Becoming a Lady Read Free

hearth and sat as well.

    “ I would not know, Sir,” Anna said softly, without looking at him.  She had never had anyone look at her, man or woman, that she could recall.
    “ Have you never had a man look at you?”   His voice sounded more curious than condescending and Anna looked over at him.
    “ You are the first man who has ever paid me mind,” she shrugged, then unsure of how to continue.  He was quite handsome to look at; that was true, but it was maddening that he would not tell her what he was planning.
    “ I find that hard to believe with the mouth on you.”   The man straightened and stretched his long legs out in front of him.             
    “ I should explain, then, that I am usually left to my own devices.  I do not intentionally speak with anyone.”   Anna moved her hair off her shoulders and rolled them.  She was growing tired, and she was truly not used to speaking to anyone at all.
    “ That would also explain your mouth,” he scoffed.  “You should not speak to anyone else, is that clear?”
    “ That sounds like an order, and I do not take orders.”   Anna crossed her arms in front of her chest.
    The man showed a very small smile.  “Oh, you will learn to, but tonight you go to sleep.  We have a long journey still ahead of us.”
    Anna said nothing, as she pulled her legs up underneath her.  She certainly did not want to learn to take orders from this man, no matter what his purpose.  She desperately wanted him to return her to her village, but a small stirring inside of her wondered if he had something else in mind.  The tales of brutal men, much like the ones that had stolen her innocence, had been told to her by Sir John, but truly this man had yet to touch her in an unsavory way.  If he were really planning to cause her harm, surely he would have done so by now!  Anna looked over at him and then back to her lap.  She sighed deeply, and let the effects of the ale and the ride put her to sleep.

Chapter Two 

    Anna awoke with a start as she looked up at the man sitting in the chair next to her.  His eyes were focused on her face and she blinked several times before glancing towards the door.  “I must attend to myself.”


    “ Do what you need to and return here immediately.  I should not need to remind you to keep quiet.”   He stood up and rolled his shoulders, keeping his eyes locked upon her.

The vivid image of Evrain stroking his beard made her stomach lurch, and she quickly shook her head. 
    “ No, Sir, I will do as you say.”   Anna stood and made her way to the back of the hall.  She relieved herself, and rinsed her face with cool water from the basin.  As she straightened she felt something press against her spine. 
    “ Though you have no price, you must not be so good for your guardian to leave your side.”  
    She was pressed closely against a man that she could not see.  She opened her mouth to take a breath; if it was the sly man, she needed to warn her companion.  Her brain laughed at her choice of words, but she still believed she fared better with him .


    “ If you scream, pretty, I will carve out your kidneys.”   She was turned around then, and she could clearly see the fox-like man stroking his awful black beard.  “Do not over-think my intentions.  I simply want those lovely thighs wrapped around my body.”


    Anna gagged.  “I would rather eat raw liver.”


    Evrain smiled.  “You will do exactly as I say.  We are going to walk down the hall and through the main room.  If you open your mouth or gesture to anyone, I will not think twice about slicing you to pieces.”
    Anna shuddered.  She did not want to cooperate with this filth, but she might be able to escape if someone in the main room could see her predicament.  “I will do as you say, Sir.”


    Evrain grinned as he looked over her dress.  “Walk, my pretty.”


    Anna walked down the hall and into the main