Silversword (de Lohr Dynasty Book 7) by Kathryn Le Veque Read Free Book Online Page A

were not formally introduced because there was not time. I am Sir Chadwick de Lohr. I am the eldest son of the Earl of Canterbury.”
    For some reason, the formal introduction made her feel a bit better, as if she hadn’t been abducted by some nameless, terrible ruffian. At least the man had the trappings of nobility.
    “De Lohr,” she repeated. “I have heard the name.”
    He shrugged, turning his attention to the road once more. He was quite interested in what Henry’s men were doing in the distance. “Most people in England have,” he said without arrogance. It was simply the truth. “And you are Lady Alessandria de Shera, sister of Aurelius de Shera.”
    “I am.”
    “You and I are distantly related. Did you know that?”
    She shook her head, intrigued. “How?”
    He turned to look at her again. “It is only by marriage, but we are related nonetheless,” he said. “Your cousins are Gallus, Maximus, and Tiberius de Shera.”
    “Aye.”
    He continued. “Their mother, Honey de Shera, was the youngest daughter of my grand-uncle, Christopher de Lohr,” he explained. “I realize family trees can be quite confusing, but Honey married Antoninus de Shera, who….”
    She cut him off. “Uncle Antoninus,” she said. “He was my father’s brother.”
    “Exactly.”
    Indeed, she felt more than a little better about their association now. But she also wanted answers to the situation. “I heard what you told the Mother Prioress,” she said. “Henry would really hold me hostage against my cousins and my brother’s surrender? But I do not understand. I am nothing of importance to anyone, not even my brother. He will not care if Henry holds me hostage or not.”
    He pulled his helm off, revealing shoulder-length hair, wet and dirty. He ran his fingers through it, scratching his scalp. “Why would you say that?” he asked. “He is your brother. He should care very much if Henry gets his hands on you.”
    Alessandria shrugged. “You would think so, but you would be wrong,” she said. “I have not seen my brother in years and the last we saw each other, he hardly gave me a glance. Aurelius is only concerned with himself and no one else. Or did you not realize that about him?”
    Chad knew that about Aurelius. Indeed, most everyone did. He was a petty man without the de Shera command ability that seemed to be a trait within all of them. All of them but Aurelius. Chad wasn’t sure what to say to that and uncertainty caused him to change the subject somewhat. “He was at Evesham along with your father,” he said. “Please accept my condolences on the passing of your father. Although I did not know him well, he fought bravely.”
    Alessandria snorted, a rude sound. “If there is anyone I care less for than my brother, it is my father,” she said. “I do not mean to sound cruel, but my father was my sire in name only. He never cared much for his only girl-child. My mother died when I was five years of age and when she passed, I was immediately sent away to foster. I do not much know Julius de Shera and I do not much wish to, so his death to me means nothing.”
    Chad listened with some interest. It seemed as if Lady Alessandria wasn’t much attached to her family or them to her from what she was saying. “Am I to assume that your entire family doesn’t much care for each other?”
    She nodded. “That is a fair statement,” she said. “They have no use for me, or I for them, which is why Newington has been my home these last six years. I intend to take my vows. I like it there. They are my family.”
    Chad scratched his head, thoughtfully. “Then if Henry were to hold you hostage….”
    “It would not mean a thing to my brother, I assure you. He would bid the king welcome to me.”
    Chad had to think on that situation. Henry wanted the girl to force the House of de Shera into submission, but clearly, that would not work with the brother, or at least it wouldn’t from what Alessandria said. It would