The Widow's Kiss Read Online Free PDF Page A

her head and offered him a tiny smile.
    Hugh was suddenly confused as if his mind and his physical senses had somehow gone off in different directions. It was the most damnable smile. And her eyes! They were glowing like dark purple lanterns. A minute agothey had been filled with a savage rage, now he could read only invitation.
What the devil was she playing at?
    He glanced at Robin who in his eagerness had already dismounted. He looked at the two girls and told himself that it was reasonable for their mother to wish to keep unpleasantness from them for as long as possible. He was not brute enough to ruin the child's birthday. But how in the name of grace was he to share a sociable, convivial evening with a woman he was investigating for murder?
    “Oh, yes, you
have
to come,” Pippa declared. “Pen wishes it and it's
very
unlucky to refuse someone's birthday wish. It will bring you months and months of ill luck, a whole year of it.”
    “Don’t exaggerate, Pippa,” Pen said, flushing slightly. “And why have you got blood on your gown?”
    “Oh, it's from the boar. I was standing too close when they were skinning it and it spurted. Greene was very cross,” Pippa said blithely, brushing at the dark red spots on her muslin gown. “He called me something that I think was very rude, only it was under his breath so I couldn’t quite catch it and he wouldn’t say it again. He told me to go away … so you will come, won’t you, sir?” she went on in the same breath. “You and that boy.” She pointed at Robin.
    Hugh knew when he’d met an unmovable object. He was aware that Guinevere was regarding him with an ironically comprehending smile, reading his thoughts as clearly as he’d read hers earlier. He threw in the towel. It would be an uncomfortable evening, but once it was over nothing would stand in the way of his investigation.
    “We should be very happy to celebrate your sister's birthday,” he said. “Robin, come and be introduced.” He drew his son forward.
    “How old are you?” Pippa asked instantly. “I’m eight and Pen's ten.”
    “Twelve,” Robin replied with a slightly haughty air. “I am on campaign with my father.”
    “Oh, how grand,” Pippa said, quite unabashed by the loftiness. “I wish I was a boy, then I could go campaigning too. But why are you campaigning here? Where are the enemies?” She looked around with an air of inquiry, as if expecting to see an army pop out of the ground.
    “Pippa, that's enough,” Guinevere said. “Go inside and ask Nell to help you change your gown. You can’t attend the feast covered in boar's blood. Oh, and ask Master Crowder to come out, please.”
    Pippa was easily distracted and went off with a merry skip. Pen said feelingly, “I wish she’d swallow her tongue sometimes.”
    “Does she always talk that much?” Robin asked.
    “She never stops.” Pen gave an elder sisterly sigh.
    “You sent for me, madam.” The steward approached, his black gown wafting around him. He regarded the newcomers with an air of sharp curiosity.
    “Lord Hugh is here upon the king's business. He and his son will be my guests for a few days,” Guinevere said. “Have them shown to the apartments in the west wing. Lord Hugh's men may be housed above the stables.”
    “My men will bivouac beyond the gates,” Hugh said firmly, a slightly mocking gleam in his eye. “ They will not thus be a charge upon your … your kindness, madam.”
    “As you wish, sir,” she said with a slight shrug.
    The steward bowed low. “If you would follow me, my lord.”
    Hugh nodded and called to his men. “Jack, have my trunk brought into the house.” He offered Guinevere a formal bow. “My thanks for your hospitality, madam. We must change our dress to do honor to your daughter's feast.”
    There was something unreal about this formal exchange of pleasantries, but Guinevere merely smiled agreeably and said, “I trust you will find our guest apartments comfortable, sir. We