The Bride of Windermere Read Online Free PDF Page B

and refrained from speaking out. The conceit of the man was unsurpassed. Why, the man thought that because he’d kissed her once, he could begin to think of owning her. He didn’t even know her! And he wasn’t going to know her, either, she promised herself.
    â€œAnd you say you don’t know who she is?”
    â€œNay, Nicholas, she would give me no name.”
    â€œMayhap if you described the woman, your little Lady Kathryn could name her.”
    â€œMayhap.”
    His Lady Kathryn! How many women was this wolf allowed? Kit reined in an urge to slam her elbow into the man’s gut. But she knew he wore an iron hauberk, and she would only bruise herself.
    â€œI think it best you keep your thoughts on Windermere and not on a prospective wife. Besides, there is Lady Annegret. When you wed her—”
    â€œWife?” Wolf laughed coldly. “I made no mention of a wife.”
    Nicholas chuckled, and Kit was infuriated. When he found out she was the woman at the lake, he’d... Kit resolved never to give him half a bloody chance to discover who she was..
    â€œAh, Lady Kathryn awakens,” Nicholas announced as Kit moved restlessly. She was so angry, she was unable to pretend to sleep any longer. “Did you rest well, my lady?”
    â€œTolerably.”
    â€œYour voice—it is difficult to tell much about you under that layer of dirt and those rags you wear—but your voice seems not to be that of a child. We thought we’d been sent to collect a child.” Nicholas looked at her more closely, trying to discern her features beyond the filth and bruises.
    â€œYou are correct. I am not a child.” She couldn’t mask an irritable tone as she gazed at the handsome warrior who rode alongside.
    â€œAnd you expect us to believe you are fully grown?” Wolf asked in laughing disbelief.
    â€œI don’t expect anything from you,” Kit shot back angrily. “Except an unwanted trip to London.”
    â€œAch, so the journey riles you?” Nicholas laughed.
    â€œHow is Bridget? She must be near to collapsing. She is unused to riding.”
    â€œThe old woman is weary,” Nicholas replied. “We’ll stop shortly for the night.”
    â€œHow do you intend to keep us safe the night through? It is said to be dangerous traveling these roads—”
    â€œPlease, my lady,” Wolfs tone mocked her, “nine of my men are here and would be loath to hear you malign their talents so.”
    â€œNine! You have only nine?”
    â€œOur number will be sufficient. Now cease. Enough of this prattle.”
    Kit bristled with the resentment of having this crass brute in charge of her person. He had no right to order her about. And she didn’t care much for the way he scowled at her, either.
    A short time later, when they came over a grassy hill, they spotted the two men who had been sent ahead to seek a sheltered spot to camp for the night. They had already scouted out a likely area and a small fire was crackling merrily in the clearing.
    It was with great relief that Kit dismounted and went to help Bridget. The old woman was bone weary and though she was not usually particularly quiet about her aches and pains, she was more circumspect than usual tonight. The two women wandered off to the trees to take care of their personal needs and while there, found a stream with cool, fresh water. They stopped to drink their fill.
    â€œOoch, yer eye, child,” Bridget said, taking a good look at Kit’s face. “Let me wash it for ye.”
    â€œNay, Bridget. I prefer to remain filthy as a vagabond whilst we’re in the company of these clods of Henry’s.”
    â€œClods ye say?”
    â€œClods, Bridget. Boorish clods.”
    â€œOh, of course. Ye, dearie, having been to France and to court and so many fashionable places, would recognize a boor instantly, I suppose.”
    â€œDon’t tease, Bridget. It takes little