Free Unbidden (The Evolution Series) by Jill Hughey

the world did he have to be irritated about?  He had gained everything today.
    “As you say,” David agreed, turning sharply on his heel . He stopped at the door. “When do you journey home?”
    “Soon,” Rochelle answered vaguely.
    “Can you be more specific or shall I set up a watch on your door?”
    Rochelle had just begun to open her mouth to let loose when Marian quickly interjected, “We had not really decided that yet . Perhaps ye and Theophilus would join us for dinner tonight?  And a brother, did ye say?”
    Rochelle clenched her teeth together.
    David raised one brow at her then turned to Marian. “I can speak only for myself, but I would be honored to join you.”
    “We will plan for the three of ye . At sunset?”
    “Until then.”  He left without a backward glance, closing the door firmly behind him.
    Marian smiled at Rochelle. “I like him, girlie.”
    Rochelle groaned as Gilbert hobbled from the kitchen to bar the door.
     

 
    Chapter Seven
     
    David stalked down the street, angry for letting the chit get under his skin. He wished Doeg had found a topic of conversation other than metal. He never would have shared his ideas about the forge with Rochelle today if Doeg hadn’t mentioned it.
    S he’d cut right to the quick with her question about profitability. It wasn’t so much the notion of her questioning him he found irritating as the fact that he had no answer. It had, in all honesty, never occurred to him to find out the cost of iron or tools, or, perhaps most importantly, labor. It took hundreds of hours to craft a well-made spata. He knew all too well the price of one. The fact that it was the most expensive weapon in a warrior’s inventory might not necessarily translate to it being a profitable item to sell from the countryside of Francia.
    One question from Rochelle had exposed his ignorance and the soft underbelly of a dream he’d carried for years. One question!  In fairness, he couldn’t blame her. She hadn’t criticized his plan. On the contrary, she’d given it honest consideration and asked the most blatantly obvious question. Can it be profitable?  So profoundly simple, yet it had escaped him.
    He was a soldier . He showed up in the spring, he helped conquer someplace or another, he collected treasure, and hopefully lived to see autumn. He’d always pictured the acquisition of his own estate as the reward of that career, the beginning of a simpler, safer life. Now he could see he might have to adjust that expectation. Safer, yes. Simple?  With profits and Rochelle to worry about?  Perhaps not.
    Doeg and Theo waited at the gate . “You do not look like a man who just snapped up one of the best estates in Francia,”  Doeg called, waiting until David reached him to continue. “That neighbor, Sewell, was a wealth of information.”
    The mention of the boy’s name only made David’s expression blacker . “I hope you encouraged him to ply his affections elsewhere.”
    “My, my, we are protective already.”
    “Did you?”
    Doeg opened his mouth, then closed it again, finally answering,  “I warned him about your skill and your temper.”
    “I do not have a temper.”
    Theo raised his brow . “You do this afternoon. No matter, a night of manly celebration will cheer you. What shall the three of us do?”
    “My future mother-in-law has invited us for dinner,” David replied.
    “You met her,” Doeg exclaimed with satisfaction. “Sewell told me about her, too.”
    Theo scowled . David glanced between the two of them. “Told you what?”
    “Something that is well known locally, though the scandal has begun to fade as her generation dies out.”
    “Scandal?”  David asked.
    “Marian?” Doeg asked innocently . “Is that the right name?”
    “Yes,” David and Theo answered in harmony.
    “She is of undetermined lineage,” Doeg stated.
    “Christ on the cross, Doeg, just say what you mean,” Theo said with exasperation . “Marian was a