The Silken Cord by Leigh Bale Page B

For your King William, of course.”
    His jaw clenched, but his icy stare softened
with emotion. Compassion? Surely not. It’d be easier to hate him if
he hadn’t been so kind to her.
    Regaining her composure, she reminded
herself that she still needed Wulfgar’s help. For Dafydd, she would
curb her tongue. “I don’t wish to fight with you, Wulfgar. We both
have many grievances that cannot be resolved here and now. Let’s
speak of more pleasant topics. Tell me how you earned your spurs to
become a knight.”
    He frowned, but complied with her request.
“I was sixteen years old, quite young to be knighted. I was only
seventeen when we crossed the English Channel and William won his
crown. I watched my father die proudly upon the Hill of Senlac. For
my family’s loyal service, I was rewarded with the Earldom of
Glyndwr.”
    Ariana stilled as she watched him. He stared
at the feathers strewn around his feet, his voice raw with emotion,
his thoughts obviously absorbed by memories. Like her, he had lost
his father to war, but he had also won much through battle. It was
more than sad that there could be no peace between their
people.
    She cleared her throat. “Tell me, is it true
to become a knight you must run and mount your war horse over its
rump while you are dressed in full battle gear?”
    Wulfgar’s deep laughter filled the air.
“Yes, but I’ve never heard it described in such a way.”
    The spark of anger seemed to have vanished.
Sudden warmth blanketed her as she stared at his hands. While her
delicate skin was now red with sunburn, his arms, face and feet had
turned a deep, rich bronze. With his long hair and flexing muscles,
he looked like an invincible warrior.
    “Why did you buy me?” he asked again.
    “Tell me instead why you were sold as a
slave.”
    He gave an impatient scoff. “You already
know why.”
    “But I wish to hear your side of the
matter.”
    A troubled frown tugged at his brows. “Do
you wish to hear the truth or merely amuse yourself at my
expense?”
    “I wish to understand why you betrayed your
king.”
    Wulfgar’s eyes darkened. “If you doubt my
honor, I would simply make myself a fool by telling you of the
injustices done to me.”
    Her mouth tightened. “Your own king didn’t
believe you were innocent. Why should I?”
    He sighed and crossed his arms. “I misjudged
you, I see.”
    Ariana stared. “What do you mean?”
    Unfolding his arms, he stood and leaned
near, his eyes glittering. “I thought you had a mind of your own,
my lady. Until this moment, I believed you were different from the
rest, and that you thought for yourself. Otherwise, why would a
woman such as you come to the slave market to purchase a man such
as me? I still don’t know who you are and why you bought me. I
don’t believe it was on a whim. What do you want? What service do
you require of me? Speak it and I’ll comply if it is within my
power. I yearn for my freedom.”
    She wished it were so easy. Edwin would be
more than happy to hand Dafydd over in exchange for her. If her men
had died at sea, she didn’t want to take the chance that Wulfgar
would try to gain advantage for himself by giving her to Edwin.
    She must wait for her men.
    Wulfgar sighed. “Once you know me better,
you’ll regret not trusting me.”
    She drew herself up indignantly. “I don’t
wish to know you at all.”
    “Is it because I’m a Norman that you don’t
trust me?”
    Of course. Norman. Barbarian. They were the
same to her. “And also your past crimes. Words mean very little,
but actions speak the truth.”
    “Given time, you’ll come to see my actions
are honorable where you’re concerned.”
    Her brows rose in question and her voice
laced with sarcasm. “Only where I’m concerned? What about your
king, Wulfgar? You should be grateful he spared your life. Slavery
is the least you deserve. Do you think I can be persuaded to free
you because you say you are innocent?”
    “No, I don’t believe I’ll ever