The Wagered Wench by Georgia Fox Read Free Book Online Page A

tongue.
    His blood raced, like that of a boy about to dip his wick for the first time. She confused him, tangled his thoughts which were usually so straight and uncomplicated.
    Now, half way across the yard, he could not put one foot before the other. Somehow the evil pixie bewitched him into turning around again and confronting her.
    * * * *
    He swept his tunic down from his shoulder so it slapped against the bulk of his thigh. “You are not the only one inconvenienced here, woman.”
    “What?”
    She’d thought the discussion over with, but now he came back. “It was never my intention to marry. If I had not walked into that tavern yesterday and stepped in to save your father, I would not be faced now with this trouble.”
    “Then why do you stay?” she cried.
    “Because I see this place needs me. Your father needs me. If I leave now,” he added, “what will your father do?”
    “We will go on as before.”
    He shook his head. “No. Your father will find another opponent and next time he may not be so lucky. He could find a man unscrupulous, who will steal from him and give nothing in return. A man who will not protect this place, or you, but leave all in ruins.”
    Elsinora did not want to accept it, but he spoke so calmly. There was no closing her ears to his warnings, no denying the possibility. She might want to imagine the world was managed differently, but it was not. Women had no voice, no matter how loudly she could shout.
    “So,” he added, swinging his tunic against his thigh, “the decision to stay and take you for my wife, is not one I make lightly.”
    “Haven’t I put you off yet?” she chirped, hoping he wouldn’t see her lips tremble, her fingers clasped nervously in the folds of her gown.
    “Once done it cannot be changed and I am stuck with you.”
    “ Stuck with me?”
    For a moment she thought he was blushing, but perhaps it was just the heat of his anger rolling off his skin.
    He looked at the ground by his feet, his voice falling to a mumble, “Because once I take a wife there is no other woman in my bed but her.” He paused. Finally he raised his eyelashes again to look at her. “You, my lady, must keep me satisfied in bed. That will be your most important duty as my wife.”
    She stared.
    “ If I decide to honor you with the post,” he added. “If I decide you are worthy of my cock.”
    And it occurred to Elsinora that the man was fighting hard to keep a straight face.
     
     

Chapter Five
     
    Her mouth, she realized belatedly, flapped wide open. Pulling herself together, she exclaimed, “You try to tell me you would be a faithful husband content with one woman? Do I look like a fool?”
    “I do not try telling you anything, woman. I tell.”
    She folded her arms. “I know about men and their need to sow seed widely.”
    “What means this?” He scowled now, the faint smile gone. He moved closer to where she stood. “Speak plain woman and not in riddles.”
    He wanted plain words? She’d give him plain. “Women do not want a man as often as a man wants a woman. Men are beasts who enjoy fucking more than women do. That is why men can never be satisfied with one partner. A sensible wife encourages her husband to take mistresses, so that she may have peace from his crude fumblings and the constant toil of childbirth.”
    As she spoke he advanced again, each one of her angry words apparently drawing him in rather than chasing him away as she’d hoped. With every forward step he took, Elsinora backed up. His eyes were hot, hard. “And what gives you all this knowledge of men and fucking? Your father assured me you are a maid. Is this not so?” He stared at her crossly, branding her again with his mark of ownership. “Tell me now if you are not.”
    Aha! This would be her chance to chase him off, but before she could speak, he added in a calmer tone, “Not that it matters. I should like to be warned, however.”
    She stumbled back. He followed again.
    Don’t think of