The High Sheriff of Huntingdon Read Free

small, cool smile p la yed around Alistair’s mouth. “Where else? Put her in the haunted tower.”
    De Lancey’s grin displayed his strong white teeth. “You never cease to impress me, cousin. Your bride will feel most welcome.”
    “That, dear De Lancey, was my intention.”  Alistair strode toward the door. Only for a moment did he con s id e r that he felt far more lively t ha n he had in months. Marriage certainly did wonders for a man.
     
    Elspeth stepped out of the narrow coach, disdaining her father’ s supporting h a n d as her sandaled feet touched the ground. It was early evening, and the courtyard was filled with people. Most of them were men; all of them were evil-looking. Elspeth let her gaze drift coolly around her. The place seemed prosperous enough, but uncon scionably filthy. The disarray seemed more from a lack of organization than money . Elspeth considered herself very good at organization.
    It took only a moment to realize she was drawing cl ose to accepting her fate. She glanced back at her father, but in t he gathering gloom she could see only the anxiety on his bluff, hearty face.
    She wasn’t certain what was behind that anxiety. Fear that his oldest daughter would somehow shame him ? Or fear that some harm might come to her ? She suspected it was the former—she n ever had any illusions about her father’s addiction to his own comfort.
    “Lady Elspeth!” The voice was soft, masculine, pulling her attention from the filth of the offal heap behind what must be t h e kitchens. She t urn ed , and wondered for a brief moment whether this marriage would be quite so bad after all.
    The man hurrying toward her with an affable smile on his handsome face was quite the most beautiful man she’d ever s e e n in her life. His g o l d e n blond l ocks hung to his broad shoulders, his eyes were a li mpid blue, his jaw firm and manly, his gaze steady. As far as husbands went, her new groom was a great deal more appealing than she’d anticipated.
    He took her hand in his own surprisingly small o n e , and brought it to his lips. Soft lips, faintly wet. A chill ran through Elspeth, and she told h er s elf she was being an utter fool. She wondered whether she’d be expected to kiss her husband. Doubtless she’d be expected to do a great deal m o r e before t he night was out. At least she’d be doing it with a comely man.
    “Welcome to Huntingdon Keep, my lady,” the man she assumed was her husband said. “We’ve been most impatient for your arrival.”
    Elspeth controlled her instinctive snarl. “My marriage has been most sudden, sire,” she said in a low voice not devoid of reproach.
    “But not unwelcome, I trust.” The golden beauty turned to her father, and there was no lessening of the amity on his handsome face. “You might wish to break your fast before you continue on your way , Sir Hugh. The sheriff h a s laid on a meal for you, so your d e lay will be brief.”
    Sir Hugh’s ruddy face darkened for a moment. “I’d planned to stay a few days. Make sure my daughter’s well settled…”
    “There’s no n e e d ,” the man said smoothly. “My mas ter will make her welcome.”
    “Your master?” Elspeth said in a startled voice.
    If the m a n knew what she’d been thinking, h e didn’t betray it. “The sheriff of Huntingdon. Your husband, Lady Elspeth.”
    She was good at h i d i n g her feelings. She simply nodde d her head. “And w h e r e i s my husband?” she asked in a cool, controlled voice .
    No answer was forthcoming, but she hadn’t really expected one. “He’s charged me with seeing you safely settled in your new quarters. I’m his second in command, Gilles De Lancey, and your comfort is my most important task. You’ll enjoy the rooms your husband chose for you. They have an excellent view of the countryside.”
    She heard a snic ker from somewhere behind her, but ignored it. At least they wouldn’t be putting her in a dungeon. “I’m sure I’ll find them