The Dragon Lord's Daughters by Bertrice Small Read Free Book Online

Rhys. With her silver you can find a small piece of property for your own so when Mary weds one day, you and your wife will have your own home to go to and be happy,” Roger Mortimer concluded.
    â€œYou have my life all settled, then,” Rhys said with a smile. “Perhaps I should prefer to go crusading when Mary is grown and settled,” he suggested.
    â€œYou’ll be too old then,” Roger said. “Crusading is difficult work.”
    â€œSo I must steal an heiress bride,” Rhys said.
    â€œWe’ll go tomorrow to scout out Pendragon’s keep and see if we can gain a glimpse of his daughter,” Roger said enthusiastically.
    â€œNay, we will not. My father is only just buried. Mary and I need time to mourn in peace. A stolen girl will not bring peace into our hall. She will certainly wail, and weep until the matter is settled between her father and me.”
    â€œA week,” Roger Mortimer said. “I will give you a week. And do not argue. Both my father, and yours, would agree.” He grinned. “I wonder what she’s like.”
    â€œWho?” Rhys replied.
    â€œThe Pendragon wench. For your sake I hope she is round and sweet.”
    Rhys laughed. “Mayhap she’s too young to steal,” he suggested mischievously.
    â€œWe’ll steal her anyway,” Roger responded. “If she’s too young to breach she will be easier to train to your ways. You can win her over with sweetmeats and ribbons.
    â€œIf she’s ready to be mated then you will have to charm her, and overcome her maidenly fears with kisses. Either way a girl can always be gotten around, Rhys.”
    â€œYou sound so damned knowledgeable, Rog,” came the reply, “but I don’t see you wed yet.”
    â€œMayhap the Pendragon girl will have a sister,” Roger Mortimer said with a deep, wry chuckle.
    â€œCome back in a week,” Rhys FitzHugh told his friend. “But leave Mary and me to our small mourning now.”
    Roger Mortimer departed, returning exactly a week later with a dozen young men from his father’s estates, all mounted upon good horseflesh. “I thought we should have company,” he told the astounded Rhys. “It will be far more impressive to have a lord with a troop of men-at-arms at his back steal Pendragon’s daughter than just two fellows on horseback,” he explained.
    â€œYou’re mad!” Rhys answered him, half laughing.
    â€œGet your horse,” Roger Mortimer responded. “ ’Tis time to go bride stealing.”
    â€œI don’t know,” Rhys demured. “It seems so drastic a step, Rog.”
    â€œYour own father suggested it, and what other choice do you have?” his friend reminded him. “Perhaps some freedman’s daughter? A step up for her, but a step down for you. Get your horse, Rhys, and let’s get on with this matter. The sooner the deed is done, the sooner your future is secured.”
    â€œWe could fail. What if the girl is well guarded?” Rhys considered.
    â€œWe’ll never know unless we ride over into the Welshry and survey the situation for ourselves,” Roger Mortimer replied sensibly.
    Rhys FitzHugh nodded. “Let me speak to Mary first,” he said.
    â€œHurry!” Roger answered him, grinning.
    Rhys found his sister in the solar of their stone keep. “I have to go out,” he said. “I may be gone a day or two, dearling. Rhawn will look after you, and you have Father Kevyn, too.”
    â€œI hope she’s pretty, and amenable,” Mary said sweetly.
    â€œWho?” Rhys feigned innocence.
    â€œYour heiress bride,” Mary replied, giggling. “Do you think some handsome man will steal me one day, Brother?”
    â€œHe had best not,” Rhys responded. “I should have to kill him if he did. You will be properly matched, Mary.”
    â€œWhy is Pendragon’s daughter not properly matched,