Mary Gillgannon Read Online Free Page A

entirely hide his face, and she could see his mouth below the nose piece. His surprisingly full, sensual lips were formed into a smile.
    She frowned back, disturbed by his expression. Was he mocking her? She abruptly pulled her arm away, then offered a shaky curtsy to Lord de Lacy. She was halfway across the maze of booths and tents before she realized neither she nor Marguerite had thanked their rescuers.
    * * *
    “Will, about those young women...” Richard began as the two men walked toward the ale tent.
    “Odd, wasn’t it....” Will mused. “The way de Chilham lost control. They did behave stupidly, but still... to shout at a lady like that, the daughter of your liege lord... I can only think de Chilham was so overcome with worry that he forgot himself.”
    “William, I’m trying to tell you—I know those women.”
    “Know them?” Will turned in surprise.
    “You remember the luscious young ladies we saw swimming near Stafford last summer?”
    “No! It couldn’t be!”
    “I was skeptical too. But when they mentioned they were traveling from Stafford, I looked them over thoroughly. I’m sure Lady Marguerite was the tall, dark-haired girl who got out of the water first, and Lady Astra—she is...”
    “Your Venus,” Will finished.
    Richard nodded. “It strains the imagination, but it’s true. I’ve found her. I know her name. And the best part is...”
    “She’s not a nun!” Will finished brightly.
    Richard shook his head. “No. The best part is that she’s undoubtedly rich. Lord Fitz Hugh has land in Kent, Brittany and Wales as well as Westford. I can’t imagine his niece would not be well-dowered.”
    “Rich, innocent and beautiful beyond compare—it seems you have found the woman of your dreams.”
    “And she’s on her way north this very minute, damn the luck,” Richard grumbled. “Besides, she’s probably betrothed. That’s likely why they’re leaving the nunnery.”
    “For shame, Richard, it’s not like you to give up so easily.”
    “You’re right, Will,” Richard agreed with a mischievous smile. “Although I may never lay claim to Lady Astra’s dower lands, I might yet claim her body. After all, ’tis mine by rights. I’ll wager I was the first man to look upon her glorious nakedness.”
    “I had almost forgotten the incident. As I recall, the young woman caught you watching her. Is that why you refused to remove your helmet?”
    Richard nodded. “I thought Lady Astra had endured enough shocks today without recognizing me. Watching a man be killed caused her to lose her meal. She’d have likely fainted dead away at the sight of me.”
    “What an odd day it’s been. We rescue two nuns from brigands, only to find that they’re not nuns at all, but beautiful young heiresses. It almost makes you wonder if there isn’t something to the saying, ‘virtue is its own reward.’”
    “Don’t be a dolt, Will. It was blind chance that we came upon those women when we did. Besides, we haven’t received any reward. Sir de Chilham hardly even appeared grateful that we returned his delectable young charges safely.”
    “If you ask me, de Chilham has his hands full, at least with Lady Marguerite. I wouldn’t be surprised if she wandered off on purpose. She risked her own life and Lady Astra’s for the sake of a lark. Anyway, while de Chilham may not have had the decency to thank us, Lord Fitz Hugh is another matter. I wager he will offer us some boon for rescuing his daughter and niece from the clutches of those animals.”
    “By God, you’re right!” Richard responded enthusiastically. “Perhaps it was divine will that they appeared in our pathway. Perhaps Fitz Hugh will reward my bravery with a small manor, or at least another suit of armor or a warhorse.”
    “God’s toes, Richard. Do you think of nothing else? Your greed wearies me.”
    “Weary are you? I know just the thing.” Richard gave his friend a merry smile and gestured toward the refreshment booths. “I