Free The Deed by Lynsay Sands Page A

me last night, yer lordship, yet he is not here now.
    Her blush told him that his wifes cousin had done a lot more than merely sleep by the
     woman. Probably a lot more even than he had managed with his own young bride in the rush
     the night before. That only managed to annoy him more, and he frowned at the girl darkly
     before Blake distracted him from the hapless female.
    There, you see! She is probably safe with her cousin. Mayhap they went for a ride. Did you
     check the stables?
    I did, but there was no one in the stables and no way for me to tell if any horses are
     missing. The stable master was absent.
    Ah... An older gentleman cleared his throat and began to sidle around him, careful to keep
     a distance between himself and his new lord. That would be me, yer lordship. Ill... er...
     see to it right now.
    Amaury opened his mouth to flay the man for neglecting his duties, but as he did, a
     tinkling of laughter flowed into the room behind him. Whirling on his heel, he stared at
     the front door as it finished opening, allowing his wife to enter the castle, followed by
     the bishop and her cousin. All three of them were smiling at some private joke, totally
     unaware of the storm that had been raging in his chest since awakening to find her missing
     that morning. Where have ye been? he roared.
    All three appeared surprised by the anger in his voice and face as he confronted them, but
     it was Emma who spoke first. Is aught amiss, my lord? She glanced anxiously around the
     room full of disgruntled-looking people and frowned.
    Where have ye been? Amaury repeated grimly.
    Why... on a picnic.
    A picnic? He looked nonplussed at that. Then his frown returned. Beyond the walls? His
     stomach clenched at the thought.
    Aye. She looked surprised at his tone, then pointed out, Well, my lord, there was nowhere
     in here to break fast.
    Amaury was about to argue that point when he realized that she was, of course, right.
     Frowning instead, he simply ordered, You shall not leave the grounds again unprotected. Is
     that understood, wife?
    Emmas eyes narrowed slowly on the man standing before her.
    Recognizing the temper coming to the fore in his cousins eyes and deciding it did not bode
     well, Rolfe stepped forward to smooth the way. You are right, de Aneford. Tis not safe to
     leave the castle unattended. However, myself and the lord bishop were there to protect her.
    Hes right, Amaury. Lord Rolfe could guard her well. Sides, all is well, she is found.
     Blake stepped to his side, then sent Lady Emma a charming smile. Do not mind his temper
     this morn, my lady. No doubt his lordship is hard put to believe his luck in gaining such
     a lovely brideas well as this homeand is simply nervous of losing you to the same fickle
     hand of fate that gave you.
    Amaury opened his mouth to refute Blakes words, then snapped his mouth shut again, his
     expression revealing sudden surprise. Good God, Blake was right, he realized with dismay.
     While lack of sleep had made him surly, his fury on not being able to find his bride had
     been raised by the possibility of losing her. With his guilt over having botched the
     wedding night, he had feared she might have decided him a great clumsy oaf and fled to the
     king to petition an annulment. For someone who had worked and striven all his life to gain
     even the sparest crumb, being handed so much so easily was terrifying. Had Lady Emmalene
     been a hag, it would have been one thing, for in Amaurys experience, nothing was gained
     without pain or unpleasant duty, but his wife was no hag. Surely so much good fortune must
     have a price?
    My husband is lucky to have such a faithful and charming friend, Sir Blake, Emma murmured,
     moving forward to take Blakes arm and lead him toward the table he had so recently crawled
     out from under. I hope he appreciates you.
    Amaury did not hear his friends no doubt charming response; his wife was seating Blake at
     the table