The Defiant Bride Read Online Free Page A

a sigh of relief that she recognized Tamara in the distance and ran to meet her.
    “Tamara,” she whispered. “Thank all that is holy.”
    Tamara started as Dariana’s disembodied voice reached her. “You frightened me. It is unlike you to come to meet me like this. Is something amiss?”
    “Not exactly. But, yes.”
    “That is not exactly clear, love. What is wrong?”
    “I have a visitor from the court.”
    “What?” Tamara’s horror was obvious.
    “It is not what you imagine. I am safe and as yet undiscovered. But I need your help.”
    “Again, you speak in riddles. Tell me all in a way that makes sense.”
    “Near the cottage on the north side a knight was riding through the forest yesterday. As I watched from the shadows, the knight was pierced with an arrow that felled him from his horse. I could not leave him thus—”
    “What means this? Could not leave him? What have you done?”
    “I tended his wound and even now he sleeps not far from here.”
    Tamara took a deep breath. “Will he die of his wounds? Did he see you?”
    “He will not die! And yes, he saw me.”
    “Do you know who he is?”
    “I know not his colors, but there is no doubt he is nobility. I was thinking I could create a story for my existence here. Would it be believable that I was the daughter of the old caretaker of the cottage?”
    “Nay, I think not. You are far too fair. And it is obvious that you are not of common stock. Your dwelling is old and obviously spent many years abandoned. No, that will not do.”
    “He is not in his right mind and he is a man after all. They are so easy to confuse.”
    “You are right. They are easy to bewilder. However, I think it better to try and convince him he imagined you in his injured state. I will have him brought to the castle and when he can ride, send him on his way. In the meantime, I will dispatch some messengers to see if we can discover his identity.”
    “He is so handsome.”
    “Do not even think to entertain yourself with such notions. He could be the instrument of terrible punishment for all of us. Forget that not.”

    The bright sunlight streamed in through the window, waking William from a dream of dragons and villains. He shook the sleep from his eyes and struggled to sit upright, the pain in his left shoulder halting his progress. He was in a soft bed with clean white linen and he was naked. A sturdy bandage was wrapped around his left side. It reminded him there was a villain in this piece who had tried to see him in his grave. How had he come to this place? Surely he was among friends who had seen to his care. He was searching his memory when an image of an angel filled his thoughts, an angel with blackest hair and fairest skin whose eyes were were the color of an emerald meadow. He was so intent on the vision he did not notice a woman approach his bed. He jumped when she spoke.
    “My lord, you should rest. I have brought food, and once you regain your strength, we must see to a safe return to your own lands.”
    William was amused. He looked the girl up and down. A young servant, certainly less than a score in years. She was builtfor the work she did, but there was a simple prettiness there. Certainly not his angel. “Who might you be? Oh, and where am I? How long have I been asleep?”
    “My name is Alyssa and I serve the countess of Westonbury. You are in the castle of the earl. You were brought here from the forest where you were discovered injured. You needed aid and it was feared that the one who attacked you might return to see his evil deed confirmed. That was two days ago and you have fought the demons of the fever ever since. Blessedly, you have won the battle. It attests to your strength and will to live.”
    “Do you know what did occur in the forest?” He lay back against the soft pillows. “I only have flashes of memory.”
    “My lady told me she removed an arrow from your left shoulder and dressed your wound. It appears you were attacked and left