The Mercenary's Bride by Claire Delacroix

Author:Claire Delacroix [Delacroix, Claire]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781988479323
Publisher: Deborah A. Cooke
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

“And so you banished him, after all,” Aileen said when the Hawk stepped into the solar. “Despite the fact that he saved my life this day.”

There could be no question as to who she meant. The Hawk smiled a little, having expected no less of her than this challenge, and noted the answering flash in his wife’s eyes. It was a blessing beyond compare that this woman was his partner and his love, and that the passion between them had only grown since they first had met. Her presence in his hall, her good sense in consultation, and the pleasure they found abed made the Hawk feel that he could conquer any challenge so long as his lady wife was by his side.

It shook him that he had nearly lost her this day, but he strove to hide his fear from her.

“I gave him what he desired of me, no more and no less,” he said mildly.

“I do not understand.”

“He sought an opportunity to prove himself, especially once it was clear that Reinhard doubted his intentions.” The Hawk closed the shutters against the night, refusing to think of Quentin’s night in the forest. Would he find the MacLarens? Or would they find him? The man had no lack of courage, to be sure. He frowned, knowing his former Captain of the Guard had not changed in that respect. “He fairly challenged me to cast him into the night, and when I bade him leave in the morning instead, he provoked me.”

“How?”

The Hawk spared his wife a smile. “Surely you can guess.” She caught her breath. “It was no more than a kiss, because I did cast him out.”

“Mhairi must be vexed with you.”

“She is.” The Hawk sighed.

“He might die in the forest this night,” Aileen noted, watching him with care. “Or be killed by the MacLarens. He might be further maimed, for they are cruel.”

“He might, yet I sensed it was the choice he desired of me.”

“Why?”

“Perhaps he thinks his life has no merit.” The Hawk removed his tabard. “Or perhaps he has a plan to see the MacLarens routed.”

“Alone?”

The Hawk smiled a little. “The Quentin I recall had no lack of audacity. He was a clever foe and a bold planner. I would be glad indeed if that talent had not been sacrificed.” He nodded, knowing Aileen watched him closely. “You know I must ride to the priory before Sunday.”

“We can survive without meat...”

“Game is not what I will hunt,” he said, interrupting his wife with resolve. Her eyes widened slightly, but he knew she was not surprised. “You and Nigel will remain here.”

“You cannot ride out alone!”

“I will risk no other in this quest. If I am lost, Nigel will become laird, and have your good counsel. Inverfyre will endure. If we three are lost, Inverfyre might fall. I will not surrender easily to that prospect, Aileen. Do not ask me to do as much.”

“I hate that they have risen in rebellion again,” she said with a savagery he understood.

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.