Caught in a Cornish Scandal by Eleanor Webster (top novels of all time .txt) 📗

golden hair was tied back in an intricate braid and, unlike the other women around her, no ornament adorned the plait. The way she clapped her slender hands in delight at the sketch amused him far more than the comedy she was enjoying.

He wasn’t the only one to notice her. Every so often a man would try to catch her eye. One or two had even struck up a conversation, but after a moment or two she would politely turn away, her interest once more caught by the entertainment. If he were the sort of man who could pay court to her, he would have thought up an original idea to capture and hold her attention. As it was, he was content to watch her enjoy herself.

Erik moved slightly as a man stepped in close behind him, the stranger’s heavy wheezing too close for comfort.

Linota laughed out loud and Erik swallowed. He couldn’t help but laugh at his reaction; he was acting like the kitchen boy he’d once been, mesmerised by the prettiest girl in the fortress.

He’d been this way since he’d first caught a glimpse of Linota over a month ago. He was glad he and his liege, Jarin Ashdown, the Earl of Borwyn, were away from home. It would do no good to the fearsome reputation he’d spent years cultivating, if Borwyn’s men could see him mooning after a pretty young woman he’d not actually spoken to yet.

A heavy hand settled on his shoulder and he frowned. His notoriety normally preceded him and now that he and Borwyn had been guests at Ogmore’s fortress for so long, everyone should know that reputation was not an exaggeration. He wasn’t the sort of man you clapped on the shoulder. He was the man you stayed well clear of.

‘I have news of Mary,’ said a thick nasally voice below his left ear.

Ice flooded through Erik’s veins. No one had spoken to him of his younger sister in years. Even when she’d lived in the same fortress as him, he’d worked hard to keep her hidden. After she’d left he’d searched for her, but he’d found no sign. It was as if she had been wiped out of existence.

‘Meet me by the stables,’ the voice commanded.

The hand disappeared from his shoulder. Erik whipped round to see who had been talking to him, but whoever it was had already melted into the crowds of people milling around the puppeteers.

He took one last look at Linota Leofric and glared at a pimply man who stepped near her. The man paled and reared back as if he’d been punched. Erik nodded, pleased his reputation had produced some results tonight.

The night was cloudless and a sharp wind bit through Erik’s clothes as he kept to the shadows thrown by the towering walls of the keep. Laughter from a nearby group of guards had him flattening himself against the rough stone and he laughed to himself as he straightened. He was doing nothing wrong, so why was he acting like a criminal?

He would meet with this stranger, who would probably try to feed him some nonsense in return for Erik using his influence with Borwyn. Erik could dismiss the man and get back to the festivities...and to watching Linota.

He shook his head; he wasn’t watching her, he was protecting her. Little did she know that a large dowry had recently been added to her name, and her sister’s, by the hugely influential Earl of Ogmore. It made her an excellent choice of bride for Erik’s liege, Borwyn, and Erik always guarded Borwyn’s interests. Linota’s wide, blue eyes and gentle curves made this assignment pleasanter than most.

Only Erik and Jarin knew how much Jarin needed the money and connections marrying Linota would bring. If the thought made Erik want to drive a fist through somebody’s face, then he’d just have to ignore the sensation. If she didn’t become Borywn’s wife, she wouldn’t become Erik’s either. Linota was not a potential bride for a bastard-born steward, her huge dowry placing her so far out of his reach he might as well aim for the moon.

He came to a stop by the stables and waited. The wind whipped through his woollen clothes and he wished he’d had time to pull on his cloak, his tunic didn’t provide enough warmth. He rubbed his hands together as the cold cut to his bones. He’d give the stranger a little longer and then he was returning to the delights of the Hall.

A shuffling to his left made him turn his head. A short, rotund man stood in the darkness.

‘Well?’ said Erik.

‘Erik Ward,’ said the man softly.

Erik groaned. This stranger clearly had the drama of a stage player with this lurking about in the dark and demands for secret meetings. Erik didn’t want this encounter to last any longer than absolutely necessary. He had things to do. ‘You said you have news of my sister.’

‘I do.’

‘And what do you want in exchange for the news?’

‘Ah, straight to the heart of the matter. I like it that you are so ready to make an exchange.’ Erik rolled his eyes. He was ready for no such thing, but he’d wait until this character had revealed his plans before letting on. He let the man continue. ‘You’re right, I do want something in return, but for now we’ll settle for proof of my sincere intentions. Here, take this parcel. When you’ve had time to take a look at it I’ll be in touch.’

‘What’s in here?’ Erik took the proffered small package and tucked it into his belt. There was nothing the man could give him that would hold any interest.

‘You’ll see,’ said the stranger, who turned and disappeared down the way he had come.

Erik sighed and strolled away from the shadows.

This wasn’t the first time someone had tried to take advantage of his position and it wouldn’t be the last. This latest one certainly had a flare for drama, though.

Linota stepped away from the puppet show.