Free Microsoft Word - Amanda Quick - Mystique.doc by radhika.iyer

we leave," Hugh said.
    Alice gave him a politely inquiring look. "What is that, sir?"
    "You have neglected to tell me in which direction we shall be traveling. It is time for you to
    fulfill your end of the bargain, Alice. Where has the green stone been taken?"
    "Oh, the stone." She gave a shaky chuckle. "By the Saints, what with one thing and another, I
    very nearly forgot about my part of this arrangement."
    "The green stone is what this is all about," Hugh said very coolly.
    The glow promptly disappeared from Alice's eyes. "Of course, my lord. I shall lead you to the
    stone."
    Chapter 4
    Sir Ralf choked on his morning ale. "You wish to betroth yourself to my niece?" His round,
    heavy features screwed themselves into a grimace as he sputtered and coughed. "Your
    pardon, sir," he gasped. "But did I hear rightly? You want to wed Alice?"
    "Your niece suits my requirements in a wife." Hugh helped himself to a wedge of aging
    bread. The unappetizing breakfast fare that had appeared from the kitchens this morning
    indicated that Alice had lost interest in culinary matters after she had arranged last night's
    banquet. The lady had achieved her goal and had promptly ceased working her magic.
    Hugh wondered wryly what she herself had dined on this morning in her private chambers.
    Something more interesting than weak ale and old bread, he suspected.
    Ralf stared at him, openmouthed with amazement. "She meets your requirements? You
    actually believe that Alice will make you a proper wife?"
    "Aye."
    Hugh did not blame Ralf for his incredulity since his host had not been the beneficiary of
    Alice's mastery of household arts.
    The great hall was empty this morning except for Hugh and Ralf, who sat at a small table
    near the fire, and a sullen band of drudges moving about in a desultory fashion. The servants
    made a halfhearted show of cleaning up after last night's feast but it was plain they took little
    interest in the task. One took occasional swipes with a cleaning cloth and another made a few
    idle attempts to scrub the wooden boards. There was little soap and water involved in the
    process.
    The ale-soaked rushes that had covered the stone floor last night were still in place together
    with the bits and pieces of food that had fallen among them. No amount of scented herbs
    scattered about could disguise the smell of rotting meat and sour wine. Not that anyone was
    bothering to toss fragrant herbs onto the moldering pile.
    "The wedding will have to be held at some future date in the spring." Hugh eyed the stale
    bread. He was hungry but not hungry enough to eat another slice. "I cannot spare the time for
    a proper celebration just now."
    "I see."
    "And there is the business side of the thing to be considered."
    Ralf cleared his throat. "Uh, certainly. The business side."
    "I think it would be best if Alice and her brother accompanied me back to Scarcliffe so that I
    will not be put to the trouble of making another trip to collect my bride at some later date."
    "You're going to take her with you today?" Ralf's beady eyes reflected undisguised disbelief.
    "Aye. I have instructed her to see that she and young Benedict are packed and ready to leave
    by noon."
    Ralf blinked several times. "I don't comprehend this, sir. Forgive me, I don't mean to pry into
    your personal affairs, but I cannot help but wonder at this turn of events. Granted, Alice
    appears young for her years, but you do realize that she is three and twenty?"
    " 'Tis no great matter."
    "But 'tis well known that a young bride is much easier to train than one of more advanced
    years. The youthful ones are more docile. Easier to manage. My own wife was fifteen when
    we wed. I never had a bit of trouble out of her."
    Hugh looked at him. "I do not anticipate any difficulty in managing Lady Alice."
    Ralf flinched. "Nay, nay, of course not. I'll wager that she would not dare to gainsay you, my
    lord." He sighed ruefully. "Not the way she does me, in any event. Alice has been a