Free By Right of Arms by Robyn Carr

at him again.
    “I pity your grief, but, madame, I do not know what you grieve.” His brows were drawn together in sheer bafflement. His voice was smooth and quiet. “Was it a brother you had in Giles? A friend? What things did he do for you that made you love him so? From all accounts he was a weak and incompetent leader, and there are many insinuations that he was strange. Was he kind? Gentle? I know he did not keep you safe, make you wealthy, or give you pleasure in bed. What, lady?”
    “Surely, Hyatt, I cannot expect you to understand, if you think that wealth and carnal pleasure are the only things a pure woman desires,” she said, her tears running down her temples and into her hair.
    Hyatt shook his head and leaned away from her slightly. “Had I known your circumstances, I might have proceeded with you in other wise. But it is done. Perhaps one day I will understand what you felt for your Giles and can offer proper sympathy for your loss. For now, I would have you know that I was not temperate in my plans, for I thought you were a woman of experience, a widow true.”
    “Do you seek my forgiveness, Sir Hyatt?” she asked sarcastically.
    He did not respond to the insult, but seemed to take it in stride. “The marriage is necessary to combine our houses and perhaps unite opposing forces … unless you think it better, more honorable, to execute those who cannot abide a change in rule. But never mind that decision, Aurélie. You will find me willing enough to offer apologies when I am wrong. This once, at least, you were wrong to withhold the truth. I am afraid you will have to bear the burden of it.
    “Now, let us forget Giles and think of the troubles we should sort out. First, soldiers of the Sire de Pourvre are still held, some of them bound. You may be of some help in deciding which of those might, in time, swear fealty to me and which must be banished. If you seek to house traitors, there will be more bloodshed, and that is useless to us all. I have brought a mighty army, and they do not relax. There is no chance you or any of your remaining forces can overthrow me. I expect you to look to those who are held prisoner and make a judgment of their worth.
    “Second, I have a son and he is here in your hall with his mother. That will be difficult for you, I imagine, but he must remain, and the woman tends him to my satisfaction.”
    “Your whore resides in your wife’s house?” she asked, appalled.
    He sighed heavily and returned to his chair. “It is unusual, I admit. But the child is valuable to me. He is my only one. He
is
my firstborn son regardless of what your womb may yield us. But I assure you, I shall be fair with our children. If it is easier for you, you might imagine that I am likewise widowed and the child is the product of an earlier union.”
    “Do you share your whore’s bed in my house? Will there be many bastards running about?”
    Hyatt smiled leisurely. He propped his foot on the bed again. “Do you ask me not to, Aurélie, my beloved?” he questioned with humor. She turned her face sharply away, her cheeks burning again at the sound of his amused laughter. “ ’Tis good that you want me, but I realize I have not earned such devotion yet. You shall have your pleasures in time,
chérie.
I shall prove a decent mate.”
    “My God,” she moaned, keeping her face turned away.
    She felt his hand on her hair, gently squeezing the full softness of it. His voice was soft and seductive. “I did not expect to marry a virgin. I did not intend it. But I will admit to only you that I find great pride in this. You served my pleasure well and I rest easier knowing that if a child is forthcoming, I need not question the sire.”
    She turned her head sharply, the action causing him to tug her hair inadvertently. Her eyes blazed beneath the tears. “My God, Hyatt, does Satan himself feed you the tender words you speak? I am to live with your whore and you are pleased that I, a married woman,