The Protector by Madeline Hunter

Author:Madeline Hunter [Hunter, Madeline]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
ISBN: 978-0-307-56611-9
Publisher: Random House Publishing Group
Published: 2001-10-17T22:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 16

THE SUMMONS FROM THE KING came early the next morning.

Christiana accompanied Anna to the castle. A dozen other people already waited for an audience, even though tierce had not yet rung. Anna brought all of the documents relating to her petition. She tried to ignore the coiling tension that had claimed her since she had woken.

She smoothed the light brown wool of her skirt, and felt the simple veil hiding her pinned hair. She tried to empty her mind of all thoughts except the upcoming meeting, but to no avail. Memories of last night forced themselves on her.

She had come a long way since she was twelve years old, but then she had planned it that way. After the attack of Gurwant and his father, she had sworn to learn to protect herself so that she would never be a man's victim. Last night she had proven the value of that vow.

What had happened with Ian was, she suspected, a common thing for most women. Her only regret was that she hadn't hit him sooner. Morvan, on the other hand, had surprised and disappointed her. His treatment had been an act of anger, and she had done nothing to deserve that except challenge his pride. For most men, though, perhaps that was enough.

It was not thinking about Morvan that pained her, but rather remembering her own reactions to him. The idea that she had let anyone develop that kind of power over her was daunting.

She found some solace in the knowledge that Morvan would never want to use it again. Last night had not been about desire. He had acted as if he were teaching her a lesson, although for the life of her she couldn't imagine what the lesson was supposed to have been.

Her thoughts were distracted by the approach of a man. He was of hearty build and thick-legged and had hair a color much like her own. She judged him to be about thirty-five years old.

“You are Anna de Leon?” he asked.

“I am.”

“I am your kinsman, Harvé. I saw you once at La Roche de Roald when you were a small child.”

Anna had no recollection of the visit. Harvé was, if she remembered correctly, a third cousin to her father and had lived most of his life in England.

“Edward asked me to attend this morning. He thought it best to have a member of the family present to aid you.”

The King thought it best to have a man from the family present was what he meant, even if that man was a total stranger.

“Edward is a good man with sound judgment, cousin,” he said. “But he is very busy, so don't expect any lengthy discussions.”

“Is there anything I should know?” she asked, hoping that blood counted for something.

“The continuing strife in Brittany worries him. He hoped that the capture of Charles de Blois would end things. He cannot commit too heavily to Brittany, and wants to hold what the young duke has at a minimal cost.”

“Then he should be glad of my solution for my father's estate.

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