The Countess Read Online Free PDF Page B

document came to be.”
    â€œNo personal endorsement is necessary! His signature is there. I have the document and ’tis more than clear that he sold this land to another.”
    That roguish smile touched his lips fleetingly again. “Is it so clear as that, then?”
    Eglantine’s eyes narrowed. What did this vexing man know that she did not? ’Twas clear he knew something , and equally clear that he believed whatever ’twas to be to his advantage. Eglantine eyed him, willing the truth to spill from his lips, for him to give some hint, but Duncan was clearly immune to her efforts.
    Indeed, he smiled as though he guessed her thoughts.
    Curse him!
    While Eglantine fought her urge to dispatch this Duncan to keep Theobald company in hell, the wind gusted suddenly. The skies launched an abrupt, cold, and intense volley of rain upon them.
    And the ink ran down the parchment in Eglantine’s hand.
    â€œNay!” Eglantine snatched up the deed in horror and shoved it beneath her cloak, hoping that the damage was not too extensive. She mopped at it beneath the shelter of her fur-lined cloak, relieved to see that only a measure of the text was now illegible.
    Then she fired a lethal glance at her adversary. “I knew you would try to destroy it!”
    Duncan shrugged amiably. “Perhaps ’tis the elements who would prefer to not endorse your claim.”
    â€œWhat madness is this?”
    His eyes shone with unexpected devilry, the change in his expression nigh taking her breath away. The man’s mood was changeable indeed. “It has long been said that a ghost haunts this place—perhaps ’tis that phantom who challenges your suzerainty.”
    Nay, he was mad. As simple as that.
    â€œA ghost!” Eglantine snorted. “Such tales are for children and foolish ones at that.” She tapped the document now safely out of the rain. “Any court would uphold my right, ghost or no ghost.”
    But Duncan eased closer, his voice dropping persuasively low. “Perhaps ’tis the souls of our forebears, whose blood stains the stones and whose tales are whispered by the wind, who would argue against your claim.”
    Eglantine shivered despite herself, then spared him a skeptical glance. “’Tis the law which is of import in this matter.”
    â€œThen seek yourself a court,” Duncan suggested with a smug certainty she longed to defy. “I believe William’s court is convened in Edinburgh, some weeks ride to the east.”
    â€œI know whence Edinburgh lies.” Eglantine would never forget that town, for it had been the last place she had slept in warmth and dryness. She was sorely tempted to dismount, if only so she could poke this vexing man.
    But he took another step back, the light in his eyes hinting that he spied the turmoil within her. He waved, as cocksure as ever a man might be. “Then I bid you a safe journey. Godspeed to you.”
    Duncan bowed slightly, mockery in every line of his body, then turned to saunter back to his companions. Their confident grins exceeded Eglantine’s tolerance.
    â€œNay, Godspeed to you, Duncan MacLaren,” she declared, her determination obviously catching his ear. He glanced over his shoulder just in time to see her beckon regally to her company. Eglantine savored the fleeting sight of his surprise.
    Then his gaze flew to her and Eglantine smiled beneath the full weight of his attention. “We, of course, shall remain, precisely as planned. Kinbeath is mine by right of law, though you have every right to question that claim when next the king and his court pass this way.” She widened her eyes deliberately. “Unless you choose to leave and seek that court immediately.”
    Duncan folded his arms across his chest anew, his humor dispelled. He looked as likely to move as the stones scattered across the point. “Is that a challenge that you would make?”
    Eglantine lifted