Highland Angel by Hannah Howell Read Free Book Online

the king’s court, yet, e’en if hardpressed, I doubt anyone could tell ye the name of e’en one woman he has favored with his attentions. I have seen him indulge in some flirtation, but it was light, fleeting.”
    “I heard he was married.”
    “And holds true to his vows?” Lady Fraser laughed, but there was a bitter taint to her amusement. “Oh, I have heard that your family does, but if that is true, ’tis a verra rare thing indeed. And, if Sir Roderick was so verra enamored of his wife that he remained faithful to her, why is he here but a day after she drowned?”
    “Drowned?”
    “Aye, ’tis what he is telling all who will listen, although he doesnae seem to be doing so in order to gain the sympathy and comfort of some woman. ’Tisnae as if anyone needs to ken the news, either, for she wasnae one who was weel kenned or loved.”
    “Mayhap he but seeks aid in searching for her body.”
    “He hasnae asked for any. From what I have heard of the tale, he may have already found her body and buried her. It seems they were frolicking by the river and she insisted on cooling her feet in the waters. She went too far in and was caught by the current. There was nay saving her.” She frowned. “That does sound as if she was swept away, yet I am verra certain he doesnae search for her. He certainly isnae indulging in any show of mourning.” She nodded toward a handsome, sturdy man flanked by two large, very dark men. “There he is and he doesnae act like a mon who has just buried his wife. E’en ones ye ken had a wretched union at least observe some form of mourning. Most of them,” she muttered, briefly scowling toward a rotund, greying man who had buried his third wife only a week ago.
    “Some men simply dinnae see the need to pretend,” Payton murmured. “Nay e’en to please the gossips.”
    Payton studied Sir Roderick, fighting the urge to walk over to the man and end his life—as slowly and as painfully as possible. It surprised Payton only a little that he could feel so viciously bloodthirsty. Sir Roderick was a man worthy of such intense anger and hate. It also surprised Payton that the man was not marred in some way, his evil staining him for all too see. There should be something to warn others about him.
    Once he controlled his fury, Payton was able to more closely observe the man he intended to destroy. There was nothing unique or impressive about Sir Roderick. The two men with him looked to be more of a threat. Payton knew he would never trust Roderick or any of his men to fight fairly, that Roderick much preferred a stealthy knife thrust to the back to rid himself of a threat. He also noticed that Roderick could not stop himself from watching the pages who wandered through the crowd. Unless his perversion had become too strong to control or conceal over the years, it was astounding that his sickness had remained a secret for so long. The way the man watched the boys was chilling, for Payton began to suspect that Roderick was on the hunt again.
    “Ye are interested in Sir Roderick for some reason?” asked Lady Fraser. “Ye watch him most carefully.”
    “I but search for some hint of grief, e’en a bit of irritation o’er the fact that he must now find another wife,” Payton replied. “She must have been a sore curse to the mon.”
    “Mayhaps. I saw her but a few times. Small, dark, nay much more than a child. She appeared nay more than a wee, timid shadow chained to his side. Spoke to few and, when she did, Sir Roderick or one of his men was quick to separate her from her companion or stand close by until all conversation was strangled. Now that I think on the child, I must wonder if her death was truly an accident. She may have let the river have her on purpose.”
    “Ah, aye, possible. And sad.”
    “Oh, curse it a hundredfold. Fraser’s sister.”
    Before Payton could say a word, Lady Fraser was gone. A moment later he saw a stout, grey-haired woman marching in the direction Lady