Elaine Barbieri Read Online Free PDF Page A

throat throbbing strongly. She raised her hand to the spot where he had brushed a tear from her cheek. Somehow the stranger had not doubted that the pain she had caused him was necessary, and his touch had been an acknowledgment of that fact. Why did she wish that the brief caress had meant something more?
    Hadley looked up from the part of the foundation that had been laid according to the former master mason’s instructions. He had spent the past hour staring blankly at the plan and walking beside his friend, Horace, as they scrutinized the construction. The fellow had been one of many who had accompanied him to the site to add their talents to the project two days earlier. Horace had many comments about the work already executed there—most of them negative. Hadley had not liked what he saw either, however little that had been. He was as aware as Horace, however, that his friend’s true talents lay in carving the great blocksof stone that would be used on the exterior of the cathedral. He was a true artisan despite his age, but he was not educated in the intricacies of construction. Horace had merely done him the favor of assisting him while Rosamund was absent. He appreciated his friend’s effort, but it only demonstrated more clearly than before how dependent he was on Rosamund’s presence.
    An approaching horse man neared and Horace went still. Hadley could not see the fellow’s face clearly, but further identification was unnecessary. No other man rode so arrogantly, nor wore colors so vibrant as to proclaim without speech that his station was far superior to that of the common workmen who labored there.
    The baron halted his horse and Hadley stiffened. Horace slipped away, granting them privacy as the baron inquired, “I see that a different fellow accompanied you on your rounds today. Where is the young apprentice so necessary to you that you were willing to challenge my authority for him?”
    “Ross is presently at the hut that we will share.”
    The baron’s handsome, clean-shaven face twitched as he repeated, “The hut you will share…”
    “Ross is my apprentice, and he is almost a son to me. He has lived with me since…since William became king. He is presently in our new home tending to a fellow apprentice who had an accident.”
    “So…Ross is a physician as well as being practically
a son
to you?”
    “Ross is not a physician. He is merely versed inSaxon remedies…knowledge taught to him by his former mistress when he was a lad.”
    “Ah, yes…” The baron’s unexpected smile did not conceal the rapacious glint in his eye when he said, “I can understand the need to teach some simple rudiments to a young man such as he. I am sure that Ross has a supremely…
gentle touch
. The injured fellow you speak of is fortunate, indeed, to be treated by him.” He added as if in afterthought, “I, myself, am inclined to instruct Ross in matters that would benefit both of us. I am sure he would prove an avid student. I may yet avail myself of time with him in order to accomplish that purpose.”
    His expression hardening when Hadley did not reply, the baron said haughtily, “That aside, it is plain to see that after two days you have altered very little at this site. I cannot be certain if your dependence on your
apprentice
is to be blamed, since he is otherwise occupied at present, but I feel the need to warn you that I am not a patient man.”
    “I assure you that I am capable of handling the situation, my lord, but certain inspections are necessary before any changes are instituted. I will, however, be sure to inform you if I find…”
    Hadley’s voice trailed away when he realized that the baron’s gaze had moved toward a spot behind him, and that the arrogant man was no longer listening. He turned to see a figure approaching. With her boyish garb and rough, elongated step, Rosamund should have stirred little attention, yet the interest sparked in the baron’s gaze could not be