Lady Thief - By Rizzo Rosko Page 0,71

her the argument. “I shall not do any chores. I will just keep them company until Robert arrives. I insist.”

“Thank you, milady.” Archer said, moving towards the doors. He looked at her once more before opening them enough to let himself out.

He spoke to James briefly outside before his voice grew too soft to hear.

Marianne smiled and picked up the dried grass she had been feeding to Mare. One more handful would not harm anything.

Feeding the horse became her favorite pastime since she could no longer count on Olma to give Marianne her full attention. Not since the girl became interested in James.

What would it be like to openly admire and love William like Olma did with James?

It did not matter. William promised her that his cousin, Lady Anne, would be coming to visit. And Marianne could speak with someone who could respond to her and gossip freely.

She was so caught up with her thoughts that when a fresh swirl of cold winds came over her, she dropped the hay in startled shock.

Marianne turned, Robert stood at the now closed doors.

Her eyes narrowed at his hateful form. “Enter more quickly next time,” She said, focusing all her attention on Mare. “The horses do not need the cold.”

“Aye, milady,” he stepped into the relative warmth of the stable, eyes darting about. “Where has Archer gone off to?”

“I sent him to his wife and child for the night.” She looked at him, and her eyes were drawn to his right hand.

He stood with his arm hanging at a slight angle. His thumb twisting to mask the space where his two fingers used to be. She now knew what he hid from her, and she shivered.

He stepped closer, removing his cloak and holding it towards her. “You are cold, milady.”

She cringed away at the sight of the filthy cloak. “Nay, I am perfectly fine.”

He did not slow. He kept coming nearer to her. Marianne refused to back away lest she allow him to believe that the lady of the castle was frightened of her servants. He was soon upon her.

She stared him in the eyes, willing him to turn away from her. Not even Archer dared to stand so close. “I have no use for that. My cloak is fine.”

“I insist.” He sprung, pulling a leather strap hidden under the cloak and twisting it about her neck before she could draw breath for her scream.

She fell back. His grip on her neck caught her but her legs gave out and she was forced down.

Robert followed her to the hay strewn floor. His grip did not slack as he climbed on top of her to still her kicking legs with his body.

Marianne clasped his wrists and tried to pry herself free. Her fingernails sank into his flesh but he held firm.

Her neck seared with pain from the leather and her throat burned, lungs constricting for air that would not come. Her face became hot.

Marianne turned her fingernails loose into his hands. His fading image winced but he refused to release her.

Her tongue thickened, she tasted wool in her mouth. A strange sound vibrated in her ears.

Then all that existed was blackness.

***

William laughed when Bryce’s sword fell out of his hand. The larger man watched it clang to the floor as if he had never thought such a thing was possible.

Playfully, William lifted the man’s chin with the tip of his winning blade.

“My game.”

Bryce grinned, raising his hands mockingly. “So it is, milord.”

Nicholas, laughing merrily, clapped his hands from his seat. Hugh shook his head and handed the man a coin.

“Your odds are bettering, my friend,” said Hugh. “At this rate Nicholas will have all his money back.”

William nodded, though any pity for his gambling friends would not come from him.

He had much to be thankful and happy about, more than just his returning skill.

His servants were working harder than he had seen in years, a small peace was set between his wife and son.

And he was very much in love with his wife, his Marianne, and no longer fearful of admitting it to himself or to his bride. She had been wonderfully accepting of his past sins and always eager to learn more and please him in their bed.

What more could he ask?

“Aye, but I believe we should take our next match outdoors, ‘tis not wise to be sword playing in my solar.” William said.

“‘Tis too cold.” Said Nicholas, moving closer to the fire. “That is why you are a lord, so that you