honourable man and he will soon return from talking to your brother and sort matters out in a way that is best for you. Trust him.’

‘Why should I trust him? He tricked me, pretended that he was going to set me free. He even offered me money to guide him, and I refused the money, fool that I was!’ Her eyes shone with hurt and disappointment.

‘Try some wine,’ said John, ‘all this talking must be making you thirsty.’

She hesitated and then took the cup and drank some of the wine. It was good! She reached out for the bread. It was wheaten, and tasted much better than the barley bread they had eaten on the journey. ‘Did he tell you that I saved his life.’ She took another large gulp of the wine.

John shifted uncomfortably from one foot to the other. ‘Aye, and very grateful his mother and sisters will be. But do not fear he will do what is best for you.’ He patted her shoulder and left the tent, wishing he knew what his master was up to this time. Why couldn’t he have just bedded the wench and got her out of his blood? But all this talk about money, never mind the danger! Well, he just hoped naught would go amiss.

Sioned frowned at John’s retreating back and had an urge to fling the cup after him, but thought better of it and finished the wine. Her eyes smouldered How dare Cadfael treat her so! She had trusted him and this was the way he repaid her trust. She realised that she had drunk all the wine, but noticing that John had left the pitcher on the table, she filled her cup again defiantly. She had no idea how long she might have to wait before Cadfael returned, but she would tell him just what she thought of him when he did. What did she care if she never saw him again after she left this place! She gulped the wine swiftly, thinking now of her brother. Hywel would beat her! Fear trickled down her spine. He would blame her for being captured by the English, and beat her. She had never told even Megan about his cruelty. He would be furious about losing the amobr from Govan. For surely it was in doubt that he would pay it, once he knew she had been in the English camp. She gave a bitter laugh. Cadfael might find he had bitten off more than he could chew. Tears suddenly cluttered her throat. He had been kind at times as well as angry with her. She remembered the occasions he had kissed her so thrillingly and passionately. He had wanted her, she had been certain of that at the time.

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