The Skeleth Read Online Free Page A

ago.”
    Lord Aelfric held her in a fishy stare. “We have only your father’s word that the man he saw was Vithric.”
    Katherine stood up flaring. “You doubt my father’s word?”
    Lord Aelfric set his fleshless lips. He turned pointedly away from Katherine and flicked a look toward the door. “Eustace?”
    The door drew back, and the page boy looked in. “My lord?”
    â€œSend for my lady wife.” Lord Aelfric turned back to Katherine. “Girl, your father left my castle in no good grace. I judge that when he did so, he also left my service. He is marshal of my stables no longer.”
    Katherine tried to speak over the lump in her throat. “But, my lord—”
    â€œThe lady Isabeau.” Eustace drew back the door with another officious bow. Lady Isabeau swept within, veiled in purple satin and girdled in gold. She was not young, but her husband would have been a man full grown on the day that she was born.
    Lord Aelfric stretched a finger to point at Katherine. “When this girl’s father was here last, he extracted a promise from me, my word of honor made in haste. I told him that, whatever happened, I would see to the care of his only child. Find her a place within the castle.”
    Lady Isabeau eyed Katherine in displeasure. “I do not wish it, my lord. I find her ill to look upon.”
    The many rings on Lord Aelfric’s hands clacked and clinked when he closed his hand. “My lady, you are not called here to tell me what you wish.”
    Lady and lord stared long at each other. Katherine spent the silent moments of their struggle thinking that if she could get no better than such looks from a husband, she would much rather be alone all her life.
    Lady Isabeau broke first. She turned on Katherine. “Can you cook?”
    Katherine bobbed her head. “Somewhat, my lady.”
    â€œCan you mend and embroider? Weave at the loom?”
    Katherine smoothed down her dress. “Not well, my lady.” She had let it out twice as she had grown—it was still the only thing she could wear in good company, but she knew that she had nearly ruined it.
    Lady Isabeau pursed her lips. “What was your father about, letting you grow so wayward? Have you any talents at all?”
    Katherine turned back to Aelfric. “My lord, you know what I can do, and you know I do it well. I can train horses. It is all I have ever done.”
    â€œAnd did you imagine you would continue in that place forever?” Lady Isabeau clicked her tongue. “Did you think you would remain Katherine Marshal all your life? Your second name will change—indeed, it is already erased and awaits its replacement.”
    Katherine hid her hands up the sleeves of her dress so that her lord and lady could not see that they were clenched into fists.
    â€œYour father is no longer here to speak for you, Katherine.” Lord Aelfric crooked his finger at Eustace the page boy, drawing him back into the room. “This promise was his wish, and so it rules you.”
    Katherine searched his face. “My lord, you speak as though my father will not come back for me.”
    Lord Aelfric returned to contemplation of the vellum scrollbefore him. Lady Isabeau fussed with her fine silk veil, shooting Katherine cutting looks from the corner of her eye. Katherine thought of running, fleeing from the castle to wander the roads, but could not think of what good it would do.
    â€œMy lord?” Eustace glided across the stone floor with a smooth gravity that looked thoroughly out of place on a ten-year-old boy. “What is your will?”
    â€œHave my chamberlain enter this girl into the castle rolls.” Lord Aelfric waved a hand. “My lady wife will see to her placement.”
    â€œI will find her a place here, my lord, something that will teach her better grace.” Lady Isabeau favored Katherine with a smile doubly veiled. “I have always said