In Defense of the Queen Read Online Free PDF Page B

fear. She pulled up, stiff and quivering on the seat of the cart and sensed Parker draw his knife.
    “The boys?” Before Parker stopped the cart she leapt to the ground and ran forward.
    “The boys are well.”
    Susanna stumbled and caught the wooden rail beside the stairs.
    “’Tis your brother.”
    Susanna lifted her head, clutching the rail so hard she felt the edges dig deep into her palm. “He’s been hurt?”
    Mistress Greene shook her head. “Not sure. Not sure what happened. Peter Jack thinks he run off when he saw Harry hop over the back fence. Thinks Master Horenbout took fright.”
    “He’s not here?”
    The housekeeper shook her head. “Harry was out for the master, it seems,” she nodded at Parker, “and came over the back wall. Peter Jack thought he heard a cry from upstairs, and a few moments later the front door slammed. Some of your brother’s things are gone.”
    Parker swore softly as he stepped up beside her. “Where are Harry and Peter Jack now?”
    “Gone looking for him.”
    Susanna caught Parker’s grimace. Her brother had not made the best impression since his arrival. “We should take the cart, find them.”
    “No.” Parker turned to face the street. “I don’t want you out more than you need to be. And I’m not leaving you here unguarded.”
    She exchanged a glance with Mistress Greene, and the housekeeper shrugged. “The boys’ll be back soon enough, one way or another. Want me to wake Eric to stable the horse?” When Parker shook his head, she stepped back into the kitchen, leaving the door open for them.
    Susanna looked up at the night sky. “He doesn’t know London . . .”
    “He’s a grown man. Much older than you.” Parker led the horse to the stable, and she followed him in as he unhitched the small cart.
    Susanna took a deep breath. “I am worried about him.”
    “He brought this trouble. Made this mess himself and pulled us in with him.” Parker’s words were cold.
    She leant against the rough planks of the stable wall. Closed her eyes and let the sounds of him brushing the horse soothe her.
    She felt movement and the heat of his body. The sweet smell of hay and leather enveloped her. She opened her eyes to find him right before her.
    He moved closer, until their bodies touched, and cupped her face between his hands.
    “We’ve been in worse straits.”
    She tried to smile. “We have.”
    He leaned in to her, his kiss gentle, giving. And then, suddenly, it wasn’t. His need, his hunger, ignited her own, until they were both desperate, taking everything they could.
    Parker held her higher on the wall, lifting her, pushing her skirts up and she arched against him, her legs around his waist as they took from each other’s mouths. The feel of his hands gripping her bare thighs made her weak, aching. He wrenched his mouth from hers and began a trail down her neck, where her pulse leapt and sung.
    “Sir.”
    The stable door slammed open, and the horse gave a sharp whinny. Over Parker’s shoulder she saw Harry stumble in.
    Parker set her down, held her a moment, trembling, as her skirts tumbled back into place. His eyes were closed, his teeth gritted.
    He turned to face Harry.
    Harry’s eyes widened at the sight of them. “’Tis the mistress’s brother.” His voice wavered.
    “You found him?” Susanna stepped around Parker, her legs still unsteady. She grabbed Parker’s arm.
    Harry nodded. “Down near Old Swan.” He looked back over his shoulder, as if he expected Lucas to come through the door at any moment. “We think he’s dead.”

 
    Chapter Eight
     
    There is a great number of noblemen among you that are themselves as idle as drones, that subsist on other men’s labour, on the labour of their tenants, whom, to raise their revenues, they pare to the quick.
    Utopia by Thomas More (translated by H. Morley)
     
    T he horse was disgruntled, pulling the cart for the second time that night when it should have been warm in the stable. It tossed