Midnight Magic by Shari Anton Read Free Book Online

then, as now. “Nay, ’tis a daughter and sister’s duty.”
    His frown disappeared, and an odd, almost haunted look stole over him before his composure returned. “I was all of twelve when my mother died, and seeing her belongings disposed of was nigh as difficult as burying her. I commend you on your sense of duty, and your courage.”
    That damn lump in her throat threatened to swell again, this time moved by his admission. ’Twasn’t hard to envision him as a young boy grieving for his mother. Except she found it hard to believe a noble male would take a hand in disposing of his mother’s belongings. Still, she’d seen his genuine pain.
    And truly, she didn’t deserve his compliment on her courage. She’d taken on the task this morn in part because Sedwick—whom Alberic had asked to remain as his steward and on his council as the knight had done for her father—had told her of Alberic’s plans to inspect the castle and lands this morn, so she’d known his chamber would be free of his presence. That suddenly seemed cowardly.
    And given Nicole’s upset over Alberic’s right to loot the storage rooms, he’d apparently made a thorough tour of the castle.
    “Have you been out to the villages yet?”
    He shook his head, his blond hair skimming his shoulders. “We are about to leave, so I came up to fetch my cloak and gloves.”
    This struck her as odd. “Why not send up your squire?”
    He stared at her, confused, then smiled. “You mean Odell? He is not my squire, merely one of the royal troops.”
    How was it a noble of high rank had no squire? Unless, like her father’s and Garrett’s, his squire had fallen at Wallingford, too. She bit her bottom lip to keep from offering condolences to a man she truly shouldn’t feel the least bit sorry for.
    He ran a hand through his thick mane, his green eyes narrowing. “Another task I must see to. I should imagine one or two of the younger guards would qualify to act as my squire. Have you a recommendation?”
    She was tempted, but he would immediately find out those she named were most unsuitable.
    “Sir Garrett would know better than I.”
    “A wise man, Garrett. I am pleased he has agreed to remain as a member of my council.” Then he bowed slightly. “Begging your pardon, my lady, but I should be off.”
    With that, he took the last few steps to open the door to the lord’s bedchamber and disappeared into the room.
    Her father’s chamber no longer. All belonged to Alberic now.
    Even, it seemed, the people. Sedwick as steward. Garrett as counselor. Guards soon to be squires.
    The swiftness and thoroughness of Alberic’s conquest set her teeth on edge. She wanted to kick someone into organizing a rebellion. Except without Sedwick or Garrett to lead them, who would dare? Nor did she wish to put anyone at risk.
    Besides, she wouldn’t be forced to witness this folly much longer. As soon as she had the ring in hand, she would leave.
    Gwendolyn spun back into the room and shut the door to resume her task without further interruption. She made quick work of stuffing William’s garments into two sacks. They’d be taken to the same storage room where Alberic had found the fabric, to wait until she and Emma decided how best to distribute them.
    At the table, she looked over the items brought up on the dawn of the burial, when the guards had removed Father’s and William’s chain mail, when she and Emma had sewn shut their shrouds.
    Their suits of mail had been taken to the armory. Their swords and daggers lay on the table; their shields leaned against the wall.
    Alberic had the right to claim them, too, if he chose.
    She shouldn’t care if they were given the honor of hanging in the hall, but she did, and their disposition seemed important to Nicole, so tonight she would speak to Alberic about them.
    Surely she would have her emotions under control by then, her courage back at its rightful level. She would start by thanking him for his kindness to Emma,