Knight of Love Read Online Free PDF

heartily. “Is that true, or another one of his lies? Why were you alone on the road when I found you?”
    She hesitated. The truth might help her with these men, but they also mightn’t believe her, nor care to champion her cause against Kurt. They may well hate the prince as much as she did, but sharing a common foe did not make them her allies. They certainly showed no gallantry in their behavior so far.
    â€œI will answer all your questions, gentlemen, but I should like, if I may”—she sketched them a mocking bow—“the privacy to change into dry clothing and then to share in a bowl of your excellent-smelling stew. And since you know who I am, I would appreciate knowing to whom I speak and who leads your militia band. I am not unsympathetic to your cause and may even be able to help you.”
    â€œYou, help?” the tall one scoffed. “How?”
    She decided to test the waters of an alliance. “I know Schloss Rotenburg well and am familiar with the castle routines and personnel. I could provide valuable information in any action you might plan in the area.” It mightn’t be much of a bargaining chip, but it was as much as she dared venture at the moment.
    They stood in a silent semicircle around her, five hulking and armed soldiers. Then they laughed in her face.
    â€œLet’s let her get cleaned up for Wolfram,” said Becker. “He can decide what to do with her.”
    â€œIs this Wolfram in command here?” she asked.
    â€œ Ja , the Freiherr is out scouting,” answered the husky one, crossing thick arms across his chest. “He’ll be back soon. Save your demands for him. The Black Knight has a heart chivalrous enough to be bent by a pretty woman’s plea.”
    His sneering tone wasn’t lost on her. Pretty she was not. Her brown hair, always the bane of her toilette with its willful corkscrew curls, was a frizzled mess that could be nesting squirrels by now. Mud caked her clothing and skin. She stank of sweat and wet wool and her own wretched fear.
    â€œI think we should have some suggestions ready for der Wolfram ,” piped up the taller man.
    â€œGood idea, Müller,” said the beefy one. “We could just kill her and send back her body to Rotenburg. With a note, perhaps—compliments of the Black Knight himself.”
    â€œ Nein , Horwitz, too quick,” answered the one they called Müller. “And remember, she’ll be worth something in ransom. I say we send her back to Prince Kurt for the money, but let the men use her for a few days first.”
    Horwitz laughed, his barrel chest booming. “ Ja , let’s send her back with the smell of it on her. A fine humiliation for both of them!”
    â€œShe’s a drowned rat now,” said another who sported a brutal scar across his left check, “but I lay money she’s got fine curves and soft skin under those boy’s rags.”
    â€œLet’s have a look!” piped up the youngest of them.
    She couldn’t tell if they were serious. They were certainly laughing enough for it to be a cruel joke, but she’d seen atrocities enough on her ride this past week to give credence to their words. People were wild with fury for change. They sought a new life without the oppression of the old feudal system still clinging to the land. After what she’d seen of Kurt’s ways, she couldn’t blame them. But nor did she want to get caught in the deadly revolution sweeping the country.
    Her moment to battle—to escape—was now, before their leader Wolfram returned.
    Her thoughts spun wildly. Surely she could outwit these rowdy brigands. Then she saw her chance: a sword, a light one, lying against a saddle by a tree.
    She pounced on it. The well-polished weapon unsheathed easily, and she took her stance with her back to the tree. Fencing was an unusual sport for a woman, but she had four younger brothers and indulgent