Becoming a Lady by Adaline Raine Read Free Book Online Page A

way.”  She nodded and left her alone in her chambers.


    Anna sighed as she left.  In any other village, the two would be considered friends.  The door opened suddenly and Anna jumped to her feet.  It was one of Lord Wendel’s men, Sir Randall.  He had been in the barn that night.  What did he want?


    “ I knew it!”  He was shorter than most of the men and his arrogance tried to overcome that feature.  Sir Randall reached out and grabbed Anna’s hair.  “You are that little babe we taught a lesson all those years ago.”


    Anna brought her knee up to his thigh and was immediately thrown backwards for her efforts.  She hit the floor with a thud and she skidded across the floor on her back.  “You are a sick little disgusting creature!  Do not touch me!”


    Sir Randall walked carefully towards her while keeping his eyes on hers.  “I may be little but I am stronger than you.”  He smirked as he leaned down and began to rip her skirt while holding on to her ankles.
    Anna bent her knees and bucked her lower body.  It was enough to shake him off of her feet.  “Get off of me you slimy toad!”


    Sir Randall came at her again.  “Now wench, I will hurt you.”  He undid his belt buckle and sneered.

Anna opened her mouth to scream when Sir Randall was suddenly on his knees.  His pants had tangled around his boots and he was turning an awful shade of red.

    Sir William had the man by the neck.  “Are these your chambers?” 
    Sir Randall shook his head and grunted.  He looked over at Anna and back.  “Is this woman in your possession?” 
    Sir Randall ’s eyes began to bulge.  He grunted and gasped while he tried to pry the larger man’s fingers off of his throat.  Sir William let go. 
    “ Answer me.”


    “ Lord Wendel gave me orders to check on her.”  


    Sir William struck the man across the face.  “You, Sir, are a liar.”  He pulled the man to his feet.  “You are to go back to your chambers immediately and do not set foot here in this room again.”

    Sir Randall glared up at him.  “What worth is she to you?”


    Sir William struck him again.  “That wench is no worth to me.”  He handed him the belt back that had slipped to the floor.  “You left the main hall unsecured and put us all at risk.”


    Sir Randall made a rude gesture at Anna and Sir William tore the belt back from his hands.  “You have a soft spot for that wench?”


    Sir William moved his hand so that the belt struck the smaller man across his unprotected thighs.  “Pay attention to the error you have made!  You left your post.”


    Sir Randall jumped as the belt bit into his thighs several more times.  “You think that you are a better man than I simply because you have a title?”  He grabbed the belt back and fixed his pants.


    Sir William smiled.  “I know that you have been making illicit exploitations lately.  I know that they are deeds and decisions that could put this entire village at risk.”


    Sir Randall paled.  “You are speaking gibberish.  I have taken no such actions!”


    “ Your face, Sir, gives it away.  I have dozens of accounts and witnesses as well as very hard proof.”  Sir William titled his head to the side.  “Perhaps you will now heed my word?”


    “ I believe, Sir William, that you are bluffing.”  Sir Randall was beginning to sweat.


    “ Oh, he does not bluff, Sir.”  Anna called up from her spot on the floor.  


    Sir William snapped.  “You are not permitted to speak.”


    Sir Randall laughed bitterly.  “That wench would not know how to act properly if it were her last option upon this earth.” 
    Anna leapt up, and was immediately caught by Sir William, who nearly threw her into the oversized chaise on the other side of the table.  “Sit here and do not move.”  He returned his attention to Sir Randall.


    “ I will find out your