Free His Runaway Maiden by June Francis Page A

William. ‘He is a lack-wit, but one wonders if that is the fault of his mother. She is for ever hitting him across the head and comparing him to his elder brother. Yet he will do anything for her and his brother, which is a big mistake.’
    ‘Why is that?’
    ‘They are bad examples of how a decent man should behave. I feel sorry for the poor girl who is destined to marry him.’
    ‘Who is this maiden?’
    ‘I know only that her name is Bridget and that she is a niece to a close kinsman of my stepmother.’
    ‘Your younger stepbrother takes no interest in your stepbrother’s business?’
    Rosamund shook her head. ‘He does not have the wit.’
    ‘Then who oversees Appleby Manor?’
    ‘My stepmother,’ she said bitterly. ‘She persuaded my father I was incapable of doing so.’
    ‘That must have infuriated you.’
    ‘Indeed it did, but Father had no faith in my abilities. He believed my stepmother’s estimation of my character.’
    ‘Does your anger extend to him?’
    Rosamund did not answer.
    Alex did not press her. It was obvious that Mistress Appleby had been sorely treated by not only her stepfamily, but also her father. He recalled Sir James Appleby gazing up at Harry and the words he had spoken. Was the loss of his son reason enough for a father to treat his daughter so thoughtlessly? He set out to entertain her for the rest of the journey.
    During the day he talked about the countries he had visited and told her about the ways he had kept body and soul together. He spoke of playing in a troupe of entertainers and made her laugh by telling her jests and describing some of the japes and dances they performed. He found himself enjoying sharing such tales with her. He spoke of Sweden and the beauty of its countryside and the splendour of its cities. Yet he never mentioned his title or wealth or the task his father had set him. He was only prepared to trust Mistress Appleby so far.
    As for Rosamund, she was made only more wary by the change in him. Why was he trying to charm her? It was quite a struggle to resist him. Sometimes on wakening there was a moment when they turned over and their faces were but a foot away and they caught the other’s eye. Then she thought she saw an expression in his face that melted her insides, but she fought against such feelings.

Chapter Five
    B y the time they arrived at St Albans, a town where two great battles had been fought between the Houses of Lancaster and York, she was feeling the strain of pretending that she was a man and she knew that she had to get away from Master Nilsson. This despite the promise she had voiced to bring Edward to his knees. For the last time on that journey, she went inside an inn and upstairs to the bedchamber that once again he arranged for them. The room was cold and she thought how often she would have liked to snuggle up to him and share his warmth and feel his strong arms holding her secure, but she told herself that this was confused thinking.
    A sigh escaped her. Tomorrow they would arrive in London and she would need to find her godmother’s house. The thought lifted her heart. She might be uncertain of its whereabouts, but she could ask for directions; surely if her godmother had sent a servant to enquire about her, then she should be pleased to see her. The trouble was that after being on the road for so many days, wearing the samegarments, she was travel-stained and smelly. The worry of it all quite made her lose her appetite and imbibe more wine than usual.
    ‘Ach! Master Appleby, you haven’t eaten enough to keep a sparrow alive,’ said Alex, staring across the table at the slender face made rosy by wind and wintry sun. ‘You have proved your stamina equal to mine in the last few days, so what is it that has ruined your taste for food now we are nearing journey’s end?’
    ‘Would you say I have proved myself as good as many a man?’ The words were slurred as she swirled the mulled wine in her cup.
    Alex’s eyes narrowed.