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

her arm she pulled away. "Why would I run? My man is down below. And I cannot escape your guards on foot."
    He inclined his head and led her into the inner ward. Isabel took a deep breath of fresh air and sighed. The breeze smelled of harvest and apples and the coming winter. How she'd missed the freedom of the outdoors.
    She felt the hostile stares of the soldiers as they passed the barracks perched atop the stables. The smithy ceased his hammering to come out and glare.
    Isabel's chin rose with pride not defensiveness. After all, if they knew what their master and his family had done, they wouldn't support him so. It was her duty to make sure they all found out.
    She walked up the stairs and entered the great hall just ahead of Galway. There were trestle tables being set for supper by maids who gasped and pointed at her. Groups of soldiers and servants and travelers were waiting for their meal, and they too turned to stare as if she were the evening's entertainment. A dog raced up to greet her, sliding through the rushes as it came to a stop. Galway pushed it aside. The smells of hot food were almost overwhelming, but she was brought back to the peril of her situation by the sight of Bolton standing at the hearth next to a black-robed priest.
    Isabel's bewilderment was replaced by dread. She felt her steps slowing, saw the priest's mouth drop open. Galway took her arm and led her closer, and she knew it was useless to resist. What was happening?
    Bolton stood like a dark, impassive statue. His narrowed eyes bored into hers and she detected a shuttered rage she had never felt from him before. He disdainfully raked her body with his gaze. She stiffened and turned away from him.
    The white-haired priest was obviously trying to collect himself. He looked at her garments, at her face, then away, and harrumphed. When he again lifted his gaze, a patronizing smile spread his lips.
    "God's blessings, Lady Isabel," he said, nodding his head briefly.
    She ignored him and turned back to Bolton. "Why have you brought me to a priest?"
    "Ever to the point, dear Angel," he said, and his voice was laced with dark sarcasm.
    He suddenly didn't seem like the same man. For the first time in her life, she wanted to run.
    "Your presence is requested at a wedding, Angel," he said. "'Tis a shame you didn't dress for the occasion."
    The room suddenly seemed to press down on her like the rock walls of the dungeon. Her breath came hard with foreboding.
    "And you are the bride."
    She knew her face went white, that her chest felt clutched by a massive fist. This couldn't be happening.
    Isabel swallowed to moisten her parched mouth. "What kind of torture is this?"
    "No torture, my child," the priest said, ignoring Bolton's glare of warning. "The king has graciously given your hand in marriage to Lord Bolton. Joining
    your two vast estates will please His Majesty greatly."
    She took a swift breath and turned her intense gaze on Bolton. "You demanded to marry me?"
    His eyes were the blue of winter ice. "Hardly. I wanted never to see your face again, but the king has other wishes, which I have no choice but to obey."
    "Well, I have choices." She turned to leave, and Bolton grabbed her wrist. His grip was strong, almost painful. "Get your hand off me."
    "From now on, my hands will do what they want to your body."
    With a swift intake of breath, she went for her sword hilt, but of course it wasn't there. "I'll kill you before I let you touch me."
    "My children!" the priest said, stepping between them.
    Bolton let her go.
    "This is not the way to begin a marriage," the priest continued. "Many marriages begin on less than friendly terms. With good will, your lives can be happy."
    When Bolton said nothing, Isabel realized he actually meant to go through with this farce.
    "Father," she said, never taking her eyes off Bolton, "you cannot force me to marry a man I despise. He and his family ruined mine!"
    She heard Bolton inhale swiftly. "Father, allow me to speak