The Captive Maiden Read Online Free PDF Page A

shiftedher gaze to his eyes. His lashes and brows were thick and darker than his hair.
    Afraid he might notice her staring, she ducked behind Sieger and gave the horse a final rub, pressing her cheek against his.
    She hated to spoil the moment with thoughts of her stepmother, but Evfemia would be finishing her shopping and would want Gisela to hitch Kaeleb back up to the carriage. She should hurry, since Evfemia wouldn’t hesitate to cause an embarrassing scene if she couldn’t find her stepdaughter. And if she knew Gisela had spent the last hour with the duke’s oldest son, it would be even worse. For years, the woman had been scheming a way for her daughter, Irma, to marry the future duke of Hagenheim, or to at least meet him and talk to him. She’d be jealous fit to die if she knew Gisela had done by accident something all her scheming had failed to do.
    “I should be getting back to the blacksmith’s.”
    “Let us go, then.”
    “You don’t have to escort me.” It was best for both of them if no one saw them together. Her stepmother and stepsisters would humiliate her in front of him.
    “With Ruexner prowling around, yes, I do.”
    She thought it better not to argue with a man who looked as determined and grim as Valten. His face was like chiseled stone. Best to just say, “Thank you” and pray they didn’t encounter her stepfamily.
    They walked along, discussing the horses and their different characteristics. But once they reached the Marktplatz, she remained alert, hoping they could get to the blacksmith’s shop before she saw her stepmother.

    Her eyes darted in every direction, Valten noted, as they made their way through the Marktplatz, as though she was lookingfor someone. And Valten didn’t think that person was Ruexner. She’d been confident when she’d encountered that rogue — now she seemed nervous.
    He couldn’t look at her without thinking how beautiful she was. Where did she come from? When would he see her again? He couldn’t let her go without finding out who she was. But the noise of the crowd made it momentarily impossible to ask her anything.
    A woman suddenly grabbed her by her arm and yanked, making her stumble. “Where have you been?” the woman screeched.
    Valten stepped up, getting between the extravagantly dressed woman and the girl. Startled, the woman took a step back but didn’t let go of her arm.
    “It’s all right.” The girl looked at him with pleading, desperate eyes. “Just let me go with her.”
    “Who is she?” he demanded, this woman who was dressed like a queen and would dare hurt her.
    “My stepmother.” She turned and walked away with the woman.
    The woman squawked, “Who is that man? What are you about?”
    They walked away and were quickly swallowed by the throng.

Chapter
3

    Gisela walked as quickly as possible as they squeezed their way through the crowded town square. Her stepmother’s grip was painful, but Gisela didn’t pull away, in case Valten was following. She didn’t want to cause a scene or slow her stepmother down, as then Valten would see how she was treated. Not that he would ever see her again.
    Her stepmother was still asking questions. “Who was that man?”
    “One of the duke’s knights.” It wasn’t a lie exactly. He was a knight, and he did belong to the duke.
    “What were you doing with him?”
    “He asked to escort me while my horse was at the blacksmith’s.” Gisela stumbled. She caught herself before she fell on her knees in the street, then she yanked loose from her stepmother’s grip.
    On the other side of the Marktplatz, they were joined by Irma and Contzel, who turned their haughty noses up at Gisela and began piling their packages and bags in her arms. Sir Edgar’s daughter, Rainhilda, stood beside Irma. Rainhilda closed her eyes and turned away, as if looking at Gisela upset her delicate constitution. She wore an elaborate headdress, complete with a gauzy veil and exotic plumage, which made her as out of