Free The Maiden and the Unicorn by Isolde Martyn

determinedly into the bustling courtyard, dismounting before any of the King's grooms or esquires could help her. She tossed the mare's reins imperiously to the nearest man who ran forward. Then she set her face proudly towards the official who came down the steps to ask her business and swept into the mansion in his wake.
    Richard hurried after her. He could not let her go in to King Edward in such a dangerous temper. "I did not know you had property in Southampton," he remarked, catching up and setting his hat straight. She gave him a questioning look. "Mistress, you are behaving as if you own the entire city."
    She glanced at the official's back ahead of her, biting her lip rebelliously, before she answered his levity. "Master Stone, I thank you for whatever trouble you have been asked to take on my behalf but now we are here I can manage my own affairs."
    He grabbed her arm, trying to force her to a halt. "Have a care, before you stoke your burning indignation further." She almost faltered in her step as her eyes met his. His gaze was serious, concerned. "Listen to why the King's grace has sent for you and weigh what he says."  
    "Of course," she agreed briskly, tapping her riding crop impatiently against her gloved palm and, embarrassed, realised she should have left it with the groom.
    Master Stone rescued the crop from her hands and stowed it within the breast of his doublet.
    They had reached a hushed antechamber full of grave-faced people waiting for an audience.
    "We are expected," the King's Receiver announced to the usher and as they waited to be summoned into the royal presence, Margery's simmering anger chilled. She was determined not to show the misapprehension that suddenly assailed her – the reality of not only confronting the most powerful man in England but the lover for whom she had been punished.  
    "You have carried out the King's orders, Master Stone," she exclaimed as the door to the royal presence opened and the guards stood aside to let them pass. "As I said just now, I see no necessity for you to accompany me further."  
    "I am sure you don't." But his expression was adamant as he offered his arm.
    "Oh, I see, Master Stone, you expect to be rewarded."
    "Yes, I trust so." His confident smile was not just to put her at her ease.  
    "Abducting defenceless women doesn't warrant a knighthood, King's Receiver."
    "True, and you are keeping the King of England waiting. Come!"
    It would have been ungracious not to rest her fingers on his gloved wrist, and in all honesty she was not displeased as he threw back his shoulders with a proud grace and led her in.

 
     
     
    Chapter 4

     
    The heavy doors rattled to, enclosing them in a large room dominated by a heavy oak table heaped with rolls of vellum and an assortment of inkwells and quills. A man in a cord-du-roi tabard was preoccupied in dripping hot wax upon a folded letter. After he had jabbed the royal seal into it, he straightened up, wiped ink-stained fingers on his rear, looked towards the window and bowed.
    "You have leave, Kendall."
    Margery whirled round at that familiar voice as King Edward IV, her dear Ned, even more of a giant than she remembered, stepped down from the window recess. And she forgot all anger. It was her memory, not her heart, that was stirred by the sight of him. Because she was older, or maybe it was having Master Stone at her elbow, she saw the King with different eyes.
    She sank into a deep curtsey as Ned strode across to her with that lazy grace that was so deep in his nature. Behind her, Stone lowered himself respectfully onto one knee.
    "Well met, sweet heart."
    Warm fingers caught Margery's chin causing her to look up once more into the blue eyes she remembered so well. A strong but gentle clasp drew her to her feet and his mouth closed down upon her lips, soft and sensuous as before. But she felt nothing.
    Perhaps it was because the King's Receiver fidgeted, shifting to his other knee, distracting her. Was his