Grasso, Patricia by Love in a Mist Read Free Book Online

Leaning down, she gave both men a peck on the cheek. "I love you dearly," she announced, making them blush.
    As soon as she disappeared up the stairs, Hew glanced at his brother and asked, "Well?"
    "We've very few coins," Odo verified. "No need to worry, though. We'll reach London and survive until the third week in September. Something is bound to turn up."
    The inn's door swung open again, and a tall, well-built man entered. His arrogant demeanor and expensive-looking clothing positively screamed "rich nobleman." The lord walked over to the innkeeper and said in a loud voice, "I require a decent chamber for no more than an hour and a hot bath to accompany it. I will, of course, pay your regular daily rate. How far is Ludlow Castle?"
    "Thirty minutes up the road, my lord," the innkeeper answered. "Please, follow me. I'll show you to my best chamber."
    Watching the nobleman climb the stairs behind the innkeeper, Odo leaned close to his brother. "Something just turned up," he whispered.
    Hew snapped his head around and stared in horrified dismay at him. "Are you thinking what I think you're thinking?"
    "What the blazes are you jabbering?" Odo asked, cuffing the side of his brother's head. "Speak English."
    "Highway robbery is a hanging offense," Hew warned in a low voice.
    "Consider it raiding," Odo advised. "Anyway, hanging is a quicker death than starving."
    "We'll never get caught," Hew whispered, his expression suddenly clearing.
    Odo's gaze narrowed on him. "How can you be so sure?"
    "We carry the carnelian stones," Hew answered, pulling one of the smooth brandy-colored stones from his pocket and holding it up. "Keely said the magic in these stones will protect us from harm. Megan taught her such things."
    Odo closed his eyes against his brother's abject stupidity and successfully squelched the urge to strike him. "I know the perfect place in the road to meet our friend," he said, rising. "Let's go."
    Hew looked at him blankly. "What friend?"
    This time Odo did cuff the side of his brother's head and growled, "You blinking idiot."
    "Ohh," Hew exclaimed in understanding, then followed his brother outside.
    An hour later, Odo and Hew were ready to embark upon their "raiding." The unmasked would-be raiders hid in the dense woods along the road and waited for their intended victim, who even now approached at a leisurely pace toward Ludlow Castle.
    Closer rode the nobleman.
    He was almost abreast of their hiding places.
    Odo signaled Hew to ride. They bolted into the road in front of and behind the man. Startled, his horse reared. In the movement the black-clad nobleman lost his hat, revealing a flaming mane of copper hair. He reached for his sword but stayed his hand on its hilt when he felt the tip of a sword touch his back.
    "Who dares to accost the queen's man?" the Earl of Basildon growled, his voice and his expression telling them they were beneath his contempt.
    "Those traveling this road are now required to pay a tax," Odo told him. "We are the tax collectors."
    "Give us whatever coins you carry, my lord high-and-mighty," Hew added.
    Richard Devereux raised his copper brows at their demand. "You dare attempt to rob the Earl of Basildon?"
    "We're not attempting anything," Odo shot back. "We're doing it. Hand me your sword, hilt first, and then the dagger."
    Richard remained motionless, silently refusing.
    "Make haste," Hew snapped. "Or you'll regret it."
    Richard slowly drew his sword. As he started to hand it over, he kicked his steed's flank, and the horse danced sideways. Richard slipped his booted foot out of the stirrup, kicked Odo's horse, and swung the sword hilt into the side of the other man's face.
    "Run!" Hew shouted, losing his balance, sending his brother bolting for escape.
    Hew toppled off his horse and fell with a heavy thud in the road. Desperate to escape the Englishman, Hew scrambled to his feet and staggered into the woods. Within mere seconds, strong hands grabbed him from behind and tackled