She Owns the Knight by Diane Darcy Read Free Book Online Page A

compromised? So he would feel honor bound to marry her? Or so he would not?
    Or perhaps she had been ruined before they had even sent her out? Did her knights strip her and dump her at the cemetery so he would find her thus? Was she being punished by her father? Or did Royce attack her, then mount his horse again before Kellen’s arrival?
    There was no sense in any of it.
    Kellen thought of Corbett’s ring on the girl’s finger, and of the bag of beautiful treasures. It must needs be a message from Corbett. He was just not sure if it was a welcome one.
    He could still hear an occasional rant in the background. Finally, the midwife came down the stairs toward him.
    At last.
    He strode toward the stairs to meet up with her at the bottom. “Well?” he asked, when she stopped level with him a few steps up, her hand on the wall for balance.
    The old woman’s face cracked into a smile, showing missing teeth. “She is a virgin still.”
    Kellen’s breath left him.
    The midwife came the rest of the way down the stairs, and held out a strange article of clothing Kellen recognized as the short breeches the girl had worn.
    The old woman pulled on a metal sliver and the front of the short breeches magically sealed themselves.
    The hair rose on Kellen’s arms and a nearby servant gasped and crossed herself. Kellen took the clothing and examined it.
    “’Tis a chastity belt.” The midwife stated.
    Kellen pulled the clasp down and up once more. “Ingenious.”
    Owen and Tristan moved forward and Kellen pulled the tab up and down a few times to demonstrate.
    Owen was visibly impressed. “A fine trick indeed.”
    Tristan was grinning and excited. “And clever. Very clever to my thinking. If one did not know how to work the seam, it would be impossible to peel the garment off without a knife.”
    Kellen remembered how tightly the breeches had formed to the girl’s body. Mayhap even a knife would not fit between her and the skin. “One might have to kill her before ravishing her. Very cunning.”
    Elation filled him.
    She was a virgin.
    He would have his bride.
    Kellen nodded once to dismiss the midwife. He allowed himself to feel relief and hope as he looked down at the tiny garment in his hand.
    Tristan slapped him on the back. “Congratulations.”
    “’Tis good news, my lord,” Owen concurred.
    Tristan’s grin widened. “She is a comely thing.”
    Sir Owen nodded. “And she seemed to like you well enough.”
    “That is true,” said Tristan. “She lay her head on your chest. To my way of thinking that showed a level of trust and gratitude for your rescue.”
    Owen looked as if he might actually smile. “A fine beginning.”
    Kellen did smile. “Yes, it is.” It was good they had started their marriage with his rescue of her. She seemed to have a limited understanding of things, even for a woman, and her speech was strange, but surely she would appreciate having a strong lord. Of course, he would have to break her of her foul language. But perhaps the fault lay with another.
    He wondered if her mind were simply damaged by a recent attack, by her father’s knights, Royce and his men, or others he did not know of. He had many questions in need of answers.
    Kellen took a deep breath and let it out with a smile. “Better a virago than a weakling to my way of thinking.”
    Tristan agreed. “A strong mother produces strong sons.”
    “Yes. That is true,” said Owen.
    The girl in question came to a halt at the top of the stairs. As her gaze settled on him, she lifted a finger and pointed.
    “You!”
    She stormed down the stairs dressed in a proper gown that swirled about her in agitation as she moved downward. His bride looked beautiful. And very, very angry.
    Kellen guessed he was about to get the chance to voice his questions.

Chapter Five
     

    There he was! The man she blamed for this entire debacle was standing near the bottom of the stairs! Gillian, her face burning hot, and her temper flaring hotter,