Twilight Magic by Shari Anton Read Free Book Online

care.”
    “Fare thee well.” Emma laughed so she wouldn’t cry. “By the by, I do not require you to sleep with a clerk. A simple inquiry into the petition’s whereabouts will do.”
    Julia gave her a saucy smile. “Why bother with a clerk? Perhaps I will entice the chamberlain!”
    Emma followed the footmen who carried her trunks, not at all sorry she was leaving Westminster Palace behind, her worst regret having miserably failed Nicole.
    How was she to explain to a ten-year-old girl that she’d put a mercenary’s life above her sister’s—all because of a vision of a naked chest and a glorious smile.
    And now she was headed for Kent, and the king would soon be on his way back to the siege at Wallingford, and only God knew when their paths might cross again.

Chapter Four
    D arian shifted in the saddle, envying the man who rode past him at swift pace. Were he alone, he could easily reach Hadone by nightfall. But he wasn’t alone, and the cart couldn’t go any faster than the ox’s stride allowed.
    Nor could he banish the mist that wet his cloak and face. And no matter how much he hated leaving Westminster, he knew William was right about staying out of Bishop Henry’s reach for a time.
    Still, he didn’t like being banished or allowing de Salis’s murderer to remain free.
    Not that he minded Edward de Salis no longer lived. The man had been evil, a purveyor of death and destruction, a boil in need of lancing, and deserved death for the atrocities he’d committed. For the people burned out of their villages, for those who’d died by sword or starvation, Darian would have ensured the villainy halted if someone hadn’t slit de Salis’s throat first.
    However, being accused of murder in so public a fashion for something he didn’t do gnawed at his innards. Knowing he could do nothing about it for the nonce didn’t sit well, either, and the need for a diversion turned his head to look back at the cart.
    The ox plodded through the mud at a steady if agonizingly slow pace. Emma sat beside the driver on the hard plank seat, huddled in her hooded cloak.
    Smart woman to have thought of tossing on her cloak. Witless woman for involving herself in his affairs. Had she not come forward and lied outrageously, she wouldn’t now be out in this miserable weather but enjoying the queen’s warm, dry solar.
    Oh, he’d heard her explanation for meddling, but still couldn’t fathom why a woman of her rank would take the side of a commoner. All because she’d believed in his innocence? He wouldn’t have been the first innocent man to be convicted and hanged. Why a noblewoman would care if justice was served was beyond him.
    Discovering her reasoning might not matter so much if her audacity hadn’t led to their marriage.
    Marriage! Lord have mercy—marriage to a woman who required two trunks to haul around her possessions. Hardly the ideal wife for a mercenary who traveled without encumbrances.
    Like many of his fellow mercenaries, Darian preferred his lone existence, wanting responsibility for no one but himself. All too well he knew the grief of losing loved ones. Resolved to never again suffer such overwhelming pain, he’d foresworn becoming entangled with any woman, wanting no family. No ties.
    The mist turned to rain and his stomach grumbled.
    Time for a rest.
    Darian watched for a wide spot in the road with enough space for the cart to pull to the side and not get stuck. As luck would have it, his cloak was soaked clear through before he found such a place.
    He’d no more than dismounted when Emma rushed past him, headed for the cover of the trees . . . and beyond. Guessing at the reason for her haste, he gave her privacy, wondering why she hadn’t told him of her discomfort earlier.
    “Nasty day,” the carter said, pulling what looked like bread from a crate under his seat.
    “Could be better.” Darian fetched similar victuals from the satchel strapped behind his saddle. “Have you drink?”
    The carter