Hunter's Woman by Kaitlyn O'Connor Read Free Book Online

appreciative she was, though, Aslyn had no intention of antagonizing Lord Algar by favoring Kale, nor allowing him to know how thoroughly he had shaken her.
    Lord Algar grasped Aslyn’s hand and lifted it to his lips, breathing deeply, as if savoring the scent of her skin, before he brushed the back of her hand with his lips in a light salute.  “I will bid you good eve … for now.”
    Aslyn snatched her hand back, clutching the folds of her gown, resisting the urge to rub the feel of his lips from her hand.  She watched as Lord Algar strode from the cottage, her chest tight with anxiety over his parting remark. 
    Kale, after studying her a long moment, turned and departed, as well.
    Aslyn’s shoulders slumped.  Her knees felt suddenly weak, but there was no place nearby to sit.
    “Is something amiss?”
    Aslyn shook her head.  She had not thought she would be so glad to see the woman again so soon.  As kind as she was, Enid was a bit of a chatter box and Aslyn, who had spent more time alone over the past three years than with company, found the almost ceaseless chatter unnerving … not nearly as nerve wracking, however, as Lord Algar.  “Not now.”
    Enid moved into the room, glancing about the cottage speculatively.  “The landlord was happy to accept the terms—not much chance to lease a cottage now.  I feel I should have bargained harder, however.  The cottage looks worse inside than out, if possible.”
    Relieved to have something else to turn her mind to, Aslyn shrugged.  “A thorough cleaning and a little patching should make it comfortable enough to suit my needs.”  In truth, she didn’t care what the cottage looked like.  It was more comfortable than she often had, and, in any case, she had no intention of lingering long in the town, particularly not with soldiers camped nearby.
    Enid frowned.  “Jomares’ll not be up to it any time soon.  I’ll ask about.  I’m sure I can find someone who would willingly trade repairs for your services.”
    “That would be welcome, but don’t worry about it if you cannot.  It should be tight enough to hold me for a bit unless it rains.  I can mix some daub and fill the crevices in the walls.  The thatch might present a problem,” she added, frowning as she looked up at the thin patches on the roof where light filtered through here and there.
    “You’ve no wood for a fire, either.  You’re like to freeze in this doughty place without a good fire to warm you.  Jomares and I’ve settled in the cottage that was my mum’s before she died, God rest her soul.  It’s just across the way there, on the next road over.  I’ll have Jomares bring a bit of wood over and get you a fire going to chase the damp away.”
    The scrape of boots at the door step drew their attention.  Aslyn glanced around quickly, more than a little fearful the dark knight had returned.  To her surprise, the huntsman stood in the doorway, his arms laden with freshly chopped wood.  She hoped that didn’t mean that the king’s men were camped nearby, but knew even as the thought formed in her mind that it was a forlorn one.  He had not been gone long enough to have gone far.  It took little imagination to envision all the king’s men settled upon her doorstep for the duration of the winter.
    Mayhap she’d been a little too hasty in deciding to stay, even for a short time. 
    Enid’s brows rose almost to her hair line as he favored Aslyn with a curt nod, moved to the hearth, and set about building a fire. 
    Aslyn blushed fierily at the curious look Enid sent her.  She supposed his actions were out of kindness, but it disconcerted her mightily that he moved about the place with the familiarity of one who belonged.  She could not encourage it.  She did not want, and certainly could not afford, to become too closely acquainted with anyone ...  not Enid, and most assuredly not the huntsman, whose piercing gaze seemed to miss nothing.  “I’m most appreciative,