Lady and the Wolf Read Online Free Page A

handmaid.
    The door burst open and banged against the wall. There, looking angrier than hell was her grandfather with his hands on his hips. His tall, bulky form was slightly bent over, and his long red beard hung from his chin halfway down his chest. His bushy eyebrows were furrowed and he reminded her of a cross between a red squirrel and an old goat. Two of his guards were standing right behind him.
    “Rumor has it you left the castle all alone last night,” he spat. “Is this true?”
    “Grandfather, a good morning to you, too.” She stood up, brushed off her forest-green taffeta gown and walked over and took him by the arm and guided him toward the door. “Shall we go break the fast in the great hall together?”
    “Stop it, young lady and tell me the truth. Did you leave the castle last night or not?”
    “Now, grandfather, why would I do such a foolish thing?”
    His eyes settled on Penelope next and she knew he was about to ask her. Penelope wouldn’t lie, because she was afraid of the earl as was everyone who lived under his domineering hand.
    “Oh, all right, I did leave, but don’t glare at Penelope like that because she had naught to do with it.”
    “Leave us. All of you,” commanded the earl, sending the servants as well as the guards away. He reached out and closed the door to her chamber and turned around slowly, crossing his arms over his chest. “Where did you go?”
    “I just went out for a ride,” she answered with a smile. “I couldn’t sleep and needed some air.”
    “You went to the woods after I forbade you to do so. You know you aren’t supposed to go there alone.”
    “I might have ridden through part of the woods, I don’t really remember.” She studied her hand, picking at a hangnail as she spoke.
    “You have no idea what’s out there.” His eyes narrowed and she almost thought he looked frightened. The earl was a heartless warrior, so to see him looking vulnerable made her wonder just what was really out there after all.
    “Then why don’t you tell me and we’ll both know.” She crossed the floor and stared out the open window. The day looked to be beautiful and the tapestries were pulled aside to let the fresh air flow through the dank, stale chamber.
    His hand grabbed her arm tightly, reminding her of Wolf’s hands on her body last night. She turned her head and looked into his concerned eyes.
    “Winifred, when your parents were killed last year by the de Bars, I swore to protect you, and that’s just what I’ll do.”
    “Grandfather, you are being ridiculous.” She shook free of his hand and walked across the room and stopped in front of her dressing table. She chose a bright blue ribbon and proceeded to tie back her unbound hair. “You need to stop keeping me locked up, and let me court a man. I’m already one and twenty years of age and most woman my age have already been married for years – and even have children.”
    “You’ll marry when I say and not before. And you will marry whom I say as well. So wipe the foolish thought from your head right now about having children. No granddaughter of mine will bed a man until she is married.”
    “You are jumping to conclusions. I never said I wanted to bed any man.” She tied the ribbon and checked herself in the standing mirror across the room, stretching her neck to see her reflection. “By the way you speak, I’d think you already had someone in mind for me to marry. Do you?”
    “Actually, I do. Sir Stanley of Sussex has requested your hand in marriage and I am considering the betrothal.”
    “Sir Stanley? Your knight?” She almost laughed aloud. “He’s the fourth son of a mere lord and hasn’t any lands at all if I’m not mistaken. I am the granddaughter of an earl, surely I deserve better than that.”
    “He’ll have lands and wealth with your dowry. Since your father was my only son and you are my only grandchild, you shall inherit it all.”
    “I don’t want to marry Sir Stanley.