Earth Song by Catherine Coulter Read Free Book Online Page B

the devil’s mistress.”
    â€œI told you that I jumped into our moat and that I ran away. It was foolish, I admit, but I did it and I can’t now undo it.”
    Philippa heard a gasp and saw a plump big-breasted girl staring at them, her face pale. Then she saw the direction of the girl’s eyes, and saw the girl was staring at the man’s dagger. He was still holding it, caressing the blade with the pad of his thumb. Philippa had forgotten the dagger. Would he slit her throat? Wasn’t he possessed ofany chivalrous instincts? She very quickly returned to the floor, folding her legs under her as far as she could manage.
    â€œIt begins to rain, my sweet lord,” Crooky said. “I’ll see the wool is kept dry. Come along, Alice, the master is busy counting coins in his head. He’ll make you happy later, once he’s rid himself of this extra wench.”
    â€œAye,” Dienwald said, not looking toward the big-breasted girl. “Go. Leave me. I will make you happy tonight.”
    Philippa stared. Her father had mistresses; she and all at Beauchamp knew it. But he pretended otherwise; he was discreet. Of course this man had no wife to shriek at him. She turned back and saw that Dienwald was speaking to an old woman.
    â€œAye, master, that old fool Prink has sickened suddenly, taken to his bed, he has, yelling that he’s dying.”
    Dienwald cursed, then said, “I’ll wager Father Cramdle is at his bedside even now, just in case. His list of sins is long enough for three days.”
    Then the little boy strode up and bellowed, “Hers a witch, kill her, Papa, stick your dagger in her gullet!”
    Philippa looked at the boy standing out of her reach, legs apart, an expression on his face that was remarkably like his father’s.
    â€œNot hers a witch,” Philippa said. “Can’t you speak properly? It’s she’s a witch.” Of the boy’s father she asked, “Have you no privacy here? And I’m not a witch.”
    â€œVery little privacy,” Dienwald said, and waved Edmund away. “Go see to our wool. And keep out of mischief. Aye, and speak properly!”
    Philippa added her coin. “Why don’t you go visit the water and the lye soap?”
    â€œI shan’t. You’re a lanky spear with a wooly head!”
    â€œOfficious little clodpole!”
    â€œEnough! Edmund, get thee gone now. You, lady, keep your tongue behind your teeth or you will surely regret it.” Again he pointedly fingered his dagger, and Philippa, not liking the sharpness of that blade, nor the tone of his voice, lowered her head and shut her mouth. She’d been a fool, but she didn’t have to continue being one.
    â€œI had great need of the wool,” Dienwald said, looking down at his frayed hose. “I lost forty-four sheep before shearing, and all of us are ragged. That’s why I took the two wagons.” He glanced up, straight at her, and seemed startled that he’d explained his theft.
    â€œYour need is quite evident. But thievery will bring you only retribution from my father, doubt you not.”
    â€œAh, you think so? Let me tell you something, Lady Lackwit. Those dauntless farmers with the other wagon will continue to the fair at St. Ives. They will sell the wool and hide well their profits. Then they will go bleating to Lord Henry about the theft of all three wagons. Moreover, they have no idea who robbed them. Now, in addition, you are my prisoner, as of this minute. If I decide to ransom you, I can always say I found you creeping along a road. And if you, wench, tell your sire the truth, think you those brave farmers will say they lied and robbed your father and were cowards? Now, I was considering treating you like a guest, but I think that isn’t what you need. You are too bold, too brazen for a female. Youwant mastering and proper manners. Perhaps I shall take on the chore. You will remain at