Rosamund Read Online Free PDF Page B

her uncle Henry.
    “My name is Rosamund. I am your cousin, and I already have a husband,” she told him, looking down at him.
    “Who lies dying,” the boy said boldly. “You and Friarsgate are to be mine, girl. ” He stood, legs apart, glaring at her.
    “He has no manners, uncle,” Rosamund remarked, ignoring the boy now. “Do you not beat him? Obviously not.” She sat down by the hall fire, indicating that her uncle should do the same.
    Taken aback by his niece’s attitude, Henry Bolton sat heavily. “He is high-spirited, that is all,” he excused his son. “He will grow into a fine man one day. You shall see.”
    “Perhaps I shall,” Rosamund replied. “Now, uncle, what brings you to Friarsgate? It has been many years since we have seen you.”
    “Can I not pay you a visit, Rosamund, after all this time, and bring young Henry to meet his future wife?” the older man protested.
    “You do nothing, uncle, without a reason. That I learned quite young. You have not been here in several years because you trusted Hugh to manage everything for you. Now you have learned that my husband isill, and so you have come, posthaste, bringing this ill-mannered brat of yours with you, to see for yourself the truth of the situation,” she said harshly.
    “I think it is you who needs a beating, Rosamund,” Henry Bolton snarled. “How do you dare to speak to me like that? I am your guardian!”
    “You relinquished your guardianship when you gave me to my husband, uncle, ” she snapped back.
    “And when he is dead you will be in my keeping once again,” Henry Bolton threatened. “You had best mend your ways, niece. Now, I have brought the betrothal papers with me, and you will sign them. They shall be dated at the appropriate time, but you will sign them today. I will have no one stealing you and Friarsgate out from beneath my nose after I have been so patient.”
    “I shall sign nothing without my husband’s permission,” Rosamund said. “If you try to force me I shall complain to the church. They will not approve of your high-handed tactics, uncle. I am no longer a frightened and malleable child who can be coerced by threats. Ah, here is our wine. Drink up, uncle. You are looking positively apoplectic.” She tilted her own goblet to her lips and drank delicately.
    For a moment all was red before Henry Bolton’s eyes. Taking his niece’s advice he gulped down his wine, trying to calm his thoughts and the pounding pulses in his temples. The girl who sat so self-assuredly before him was more than pretty. And had not the old Countess of Richmond given birth to King Henry VII at thirteen? His niece was no longer a child. She was practically a woman, and a strong-willed woman at that. How in the hell had this all happened in just six years? Henry Bolton’s chest felt suddenly tight. He struggled to master himself. The amber-eyed bitch sitting across from him viewed him gravely.
    “Are you all right, uncle?” she asked him solicitously.
    “I want to see Hugh,” he demanded of her.
    “Of course, but you will have to wait until he is awake. While his mind is perfectly clear, my husband is no longer strong. He sleeps much. I will have him told of your arrival when he awakens, uncle.” Rosamund arose. “Remain here, and warm yourself by the fire,” she advised. “I will havemore wine brought.” She smoothed her blue skirts down with her long fingers. “I must leave you.”
    “Where are you going?” Henry Bolton almost croaked.
    “I have my work, uncle.” She turned away.
    “What work?” he demanded of her.
    “It is spring, uncle, and there is much to be done in the spring. I must tot up the monthly accounts and arrange a schedule for the plowing, and see how much seed I will need to distribute for the planting. We have had more lambs born this winter than we could have possibly anticipated. A new meadow must be cleared and planted to contain the increased flock. I am not some fine lady who can remain