The Pledge Read Online Free PDF Page A

so.”
    “Well, then?”
    “Your argument is thin.”
    They’d stopped and faced each other, neither cognizant of the rising murmurs around them.
    Since Morrigan didn’t feel she could be any more threatened than she already was by being betrothed and soon to be married
     to a Scot, she persevered. “I, a true Llywelyn, and as such bound in ancient times to Trevelyan, can be held responsible for
     this, as my brothers can’t. Welsh law allows a woman to be regent for aspecified time. I am the only one left who has the blood and connection to hold such riches in trust, honorably, until such
     an inheritor can be found—”
    “ ’Twould seem you know your Welsh history and customs.”
    “ ’Tis true.” She’d also learned how to wager and gamble at her father’s knee.
    “And you do not consider this royal person equal to the task of protecting such lands and monies?” the king thrust at her,
     his face mottling.
    She’d risked his anger and it would seem she’d fired it. Morrigan swallowed and wondered if she’d even make it to the marriage
     dais alive.
    The murmurs rose higher through the sudden silence. Morrigan was sure that the onlookers, including her intended, could read
     the royal’s ire as well as she. She looked at none but the king. “I, and all who know your reputation, respect your royal
     acumen,” Morrigan stated.
    The royal unbent enough to glance around him.
    Morrigan looked to the assemblage on the raised platform. She saw lips move and was sure they were discussing the delay.
    “Can you discern their meaning, Hugh?”
    “No. They are rigid enough to have argued.” He didn’t turn to look at Toric. His gaze was fixed to the woman.
    “She’s not just a princess, but a beauty as well, eh Hugh? ’Tis a surprise, I’ll be bound.”
    “Yes,” Hugh said in terse tones.
    “Perhaps ’Tis a fluke of the sun. Her tresses cannot be midnight black shot with fire? Her brows are like blackbird wings.
     Even those arches seemed to be touched by that auburn fire. Though her rich raiment covers her from head to toe, I would say
     that she’s as well formed as my mare. What say you, cousin?”
    Hugh cursed. “What keeps the monarch and princess from the dais?”
    “I sense you’re more angered by my words, than by their hesitation.”
    “Hold your tongue, Toric.”
    His cousin laughed. “I swear you wouldn’t have cared a fig on waking if she had been covered as well as a nun with only the
     tips of her fingers and face showing. Now you do.”
    “Must you go on with this?”
    “I must,” Toric responded, hiding his mirth. “Is she not like the wonderful enamels fashioned in Mercia? And her skin shines
     like sunny moonlight. Ah, if only we could see her eyes.”
    “How poetic you’ve become, cousin.”
    “I’ll ignore the vinegar in your voice, and tell you to remember the covenant that will enrich MacKays with these nuptials.”
    “I forget nothing.”
    Ignoring his cousin’s restraining arm, he leapt down from the dais and strode toward the duo.
    Hugh perused her as he moved, noting the rich elkskinof her boots. The narrow, womanly foot was well shod. The intricate lace of her underdress spelled wealth.
    “ ’Twould seem the vows are to be put off by discussion?”
    Morrigan had to call on all her reserves not to fall back. She knew without looking that the harsh tones barely coated by
     civility belonged to her future spouse. When had he come upon them? When last she’d looked he’d been among the throng on the
     platform. She didn’t turn her head.
    “All proceeds as it should,” she said in her haughtiest tone. She was rewarded by the king’s elevated brow, and a fractional
     lifting of one corner of his mouth.
    “Your blood beats hot, MacKay. Even from a distance I noted your charge to reach us. No doubt ’twould be my needs that would
     call you, and not the loveliness of your intended.”
    “My heat would be for my intended, as you say,” Hugh interjected,