No Choice but Surrender by Meagan McKinney Read Free Book Online Page B

had taken her arm, but she looked back and said, "Perhaps 'tis a better thing to be in with the horses. At least they are warm-blooded creatures, unlike you. God has yet to make the thing that could warm your cold carcass!"
    She allowed Cumberland to put his arm around her shaking shoulders and walked out of the gallery. She was unaware that Avenel was watching the wet, clinging wool of her cloak curve around her buttocks as she left. Nor did she hear his words.
    "Perhaps there is one thing, my lady," he whispered sarcastically as he watched her go.

CHAPTER FIVE
     
    "Why is he doing this?" Brienne hung on to Cumberland's arm as they walked toward the stable block in the darkness. The huge structure lay empty and silent before them except for the lonely whinnies of the few horses that had arrived today. "What use am I to him?" She stumbled on a stray brick from the ancient building and clutched her companion tightly. "You must tell me what he wants."
    "He wants for nothing, my lady." He guided her over a small puddle from the day's rain. "For if there is something he wants, he merely takes it and appeases his desire. That is something you will learn of him."
    "I will not learn anything of the sort! I shall leave tonight. The new master is crazed. Surely you see that?" She looked at the small man. Finding no agreement in his eyes, she pleaded, "You can help me leave. We could take the coach and the horses. And then in the morning you could bring them back. It wouldn't be stealing."
    "Nay, my lady" was all he said as he brought their lanten through the main doors.
    "Is it difficult to harness up? Perhaps you could help me with that. I could don a disguise, and the two giants would think me a stableboy."
    "It will not work. They're aware that the stable lads haven't arrived yet."
    "But you could drive it just to the other side of the gates."
    Cumberland shook his head gravely. "This comes to no good, Lady Brienne. I'll not help you."
    Suddenly she jerked her arm from his grasp and looked at him as if he'd struck her. "You are on his side then? I thought you were a gentleman, a man of breeding."
    'Til not betray his friendship. I don't condone his actions, but I won't contradict them, either. He is doing what he must."
    "Whatever his plans are, they don't involve me. Why not let me go? You don't know what he did when we were in the gallery. It was unspeakable."
    Suddenly the older man laughed. "Kissed you, did he?"
    She felt warmth spread over her face and was relieved that the darkness hid her blush. "No man has ever touched me like that. It disgusts me," she replied vehemently.
    "Not all women agree with you there. I've known them to Swoon merely from having Slane look upon them. Such a way he has when he wants it."
    "The ladies were faint from fear, not desire! He is a beast!" Again she stumbled in the darkness, but this time the obstacle moved, and she let out a cry.
    A large creature backed into the corner and gave a low growl. When Cumberland brought the lantern around, she saw a large dog; its hackled white fur bristled along his back.
    "There you are, Orillion!" Cumberland's voice was reassuring. "Here is your new mistress. Come and introduce yourself."
    Responding to the familiar voice, the dog walked up to her and began to inspect her with his nose. Finally, when he was satisfied that she posed no threat, the large white animal went back to its corner and lay down to watch the proceedings more leisurely.
    "Is it your dog?" she asked, her knees still quivering from her scare.
    "Orillion belongs to Slane. He picked him up on the streets of Annapolis. Such a cur he was! But now he's rather tamed."
    "Only a beast can love another beast." She followed Cumberland up the stairs, looking over her shoulder lest the large animal decide to follow them. But Orillion stayed in his corner looking arrogant and rather bored. His half-closed blue-white eyes reminded Brienne of his master's, and she felt a small tingle of what she