Linda Barlow Read Online Free Page B

you."
    He just looked at her. She shivered a little. He had been away for years. How could she know what sort of person Roger had become?
    They were within hailing distance of the fortress when the outermost gates opened and several people spilled out onto the road. "They've seen us. Imagine their faces when they realize the stranger is you."
    "They know it's me. I sent my party on ahead."
    Of course. A man of his position wouldn't travel without an entourage. "There's Alan waiting up by the gate. And this is your father coming out to greet you. Well, my Lord Prodigal, are you ready to enter the lists?"
    "Girded for battle, milady." He gave her a fleeting smile before turning to look at the approaching figure of Richard Trevor, his father. His brother, Alan, and his stepmother, Dorcas, the baron's second wife, remained behind at the main gate with a crowd of excited servants while the baron advanced alone.
    Roger took a deep breath and blew it out audibly. His face was calm no longer. "Body of Christ. My enemies in the Middle Sea would make merry if they could see me now, quaking in my boots because I'm about to reacquaint myself with my wretched father."
    "Quaking?" Alexandra was astonished to hear him confess that he had nerves that could betray him.
    "Aye. Do I look as fainthearted as I feel?"
    "No, truly, you do not."
    "Then I must be an exceptionally good actor."
    She laughed, delighted with this glimpse of the man behind the mask, this assurance that his strange and eventful life had not robbed him of his essential self. It had, in fact, made him more approachable, more honest. As a boy, he never would have admitted to fear of any kind.
    She caught herself stealing a glance at his beautiful long-fingered hands lacing and unlacing themselves as she assured him that his once-formidable father was probably quaking far more than he was. He quirked his eyebrows at her and, for an instant, a current ran between them. His carnal lips curled in a smile.
    He is the heir now, she thought once again, and blushed.
    "Go on, Roger," she said quickly to cover her confusion. "Your faithful troops will be right behind you."
    "No, I'll meet him alone. Give me a few minutes, will you?"
    Roger and the baron walked the last few yards toward each other alone, like duelists meeting against the indifferent blue sky. Who spoke first was impossible to determine from the spot where Alexandra watched, but she did see Roger bow slightly, giving his father a token of respect. After a brief exchange, the baron drew his son closer and saluted him on both cheeks, and then they turned and walked together through the gates of Whitcombe Castle.

 
     
     
    Chapter 2

     
    Alexandra sat opposite Roger on the family dais in the great hall that evening, watching in fascination as he cut his meat with an ornately carved knife and speared it with a matching fork. Like everyone else at the long trestle table, Alexandra made do with her fingers, using her knife only when a slab of meat proved particularly tough.
    "Are you afraid of dirtying your hands?" she asked him, glancing down at her own rather greasy fingers.
    He took no offense. "Try it," he said, handing her the two-pronged fork. "It's useful for holding down a slippery piece of meat while you carve a few chunks off it. That's the idea."
    Alexandra laughed as she captured a piece of meat on the tines of the fork and lifted it to her lips. Roger watched her movements intently, his gaze lingering on her mouth, which made her feel a little odd. She passed the fork back to him. "Thanks, but I think I'll stick to my trusty old fingers."
    He grinned, his eyes alight with merriment. Indeed, he'd been remarkably pleasant-natured all afternoon. He'd spent the hours since his arrival unpacking and giving gifts. He had presented the baron with two intricately knotted Turkey carpets, several casks of wine, and a beautifully bound volume of Aristotle for his library. Alan had received several books, which had pleased