Siege Of the Heart Read Online Free Page A

 
    He glanced at all the strange faces taking the meal with them. Someone here had to know where the Dumonts could be found, but Matilde claimed she did not understand him when he had questioned her again before the meal. And now, the other servants and guests were keeping their distance from the high table where Alex and his men sat. He kept an eye out for the gray-haired knight, who had not yet made an appearance.
    He rubbed his temples. “I am not sure how we will be able to find the Dumonts if they do not wish it.”
    “Worry not about the son. There’s not much doubt he was at Hastings,” Jerome said.
    “Ha,” Hugh said with a sneer. “He probably didn’t even survive the battle.”
    A heavy clank momentarily drowned out the rambunctious voices filling the hall. Dread coiled tight in Alex’s chest. The English surrounded them on all sides—it didn’t matter the majority of the Dumont soldiers had most likely fallen serving in the English army. Alex and his men were still outnumbered. And after the confrontation in the courtyard earlier, he would take nothing for granted.
    Hugh and Jerome gripped the hilts of their swords. Alex scanned the hall for the source of the disruption, for a sign they would need to defend themselves. If their hosts regretted their offer of hospitality…
    His gaze landed on Matilde, a heavy-laden platter at her feet. She must have dropped it. Hardly a cause for alarm. He sank into his seat, his men following his lead.
    The tray’s contents had splattered onto the rushes, and a pair of hunting dogs snarled over the mess. Matilde flushed as she shouted commands in English to the other servants to help clean up whatever the dogs left. The older woman scurried from the hall after a quick backward look at Alex. He could not shake the feeling the parting glance was a condemning one.
    Drumming the table with his fingers, Alex turned to his comrades.
    “The son forfeited any inheritance when he lifted his sword against us,” Hugh continued.
    Jerome leaned in, amusement twinkling in the depth of his eyes. “And I hear the daughter is a beauty. But she may be too high-spirited for you, Alex.” Hugh and the others chuckled, the tension from a few moments ago now forgotten.
    “She might be worth the trouble, if this castle is any indication. Lord Dumont must be getting on in years. You’ll not have a long wait, Alex,” Hugh said, a smug grin on his face.
    “You’ll marry that minx Dumont and be comfortable for the rest of your life, and us along with you,” Jerome said.
    Alex’s stomach tightened, uneasy at coveting what William had promised when too many things remained unresolved. He pushed at the meat on his trencher with the tip of his eating dagger, all too aware of the hostile looks darting toward the high table.
    “Dumont will see the advantage in having a son-in-law of William’s choosing, I have no doubt,” Jerome said when Alex remained silent.
    Hugh surveyed the room with ill-disguised contempt. “Bah, William is too considerate of these English dogs.”
    “You forget Lord Dumont hails from Lisieux and was one of the Confessor’s men. Surely this meal is evidence of that much,” Jerome said.
    Alex had to agree. In addition to plainer faire like hearty stews and meat pies marking English cooking, the meal included elaborately spiced and sauced dishes reminding Alex of the grand meals he had enjoyed growing up in his father’s hall in Normandy. Back when he could still stomach such feasts and his father’s hospitality.
    Hugh shrugged. “Mongrel then, if the Norman is such an important part of English society.”
    “William must tread lightly if he wants to remain king of this land. Allowing the nobility to marry their daughters off to Norman knights will ease the transition,” Jerome said between bites.
    “And you must not forget there are many other men William will need to reward,” Alex said.
    Hugh took a sip of the small beer they had been served. “I