Heartsong Read Online Free PDF

Ffrydd. She’d told Arthur to say nothing, but he always wanted to talk about his greatest love, the horses. Now, he would be nothing but a stable boy. The son of a prince a stable boy! How she would like to shout her knowledge of that to this overbearing, arrogant lord.
    This time, she had to keep her tongue in her mouth.
    “Now, you,” he nodded at her before taking a sip, “you will serve me.”
    Not in her lifetime she thought, twirling the cup in her hands, then raised it to her lips. She had responsibilities, Lily being chief among them, but he could never know about that.
    “However, I want no curses or incantations muttered around my servants,” he continued.
    Rhianna nearly choked on her wine.
    “Therefore, you will attend me.” He leered at her. She had seen the look on men’s faces before. She knew what he meant and she could not tamp down her anger, her fury. If her father were still alive, this man would be dead for just his thoughts.
    ~ * ~
    Garrett’s fingers wrapped tightly around the stem of his goblet as he watched her. For an instant, she’d seemed shocked. Then, her dark blue eyes filled with fire. He bit off the grin that threatened. She wasn’t pleased with any of this. But she knew exactly of what he talked. He had been correct in his assumption she was leman to one of the brothers, or the father.
    His plan, to use her as an enticement to lure the enemy from their hiding place, might work—mayhap better than he’d imagined.
    Her attitude did not sit well with him, however. She had no right to be angry. Didn’t she realize she was a victim of war? And she’d best learn her place.
    He slammed the goblet down and marched from his tent. The wench was Welsh. He couldn’t care what she thought, or how she felt, for that matter.
    ~ * ~
    Early the next morning, Rhianna stalked from the tent. Dark, thick clouds colored the sky and obscured the sun. The heavens matched her mood, she decided, after the terrible night she had spent. Nightmares of deShay, of tortures visited on the Welsh by the English, even Colvin’s attempt to rape her as she raced to warn her father, all became part of the dreams taunting her. Even the burning pain in her shoulder had ofttimes interrupted her sleep.
    Again she gazed at the sky. A wet miserable day would aid their escape. And escape they must for she had been gone from her home too long now.
    Sighing with relief, she saw Arthur standing beside her wagon. She waited until they had stowed the tent, then stumbled onto the pile of furs. “We must away from here and these men,” she whispered. “We cannot wait for our brothers to rescue us. I must get back to our home.”
    “Why? What has happened? Did deShay hurt you?”
    “Not physically, nay. But, he told me his plans for you and for me. He intends to keep us in England, you to work in his stable and me to serve...” her voice trailed off.
    “Surely he would not expect you to share his bed.” Arthur’s face paled.
    “Aye. I believe those are his plans. Once we arrive at his estate, we will be at his mercy. He could destroy us both if he wants. We must escape, now, today.” Out of the corner of her eye, she saw the object of their conversation striding toward them.
    In a rush she said, “This afternoon, when the march has taken its toll on the soldiers, we will run. The element of surprise will be ours.” deShay was nearly upon them. “When I say run,” she whispered, “you run!”
    “Enough conversation,” deShay bellowed. “Boy, get you on that horse. And, wench, no more conversation. It will do you no good to attempt escape.”
    She frowned. He couldn’t have heard their plans, surely. Even after she nodded toward Arthur he hesitated.
    Garrett roared, “Your horse! Now!”
    Arthur raced for his horse, and the soldier driving her cart slapped the reins against the animal’s flank. She tried to ignore the throbbing in her shoulder as the horse moved forward, then she settled herself against the