A Lady's Charade (Medieval Romance Novel) Read Free Page A

inheritances.” The king began to sputter. “By all the saints, I only do what God has ordained me to do!”
    “Aye, your grace. We shall leave at once.” There was no use in arguing further with the king. He’d made a decision and this was the way it would be. There was no other choice but for Alexander to follow his rule.
    He made his bows to the king, and left the tent. Being a knight and lord under the king was a trying position. He certainly loved what he did. He enjoyed training his soldiers, loved to see them do well in battle, felt blessed he’d made it thus far to eight and twenty years with nary a serious wound. But marry?
    “My son,” the Earl of Northumberland clasped his arm outside the tent, his bony fingers pressing hard against Alexander’s chinked armor. “You have done a most glorious duty for the king if he believes you are to be honored in such a way.”
    Alexander snorted. “A Scots woman? They’re all barbarians.” He ground his heel into the dirt, letting his latest duties sink in. “God’s teeth!” he said under his breath. “‘Tis a great honor to gain the notice and love of my king. However, the wife I may not cherish so much.”
    A bitter laugh escaped his father’s lips. “No need to worry so much about your wife. There are many ways to handle a woman. Just remember she is merely that. A woman. She is to do your bidding. Show her the strong side of your fist. You may well enjoy having someone to rub your feet at night, and bed when you please. Your cock will thank you for it.”
    “Ah, Father, I can have any woman any time,” Alexander boasted. “’Tis not that which I am concerned about. ‘Tis a knife slitting my throat while I sleep.”
    His father laughed a brittle old laugh. He was wraith thin, his cheekbones jutting from his face. “Not to worry, my son. She will most likely be too busy cowering in the corner.”
    The image was distasteful. No matter how much of an ugly, flatulent shrew she would most likely be, Alexander hoped she wouldn’t spend her time cowering in the corner. He’d never beat a woman either. Although he wanted his wife to be obedient, he certainly didn’t want her to be a simpering fool. He’d heard tell despite their boorishness, Scotswomen were feisty, lusty and inventive. But that was only a rumor. If he was lucky, perhaps the fact that he had to marry wasn’t so bad, knowing that the bedding would be eventful.
    “’Twill be an easy task for you. The bloody Scots savages are no match for your seasoned knights.” His father fluttered his hands in an exaggerated motion.
    Alexander knew taking siege of the castle would not be difficult. He and his knights were the best. Once he was in control he’d imprison the worthless lot of them.
    “Yes, father. Will you join me?” He prayed the man would say no.
    “No, my son. I have much to do at home. I am leaving for England in the morning. I will come to Hardwyck when you return.”
    Just the mention of his village and keep brought an ache to his heart. He’d been on campaign so long he wasn’t sure what a down-filled mattress felt like anymore. Camp followers filled his more baser needs, but laying with a wench on the ground who’d just been with another knight moments before wasn’t his style. How he wished to sleep in his own bed, pull a willing maid between the sheets. He even longed to hold court just to see his town’s people and how things faired.
    They reached Alexander’s tents. “I will see you soon,” he said to his father. “From what I understand, it shall not take me long to conquer South Hearth and Fergusson.”
    “Aye. Goodbye, my son.” His father did not embrace him. He never did. A simple nod was all the affection Alexander ever expected or received. Except for the daily beatings he’d received as a child. But he supposed the rigid, violent way his father reared him had made him who he was today. He returned the cold gesture and turned to his waiting men. They