Notorious by Virginia Henley Page A

captivating them and wrapping them around her elegant fingers.
    Wolf’s composure was not ruffled by the performance being played out before him. He knew it was prompted for his benefit and he was both flattered and amused. As the meal drew to a close, however, an errant thought insinuated itself in his mind and he could not rid himself of it. In a few short months, Brianna would be seventeen and Warwick would be receiving offers for her. Four of my sisters were wed before they reached Brianna’s age, and Katherine and Joan will likely be betrothed once they turn twelve.
    Wolf knew of at least three men around his own age who would be eager for a match with the infamous Earl of Warwick’s daughter. Two of them were before him now, vying for the beauty’s attention. The third was the Earl of Surrey’s son, Lincoln Robert, who most likely had the advantage. As well, there could be others that he hadn’t even thought of. He made up his mind in an instant and followed his father as he left the hall and sought his chamber.
    â€œCome in, Wolf.” Roger Mortimer turned his attention from the map he intended to study. “Have a seat if there is something you wish to discuss.”
    Wolf took a chair and stretched his long legs before him. Roger poured both of them tankards of ale, then sat down to listen.
    â€œFather, you made a good match for your sister, Catherine, when you wed her to Rickard de Beauchamp. Have you ever considered another match between Mortimer and Warwick?”
    â€œI have. It’s crossed my mind more than once. A second blood bond between our houses would be advantageous to both families. But your sister Katherine is not yet twelve and Guy Thomas is only fourteen. There’s plenty of time, I warrant. Warwick’s lad isn’t his heir, so that puts him at a grave disadvantage, but young Kat is not the reigning beauty of the Mortimer litter so she may have to settle for a younger son.”
    The unintentional barb pierced Wolf’s protective carapace. He was well aware that he was at a grave disadvantage by not being Mortimer’s heir. He swallowed his pride and gathered his courage. “I wasn’t thinking of Warwick’s son, I was thinking of his daughter, Brianna de Beauchamp.”
    â€œAye, a prize indeed. I could kick myself for betrothing Edmund to Lord Badlesmere’s girl when my heir could have had Warwick’s daughter.” Mortimer shrugged. “The betrothal’s been formalized; there’s naught I can do unless you’d like to seduce Badlesmere’s wench and carry her off?”
    He knew his father was only half jesting, and his pride was badly stung. “I’m a wolf, not a bloody sacrificial lamb,” he said coldly. “Good night, Father.”
    Roger Mortimer stared after his namesake. He wasn’t the least obtuse. What virile male, especially a hot-blooded Mortimer, would not be tempted by Brianna de Beauchamp? He saw the way Wolf looked at Warwick’s daughter, the studied indifference that masked the hunger. Roger didn’t want his favorite son to be disappointed by a refusal. There were many heirs to earldoms from which her parents could choose a husband, and not the least of these was Lynx de Warenne’s son, who was now heir to the earldom of Surrey. If you want something badly enough, Wolf Mortimer, you will find a way to get it.
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    Mortimer was working with Warwick at the castle forge. Each took pride in being able to shoe his own horse.
    â€œYour lovely daughter Brianna will soon be seventeen. Is she spoken for?” Roger asked.
    â€œYou mean spoken for in marriage?” Warwick’s brows drew together. “No, she is not yet formally betrothed.”
    â€œPerhaps there is an understanding between the de Warenne family and your own?”
    â€œThere is nothing definite, but I warrant there is an unspoken understanding between Jory and Lynx to wait and see if the