Free Tributary (River of Time 3.2 Novella) by Lisa T. Bergren

She-Wolf gold we can tap into, if we need it,” I said.
    “Yet another reason I need to wed you someday,” he whispered as he walked by, just out of Dad’s hearing. He moved to my other side, and when Dad looked away, added with a cheeky grin, “So I can get my hands on all that lovely gold as a dowry.”
    I edged away, feeling the heat of a blush. Because from the way he said gold , I had the distinct understanding that he spoke of something else.
    Me.
    I had to admit, I liked his pursuit. He was dogged and dedicated. And in Gabi’s shadow, back home, just emerging from a belated puberty and braces, I’d really never experienced that with boys. Here, the boys were men at an early age, just as the girls were declared women. And Luca…well, Luca was a man that no girl could ignore for long. And he clearly wanted me. I couldn’t get over that.
    “I see the truth of it now. You’re only interested in my wealth,” I taunted as he bent to lift me into the saddle.
    He paused, his face perilously near my neck. “Why yes, m’lady,” he said, consciously letting his warm breath wash over my bare skin. “What else could it be?” I started to edge away, laughing, but he took firm hold of my waist and lifted me up. He put my feet into the stirrups and grabbed hold of the reins, still smiling, as was I. That was happening a lot lately. The two of us, grinning like idiots, as I gave into what I assumed was inevitable.
    Inevitable.
    I finally admitted it to myself, then.
    I wasn’t only falling for Sir Luca Forelli.
    I’d been his all along.
     

 
    Alessandra asked to join the sisters in the morning, to break their fast. Mayhap she’d learn something today about Castello Forelli. Her father would demand every detail, and be sorely disappointed if she returned with only stories of their fine food and kind company—especially if her mind continued to linger over Lord Rodolfo Greco. One never knew what knowledge might be useful…and the elder Lady Betarrini seemed ready to let her venture farther afield today.
    They escorted her into the Great Hall, and Alessandra’s eyes widened at the sight of table upon table of men and women eating bowls of porridge and cutting slabs of cured ham onto each plate. Her mouth watered. Trays with rounds of cheese were passed around, along with loaves of bread. The castello held far more people than she had imagined, and the meal, despite the early morning hour, was more akin to a feast than merely breaking one’s fast.
    “A good morning to you, wife and sister!” called Lord Marcello as he spied them. “And to you, Signorina Donatelli. My friends, please greet Signorina Alessandra as one of our own. She will abide with us until the morrow.”
    The women they passed nodded in friendly welcome, and the men shouted and smiled in her direction. Alessandra blushed furiously, called out in the midst of seventy others, but she had to admit she felt their warmth. It surprised her. She thought they might be wary, cold even, with one of the enemy among them. Mayhap their sheer numbers made them feel invincible.
    Alessandra took a seat at the head table between Evangelia and her mother, across from Lord Betarrini, Luca and Lord Greco. Alessandra reached for the pitcher of water, her mouth suddenly dry at the mere glimpse of Rodolfo. Did she feel the heat of his appraisal or did she imagine it? She dared to look up as she set the pitcher down.
    He lifted a cup as he swallowed a bite of bread. “ Per favore , signorina,” he mumbled, asking her to fill it. There was no way out of it without appearing rude.
    Warily, she took hold of the pitcher handle again and poured.
    He gave her a wise smile and lifted the cup in a silent salute . “How do you fare this morning, friend?”
    Her headache was inescapable, worse again. But she was weary of taking the medicine and sleeping the days away. “Well enough to cross the border,” she said.
    Action around her ceased for a moment, and then hurriedly