Midnight Warrior by Iris Johansen Read Free Book Online Page A

a gift from my wife’s father, I would have punished her for such behavior. Lord Kells was once the most powerful baron in the south of England, and I didn’t want to offend him by damaging her. I should have—”
    “What are you still doing here?” Gage asked roughly. He was irritated enough without having this handsome Judas hovering around him. “I thought you’d left the camp.”
    “I was only a short distance down the road and turned back. I thought I might be of help.” Richard smiled. “It is not fitting to give a gift without making sure that it gives satisfaction.”
    “If this particular gift doesn’t give satisfaction, you may wish you’d not come back.” He added through set teeth, “I don’t like not being present while she’s treating him, and I will not be pleased if Malik dies at this slave’s hands.”
    Richard’s smile faded only a little. “That’s why I returned. I have every confidence the woman will cure your friend but, if she doesn’t, you—” He raised his hand as Gage’s expression tightened. “On the slightchance that God decides to take the Saracen, I wanted to make sure that you were aware that the woman has other skills.”
    “Skills?”
    “The skill to comfort you in your sorrow in the most desirable of ways. You’ve no doubt noticed how winsome she is.”
    “No.” He had been only vaguely aware of the physical presence of the woman. She was first and foremost the healer, Malik’s possible savior. He had to make an effort to recall a more detailed image than a tall, slim woman in a rough brown wool gown. He remembered the eyes. Huge golden-brown eyes blazing at him, meeting his own with anger and pride. Fresh anger rushed through him at the memory. “I noticed she’s overbold and without respect.”
    “It’s her low Welsh blood. She means no harm.” Richard added quickly, “And boldness is not a bad thing in a woman in the right circumstances. It makes her easier to train in pleasuring.” He smiled sensually, his voice lowering. “She loves to touch and be touched. She’s tight as a glove and I’ve made sure she knows the ways to keep a man from becoming bored in bed.”
    “And what was your ailing wife doing while you gave the woman these lessons?”
    Richard shrugged. “I did not take Brynn in the same bed. A wife is for childbearing, but a woman like Brynn is for play. I envy you. I shall miss her.”
    The man disgusted him. It was true women slaves were often used for bed sport, but he found Richard’s callousness toward his wife repulsive. He reminded Gage of Hassan, the head auctioneer of the slave market in Constantinople. His voice was cold as he said, “I have no desire to bed the slave. I want only her healing skills.”
    “Oh, of course.” Richard immediately backed away.“I simply wanted to make sure you knew Brynn’s full value.”
    And to try to ensure his own safety if Malik died at the woman’s hands, Gage thought cynically. It was not a bad ploy; a woman’s body was always valuable for barter. The Saxon had merely erred in thinking the bedding of a woman was high enough compensation for losing a friend. “You have told me. Now you can feel free to leave here.”
    “I thought I might stay and—” Richard stopped as he saw Gage’s expression. He rose to his feet. “If you wish.” He smiled again. “I’m sure that we will meet again, my lord.”
    Gage didn’t answer as he settled himself before the fire. He was barely aware of the man leaving. His thoughts were once more on Malik lying near death in the tent.
    And that damn woman who had dared to bar him from Malik’s side.
    The sun had barely cast the first pink shadows in the east when Gage entered the tent.
    The woman was sitting by Malik and stiffened as she saw him. “What are you doing here?”
    By the saints, she was wary. What the devil had she been doing to Malik? She had been with him all night, leaving his side only to hurry back and forth to the campfire for