Keeper of the Stone by Lynn Wood Read Free Book Online Page B

eyes.”
    That was supposed to comfort her?  His assurance she had nothing to fear from the stranger he meant to marry her to?  Raw panic rose in chest until she thought she might choke on it.  Without asking the king’s permission she jumped up from her seat at the table and fled the hall, amused laughter echoing in her ears at her hurried flight. 
    Matilda shot her husband a disapproving frown and rose from the table to follow Rhiann to her room.  She found her staring out the window into the cold night, her arms wrapped around her middle to ward off the chill.
    “My dear, come away from the window.  You’ll catch a chill,” Matilda commanded and clucked sympathetically as Rhiann turned to face her. The girl’s face was white as the sheets on her bed.  Her arms weren’t wrapped around her waist to ward off the chill but to still their shaking.  Matilda rushed forward and enfolded Rhiann’s slight frame in her arms.
    Rhiann allowed the queen to lead her to the bed.  At the queen’s gentle insistence she bent her knees and sank down onto the feather mattress.  “Baron Nathan is a good man.  You need not fear marriage to him.  He will treat you kindly.”
    Rhiann shook her head in denial.  How could this be happening to her?
    “You will be able to return home after the wedding,” the queen continued softly, rubbing Rhiann’s hands between her own in an attempt to bring some life back into them.
    “Home?”
    The queen smiled at the hesitant hope in the single word.  “Yes, though I would ask that you keep such knowledge to yourself until an announcement has been made. The king plans to award your husband your father’s estates.  So you will not be returning to Normandy with your new husband. Baron Nathan intends to make his home here in Saxony.”
    Rhiann never considered the possibility she would be forced to return to Normandy.  She was grateful the queen relieved her of that worry before it even occurred to her.
    “I am sure your people will be relieved to see you safely home,” the queen added, though Rhiann was no longer listening.
    She could go home.  She clung to the single word in her wildly careening world.  The price for such a magnificent gift?  Her freedom.  But was her freedom such a high price?  Was she free now?  Did she wish the king to find her another knight to wed? 
    At least the baron was younger than most of the men of his rank in William’s service.  He seemed clean and healthy.  Would he demand his rights as a husband? Though the thought struck terror into her heart, she suspected he would.  She noticed the way he looked at her, was aware now of the possessiveness in his gaze as it skimmed over her, lingering on the swell of her breasts.  She was not so naïve she was unable to recognize desire in a man’s eyes. She guessed war did not grant a knight much opportunity for such diversions.
    Was such a fate truly more heinous than the execution she envisioned on her journey to London?  She could return to the only home she ever knew.  Even if it was no longer hers, she would be its mistress.  She could see to the care of her family’s graves.  The welfare of her father’s people would not be left to the whims of strangers, though she acknowledged she would be powerless against the baron’s commands.  Whatever power, if any, she would wield as mistress of Heaven’s Crest would be at the baron’s discretion.  When she wed, she would become her husband’s property to do with as he willed. 
    She sighed heavily and met the queen’s concerned glance.  It wasn’t as though she had any real choice in the matter.  She could refuse her consent before the priest called upon to bless their vows but where would that leave her?  Certainly not with a chance to return home. The king would no doubt choose another Saxon lady to wed the baron and Rhiann would forfeit her only chance of returning to Heaven’s Crest.
    “You will wed the baron tomorrow evening?”