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

great
    trial, you know."
    "Is that so?"
    "Aye. And after all I've done for her and that lame brother of hers." Ralf's heavy jowls
    shuddered with indignation. "I gave her a roof over her head and food to eat after her father
    died. And what thanks do I get for doing my Christian duty by my brother's children? Naught
    but constant quarrels and irksome demands."
    Hugh nodded soberly. "Annoying."
    "By the Rood, it's damned annoying." Ralf scowled furiously. "I tell you, sir, that, except
    when it suits her purposes, as it did last night, Alice cannot even be bothered with the
    management of my hall. You will note, however, that her own chambers are kept clean and
    perfumed."
    "Aye." Hugh smiled to himself. "I did notice."
    " 'Tis as if she lived in a different household up there in the east tower. One would never
    know it was connected to the rest of Lingwood Hall."
    "That was plain enough," Hugh said, half under his breath.
    "Not only does she dine in the privacy of her own chambers together with young Benedict,
    she gives her own instructions to the kitchens regarding the food that is served there. And it's
    a far cry from what the rest of us eat, I can assure you."
    "That does not surprise me."
    Ralf seemed not to hear the comment. He was in full sail on the sea of righteous indignation.
    "Last night was the first decent meal I've had here in my own hall since my wife died seven
    years ago. I thought things would be different when I brought Alice here. Thought she'd
    assume her natural female responsibilities. Thought she'd supervise things the way she did
    when she was in charge of her father's manor."
    "But it did not work out that way, I take it?" Hugh suspected that Alice had practiced her own
    form of revenge against her uncle.
    Ralf sighed glumly. "She blames me for taking her and her brother away from their home, but
    I ask you, what choice did I have? Benedict had but fifteen years at the time. And you've seen
    him. The boy's crippled. No amount of training will turn him into a proper fighting man. He
    could not possibly defend his own lands. My liege lord, Fulbert of Middleton, expected me to
    see to the defense of my brother's lands."
    "Which you chose to do by installing your son as lord there," Hugh observed softly.
    " 'Twas the only solution, but my shrew of a niece would not acknowledge the fact." Ralf
    swallowed ale and slammed his mug down on the table. "I did my best to secure her future.
    Tried to find her a husband."
    "After you realized that she was not going to take over the management of your household?"
    Hugh asked with mild curiosity.
    "Was it my fault none of my neighbors would have her as a wife?"
    Hugh recalled Alice's description of her very convenient fits of hysteria. "Nay, 'twas most
    definitely not your fault."
    "Not once did she thank me for making the effort. I vow, she did her best to foil my every
    attempt to do my duty by her. I have no proof, mark you, but to this day, I remain convinced
    that she plotted stratagems to discourage her suitors."
    Hugh reluctantly decided to risk one more piece of the aged bread. "Your problems are over,
    Sir Ralf. You need not concern yourself with your niece again."
    "Bah. So you say now, but you have not had extensive experience with Alice." Ralf narrowed
    his eyes. "Aye, no experience whatsoever. You don't know what she can be like, sir."
    "I shall take my chances."
    "Will you? What if you change your mind about the betrothal? Likely you'll try to return her
    in a few weeks' time after you've had a taste of her sharp tongue and demanding ways. What
    am I to do then?"
    "I will not change my mind. You have my oath on it."
    Ralf looked skeptical. "May I ask why you are so certain that she will suit you?"
    "She is intelligent, healthy, and convenient. Although she does not always choose to practice
    them in this household, 'tis clear that she is well trained in the wifely arts. Furthermore, she
    possesses the manners of a fine lady. What more does a man need?