Warprize (Seven Brides for Seven Bastards, 5)(MFMMMMMM) Read Online Free Page A

This act suggested he had kindness in his soul, as well as
respect for the aged. Although only a small gesture, Cedney took
note of it, for in this time of war and cruelty a man who showed
patience and tolerance toward an elderly woman— one beyond the age
of any sexual interest to him— was a very rare thing.
    But would he take the same pity on a
woman who masqueraded as a man? Surely he would not want his niece
wed to someone incapable of sowing seed. Lady Rosamund must have
other prospects for a husband and it was every man and woman's holy
duty to produce offspring.
    "I understand you are a deeply
religious man," she said to Rufus finally.
    His brows wriggled. "I am? Who told
you that?"
    Cedney was quite sure someone had, but
she couldn't recall who. "Perhaps I confuse you with your
brother."
    He snorted with amusement. "I doubt
it," he muttered through a mouth crammed full of juicy
meat.
    "Do you not have a brother who is a
monk and respected chronicler?"
    "Last time I checked none of them had
been thus afflicted with Holy orders."
    She frowned. "None of
them? You have more brothers?"
    The man stopped then, wiped his lips
on his sleeve and gulped down a full goblet of ale. His gaze darted
from side to side. "I use the term 'brother' for all the men I have
fought alongside, of course."
    "Well, I was speaking of your blood
brother, Herallt, sir," she said carefully. "He is a pious monk and
chronicler for the King, is he not?"
    Cedney waited, watching his expression
change. An uneasy frown creased his brow.
    "Herallt?" he muttered. "Yes. My
brother, Herallt."
    Then he stuffed more food into his
mouth and chewed violently. Apparently there was nothing more to be
said on the subject of his brother.
    She struggled for more conversation.
It wasn't that she couldn't think of any, but more a case of having
too many to ask and all at the same time. Trouble was, she had
little experience with polite conversation. Cedney had never hosted
an important guest at the manor and her skills were all on
horseback, with a sword or bow in her hand. In truth, there were
few folk with whom she could talk comfortably. Ordwyn was likely to
fall asleep at the table — in part due to his advanced age, but
also because of his fondness for wine— and most other men she knew,
like Torvig, preferred to speak only of themselves. This made any
conversation one-sided, requiring nothing from her to keep it
rolling along.
    Tonight however, she must make an
effort.
    "How...how tall are you?" She bit her
tongue and her eyes watered. Now why the devil would she ask him
that? He would think her addled.
    Rufus looked askance, pausing his
rapid chewing. "I know not. As tall as I need be, with perhaps some
extra."
    Despite the need to remain solemn,
Cedney found herself charmed by this answer and she very nearly
smiled. "Have you been here long in England?"
    "Long enough."
    "Do you have children?"
    "Not yet."
    "A wife?"
    He turned his head to study her again,
his eyes darkened from silver to iron grey. "Why do you ask me all
this? If you know about my brother the monk, don't you know the
rest too?" His tone was defensive, wary. "Perhaps you test me, eh,
Bloodwynne?"
    Rufus had just touched her hip with
his strong thigh and his arm was mere inches from hers. She could
smell the heat of his skin and the perspiration trapped in the dark
curls of his head, released each time he moved. It was a good,
manly scent. Sometimes when she passed a soldier she would catch a
breath of a similar smell, but it was fleeting and she always
closed her thoughts to the ideas that followed.
    Not tonight however. Her thoughts
remained open, raw and exposed, surely making her cheeks flame. She
licked her lips. "I know very little about you, sir. I was curious
to know more. I confess, I did not know where to start with my
questions."
    "Curious about me?" He
stared at her, unblinking. Now his gaze went to her mouth. He
reached one hand to his lap and adjusted himself through his
leather