The Thunder Lord: The de Shera Brotherhood Book One (Lords of Thunder: The de Shera Brotherhood 1) by Kathryn Le Veque Read Free Book Online Page B

father’s shoulder as the puppy, still in her arms, licked at his face. As she placed her head against him and wept pitifully, weeping for the father she would soon lose, Gaerwen turned his attention to Gallus.
    “I am afraid I have no time for pleasantries, my lord,” he said weakly. “You know me to be Gaerwen but I do not know you at all.”
    Gallus, still pressing bloodied linen against the man’s chest, met his gaze steadily. “I am Gallus de Shera, my lord,” he replied. “I am the Earl of Coventry. I apologize that I came to your aid too late.”
    Gaerwen let go of Jeniver’s hand and held it up to Gallus, who took it. From one warrior to another, one man to another, Gaerwen was establishing a bond of gratitude.
    “You came exactly when God had intended,” he mumbled. “You saved my daughter and that is the most important thing of all. I am afraid I am about to be terribly forward with you, my lord, but I must have your word.”
    Gallus’ expression remained steady. “All you need do is ask, my lord,” he replied. “How may I be of assistance?”
    Gaerwen winced when something caused him great pain and more bright red blood began to trickle out of his mouth.
    “My child,” he said, his eyes closing briefly. “Jeniver. I have not yet made provisions for her although I should have long ago. I... I simply could not bear to turn her over to another man and now I find myself regretting that decision.”
    Gallus nodded in understanding. “I have two daughters of my own,” he said. “I understand how attached you must be to Lady Jeniver.”
    Gaerwen’s eyes opened, fixing on Gallus. “Then you are married?”
    Gallus shook his head. “Nay,” he muttered, hating to speak on a sensitive subject. “My wife died last year.”
    Gaerwen was seized with a fit of strength, suddenly and strongly gripping Gallus’ fingers with both of his clammy hands.
    “Then you are a widower,” he grunted, showing more resolve than he had since he had been brought into the keep. “My lord, I give my daughter to you. You saved her from certain death and certainly you should be rewarded with her. She belongs to you now. Marry her and she will provide you with strong sons, I swear it. Please... please do this for me. Let me die knowing my only child will be well taken care of.”
    Shocked, Gallus looked at his mother, who gazed back at him with equal surprise. But quickly, Honey recovered much faster than her gobsmacked son. She knew how sad and lonely he had been since Catheryn’s death and, in her opinion, a new wife was the perfect solution. She also knew that Hugh Bigod had wanted Gallus for his daughter, but Honey didn’t want that warring, political family for her son. Still, Honey had been gently suggesting he remarry for a few months now but he had quickly shut her down. Now, he could not shut her down. He could not refuse a dying man’s request and she hastened to take advantage of the request, for Gallus’ sake.
    “He will do it,” Honey told Gaerwen, speaking for her son. “We will welcome her into our family, I assure you. Be at peace, my lord. We will make sure your daughter is taken care of.”
    Gallus looked at his mother as if she had lost her mind but Gaerwen squeezed his hand tightly, distracting him from his building outrage and resistance.
    “Thank you,” he breathed, visibly relieved. “ Diolch i chi . Thank you and God bless you.”
    Gallus was still shocked and bewildered. “But... my lord,” he struggled to resist in spite of what his mother had said. “Surely there are more important and more qualified men for your daughter. She is Welsh royalty and should marry within her station.”
    Gaerwen was growing listless as his life drained away. “Mayhap that is true,” he mumbled thickly. “But they are not here. I cannot ask it of them. But I can ask it of you.”
    By this time, Jeniver had lifted her head from her father’s shoulder and she was looking at the man with a good deal of