The Angel's Assassin by Samantha Holt Read Free Book Online Page A

he did.
    “Forgive me, I
meant no offense. I presumed a knight like yourself would not wish to encumber
himself with the burdens of land ownership. Is it your family lands?”
    “Aye, but I have
not been there for many years.”
     He had not
set foot in his family home in a decade and had intention of ever doing so. As
far as he knew, his godfather had all but installed himself as Lord of the
Manor and he could stay there for all he cared. He felt little attachment to
the place that he could not wait to escape from as a child.
    A slim hand reached
out from the dark mantle and wrapped itself carefully around his gloved hand.
He jolted, but remained still, allowing her touch to rest. He stared at the
sight of her diminutive fingers upon his large hand before quickly snapping
back to the horizon. Nicholas couldn’t quite understand why he allowed her
tentative touch to remain, but allow it he did.
    “You wish to escape
the memories,” she stated simply.
    He scowled, drawing
in a harsh breath, and felt grateful that she had her back to him. How did this
woman see so far into his thoughts? For someone of so few years, she had an
uncanny talent for reading people. For reading him. Which begged the
question, how was it that she had not seen him for what he really was?

Chapter 4
    With a curl of his
lips and a snarl on his tongue, Lord Benedict stormed away from the king’s
castle. He’d be lucky if he could get away with killing the damned wretch now!
The king would not be persuaded that his darling Lady Annabel would turn
traitor. Instead, he had questioned Benedict’s motives and instructed him to
find Annabel and bring her to his side. His carefully concocted plan was
unravelling at the seams. Even with the knowledge that Annabel had all but
handed the rebels her keep, Rufus refused to be swayed. Evidence, he had said. Evidence!
Now it was up to Benedict to get that proof he needed to ensure Alderweald
would be firmly in his grasp.
    God’s teeth, he was
a fool. He had let his temper and open disdain for Annabel get the better of
him. If he had only played the role of loving uncle then none of this would
have come to pass. He could have stepped in easily without the faintest hint of
suspicion. But Rufus was a dangerous man to have as an enemy and he dare not
cross him openly. Nay, he would gather his evidence and allow the law of the
land to decide Annabel’s fate.
    As for the
assassin? He would have to go. He was one more loose end that he didn’t need.
The man may think his anonymity protected him but he had underestimated
Benedict’s reach. He had enough men in his pocket to see that he would not only
remain nameless but lifeless too.
    Motioning to one of
his men-at-arms with a finger, he waited until the man reached his side.
    “Where was Godfrey,
when we heard from him last?”
    “Not far from the
outskirts of the Weald, milord. He was awaiting instructions at the inn in
Edenbridge.”
    “I need a message
sent to him, and quickly. We have little time to waste. Use one of the
messenger pigeons. Tell him we are moving on to Alderweald and to dispose of
the nameless one. Let us see if we cannot evict these rebels ourselves.”
    ***
    They approached the village along
the river, the silver mare following its meandering course with ease. A wooden
bridge allowed them to cross the river and enter into the small village. Signs of
the wooden Saxon walls still remained but no-one had bothered to erect a stone
wall, Edenbridge being only a small settlement with little wealth or power.
    There was no keep
here, only a modest manor house, and the peasant’s homes were worn, the wattle
and daub huts in need of repair. In spite of this, a sense of joviality hung in
the air as the villeins scurried from hut to hut, carrying all manner of goods.
    Annabel watched
them with curiosity. “What are they doing?”
    “‘Tis Hocktide, my
lady.” Nicholas replied with disinterest.
    Annabel was
startled by this. She had not realised