Free The Silken Cord by Leigh Bale Page B

Ariana’s stomach churn.
    Wulfgar frowned. “Why not have your people
attack Cynan and besiege the castle?”
    She snorted. “You built the fortress. Do you
really need to ask why? My father’s army is no match against the
strength of Cynan. We don’t have horses, weapons and armor like
your knights wear. The only way to regain Dafydd is to sneak inside
and steal him back.”
    “No doubt Carlinham also wants you for
himself.”
    How intuitive. Her people were nostalgic and
loyal, but Dafydd was only a child. The Welsh would follow Ariana
until the boy became a man and could lead them.
    “I will belong to no man.”
    Wulfgar’s mouth quirked up on one side.
“Your men believe you now belong to me. We are betrothed.”
    The heat of a blush stained her cheeks. “I
will never be yours, now. Your men don’t know who I am.”
    “They’ll learn soon enough.”
    “You will tell them?”
    “They aren’t stupid louts and will figure it
out as soon as we explain our mission.”
    She was crestfallen. What he said was true.
Even now, she could see the doubt in their eyes. The anger.
    “Will you help me, or will you die?” she
demanded.
    Standing on a barren island of the Hebrides,
wearing nothing more than a slave collar and the tattered remnants
of his clothing, Wulfgar raised his arm and gave her the courtly
bow of a Norman knight. “I’ll help you, of course.”
    Praise the Lord. She breathed with
relief.
    “Upon one condition.”
    She froze.
    “I will help you in return for the use of
your warriors to help me regain Cynan.”
    She pursed her lips. “Surely you don’t
believe King William will restore your holdings to you.”
    Blowing out a breath, he met her eyes. “I
dare say he will, once I’m proven to be no traitor.”
    “Please tell me how you plan to prove such a
thing, slave?”
    A thoughtful frown pulled at his brows. “I
don’t know, but Cynan will be returned to me.”
    The fool. Did he really think his king would
allow this?
    Aye, he did. His harsh demeanor showed his
determination. She could almost believe he was innocent. That he
had been accused falsely and merely needed to find the proof.
    No! She must harden herself to this man.
Lifting her head, she thought it would be easy enough to agree to
his proposition. Once inside the castle, they could take the guards
unaware and open the castle gates to admit Wulfgar’s knights and
her father’s men. Wulfgar would be given his freedom and regain
Cynan and they’d go their separate ways. If Wulfgar wished to prove
his innocence to William and take back his holdings, that was his
affair. It had nothing to do with her. She only needed Dafydd and
then she would be done with Wulfgar and his band of rabble
warriors.
    “I agree to what you ask. My men will fight
to help you take Cynan,” she said.
    He sighed with disbelief, or resolution.
Ariana wasn’t certain which. “Take heed, ma cherie . Do not
play me false. If you make this pact, I promise it will take more
than your men to protect you should you decide not to keep your
word.”
    Ariana shivered. Her common sense warned her
not to dally with this man. He’d earned his reputation as a fierce
warrior. Cunning in war and in the ways of William’s Court. He’d
proven himself enough times to be richly rewarded by his king.
Traitor or not, he was shrewd. He would tolerate no deception.
    “You’ll have the use of my men to retake
Cynan.” And she meant it. She would keep her word. God expected
nothing less.
    He studied her and she saw suspicion in his
eyes, but he’d have to trust her just as she must trust him.
    “Swear it.” He spoke softly but it could
have been a shout.
    “I won’t swear, but I’ll give you my word,”
she whispered.
    “Done.” He smiled and lifted an arm toward
their men. “I await your pleasure.”
    Turning toward the beach, he seemed more
relaxed now he had her promise. “Come. The tide is right for an
easy departure.”
    He stood back to let her pass. She