Rise of the Defender by Kathryn Le Veque Read Free Book Online

of his keep
critically, seeing things he had not seen in his first sweep. There were
sections of the battlements that were missing stone and great holes in the
bailey in spots.  Everything needed to be smoothed out and resurfaced, and the
keep needed work.  Still, it was worth it.  The prize was still mighty.
         They met up with David near the squat and
sturdy gatehouse, discussing everything from the upcoming wedding to Prince
John in London. Christopher knew Edward was terribly disappointed that he would
not be able to accompany him to London, but Christopher truly needed his
trusted man here. When Edward was called away by one of the men-at-arms, David
faced his brother.
         “You could use him, Chris,” he said softly.
“Lioncross will do well with your men-at-arms establishing themselves here.
Your presence will be known to all.
         “I need no one with me in London, even you,”
Christopher replied. “Richard asked this task of me and me alone.”
         “What Richard asked was for you to keep an
eye on his brother and report back to him,” David hissed. “For all purposes, Christopher,
you are a spy, a royal plant. Should John discover this, he will execute you as
an enemy of the crown.”
         Christopher snorted. “He cannot. He has not
the authority.”
         “You saw how he has established himself in
London,” David persisted, at a loss to understand his brother’s attitude. “He
has done everything but declared himself king. He rules England, not Richard.”
         Christopher’s eyes flashed at his brother. “Richard
is our king,” he said slowly. “Whatever I do in London, I do it for our
sovereign lord. John has no power over me. My orders come directly from
Richard.”
         David shook his head faintly, not knowing
what else to say. “As you say, Lion’s Claw. I can only hope that you are not
the one to be gored.”
         Christopher looked at his brother a long
moment. Then he smiled. “You worry like an old woman, little brother.”
         David shrugged. “I do not know why I even
bother. You always do what you want to, anyway.”
         Christopher’s jocularity faded. “Not in
this case,” he glanced at Lioncross. “To obtain this mighty fortress, I must do
something I most definitely do not want to do.”
         “Marry Lady Dustin?” David smiled.  “Why
not, Chris? Jesus Christ, she’s beautiful. Big tits, too.”
         Christopher cocked an eyebrow. “Does she? I
didn’t notice. In fact, I can’t seem to get pass all that hair. She’s got
enough hair for three women.”
         David nodded seductively.  “Think about it,
Chris, all of that hair flowing over you as she mounts you.”
         Christopher waved his brother off. “I get
the picture. She’s so damn small that I will probably tear her asunder. Not the
most auspicious way to begin a marriage.”
         David laughed heartily and Christopher
joined him for a few moments, chuckling at Dustin’s expense.
         “On second thought, Chris, maybe I will
stay here,” David snickered. “’Twill be a pleasure to watch after my brother's
wife, the poor lonely woman.”
         Christopher s amusement vanished. “You will
not touch her. Is that clear?”
         David was taken aback by the tone and by
the deadly flicker in his brother’s eye. He was suddenly very curious about the
sudden burst of husbandly protectiveness. The only person Christopher was
passionate about was Richard, and himself. Strange that his new bride would
provoke that kind of a response.
         “Aye, verily,” he said. “It was only a
jest.”
         Christopher was embarrassed for his
outburst and looked away, wondering why in the hell he had done it. He was a
reasonable man and deduced that he was naturally protective of Lady Dustin for
obvious reasons.  Firstly, she was his chattel. Secondly, she was a weaker
female and fell under the category of