The Viking Takes a Knight Read Free Page A

realized her error in calling him John—“buys numerous pots of this size for his experiments with honey.”
    Well, that may be one reason you know him, but you are either enamored with the rogue, or you are sharing his bed furs.
    There I go again! Musing on affairs that are none of my business.
    â€œThis size pot would be nice for table salt, or for storing spices. I like to experiment with different seasonings in my cooking,” Ingrith explained. “Could I have six of them?”
    After completing her transaction, she smiled at Joanna and said, “Give my regards to Hawk when you see him next.”
    â€œOh, nay. I do not…He does not—”
    Ingrith waved a hand dismissively. “Thank you for my new pots. I will recommend you to my friends and family.”
    With those words, she began to gather the children together for a return to the orphanage, despite their protests that they wanted to watch themusical birds in gilded cages. As she made her way through the crowd, she could not stop thinking about Hawk…John, as she was more wont to call him…and Joanna. Did he love the beautiful woman, or was she a convenient mistress?
    And Ingrith wondered if she would ever find a love of her own. At her age, probably not.

CHAPTER THREE
    A nd so the trouble begins…
    Ingrith had gone only a few steps when she was stopped in her tracks by Commander Loncaster, who was glowering.
    â€œWhere is he?”
    â€œWho?”
    â€œYou know good and well who. That royal bastard Henry. I have it on good authority that you gave the bratling refuge…after I specifically ordered you to send for me at first sight of the boy.”
    â€œI vaguely recall that conversation. ’Twas the day I slapped your roving hands from my bottom.” And, yea, she knew young Henry. The deathbed wish of Henry’s mother was that her five-year-old child be offered protection at Rainstead.
    Ingrith gazed up at the commander as she tried to decide how to proceed. She had to admit that he really was a handsome man, with clean white teeth and even features. He was big. Very big. Allover. Although he had never done her physical harm, she suspected he could be cruel and vindictive. A man not to cross.
    He grinned of a sudden. “You cannot recall my warning about the boy, but you recall my hands on your rump?”
    She barely restrained herself from smacking the arrogant smirk off his face. “Tell me again…why do you seek the boy?”
    â€œNot I. King Edgar wishes to see him. It appears he is one of the royal by-blows.”
    â€œKing Edgar will recognize him as his blood?” That was news to her.
    â€œI doubt it, lest he has butter yellow hair and pale-as-a-mist blue eyes.”
    Exactly! “Then why…oh, I understand.” Many a royal personage destroyed any heirs to the kingship that might jeopardize the legitimate lineage. The Viking Eric Bloodaxe, for example, was said to have killed a dozen of his brothers, all sons of the virile King Harald. “Tell me, commander, if King Edgar told you to kill the boy, would you?”
    He shrugged. His silence was telling. “I will be coming to the orphanage to look over your charges. Expect me within three days.”
    Ingrith shivered inside. Not only would he find Henry, whose hair and eyes would attest to his relation to King Edgar, but there were several comely girls who had reason to fear soldiers, despite their young ages.
    â€œI might be able to stay a day or two if a certain woman would be…agreeable.” Leo ran a fingertip over her sleeve along her arm from shoulder to wrist. There was a message in his gesture, given as it was in such a public place. “I am weary with the wait for you, m’lady.” Was that a threat in his soft-spoken words or his meandering hand that now rested on her hip, under her apron? Agreeable , meaning that she agreed to couple with him?
    â€œCommander, I