When Lightning Strikes by Cynthia Lucas

Author:Cynthia Lucas [Lucas, Cynthia]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: CreateSpace
Published: 2012-08-05T05:00:00+00:00

Chapter Twenty

Navarre and his men rode throughout the morning toward the village. The filthy gypsiens moved from place to place so often, no one was ever really certain where they happened to be. But for a few pieces of silver he knew someone in the village would send them in the right direction.

As they pulled into the village square Navarre nodded to one of the men to head toward the tavern. The buxom alewife…whatever was her name? Gilda! Gilda always seemed to know much about everything. She would know where they may be. She had probably offered up her services to the gypsien on occasion for a few of their gold coins as well.

He thought of Gilda’s ample curves and a smile crossed his lips. Perhaps he would partake of them as well whilst he was here. But that was a matter to attend to much later. Right now, he needed to find du Barbaronne and find out who this woman masquerading as his wife was. She must be one of his enemies or have some sort of damning information about his killing of Melissande. Perhaps she had been hidden away in secret in the woods and had seen him do it.

He paled slightly at the thought. How else could she possibly walk around pretending to be her? Perhaps she planned to exact a small fortune in gold from him in exchange for her silence. His lips tightened into a line.

The soldiers walked into the tavern. Gilda was in her usual place behind the long plank that served as a bar. She tried to remain calm and keep her sharp intake of breath quiet when they came in. She knew their visit would have something to do with du Barbaronne and the lady Melissande. She would tell them nothing.

“Gilda…that is your name, is it not?” Navarre walked forward slowly. He reached out and touched one of the loose locks of hair that had fallen free of Gilda’s braid.

“Well then, Gilda. I understand my men were in here yestereve and you gave them information on the whereabouts of my lady wife. She is with du Barbaronne’s troupe, is she not?”

He raised an eyebrow and lifted the lock of hair to his lips. She backed away abruptly.

“I told your men that I had heard a rumor, that she was there, milord. I do not know this to be true. And in truth, I have heard nothing else about it.” She raised her chin slightly in defiance.

She was lying. Navarre could tell she was hiding something. Why? Perhaps she herself was in love with du Barbaronne and protecting him.

“You know, woman, it is treason to lie to your lord. And although in fact it is my father Thomas who commands all of these lands that you see, I am his firstborn son and rightful heir. And by lying to me, you would be lying to him. If you know anything of the whereabouts of du Barbaronne’s camp, by law you must tell me now or you will be held in treason.

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.