A Knight's Vow by Gayle Callen Read Free Book Online Page A

began to read.
    And then his fine world fell apart.
    King Henry was giving Isabel Atherstone to him in marriage, in gratitude for all James had done for him. She was the only heiress to a wealth of properties and castles and money. The king's own priest would be arriving the next day to marry them. The banns had already been posted in London.
    James stared in shock at the parchment, the words blurring together. Marry that savage, that harlot? All the respect he'd worked so hard for would come crashing down around him. He'd be the joke of London, and a pathetic wretch to his people. Isabel Atherstone obviously knew nothing about being a good mistress, a helpmate. God's teeth, she wasn't even easy to look at. What kind of life will he have, miserable in his own home, no longer welcome in society because of his outcast wife? And outcast her they would—especially knowing she was a sword-wielding thief. Who knew how many lovers she'd take behind his back.
    James began to pace, ignoring the messenger who scurried away. He could barely control the rage that bubbled in his gut. Could he refuse in some polite way, perhaps on the grounds that she wanted him dead? Hell, King Henry already knew this, and it hadn't mattered. He couldn't afford to risk the king's wrath.
    The choice had been taken away from him. With a curse he threw the parchment into the fire.
    He had to face the truth—who else would have him since Katherine broke their betrothal? Oh, he could find a minor noblewoman or two, but none with Isabel's money and lands. True, since he had to marry her, he could always exile her to another of his manors, but who knew what havoc she could wreak if left alone.
    Galway approached him. "Milord?" he said hesitantly. "Is something amiss?"
    James stared into the fire, the flames threatening to consume him. "Tell the steward to prepare for a wedding tomorrow."
    The unflappable Galway was silent for a moment. "Who's getting married?"
    "I am."
    Galway's gaze was also directed at the fire. "And the bride?"
    "Do you need to ask?" James said, glancing at him.
    Galway's eyes widened for a moment, then he was impassive once again. "A royal command?"
    "She's incredibly wealthy, so the king is expressing his gratitude."
    Galway sighed. "She's rich?"
    He grunted in reply.
    "He couldn't just give ye another manor?"
    James smiled grimly.
    Isabel sat on the pallet beside William, who was dozing with his chin on his chest. Another day was half over, another day of wondering what Bolton would do with them, when he would be back. Six days had passed since he had kissed her. She'd been fed well and left alone. To keep from feeling as if the weight of the entire castle pressed down on her, she and her squire had trained hours at a time with imaginary swords. But always her thwarted revenge simmered inside her.
    Isabel had been thinking long and hard how to escape. Whenever they dropped the bucket in with food, she debated a quick climb to the top. She knew she could do it, and she didn't think they'd cut the rope to injure her. But what would she find in the tower? Three big soldiers with weapons. Even she was not that foolhardy.
    Yet every day that passed, a knot of anxiety tightened deeper in her stomach. What did Bolton plan? Was he sending her to London and the king's justice?
    The trap door suddenly opened, and a shower of dirt fell to the floor. The rope came down—without a bucket. She got to her feet warily.
    "Lady Isabel?" called an unfamiliar voice. "Please step onto the loop."
    William stood up beside her. "What do you think this means?"
    She shrugged. "I shall go up. We cannot sit here forever. I'll be back for you."
    She stepped into the loop and held on. They pulled her up through the hole and she leaped onto the floor. A large man with Viking looks stood impassively before her. She put her hands on her hips and waited.
    "I am Galway, Lord Bolton's captain of the guards. You will come with me to the great hall."
    When he moved to take