LordoftheHunt (29 page)
Authors: Anonymous Author
Brian unfolded the sheet of velum. “It’s an old letter of
Richard’s. I kept it for no good purpose, save it was from him.”
Joan looked at the letter, then up at Brian. “What does it
say?”
“You read it,” Brian said, putting it into her hands.
“You read Greek?” Adrian asked, incredulous.
Joan examined the paper. “Not well. Mathilda insisted on
learning along with Richard. Her father did indulged her, though he thought it
a useless activity. He did not know they employed it to send each other
messages he could not read. As for me, I learned from my father. He studied
Greek literature, particularly in the field of philosophy.”
“Mathilda could have read this to me?” Adrian was stung that
he’d thought Mathilda’s head filled with naught but air.
“Aye.” Joan took the page. “I can read but a word here or
there. See—” She touched several words with the tip of her finger. “This is
‘father.’ Repeated over and over.”
“It is mostly a tirade on Richard’s dissatisfaction with his
father,” Brian said, looking up at Adrian. “And the rest is about his love of
Joan.”
Her cheeks colored. Adrian shook his head. “Well, I do feel
the fool.”
Brian folded the letter and tucked it into his tunic. He
turned to Joan. After a moment’s hesitation, she threw her arms around the
warrior and kissed him hard—on the cheek. “Go with God,” she said.
Brian walked to his horse, mounted up, raised a hand in
farewell, and cantered off.
“I do so hope he finds what he is looking for,” she said,
encircling Adrian’s waist.
“A great manor to conquer and add like a jewel to the de
Harcourt crown?”
She squeezed him. “What is it men really want, Adrian?”
“Their own way?” he asked, grinning.
“Nay, I think they really want what women want.”
“Aye. Their own way.”
“Love, Adrian. Love.”
He took her to the chapel and led her to the niche dedicated
to the Virgin Mary. “I once prayed to this lady that I be worthy. At the time,
I thought I wanted to be worthy of this place, of rule. As I hunted for
Marshal’s traitor, I realized I was not my name, but the things I did. Whilst
here, I have alternately been a soldier, a thief, a liar, a—”
“Lover,” she said. “Do not be so harsh upon yourself.”
He took her hand. “I think the Virgin granted my wish, but
in a way I hadn’t planned. It is of you, Joan Swan, I wish to be worthy, not my
name.”
“You are.” She kissed his fingers, entwined with hers.
Adrian brought Joan a cushion and knelt at her side. He
clasped her hands between his.
He looked up at the Madonna. “I want to thank her for
sending you to me in the forest. My life was changed from that moment.”
“Thank her for the hounds. It was they who saved your life.”
“You brought them into the forest.”
“You wielded the sword.”
“Joan, you’re forgetting the answer to the riddle. I want my
way. If I say you saved and changed my life, then it must be so.”
“Have your way.” Joan bent her head and kissed his fingers.
“But just this once.”
When they emerged from the chapel, they saw at least a dozen
carters loading the forfeit belongings of the suitors into William Marshal’s
wagons, destined for the royal vaults.
Outside Joan’s cottage, Nat sat on a bench, eyes closed,
head back, three hounds by his feet. Joan and Adrian laughed when they both
lifted their hands at the same time, in the same signal. The dogs rose and
bounded toward them.
They changed direction after a few strides to chase a pair
of birds who landed where a black tent once stood.
The birds were ravens.
Award winning author Ann Lawrence writes both historical and
paranormal romance with strong heroes and equally indomitable heroines. Her
books reflect her love of English history and Arthurian legend. But whichever
genre Ann chooses, she likes to include a puzzle for her readers to solve. Ann
loves hearing from her readers.
Ann welcomes comments from readers. You can find her website
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Ann
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Ellora’s Cave Publishing
Lord of the Hunt
ISBN 9781419945984
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
Lord of the Hunt Copyright © 2003, 2013 Ann Lawrence
Cover design and photography by Syneca
Additional cover photography by Nejron Photo,
Mekkpr3d/Fotolia.com
Model: AXL
Electronic book publication May 2013
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