The Baron's Quest by Elizabeth Rose Read Free Book Online Page A

innocently, and for a mere second he almost believed she had forgotten. Damn, her ability to change a situation and pretend she didn’t know what the circumstances were, was astounding. She said she feared him, but he knew now it was only a tale she’d spun. Because no woman he knew – noble nor peasant - would be daring enough to play this game with him right now, the way she did.
    “I’ll not stand in bilge water up to my ankles playing this addled game any longer. Now come with me and we’ll continue this conversation when we get inside Hastings Castle.” He grabbed her hand and pulled her up the stairs.
    “The castle? How exciting. I’ve never been in a castle before. Is it yours?”
    Why did she have to ask that? How he’d like to say at this moment that it was. Something made him want to impress her, and he didn’t understand why.
    “We are in Hastings, my dear. I am the lord of New Romney if you have so forgotten. The castle belongs to my good friend, Lord John Montague, also a baron of the Cinque Ports.”
    “So is he more important than you since you only have a manor house?”
    He had just gotten to the deck, and stopped suddenly at hearing those words. She crashed into him, then pulled back quickly.
    “Nay, all the Barons of the Cinque Ports are just as important. Matter of fact, I’m more important since New Romney is a lead port.”
    “Then why don’t you have a castle?” she asked, batting her eyelids, looking like a confused doe. He wasn’t sure if he wanted to slap her or kiss her right now. Either way, she wouldn’t embarrass him like this again in front of his men.
    “Captain, what have you got there?” he heard someone call out. His quartermaster, his steward, his squire, and also his entire crew gathered around eyeing her up.
    “It’s a girl,” he spat. “Isn’t it obvious?”
    “Aboard the ship?” asked his quartermaster.
    “In the hold?” asked his steward.
    “She’s the girl from New Romney who owes you a huge debt, isn’t she?” his squire so graciously pointed out in front of everyone. Now he had to reprimand her or do something to punish her. If not, he would lose all respect of his men.
    “That’s right,” said Nicholas. “Where is my rent?” He looked directly at the girl.
    “I . . . I . . .” her eyes scanned the rest of the crewmembers, and she looked as if she wanted to run again. He heard the boarding plank being pushed into place and knew he’d have to keep a close eye on her, or as soon as he turned his back she’d disappear again. “I don’t have the money – yet,” she told him. “But please, my lord, just give me some time.”
    “My lord, if I may speak freely?” asked his squire, leaning over to talk in a soft voice.
    “Go ahead, Roger,” he said, keeping his eyes fastened to the girl.
    “I heard from the alewives this morning that the guild came and confiscated most everything she owns. It seems her father wracked up quite a few debts before he died.”
    “Is this true?” He watched as a shadow crossed her face and her eyes welled up with a newfound wetness. He didn’t like it when a woman cried.
    “It’s true,” she said, looking to the ground. “They’ve taken everything of importance, including my father’s loom.”
    “Where is the boy that was with you yesterday?”
    “Isaac, my brother, has hopefully gone to work for another guild member. When I return, I won’t even have anywhere to stay past the end of the month. Please don’t take the land away too. It is all I have left.”
    She dropped to her knees then, right in front of everyone, and started groveling at his feet. He wasn’t sure she wouldn’t start kissing his boots next. He needed to do something to stop her.
    “Get up,” he growled. When she didn’t respond, he reached down and pulled her to her feet. That’s when he noticed a ring on her finger. “Get back to work,” he instructed his men, and they all left except for his squire. “What’s