Free Seduced by Sophia Johnson

win
the beasts trust so she could help it. She blinked in surprise. In
her worry over the animal, she had forgotten to avoid Raik's eyes.
She blinked again, nodded and started to turn to flee the room.
    His big hand grasped her arm, stopping
her.
    "Ye are not to try capturing that black
beastie."
    "Who are you to say what I may and may not
do?" Her anger leapt at his arrogant demand.
    Raik's jaw jutted; his lips thinned to a
disapproving line.
    "You are but a woman." His voice became
harsh. "And one who thinks to use a man's position. Someone needs
to take you in hand and teach you your place."
    "Someone? I have no need of
someone
,
my lord. I listen to my husband and to no other man. Do not hold
your breath waiting for me to obey you, you swellheaded Scot! You
are not and never would be my husband. Not even by the king's
command!"
    At his amused bark of laughter, she turned
and near ran from the room, leaving Maud to finish the
bandaging.
    Letia's burst of anger amused Raik as nothing
had since leaving Raptor. For all her attempts to appear as braw as
a warrior, she had much to learn of the ways of the world. Had her
father and Warin indulged her whims so rashly that the silly woman
thought she could disregard a king's command?
    He did not envy the man who must one day take
Warin's place.
    That poor wretch would have his hands
full.

CHAPTER 10
    "What is it, my sweet?" Warin put his arm
around Letia's shoulders when they met in the lower bailey.
    "The Scot thinks women are useful only to
grow flowers and see to men's wounds." Feeling Warin pat her
shoulder, she reached up to put her hand over his. "Am I a foolish
woman for wanting to protect those I love?"
    "Nay. Far from foolish. You are a helpmate
any man would be proud to call his."
    "You do not think me fanciful because I felt
the black beastie called me to help him?" She studied his eyes to
find if he was humoring her or if he spoke the truth.
    "Nay, wife. You are well used to caring for
the helpless. 'Tis in your nature to protect them."
    When they stopped, he seemed to pick his
words carefully.
    "You must always be wary of an injured
beast…or man. They will oft bite the hand that helps them. Never
seek to aid either without someone at your back with a ready sword,
beloved."
    Nodding, she smiled up at him. "I was on my
way to oversee the children's sling practice. They are full of
excitement. I promised each could have something special to toss
this day." She lifted a good-sized sack and spread open the top so
he could see within. She laughed aloud at the surprised look in his
eyes.
    "Rotted fruit?"
    "Aye. When they sling the small stones, it is
difficult to see if their aim is accurate. Giles borrowed one of
the targets of a man's outline." She pointed to the figure standing
in the center of the grassy field. "Fruit splattering on it is
easier seen. Cook promised each child who strikes the target a hot
berry scone as prize. They will all get one regardless, but they do
not know it."
    "Enjoy the wee ones, then." He smiled,
touched her cheek and turned to head for the stables.
    Letia heard the children's chatter and lifted
a hand to shield her eyes. In their excitement, they were hopping
about the wall walk on the left of the bailey. Smiling, she climbed
the stone stairway leading up to it.
    A chorus of squeals and bragging amongst the
ten children met her. She taught them in groups with others of
similar ages. This day, her niece stood quietly off to herself. Her
shining cinnamon hair and freckles was a reminder of the man who
fathered her.
    "Look what Cook gave us to practice with,"
Letia called out. When she placed her offering on the stone
walkway, the children near fell over each others back trying to see
what lay there.
    "Yew! Apples! They have worms," one girl
squealed. She squatted down, her arms pressed on her knees so she
could get a closer look.
    "Radish with green stuff growing on them," a
boy with black hair pointed a pudgy finger at them.
    "I want a plum!