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retainers. He also trained some of his more able serfs, those people not free but bound to
the land, supplying them with arms and the opportunity to buy their freedom. He would have
a small army ready to join King Alfred's defense when the time came.
Of Royce in particular, Kristen had learned he was not married yet, but would be later this
year. Eda could tell her little about his betrothed, who lived farther north, except that her
name was Corliss and she was supposed to be very beautiful. Eda had much more to say
about Lord Royce's first betrothed, the Lady Rhona, and Kristen surprised herself by actually
feeling sympathy for the Saxon when she learned he had lost more in that other Viking raid
than she had first thought. He had loved the Lady Rhona. No one knew what he felt for the
Lady Corliss.
Royce's cousin, Darrelle, who ran the domestic side of his household, had ignored Kristen
since that first day, leaving her in Eda's charge. She was a fascinating woman to watch, for
she was contrary in her behavior, haughty and condescending at one moment, needing
praise and reassurance in the next. She was also an emotional woman. Kristen had once
seen her complain shrilly to Royce, only to burst into tears when he lost patience with her
and replied sharply. She could also cry over something so minor as a few misplaced
stitches on the tapestry she was working.
Darrelle was not a problem for Kristen, since she treated the prisoner as if she were not
even there. Meghan was no problem, either, though Kristen had worried for a while that she
might be. The child's natural curiosity had prompted Kristen to tell her much more about
herself than she should have that day they met, things she did not want to reach Royce's
ears. If he knew she had a loving family and that her brother was one of those who died in
the forest, then he might reevaluate his opinion that she was a whore. But Meghan had
obviously not repeated anything she had learned from Kristen, and it was as Eda had
guessed: The child did not come near Kristen again.
Royce ignored her also, or pretended to. She saw him every day, for he could not pass
through the hall without her seeing him. But he did not look at her at these times. It was when
he was at his leisure in the hall that she would find him watching her.
Kristen was amused by his attitude toward her. She knew he held her in contempt for what
he thought she was, and also despised her because of her people. Yet aside from that, he
was still attracted to her. That he fought so determinedly against the attraction was what was
so amusing. She could feel his eyes following her movements, but when she would look up,
he would quickly look away.
Once, though, he did not look away. In fact, Royce stared so hard at her that night, the man
beside him had to call his name three times before gaining his attention. Kristen had
laughed aloud at that, the deep, rich tones carrying across the hall to Royce, infuriating him.
He had slammed his tankard of mead down on the table and departed the hall in angry
strides, bemusing his men, and delighting Kristen that she had the power to affect him so
strongly.
Kristen thought often about that night. In truth, she thought often about Royce. Knowing that
he wanted her gave her a heady feeling of pleasure. And, thanks to her mother, she knew
why.
Brenna had told her once, "You will know the man for you when you meet him. I knew it and
suffered long because I would not admit it, even to myself. Do not be like me, daughter.
When you find the man who gives you pleasure in sight, joy of your senses, who makes you
feel strange and wonderful inside when he comes near you, this is the man you will be happy
with, the one you can love, as I love your father."
Kristen had been fascinated by Royce the first time she saw him. To look at him was
immensely pleasurable. And when he was near she did feel different, more alive, more
aware of herself. Her humor she attributed to him, for she only felt like laughing when he was
around. She was not fool enough to think she loved him, for she would leave this place in a
minute if she could. But she was enough in tune with her feelings to realize she wanted
Royce of Wyndhurst: to touch him, to feel his arms around her, to know him as a woman
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