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

this?” he asked the girl, holding up her hand to see the ring. “I didn’t think you were married.” The sunlight hit the ruby gemstone just then, making the red glitter and twinkle. The band looked to be made of gold.
    “I’m not married. It was my mother’s ring,” she said, pulling her hand away and holding it against her chest in a protective manner.
    “It seems to me a piece like that could well pay off all your debts and secure you a place to live and food to eat for quite some time. So tell me . . . why haven’t you sold it for coin by now?”
    “I can’t!” she spat, fire shooting from her eyes. “This is the last memory I have of my mother. My father also used his dying breath to tell a friend to give it to me.”
    “Well, I guess it’s mine now, isn’t it?” He reached out and grabbed her hand and yanked the ring right off her finger. After he’d done it, the look in her eyes turned to one of hatred. She acted as if he’d just deflowered her in front of the whole crew.
    “And I almost thought you had a heart. What a mistake I’ve made,” she snarled.
    He didn’t like to hear a woman speak to him that way. He liked to be known as gentle and caring around the ladies, and as a chivalrous knight who would protect women no matter what status of life they were from. Plus, she needed to show respect since he was a baron.
    “Come with me,” he growled, taking her by the wrist and pulling her over the deck of the ship and down the boarding plank. His squire hurried right behind them, carrying Nicholas’s travel bag over his shoulder.
    “Where are you taking me?” she demanded to know.
    “I told you, I’m taking you to the castle.”
    “Still? Even though my debt is now paid by you stealing my ring?”
    “Stealing?” That irritated him more than anything, and he stormed down the pier with her in tow. He knew his legs were much longer than hers and he purposely set a brisk pace, making her struggle to keep up. “It seems to me you’re the one who has been stealing my land for months now, since you’ve neglected to pay your rent.”
    She didn’t have a chance to answer. Once they got down the pier and to the wharf, they were joined by Lord John and Lord Conlin.
    “Romney, about time you got here,” said Lord John with a chuckle. “I thought for sure your ship was faster than that.”
    “Isn’t that the girl from the Romney docks?” asked Lord Conlin, cocking his head to get a good look at Muriel.
    “Aye,” he answered. “She stowed away in my ship’s hold.”
    “She did?” John laughed in amusement.
    “Why?” asked Conlin, always being the most practical out of the three of them.
    “She was trying to escape me, that’s why.” Nicholas still held onto her wrist.
    “Oh, because of the debt,” said Conlin with a nod of his head, remembering now.
    “My debt is now paid,” the girl spat. “So why am I still having to follow you?”
    “Because,” he said, looking at the ring in his hand. “I’ve decided I have no need for this ring after all, and I’d rather have the coin. I also know how much this means to you, so I’m considering giving it back.”
    “You are?” asked the girl as well as both the barons at the same time.
    “Oh, thank you!” A smile replaced her frown. Her cheeks were rosy and there was a sparkle in her eyes. He drank in the memory, because he knew with his next words he wouldn’t see that again in a long time.
    “Don’t thank me so fast,” he said, putting the ring into his pocket. “You have to earn the ring back.”
    “What?” Her eyes snapped up and searched his face and then flashed over to look at his friends as well.
    “Ah,” said John. “She will be a nice addition to your bedchamber.”
    “Comely too,” added Conlin in agreement.
    “You want me to – to . . .” With her eyes wide, she bit her bottom lip and looked to the ground.
    “I never said that,” he answered, enjoying seeing her squirm. “But to get the ring back