THE WARLORD by Elizabeth Elliott Read Free Book Online Page B

Kenric told his vassal as he guided Tess toward the animals. "The others kept me well occupied."
    Fitz Alan halted with one foot in the stirrup, a strange expression on his face, "i did not kill him."
    Both men stared at each other then slowly turned their suspicious gazes to Tess. She kept her head bowed, wiping her eyes with the cuff of one sleeve. Kenric nodded toward the soldier in question and Fitz Alan moved quickly to stand over the man, using the tip of his sword to draw the plaid away. The soldier's eyes were wide open, but they stared sightlessly at the gray sky. The plaid caught for a moment then pulled free, revealing the small dagger embedded in the man's neck. Kenric recognized the jewel-encrusted knife immediately as the one Tess wore on her belt. He'd first noticed the dagger at the abbey, impressed by the hilt's intricate workmanship. Now he was impressed with its target.
    "She's killed him," Fitz Alan muttered.
    Kenric pulled the knife free and shook his head, unable to imagine his delicate wife stabbing a man in the neck. Yet the evidence proved she was quite capable of defending herself.
    " 'Twas an accident," Tess said earnestly. Kenric took his eyes from the dead man long enough to look at her. She could tell from the incredulous expression on his face that he wasn't about to believe her. Of course, who could blame him? A blade in the shoulder or belly, maybe. But straight through a man's throat? That did seem a bit deliberate. She turned to Fitz Alan, hoping he would be more understanding. Fitz Alan was looking at her as if she'd grown a second head.
    "You two are a fine pair to give me judgment," she snapped. She crossed her arms indignantly, then swept one arm out to indicate the carnage surrounding them. "Thank goodness your own hands remain unsoiled."
    Kenric and Fitz Alan exchanged a confused look.
    "My lady," Fitz Alan began apologetically. "We did not think—"
    "Aye, that much is obvious," she muttered. Her arms were crossed again and she scowled fiercely at the knights, even as tears threatened to spill down her cheeks. " 'Tis cruel of you both to make me feel worse than I did already about taking a man's life. One of you would have killed him sooner or later, so the result is the same. Now that I think on the matter, one of you should have taken care of the infidel before I was forced to the foul deed. Thanks to you two, I now have the sin of murder on my soul."
    She turned her back on the men and walked to the baron's warhorse while Kenric motioned to Fitz Alan, warning him not to laugh. He followed the order with difficulty, but couldn't hide his broad smile.
    No one said a word as Kenric lifted Tess into the saddle and mounted behind her. He pulled his heavy fur cloak forward to provide a warm cocoon and tucked her snugly against his chest before sharing an exasperated smile with Fitz Alan.
    Tess sighed and closed her eyes. She didn't care what her husband thought of her. She didn't. Yet she knew this was surely the worst day of her life and it was not yet midday.

3
    They rode hard and fast after leaving the scene of the skirmish. Tess was surprised at first by the groups of Kenric's men they met along the road. By afternoon more than one hundred soldiers rode behind them and she was growing accustomed to the clattering racket created by so many horses and soldiers, all armed for battle. She no longer worried about MacLeith. Her new concerns lay with her husband. He grew more irritable as the day wore on, answering his soldiers' occasional questions with short, curt replies that discouraged further conversation.
    Even Tess's one attempt at talking with him ended badly. Thinking Kenric would mistake her question for wifely concern, she asked quietly and humbly if he was pleased by what he'd gained through their marriage. She hoped his affirmative answer would allow her to find out more about his plans for Remmington.
    Examining the angular lines of his face as she waited for his reply, Tess