Touch of Gold: (Rumpelstiltskin) (Tangled Tales Series Book 4) Read Free Page A

can?” asked the baron.
    Olivia’s heart pounded furiously in her chest, and she felt a bead of perspiration emerging upon her brow. What could her father have possibly told the man that would make him take notice of a commoner and think she was special? True, she was a talented spinster, and could spin wool into yarn faster than any of the other girls of the village, but why would the baron care about this? There had to be more to the lie.
    “Yes, I hold very special skills when it comes to spinning,” she said, her eyes glancing from the baron back to her father. Her father’s eyes were half closed as he finished off the whiskey in his cup and held it out to a passing serving boy to refill.
    “There’s no one like her,” said her father with a chuckle. “I think you’ll be very sur – sur – surprised by her talents,” he said, barely getting the words out since his speech was becoming slurred. He staggered and looked as if he were about to fall over, so she reached out and held onto his arm to steady him.
    “Thank you for your conversation, but I’m afraid we must bid you a goodnight, Baron Pettigrew,” she said politely, wanting to get her father away from the man before he said anything more.
    “Wait, wait,” said her father, pushing her hand off his arm. “We st – still have to talk about the dowry and decide when to post the wedding banns.”
    “Dowry?” she said, knowing they had nothing to bring to this marriage, and wanting to ring her father’s neck for even mentioning it.
    “Oh, no dowry is necessary,” answered the baron. This surprised her to hear him say such words since the dowry a lady brought to a marriage was crucial. “That is – if you can really do what your father says you can. That will be more than enough to compensate.”
    “It will?” She reached out and gripped her father’s arm tightly this time. “Father, can I speak to you in private, please?”
    She didn’t have time to pull him away, because the golden knight from the other side of the room walked up, pushing his way through the crowd and joining their conversation without being invited.
    “Baron, I’m so glad you could find the time to join us in celebrating my brother’s marriage to the Lady Bonnibel,” said the man. “I know what a busy man you are.”
    “Gillingham,” said the baron. “I’m happy to have been invited. It’s proving to be a very beneficial visit.” He nodded to Olivia when he said it.
    “Gillingham?” Olivia eyed the knight. His blue eyes the color of a summer sky met with hers and narrowed slightly as if he were trying to be seductive. His hair was like spun gold in color and very thick and full. It fell well past his shoulders. Bushy brows and a small, short beard and mustache gave way to a wide mouth full of white teeth when he smiled.
    “Gillingham is where I reside,” the knight explained. “However, I ask to be addressed as Lord de Bar, or Lord Kin, my lady.” He bowed his head respectfully, and she wondered if he honestly thought she was a lady or if that was how he talked to all the women he met. The smell of whiskey drifted from his words, and he reminded her of her father. They were probably two of a kind.
    “Yes, and though my castle resides in Shaftesbury, you can call me Baron Pettigrew,” interrupted the baron, seeming to want to be less formal as well all of a sudden.
    “And whom do I have the pleasure of meeting?” asked the knight, reaching out and taking her hand, pressing his lips to the back of it before she had the chance to stop him.
    “This is my beautiful daughter, Olivia,” said her father, taking another swig of whiskey, his body wavering back and forth.
    “I’m Olivia. Olivia de Mil,” she said as the knight kissed her hand again. She never said she was a lady, but neither did she stop him from thinking so. He’d figure it out now that a miller introduced her as his daughter, so no sense pointing out the obvious.
    “She’s my newly