Desire by Amanda Quick Read Free Book Online

feel of her softly rounded hips pressed against his leg had done something to Gareth's insides. A deep, powerful hunger had stirred to life within him.

    His brows drew together and his jaw tightened as he recalled the raw force of that hunger. He would have to make certain it stayed within bounds. He had not survived this long by allowing his emotions to rule him.

    Ulrich caught his eye at that moment. "So you knew the lady of Desire on sight?" He shook his bare, gleaming skull with wry admiration. "I congratulate you, Gareth. As usual, you were quick to add the facts together and determine the correct sum."

    "It was not very difficult." Gareth sat down on a stool to pull on soft leather boots. "Enough of that discussion. I'm interested to hear whatever you learned about the kidnapping incident."

    "There is not much to tell. As you know, I downed a few mugs of ale with the crowd at the local tavern in Seabern last night. The most interesting thing I learned is that all parties concerned, including Sir Nicholas, his entire household, and the lady herself, insist that there was no kidnapping."
    Gareth shrugged. "Only to be expected. A lady's reputation is involved."

    "Aye. The tale is that she made an unexpected visit to sir Nicholas which lasted four days."

    "After which he offered marriage?"

    "Aye. The lady refused." Ulrich chuckled. "You must admit that took courage under the circumstances."

    "That it did. Most women would have yielded to the inevitable." Satisfaction flowed through Gareth. His future bride was not one to collapse in the face of blatant intimidation. He approved of that sort of courage.

    Up to a point.

    "By way of excuse she told him that her guardian, Thurston of Landry, had agreed to allow her to choose her own husband."

    "That must have been when she decided to write to my father and request a selection of candidates for the position."

    "No doubt."

    "It also explains why my father instructed me to waste no time claiming my bride." Gareth reflected on that briefly. "He suspects that Nicholas will soon make another attempt to get his hands on Desire."

    "A second kidnapping might not be so easy to brush aside." Ulrich paused briefly. "As a matter of curiosity, what do you intend to do about Nicholas?"
    "Nothing for now. I do not expect that Clare will willingly charge him with kidnapping or rape, even though he is now safe."

    "She has her reputation to consider. As do you, Gareth. The lady will not thank you for dragging her honor through the mud."

    "Nay. And I have other concerns at the moment. I will deal with Nicholas later."

    Nicholas of Seabern would pay for what he had done, but that payment would be made at a place and hour of Gareth's choosing. The Hellhound of Wyckmere sometimes took his time when it came to exacting revenge, but sooner or later, he always claimed it.

    He had his own reputation to consider.

    Ulrich got to his feet, turned toward the window, and braced his hands on the ledge. He looked out over the fields of flowers that lay beyond the old wooden curtain wall that surrounded the hall. He drew a deep breath of the fresh, flowery air.

    "Tis a most unusual land you have come to claim," Ulrich said. "And a most unusual lady. To say nothing of the rest of the household."

    "Aye. What is the boy to Lady Clare?"

    "William?" Ulrich smiled. "A spirited lad, is he not? He could do with some exercise, though. He has a fondness for sweet cakes and puddings."

    "Aye."

    "He and his mother, the Lady Joanna, both live here at the hall. Lady Joanna is a widow."
    Gareth glanced at Ulrich. "The boy is all Lady Joanna has left?"

    "It seems her husband sold everything he owned, including his lands in the north, to raise money for his adventures in the Holy Land. He managed to get himself killed there. Joanna and William were left penniless."

    "So Lady Joanna came to Desire seeking a place for herself and her son in this hall?"

    "Aye." Ulrich's expression turned speculative. "I