Mystique by Amanda Quick Read Free Book Online Page A

a dowry.”
    Hugh gazed into the brazier coals as though he saw something of great interest there. “A dowry? You wish to be wed?”
    Alice chuckled. “By the Saints, whatever gave you that notion, my lord? Of course I do not wish to wed. Why onearth would I want a husband? My goal is to enter a convent.”
    Hugh turned slowly toward her. His amber eyes gleamed intently. “May I ask why?”
    “So that I may continue my studies in natural philosophy, of course. To do so, I shall need a large library, which only a rich convent can provide.” Alice cleared her throat delicately. “And to get into a fine religious house, I shall naturally need a respectably large dowry.”
    “I see.” Hugh’s expression was that of the hawk that has sighted its prey. “That is unfortunate.”
    Alice’s heart sank. For a moment she simply stared at him in open disappointment. She had been so certain that he would agree to the arrangement.
    Desperately she rallied her arguments. “My lord, pray think closely on this matter. The green crystal is obviously very important to you. I can see that you obtain it. Surely that is worth the cost of my dowry.”
    “You misunderstand me, lady. I am willing to provide a bride price for you.”
    She brightened. “You will?”
    “Aye, but I’ll want the bride to go with it.”
    “What?”
    “Or at least the promise of one.”
    Alice was too stunned to think clearly. “I do not comprehend, my lord.”
    “Nay? ‘Tis simple enough. You shall have a portion of what you want of me from this bargain, Lady Alice. But in return I demand that you and I become betrothed before we set out after the green crystal.”

H ugh would not have been surprised to learn that this was the first time in her entire life Alice had been rendered speechless.
    He contemplated her wide green eyes, her parted lips, and the stunned amazement on her face with some amusement and not a little satisfaction. He doubted that there were many men gifted with the ability to bring the lady to such an abrupt halt.
    He prowled the room as he waited for Alice to find her tongue. What he saw did not astonish him. Unlike most of the rest of Lingwood Hall, this chamber was dusted and well swept. The air was scented by fresh herbs. He had anticipated as much.
    Last night, while dining on such delicacies as sturgeon dressed in spicy cold green sauce and finely seasoned leek pie, he had been greatly impressed by Alice’s talent for household management. This morning he had quickly learned that whatever magic she had worked for the banquet had not been applied to the rest of Sir Ralf’s household, except for the chambers in this wing. Alice had obviously claimed these rooms for herself and her brother.
    Here, all was spotless. Signs of efficiency and orderwere everywhere, from the carefully placed tapestries that hung on the walls to limit drafts to the gleaming floors.
    The new light of day had revealed a different scene in the rest of Sir Ralf’s hall Odoriferous garderobes, un-swept floors, tattered carpets, and an odor of dampness in many of the chambers made it plain that Alice had not bothered to exert her wizardry outside her own small world.
    Here in Alice’s study chamber Hugh discovered not only the cleanliness he had expected, but also a variety of interesting items. The chamber was filled with a number of strange and curious things.
    Some well-worn handbooks and two fine, leather-bound volumes occupied the place of pride on a nearby shelf.
    A collection of dead insects was displayed in a wooden box. Bits and pieces of what appeared to be fish bones and an assortment of shells were arranged on a table. In one corner a metal bowl was secured above an unlit candle. There was a chalky residue in the vessel, evidence of some past experiment.
    Hugh was intrigued. The collection bespoke a lively mind and an inquiring nature.
    “My lord,” Alice finally managed to say, “what in the name of the Cross are you talking about?”
    She