Total pages in book: 44
Estimated words: 39383 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 197(@200wpm)___ 158(@250wpm)___ 131(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 39383 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 197(@200wpm)___ 158(@250wpm)___ 131(@300wpm)
“As to be expected. By the way I had the opportunity to stop in at Marbury castle on my way back. The old earl is very put out with you as he now has two daughters of marriageable age who cannot show their faces this season because of their very obvious proof of a dalliance with their king.”
“How did they seem, were they well?”
“Both in good spirits, if a little in need of some of what got them into trouble in the first place.” He grinned like a sot.
“You didn’t.” I grinned back at him. Nicholas and I had shared a skirt or two before, in fact sometimes we fucked the same woman during the same period of time as part of a little game; unbeknownst to the lady of course.
Our little contests were whispered about but no one has ever had the audacity to mention it to our faces. Though these days I was staying away from my married subjects no matter how much they begged.
I saw Cecile take her usual place at table and breathed easy. It was getting damn near impossible to be this near her and I was giving serious thought to sending her away to her sire’s holdings in the north.
Georgina was in a snit all day since I’d thrown her from my bed the night before, and was doing all she could to get my attention. Tonight though I had more pressing matters on my mind than either woman.
I turned back to Nicholas and carried on with our conversation. It was six years since I’d had his father killed while he slept in the night. I thought that the most humane way to handle the situation so that no one was ever the wiser about the older man’s treachery and I didn’t have to kill my dear friend whom I trusted, as I’d had to kill the sons and daughters of my other enemies. Instead, I had given him his sire’s title and lands, making him a very wealthy Earl.
I well knew there were ears listening to our every word even though they pretended no interest, but did not let on.
“Join me my friend, I have a new species I’ve been dying to show you.” We both left the table and headed for my chambers.
Making sure that there were no ears about, I led my friend to the parapet where I was sure of privacy.
“Tell me.” That little farce downstairs was for the benefit of anyone listening in. I did not want anyone knowing what we were really about until I had all the evidence needed.
“You were right. Crompton has been seen meeting with the men who once followed Whitley.”
“And who’s the one backing him?”
“That’s not it. He has only the backing of the Whitley clan, because they have a hidden secret that they think will give them the upper hand.”
I held my tongue as I waited for his answer. “The Whitley heir had a son. The child is only seven years old, but as a direct descendent to lord Whitley they see him as a threat to your rule.”
“Did you find anything else? Are there any more of these little bastards running around the countryside somewhere?”
“No he’s the only one I found. The others were destroyed when you exacted vengeance for your father’s death.”
“And where is this child?” I knew from his grin that I would like what he had to say. “I have him.”
“You have him? How did you pull that one off? As if I have to ask.” Nicholas and I had pulled many a prank in the past where we had passed ourselves off as anything other than what we were. I knew well my friend’s penchant for getting in and out of places like a shadow.
“Yes I have him. He’s here. I smuggled him in under cover of dark, not even my men know who he is. They probably think he’s one of mine.” I clapped him on the shoulder as some of my tension eased.
“Well done my friend. Follow me.” We returned to the hall laughing boisterously as we whispered loud enough for some to hear. Pretending once again to have interest only in bed sport. Beneath the smile the rage built.
I held it in check for the rest of the evening, never giving the guilty, who were all in attendance any reason to suspect that I knew what they had done.
“Your majesty.” I knew who was at my back even before her hand touched me. I felt the change in my body and was quick enough to control my response before turning to her.
“Little sister, how are you this evening?” There was something in her eyes when I called her that, but I put it aside for now. She was still grieving, as was I.
“I would ask a word with you at your convenience my king.” She curtsied and kept her eyes averted. I took her hand in mine and lifted it to my lips. “Of course. Come to me later.” I whispered the last and realized the double entendre in my words too late. She didn’t seem to notice as she curtsied once more and left my side.