Lady Thief - By Rizzo Rosko Page 0,81
in your castle all these years, milord?”
William wanted to kick Ferdinand’s teeth in for the comment. The man made him sick, but Marianne called his name again and his attention went to his wife.
***
Marianne had not a rational thought in her mind when she leaped into William’s arms. He grabbed the back of her head and crushed her lips to his.
She quickly pulled away from him, struggling to be set back on the ground. “Let me see you! If he cut you—!”
He took her searching hands, laughter in his eyes. “I am well,” Then he found the dried blood on her swollen neck, and they darkened. “Who did this?”
Marianne touched his fingers that stroked her bruise. “Robert, when he took me from the stables.”
“I will kill him!”
“He is already dead, and your grip on my arms is becoming painful.” She had a smile on her face when she told him, so that he would know he was not truly hurting her.
Even still, William’s eyes widened as he loosened his hands. “He is dead…Ferdinand?”
Marianne nodded. “Aye. He killed Robert so that he would not have to pay the reward for bringing me here. I know not of what he did with the body. ‘Tis his blood you see on my neck.”
Blaise stood behind William, close enough to have heard her declaration. He did not appear as shaken by her disclosure as she had expected of him. His eyes were hard and uncaring at the news, and Marianne knew she need not pity him.
Whatever hold Robert had on Blaise ended while Marianne was gone. Blaise did not regret Robert’s death.
William briefly glanced at Ferdinand before giving her his attention again, smoothing her frayed hair. “I suppose the man has done me a service after all. Has Ferdinand harmed you?”
Marianne leaned into his touch, and when she shook her head he asked quietly, “Did he touch you?”
Again, she shook her head, and William pulled her close to him, whispering words of thanks into her hair. His blood ran cold when he sighted Sir Holton standing only a few feet away.
He pulled Marianne behind him but did not lift his weapon to the man, likely since he appeared to be no threat. Holton had a sheepish look about his face and his garments were filthy and loose about his shoulders.
Marianne held William’s arm. “He rescued me from the house, right out from under Ferdinand’s nose.”
Ferdinand shrieked and struggled while Bryce held him with little effort. “I put two men at the door! How did you get out!”
Holton gave him a cold stare. “I sold you my house, not its secrets.”
“It shall be your house again,” said William, sheathing his sword as there no longer was a need for it. “I will see to it. The servants as well, though there is naught I can do about the ones Ferdinand sold.”
Holton’s eyes widened, his mouth falling at the gift. “Thank you, milord.”
William’s eyes hardened. “Should I discover you have been gambling again—”
“You shan’t hear it!” Holton said quickly, his hands quivering with his good news. His eyes found Marianne’s. “I have been troubled for many a year, and I am sorry that it has ever caused you any pain. I shall never touch the dice again, and this property will flourish.”
“‘Tis mine now! He has no right to it!”
William ignored Ferdinand and nodded to Holton, satisfied with their deal. Marianne glowed with the good news he was giving to her father.
She had not expected her husband to do this for her father, had not expected William to come for her so quickly, yet he did. He always surprised her.
Pleased with him and everything around her, Marianne tightened her grip on him before forcefully turning his head for a kiss.
***
Ferdinand did not struggle. The large man holding him would only tighten the grip on his shoulders if he did.
He would not have it. Ferdinand would not allow that red headed whore to leave him a ruined man while her husband executed him for a crime that idiot serf committed by bringing her to him.
She lavished her husband with her lips, unashamed of the spectacle she made of herself and her lord. Had she been wed to him there would have been none of that. She would have known her place.
Holton would not remove that hideous smile from his face while he openly made plans to buy back as many of the serfs and sheep as possible.
Ferdinand seethed. ‘Twas his property he spoke so casually of! Holton