My Heart Belongs to You (Medieval Romance Trilogy Book 3) by Leigh Bale Read Free Book Online

see. You’ll remain here.”
    Though his order annoyed her, his countenance was so dark she dared not defy him. When he offered her the food, Ysabelle took it and ate ravenously.
    He watched her for several moments, as if satisfying himself that her needs had been met. Ysabelle squirmed on her hard seat, losing her appetite. Rude man.
    “Both of your horses have been fed and watered,” she grumbled.
    Nicholas raised his brows in puzzlement. Speaking several harsh words to three of his men, he walked away.
    “Does it truly take three men to keep me from escaping?” she called to his retreating back.
    He paused, having heard her sarcasm. Though he didn’t turn around, she tensed. What a fool she was to bait him. Her father had frequently reprimanded her for speaking out of turn. She had too much of his pride.
    Nicholas disappeared into the night and she resumed chewing on a tough piece of dried meat. The three soldiers stayed nearby and Ysabelle had little doubt they would intercede if she tried to run away. As if she could go anywhere without shoes in this rocky terrain.
    “I see he’s fed you.” Alex came to sit beside her on the fallen tree trunk.
    Frowning, Ysabelle turned away. She didn’t wish to converse with the enemy.
    “Ah, come now, Lady Ysabelle. I had hoped we might become friends.”
    Though she didn’t trust Alex any more than she trusted Nicholas, she had to admit she was drawn to his warm smile and boyish charm. But she wouldn’t take him for granted. He could be quite lethal, having slain Sir Malcolm earlier.
    “You killed my husband.” A bit of guilt nipped at her for making the claim. After all, she’d tried to escape Malcolm and had no desire to wed the man. Although she was relieved to be rid of him, never had she wished for his death.
    “I did what I was compelled to do. Surely you understand I couldn’t let him slay my brother. You and I are family now. It would break my heart if you hate me.”
    She didn’t respond and Alex glanced at the trees where Nicholas had disappeared moments before.
    “Under the circumstances, don’t you think we should be allies?” he coaxed.
    She snorted. “Absolutely not. I’ll not make friends with my abductors.”
    “Perhaps after you wed Nicholas, you might consider being friends with me.”
    Shaking her head, Ysabelle brushed the long hair back from her shoulders, wishing she had a brush or comb. Her hair had become quite unmanageable, her clothes nothing but rags. “I think not. I don’t intend to marry ever again.”
    “He is verra determined to wed you.”
    She didn’t reply and the meat she’d been eating lost its flavor.
    Biting into a crust of bread, Alex chewed thoughtfully. “He fancies you, my lady.”
    She laughed. “I think he prefers his horse, though I’m sure he fancies my wealthy lands.”
    “That too,” Alex conceded. “Any mon would covet Sutcliffe. But Nicholas knows what to do with land. He’s not sure what to do with you.”
    What nonsense! “I’d be happy to return to Sutcliffe alone, if the Ram would allow it.”
    “Why do you call him Ram?”
    “It’s what he’s called, isn’t it?”
    “By his enemies.”
    “Because they consider him a cruel murderer?” she asked.
    “Many men are given names falsely.”
    “Then, it’s not true?”
    “No,” shaking his head, Alex gave a heavy sigh. “Nicholas isn’t cruel, nor a murderer, but he is haunted.”
    “By what?” She hated to appear interested, but felt compelled to ask.
    “He has his demons. I would never want the difficult life Nicholas was forced to live.”
    “Isn’t his life of his own choosing?”
    “No, not at all. When we were young, my father was often gone to war. He hated Nicholas because another mon sired him. When our mother refused to name her lover, my father became furious, but chose not to shun her. After she died, he sent Nicholas away at the tender age of five. I remember the day, though I was no more than seven years