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

stood ready, awaiting their new orders.
    “Men, we’ve gained a great honor today.” Alexander explained their latest charge by the king, and smiled as his men shouted their approval. Their enthusiasm sparked his blood and he hollered with them. As they pumped themselves up to move out, he became aware that he was truly ebullient. He would be gaining more land, giving him more wealth and more power. However, Alexander couldn’t keep his mind from reeling. He would be married in a few days time. Most likely a father within the year.
    Would it change him much? First and foremost he was a knight to the king, a man of valor. He would make sure to do his duty for England first. He would have to make his new wife understand her position. Perhaps he would leave her at South Hearth after he was sure she conceived and then return to Hardwyck with the son she would bare him. The two holdings weren’t so far apart that he couldn’t keep an eye on her and her traitorous tendencies, for weren’t all Scots traitors and women weak?
    His mother died when he was young and the subsequent three different women his father married were frail and panic-stricken. Fear filled their eyes when his father entered the room.
    Would Lady Chloe be that way?
    “Let’s move out!”
    Thoughts of marriage were making him churlish. He needed a good fight. Hopefully the exercise of riding would abate some of his frustration at the situation.
    “My lord, we are ready.” Edward his loyal vassal stood by his side.
    Alexander nodded in his direction.
    “May I speak freely, my lord?”
    “Edward, you know I am always open to hear what you have to say. You’ve kept me sane these last years.”
    “I simply do my duty to the mighty Dragon.” He paused in his words. “Are you ready?”
    “Ready?”
    “Ready for the fate the king has destined for you.”
    Alexander turned to his loyal friend. Concern was etched on Edward’s face. Alexander sought to ease his concern.
    “I shall be fine, Edward. It is only lands and a wife I gain. I have not been sentenced to death. It is a great reward.”
    “Aye, marriage is a great reward.” A nostalgic look crossed his face.
    “You miss Lady Anne?”
    “Aye.”
    “I can only pray my new wife is as sweet and beautiful as yours. But I suppose sweetness is too much to ask from a Scotswoman.”
    Edward laughed. “Aye, and let us hope she is a beauty for your sake and ours. Should you be stuck with an ugly shrew for a wife, your line may die with you.”
    Alexander slapped Edward on the back, a loud guffaw escaping him. “Let us ride my friend. I am in need to see sooner than later what this Lady Chloe looks like.”
    The men and horses felt Alexander’s need to ride fast and complied without complaint. Although outwardly he was in control leading his men, inwardly his thoughts were in turmoil.
    Would it be then, he should die murdered in his bed rather than on the field of battle? Or perhaps the marriage bed would be a field of battle. Steamy thoughts passed through his mind. Long silky legs wrapped around his waist. A warm velvet woman to lay with morning, noon and night. Braies now tight in the middle, he was thankful no one could see his desire. It had been too long since he’d been with a woman.
    Alexander shook his head. He was the Dragon. A fierce and mighty warrior. His woman would do his bidding or suffer his wrath. If his new wife wanted a war, wanted to battle against him, so be it. He would take on this woman whatever she brought upon him. He would be her lord and master. He would tame her combative spirit. Train her.
    Yes, that is what he’d do. He would teach her the ways a wife, his wife, should respond to him. She would obey. She would acquiesce to his demands. No one ever dared to counteract his orders. She would be no different.
    Yes, she would do more than just be a dutiful wife. She would be grateful to him.
    After all, she should be so lucky he wouldn’t lock her away with the rest of her