Moonstone Read Free Page B

of his guard, Connor, watched him with curious eyes. “My Laird.”
    William had told Connor little. He ordered him only to guard the lady’s door. But Connor knew him well, and had probably filled in more than a few blanks with all sorts of creative notions.
    “Caught a glimpse of her when her maid left to fetch her meal,” Connor said. A wench passed them in the corridor. “What happened to her? And what did ye do about it?”
    “Before or after my mouth took over my common sense.”
    “I am sorry I missed it. Notify me the next time ye plan to humiliate Geoffrey.”
    “I will be sure and do that.”
    “Who is she?” Connor cocked his head at the door.
    “ For now, his betrothed.”
    “Canna have that, now can we?”
    Connor was William’s cousin, after a fashion. So were a number of other men of his clan, their relation ranging anywhere from second cousin to third cousin twice removed. But more than that, Connor was his friend.
    “Her cousin is her guardian, and he doesna give a nit for her,” William said . “I have not discovered why as of yet.” William spoke again, before Connor had a chance to digest his words and respond. “I may have challenged Geoffrey for her.”
    “May have?”
    “I did challenge him,” he conceded. “In less than two days I will fight Geoffrey to first blood. Then I will marry the woman, and take her home with me.”
    A slow grin transformed Connor’s face. “Tell me, is it her bright green eyes, or her glowing auburn waves? Or is it her height? You willna have to hunch to kiss your bride.” He circled his arms as if holding a woman.  
    William eyed him . “Notice, did you?”
    “Aye .” Connor wiped his hand over his face, but it did little to erase his grin. “And from this point on I swear,” he held up one hand in an oath, “not to notice her again for as long as ye both shall live.” Connor sobered, lowering his voice. “Think she’s Geoffrey’s hand-me-down?”
    William took a breath, letting it out slowly. “Aye. And most likely through no fault of her own.”
    “I am sorry.”
    “Spare her for me, will you? Dinna mention it to anyone.”
    “I willna.” Connor paused, his brow furrowed and his gaze trained on the uneven stone floor. “You will have to live with the knowledge though.”
    “Aye, I know.”
    “ The whoreson. I’m sorry.”
    William propped his shoulder against the wall. “I willna expect too much from her as a wife.”
    “She’ll come around to ye.” Connor gestured at the door. “Her maid brought her a tray and some wine. She brought most of it back out. If the lady has had her food withheld for some time, then her stomach willna take kindly to it now.”
    William wanted to check on Rhiannon, but felt it was an intrusion. She might even see it as a threat. “Keep an eye on how much food goes in and out of her chamber for me.”
    “Aye.”
    “And appoint Charlie to oversee the preparation of my meals.”
    “Why?”
    “Geoffrey. I wouldna put it past him to try and poison me. On second thought, make sure he checks into Lady Rhiannon’s food as well, just in case.”
    “My Laird !”
    William turned to see his young guard, Angus, jogging down the corridor, his wild red hair springing around his head and the edges of his well-worn plaid feathering around his thighs.
    “Did you ask a lad to exercise your stallion?” Angus asked.
    “ I did not.”
    Angus muttered under his breath, then shrugged in apology. “Dinna worry about it, my laird. I will take care of everything.”
    William stopped him. “Take care of what?”
    “The lad stealing your horse.” Angus screwed up his freckled face. “And the other lad, stealing Connor’s horse.”
    “Sakes,” William said. “That is all I need.”
    Connor groaned. “Not my Hercules .”
    “I will take care of it .” Angus nodded. “Ye have other things to see too.” The hint of a smile curved his lips and he glanced at the door.
    It was amazing how quickly gossip