Wolf Bride by Elizabeth Moss Read Free Book Online Page B

fair-haired gentleman with long powerful legs clad in black hose, broad shoulders and a pair of wondrous green eyes, Hugh’s appearance took her breath away. He was also the only one to kiss her hand as they were introduced, his bow and flattering compliments very much in the French manner.
    If only Hugh Beaufort was her prospective bridegroom, she thought drily.
    Introductions over, Lord Wolf drew out her chair and she sat down, thanking him in a murmur. From the cold gleam in his eye, she suspected that he knew precisely what she was trying to do. But this charade was for her father’s sake, not his. She was not married yet, after all. Her father had often complained that she was too fiery and wilful. Perhaps if she seemed submissive in the face of this marriage, he might change his mind and listen when she pleaded to be allowed to remain unmarried.
    ‘You must forgive my lack of manners earlier,’ Wolf commented, leaning forward as he pushed in her chair. ‘I was concerned for you in that cold wind, exposed to the stares of the inn servants.’
    She said nothing, taken aback by his sudden civility. Then she saw his gaze light on Hugh Beaufort, and wondered if he had read her thoughts about that gentleman.
    Wolf straightened, and took his place facing her father at the other end of the table. The others in their company waited until his lordship was seated until they too took their seats. She found herself opposite Hugh Beaufort, and smiled back at him when the courtier gallantly passed her a dish of partridges.
    It might do Lord Wolf good to think he had a rival for her interest. Though in truth she had no desire to marry anyone, not even a courtier as handsome and flattering as Hugh Beaufort. Now that she knew how deceived she had been in Simon’s courtship, she suspected no man could be trusted where his sexual instincts were concerned.
    ‘Thank you,’ Eloise said with deliberate friendliness, helping herself to the succulent meat.
    The partridge had been simply cooked – no rich or piquant sauce as she was accustomed to enjoying at court – but her hunger was sauce enough. The long cold journey had left her starving.
    ‘What brings you so far north, Master Beaufort?’ she asked. ‘I thought you served the king, not Lord Wolf.’
    His green eyes lit with amusement, Hugh Beaufort glanced from her to Lord Wolf. ‘Yes, I serve the king. But the road north from London is notoriously treacherous for single travellers, so I travel on the king’s business in Lord Wolf’s company.’
    ‘And what will you do in the north, sir?’
    Hugh hesitated, again glancing down the table at Wolf, who showed no response. He dragged a partridge out of the dish himself and began to wrench at its breast meat with his knife.
    ‘It is no secret,’ he told her, shrugging. ‘I go to oversee the dismantling of some of the larger monasteries and priories in that region, to ensure all is done fairly and in accordance with the king’s wishes. It is no small task, and could take several months to complete. Lord Wolf has very generously offered to accommodate me at his home during my time in the north. But I do not anticipate being much at leisure there. My work for the king is too demanding.’
    She had listened with interest to his description of his work, and could not help being pleased at the thought that he would not be returning to court immediately. Hugh Beaufort seemed an intelligent man with excellent manners, and it would be good to have a courtier on hand to remind her of how things had been at court. Time often dragged in the vast wild stretches of Yorkshire, with little music and dancing or poetry to be had, and she had grown used to a more entertaining life at court.
    ‘Forgive me, sir, but have I not heard you play the lute and recite at court before the queen?’
    Hugh Beaufort laughed somewhat uncomfortably. ‘What a memory you must have. I admit, once or twice I have been fortunate enough to be granted that honour.