Free Beauty's Curse by Traci E. Hall Page B

himself. She loved her family. In order to gain her cooperation, her brother would have to go to the tower in London. He didn’t have anyone else to trust.
    He made his voice deliberate and cold. “Lady, you have no choices. Your brother has been caught in the act of writing defamatory remarks regarding our future king. He will stand trial.” He heard the catch of her breath as she sought to control her emotions.
    And felt like an ass. Colder, he commanded, “Jamie. The dispensation? Burn it. Where’s that damn priest? We marry now, and leave for Windsor tomorrow.”

Chapter Four
    â€œHow dare you threaten me? Or my brother? You have no rights here.” Galiana’s voice shook with anger. Her belly knotted with nerves as she was overcome by emotion. How could Rourke turn so hot and cold? She’d seen a glimmer of a heart, or mayhap she’d just been praying he had one.
    â€œMe Lord Rourke has every right, lass.” Jamie lifted the rolled dispensation bearing King Richard’s seal with his left hand, and her brother with his right. The man was an ogre.
    â€œSince when has brute strength ruled over common sense and chivalry?” Galiana felt the heat in her cheeks burn as she spouted the nonsensical question. Courtly manners meant nothing in the face of strength. Muscle was always the victor, and if she weren’t a lady, she’d, well … Her gaze swept the work table, pausing at the small eating knife still on top of it.
    â€œI don’t believe ye’re as innocent as that,” Godfrey grumbled.
    Galiana breathed in through her nose, wishing she could suck in a deep, bracing gulp of air instead of a dignified sip. Her fingers curled within the fabric of her skirts, and she edged closer to the table. “I don’t particularly care what you think,” she said with a jerk of her chin. Her mother would faint dead away if she heard her daughter talking in such a manner.
    The thought bolstered her courage.
    Ed, who Jamie and everyone else thought to be Ned, squirmed in Jamie’s grasp, knocking his head back into the knight’s chin.
    â€œArgh, ye little bast—”
    In the commotion, Galiana scooped up the knife and ran to her brother. She tried shoving him behind her, but he wouldn’t stay. She had to be content with standing side by side. The two Montehues stood with their backs against the stone wall, her weapon out in front of them.
    â€œYou only have that wee little blade, lass?” Jamie’s low voice taunted her. It was the sad truth that her hand trembled as she held the blade, but it was all that she had.
    â€œYou’ll not take my brother to the tower. He’s done nothing wrong—”
    â€œLiar!” Robert said over the ringing sound of his sword being drawn from its sheath.
    This time she went for that deep, courageous breath and refused to think about Mam—who wouldn’t be pleased at this situation, no matter what.
    Ed elbowed her, “Give me the knife, Gali.”
    â€œI think not. They’d skewer you for certes.”
    Her heart beat rapidly in her chest. She’d been given an easy job—lady of the manor had sounded so simple. How had everything gone so wrong?
    â€œGaliana,” Rourke called over the chaos in a voice as smooth as Cook’s lemon custard. “You are right. We cannot force you against your will, and there’s no need for Ned to go to the tower.”
    She lowered her arm, grateful that he, at least, was being reasonable. His face was turned toward her, and she realized he was listening for her. Calling herself an idiot for helping him at all, she cleared her throat. His eyes focused on where she was standing, and she had the impression he could really see her.
    The man was a chameleon.
    Her face warmed beneath his blind scrutiny. “You’ll not burn the king’s writ?”
    Rourke’s entreating expression slowly changed. Starting with the