Samantha James by My Cherished Enemy Read Free Book Online Page A

lover!"
    Kathryn's small chin lifted. "I was with Roderick, Uncle. He and I wish to be married."
    "Married!" He cursed lewdly. "By God, who do you think you are to—"
    "Enough!" The thunder of the earl's voice shook the rafters. "You forget the matter at hand. You'd best think about your own dilemma instead of the misbegotten ways of your wayward niece."
    Kathryn's spine went rigid. Misbegotten ways! Wayward niece! How dare he defend her one moment and slap her in the face the next! But all else was forgotten when the earl seized her uncle and dragged him from the bed.
    "Dress yourself! I'll have you face me as a man and not cowering in your bed like a sickly old woman."
    Richard scurried to comply. Kathryn averted her head but she heard the rustle of clothing and soon she heard him say, "I tell you again, my lord. I have no quarrel with you and yours."
    "No?" The earl's tone was silky-smooth. It sent an eerie chill through Kathryn. "You should have thought of that before you attacked Ramsay Keep two winters ago, held for me by my vassal Sir Thomas."
    There was a taut silence. Kathryn held her breath. The earl looked like a man possessed. The tension that gripped his features was frightening. There was more, she suspected, than Richard attacking the keep of one of his vassals.
    Richard's voice, when it finally came, was scarcely audible. "I did not know, my lord, that Ramsay Keep was held by you, I swear—"
    "Spare me your lies." The earl's voice matched the fury of the storm that raged outside. "You knew that land was held by me, just as you knew I was on crusade then. You knew and still you attacked!" He pointed at Sir Hugh. "Geoffrey was Sir Hugh's brother-in-law; he married Hugh's sister Claire. Geoffrey was murdered during your siege... as was my wife."
    Richard went white. He gestured vaguely.
    "Do not deny it!" the earl shouted. "It was only by the mercy of God that my wife's maid escaped, along with my infant son. 'Twas she told me of your treachery—how you pretended to come in friendship and then laid siege to the keep. You gave orders that no one was to be spared—not women, not children—no one!"
    Kathryn's eyes squeezed shut and her stomach heaved. Her uncle's wickedness knew no bounds. To kill defenseless women and children but for the sake of killing...
    Sweat popped out on Richard's brow. "What do you seek, milord? I yield Ramsay Keep back to you. I will repay you the rents I have taken—"
    "A futile gesture," the earl said flatly, "since Ramsay Keep is once again under my protection. I recaptured the keep three days past. My men took the utmost care to make certain your messenger did not precede me here." His lips formed a twisted parody of a smile. "Even now this keep is being overrun by my troops. Indeed, victory is already mine. You cannot hope to escape and incite your men against me. If you do not believe me, ask your niece."
    Richard's gaze slid to Kathryn. "It is true," she said woodenly. "Ashbury is surrounded. He has twice the forces you possess, Uncle."
    Richard fell to his knees. "I will give you anything you wish. Silver. Jewels..."
    Guy's mind screamed with outrage. You killed my wife, you filthy bastard! The only thing I want is to see you dead at my feet! Yet even that was denied him... because of a damned vow to a mere woman!
    His gaze flickered to the girl. Her eyes were huge in her pale face; she was as white as bleached linen. If she had been anyone else, anyone but Richard's niece, he might have found some small scrap of compassion for her.
    Damn, he thought savagely. Damn! He smote his fist upon his hand, feeling as if he would explode inside. He wanted Richard dead—to pay in kind for his coldhearted murder of Elaine! Only then could his tormented mind find a measure of peace. But he'd given the girl his word. He could not break it. . . at least not here at Ashbury.
    "Believe me," he told Richard coldly, "nothing would please me more than to rob you as you have robbed me. To strip