Free The Wolf and the Dove by Kathleen E. Woodiwiss Page B

floor.
    “Be assured, little Saxon,” the Norseman chuckled. “This night you have been saved by a wench. You have a good star protecting you.”
    Aislinn still shook uncontrollably from terrible fright, but she watched solemnly as Kerwick was dragged to the end of the hall where the hounds lay. There he was thrown among them, sending the pack yelping and snapping at each other. In the confusion no one saw Maida hurriedly conceal Kerwick’s dagger within her garments.
    Aislinn turned to Wulfgar. “I am indebted to you,” she murmured softly, her voice quavering but growing stronger with her relief.
    He grunted. “Are you? Well, we shall see in a moment how grateful you really are. You turned on me in rage when I granted your request for a priest. You lie to me and declare that milksop of a boy is of no importance to you.” He laughed with scorn. “Better you had told me yourself he was your betrothed than let the old hag spill the news.”
    Aislinn’s anger flared anew. “I lied lest you should kill him,” she replied heatedly. “ ’Tis your way, is it not?”
    Wulfgar’s gray eyes appeared dark and stormy. “Think me the fool, damoiselle, to slaughter valuable slaves so easily. But he would surely have met his death just now had not the crone told me he was your betrothed. At least knowing that, I can see the reason for his foolish act.”
    “You spared him now, but what of the morrow?” she asked intently.
    He shrugged. “What of the morrow? My fancy then will see my will out. A dance from a gibbit mayhap or some other entertainment.”
    Aislinn’s heart sank. Had she saved Kerwick from a quick death now to see him hung or tortured to amuse the Normans?
    “What are you willing to trade for his life? Yourself? But this is not fair. I do not know what I bargain for.” Wulfgar took her wrist. “Come, we shall see.”
    Aislinn tried to pull away from him but his fingers tightened upon her arm, and though she felt no pain under his touch she could not get free.
    “Do you fear you’re not worth enough to save a life?” He mocked. Aislinn resisted only lightly as he drew her with him up the stone stairs. He dismissed the guard who stood at the chamber door and flinging it wide, pushed her inside. He closed and barred the door behind him then turned, folding his arms across his broad chest as he leaned against the wall. A smile crept across his lips.
    “I await, damoiselle.” His gaze measured each rounded curve of her body. “Anxiously so.”
    Aislinn held herself with dignity. “You have a long wait, messire,” she said distainfully. “I do not play the harlot.”
    Wulfgar smiled slowly. “Not even for poor Kerwick? Pity. On the morrow he will surely wish you had.”
    Aislinn glared at him, hating him with all her being. “What do you want of me?”
    He shrugged his great shoulders leisurely. “ ’Twould be a fit beginning to see the worth of what I bargain for.” He smiled. “We are quite alone. Do not be timid.”
    Aislinn’s eyes flashed. “You are loathsome!”
    His grin deepened. “Few women have said as much, but you are not the first.”
    Aislinn glanced around in desperation for some object to hurl at him.
    “Come now, Aislinn,” he cajoled. “I grow impatient. Let us see your worth.”
    She stamped a slender foot. “No! No! No! I will not play the whore!!”
    “Poor Kerwick,” he sighed.
    “I hate you,” she screamed.
    He did not appear concerned. “I have no great love for you either. I detest lying women.”
    “Then if you detest me, why this?!” she demanded.
    Wulfgar chuckled. “I don’t have to love you to bed you. I desire you. That is enough.”
    “Not for me!” she cried, shaking her head furiously.
    Wulfgar’s shoulders shook with his laughter. “You are no virgin. What difference is one more man?”
    Aislinn stuttered in rage. “I have been taken once against my will,” she stormed. “That does not mean I’m a slut.”
    He looked at her from under