Amongst Silk and Spice by Camille Oster Read Free Book Online Page B

chuckle. She did have spirit at least, but she always had, even as a child—defiant to the end. Her mother had been one of the most beautiful women he had ever known, but she had been a troubled woman in an ill-matched marriage.
    For a long time, he'd assumed Eloise had been relegated to a convent somewhere, left to be forgotten. When he'd found out to the contrary, he'd had to wonder if Chanderling had actually been heartless enough to dispatch her. No one ever spoke of her and it wasn't a question you could raise. There had been a vague rumor of her disappearance and that she was being searched for. And it turned out that he was the one to find her.
    Keeping an eye on her, he drew soap out of his saddle bag and foamed it between his fingers, smoothing it over his chin, neck and cheeks. His knife cut smooth strokes over the stubble, making a slight rasping sound. She stayed where he'd placed her, sitting on the ledge, no doubt considering her choices. Likely, she'd try to escape again.
    The warmth of the sun was soothing on his skin and he almost wished he could stay there. Easy days in the sun had been few and far between. He missed his simple childhood, where he had the run of the land with his brother.
    "Will you get paid for bringing me back?" she asked.
    "I am not sure. The king will likely reward my loyalty and determination."
    "And my father?"
    Hugo shrugged. "I don't know why he seeks your return," he admitted honestly.
    "He has no claim on me. He annulled the marriage, along with my legitimacy."
    "I don't know what is on his mind."
    "Perhaps he had no heir and must acknowledge me."
    "He does." As far as Hugo knew, Lord Chanderling's three sons from his subsequent marriage were still alive.
    "I had heard as much," she said. "I don't understand why he's doing this."
    "Perhaps he just wants to see his child."
    "He didn't want to see me when I officially was.  Why does he want to see me now?"
    Hugo shrugged. Lord Chanderling's motives were none of his affair.
    "The annulment still stands," she said pointedly. "You cannot unannul an annulment because you change your mind. Officially, he is not my father."
    "He can still claim you as his child."
    "Doesn't mean I'm legitimate. And as I recall, he put some doubt on my even being his child. He has no claim over me."
    "I'm still not letting you go so you can run back to your Saracen lover."
    "You're an awful, pig-headed man, Hugo Beauford."
    "I am a knight and I do as my king commands." Clean shaven, he soothed his skin with his hands and dressed, pulling the undershirt on, then the mail over top. "Time to go."
    "Where are we going?"
    "To the jetty."
    She looked down at her lap, a frown drawing her brows together. He kept a keen ear to her activities as he retrieved his surcoat.
    "Do you have children?" she asked when he returned.
    "No," Hugo said, tension stealing through his body.
    "You're a bit old to be without an heir. Are you infertile?"
    "I am a knight at war. It doesn't give much time to family life." Dark thoughts threatened, but he pushed them away.
    "Or obligations, apparently."
    Hugo's jaw clenched. "I do not wish to discuss my family situation with you."
    "But it's fine to discuss mine?"
    "I don't wish to discuss that either, but since you mention it, you seem remarkably infertile yourself being as you've been living with a lover. Guess that makes a pair of us. Or is it the Saracen who is incapable?"
    Eloise lifted her nose in the air. He had offended her now—not that he cared. Her infertility was her own cross to bear. "His name is Malik, and he is a wonderful person."
    Hugo rolled his eyes, like he gave a damn what her lover was called. "Out," he said, taking her by the elbow and leading her to the door.
     
    The ship was a decent size, made of polished wood and red sails like the spines of a fish. He negotiated a cabin to confine her and he communicated clearly that the door must be locked at all times. That way, she had no escape and he could keep her in