The Succubus by Sarah Winn Page A

Isabel. “This rascal has served our purposes.”
    Daniel hated the triumphant tone in his uncle’s voice. “After only one week, she may not be with child, you know.”
    Kendrick paused to glare back with him. “Good! Then I’ll find some honest laborer with more sense than you have to do the deed.”
    Daniel clenched his teeth to stop a cry of rage at the thought of Isabel so dishonoring herself. Kendrick dragged her from the room and she never looked back. That was the cruelest blow. She never once looked back at him.

Part Two: A Knight Triumphant

Chapter 6
    In the practice yard at Bettany Castle, Daniel sent another squire sprawling with a whack from his blunted practice blade. “You boys are fat and lazy,” he grumbled at the circle of somber young men who surrounded him. “If you ever hope to become knights, you have to sharpen your skills, and the only way to do that is through constant practice.”
    He could see why Lord Giffard had placed him in charge of the squires’ military training. Sir Simon had apparently grown too old for the job. “Who wants to be next?”
    The only response was shuffling feet and hanging heads. Daniel was so disgusted with these boys he was sorely temped to bang a few heads to get their attention.
    A high-pitched voice called, “Sir Daniel, Sir Daniel!”
    He turned to see who was interrupting him. The baron’s page, a boy of nine, was running toward him on pudgy legs. By God, it was time to put the whole lot on short rations. “What do you want?”
    The boy stopped and fought to catch his breath. “Lord Giffard wishes to see you.”
    Daniel glowered at him. “Where?”
    â€œIn the hall, sir.”
    â€œWhen?”
    â€œNow, sir.”
    Daniel swallowed a curse and sheathed his sword. He stopped at a nearby trough, and after pulling the chain mail away from his head, threw hands full of chilly water over his sweaty face and hair. He hated to appear before the baron in such a disheveled state, but he felt sure the lord wouldn’t interrupt his training session for no good reason. Something must be wrong.
    He entered the hall and immediately spotted the robust figure of Lord Giffard seated on his favorite settle near the large fireplace. As he neared his liege lord, Daniel noticed another man standing nearby. The man turned and Daniel stopped and stared in amazement. “Wilmont?”
    The steward from Tewsbarrow stepped toward him, and then dropped to one knee and bowed his head. “My lord.”
    Daniel was embarrassed such an unseemly display occurred in front of Lord Giffard. “What’s the matter with you?” he gruffly asked the kneeling man. “I’m no lord.”
    Wilmont looked up. “Yes, sir, you are. Your uncle has died, and you’re his heir.”
    Daniel felt like the flat side of a broadsword had banged the side of his head.
    A smiling Lord Giffard jumped to his feet and slapped Daniel on the back. “Don’t look so surprised, Daniel. You knew you were Tewsbarrow’s heir.”
    â€œEr—only if he didn’t have a child, and he had a young wife.”
    After a gesture from Daniel, Wilmont got to his feet. “He did have a child, my lord, but a girl who cannot inherit.”
    â€œA girl child?” The broadsword blow was followed by the smack of a mace.
    â€œYes, my lord. Her name is Chloe.”
    â€œWhen was she born?”
    Wilmont frowned at the question, but finally said, “Why, let me see. The baron was stricken right after her birth and he lingered on for more than two months. Counting the time it’s taken me to bring the news, Chloe’s at least three months old.”
    It had been a year since he’d been to Tewsbarrow. I have a child, a daughter. The scheming pair had succeeded in making the baby they so desperately wanted, but their plan had still failed. Mirth began to build in his chest. A smile