The Bride of Windermere

The Bride of Windermere by Margo Maguire Read Free Book Online

Book: The Bride of Windermere by Margo Maguire Read Free Book Online
Authors: Margo Maguire
soldier.”
    â€œIs that all?” Kit’s voice rose with indignation. “A competent soldier? We’ve heard tales in Northumberland about Rupert’s bravery in battle, his prowess with—”
    â€œHas Sir Rupert ever seen your face?”
    â€œWhat has that to do with anything? Naturally he’s seen my face. We grew up together. We—”
    â€œI mean without that amusing coating of grime.”
    â€œWhat coating of—? Oh.” She raised her chin a notch. “Rupert knows me as well as he knows his sisters.”
    Another rude grunt.
    â€œRupert told me that as soon as he’s given leave from court, he’ll come for me. Don’t you see, Gerhart?” she asked earnestly. “That’s the reason I had to try to get back to Somerton. Rupert won’t be able to find me if I’m away from home. He’s the only reason I had for staying.” She turned to look at him and found his face only inches from hers. He was scowling again, but Kit couldn’t help but notice how beautiful his gray eyes were, framed in thick black lashes. The realization was unsettling. Her gaze dropped to his mouth.
    â€œWe’re going to the king, Lady Kathryn. Don’t you suppose you’ll see Sir Rupert in London?” Gerhart’s voice was harsh. He didn’t like having her unwavering gaze trained on him. She was too direct for a woman and her eyes, at least the uninjured one, were altogether too distracting.
    Kit shook her head and looked away. “I don’t have any idea how to find him. By all accounts, London is huge and Rupert might even now be on his way to Somerton for me.”
    At least it was an explanation for the previous night’s misadventure, although it riled him unexplainably. Somehow, it didn’t seem fair that Lady Kathryn should be fretting and risking her neck over Rupert Aires, a man who had some of the most beautiful, as well as the most faithless women in England at his beck and call.
    If Aires had some commitment to Kathryn Somers, he had a fine way of showing it. Wolf knew that all of Henry’s guards had been given liberal leaves upon their return from France two months ago. Apparently Aires hadn’t seen fit to travel to Somerton to claim his bride. Perhaps if he had, Henry wouldn’t have deemed it necessary to send Wolf all the way to the north country to collect this naive chit of a girl.
    â€œNone of Henry’s guard are on leave now,” he offered. He wasn’t certain that was true, but if it reassured Lady Kathryn so that she’d quit trying to run back to Somerton, the small lie was well worth it.
    â€œAre you sure?”
    â€œRelatively.”
    â€œThat’s a relief,” she said. “Now I’ll just have to think of a way to find him when we reach London. If ever we reach London. You still haven’t told me why we are not heading south.”
    â€œWe’re not going directly to London.”
    â€œWe’re not? Where are you taking me?”
    He was not accustomed to being questioned by anyone, particularly a ragged, impertinent, insignificant girl. He let out an irritated sigh and gave her a curt response. “Windermere Castle.”
    â€œWindermere! But that’s in Cumbria! Miles out of our way!”
    â€œThank you, my lady, I am very familiar with the location of Windermere—”
    â€œBut that will take ages. And Rupert—”
    â€œI’m beginning to see merit in Baron Somers’ disciplinary methods.”
    â€œWhy didn’t you go to Cumbria first and come for me last?” Kit’s exasperation, at the very least, matched Wolf’s.
    â€œBecause that would have contradicted my orders.”
    â€œWhy?”
    â€œThe king was quite specific. He wanted you in my custody as soon as possible.”
    â€œBut why?”
    â€œTake a nap.” Kit didn’t mistake his gruff tone nor his now-familiar scowl, and knew

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