At His Command-Historical Romance Version Read Free Page B

cold seeping from her tired body. Her favorite soap, scented with rose water, burned as it met the raw spot on her head. Two latherings later, she was clean. It felt good to be clean. And even better to be home.
    When she was dressed, she felt almost herself again. She wore a gown of lavender wool over a cream kirtle, with flared sleeves and an elaborate border embroidered with flowers. The low neckline revealed a pleated section of the underdress. Her hair, unbound for she hated headdresses, gleamed in soft ringlets.
    She touched the necklace she wore always, a square miniature of her mother rimmed by tiny amethysts and pearls hanging from an unusual chain of linked A’s, her mother’s initial. Adding a short, worked gold necklace set with garnets her cousin Cromwell had given her, she hoped the jewels would make her appear and feel confident and in control.
    Amice descended the stairs, having offered her larger chamber on the main level to Nicholas in deference to his status. A servant busily transferred her belongings to the smaller room she’d occupied as a child. As long as she had the small painting of her parents and brother near her bed, she was home.
    The head table sat on the long side of the rectangular hall across from the windows. How unsettling to see Nicholas in the lord’s chair, as if he were lord of all he surveyed. Of her. But she couldn’t help admiring how the way he held himself conveyed confidence. How handsome he was, as Ginelle had said.
    She sensed each man watching her as she took her place beside her guest. Sir Nicholas’s gaze fair burned her skin. A rush of uncertainty and nervousness kept her from meeting it. When was the last time a man had admired her appearance?
    Servers carried in steaming platters, turning the men’s attention from her. Stewed mutton flavored with costly pepper, haddock in creamy sauce and huge slices of crusty bread were set before her. The first meal she’d eaten in days.
    Food had never tasted so good. She studied Nicholas through lowered lashes as she ate. A man as handsome as he must have women clamoring to claim him. His black hair, longer than the favored close-cropped styles, fell in shining waves against his forehead and brushed the collar of his dark blue tunic. Unlike most men, he wore no hat.
    A shiver went through her as she recalled Nicholas’s first look at her in the clearing, his intense gaze taking in every detail. With him and his men added to her staff and Harry locked away, she felt safe. But thoughts of the unknown disturbed her peace as she chewed on a chunk of soft, still-warm manchet bread. What could the king possibly want with her?
    Time for some answers.

Chapter 2

    “Sir Nicholas. I thank you for saving me from Harry and returning me to Castle Rising,” Amice said above the din of chatter and laughter. “I hope you won’t be called upon again to take on such a dangerous task on my behalf.”
    “It was my duty,” Nicholas responded.
    “Your duty? Why have you come here?” She met his gaze, ignoring eagerness to learn more about Sir Nicholas the man.
    “You truly didn’t expect us? I sent a messenger ahead to alert you to our arrival.”
    “I didn’t receive a message. Harry must have intercepted it. No wonder he was in such haste to wed.” A chill raced through her at the thought of what might have happened if he had succeeded. “I didn’t know you were on your way, much less the reason why. Tell me now.”
    His expression yielded no clue. He glanced around the room at the keen faces, each straining to hear his answer. “I’d rather discuss this privately.”
    Amice saw people she considered her family. Anything concerning her interested them, as their lives interested her. And as it wasn’t a common occurrence for a king’s man to visit, they too must be most curious as to his purpose.
    Kind of Sir Nicholas to consider her feelings, but…. “I’ve waited long enough. I keep no secrets here.”
    “As you will. Best