Page 67 of Sword of Rage
“Before?”
“With Lyle. He didn’t like me leaving the house. He thought my place was inside—cooking, cleaning, and tending to his needs.”
Ackley had to force himself to remain calm so she’d continue to confide in him. “Even though you’re a lady, he had you doing the work of servants?” And he’d seen the closet. It had been cleared out, there was a chain around the door handle, and the inside had scuff marks from someone kicking and banging. He couldn’t figure out why Lyle would have locked Harley in there.
“Lyle didn’t allow servants in the house. Someone had to do the work.”
Lyle had married a person of wealth and social standing for a reason. He should have taken advantage of it. There was no reason to force Harley to do the work of servants and treat her so abominably. “I would have thought he’d want to show you off.” Usually when a man married a woman as beautiful as Harley, he enjoyed taking her to balls and gatherings. It seemed strange to want to hide her away. But then he thought about the woman his brother had wanted him to marry. She was a pretty little thing who he didn’t care for. If they’d married, he probably wouldn’t have wanted to take her anywhere and would have preferred ignoring her. Thankfully, that engagement had been severed. He shivered, grateful to have gotten out of that one.
“Maybe he would have with time.” She folded her arms, gazing out at the scenery.
A few wooden huts came into view, which meant the village had to be close by. Ackley glanced at Harley. Her beautiful, long blonde hair stood out like a beacon. “I think you should braid your hair. Try to look a little less conspicuous.”
“Good idea.” She quickly braided her hair then slid it under her tunic.
He tried not to think about what it would feel like to run his hands down her bare back. Such thoughts would do him no good. She was not his type.
“When we reach the village, what are we going to do?”
“Find the tavern.”
“Of course. It seems all business dealings are conducted at such establishments.” Her voice dripped with sarcasm.
“Maybe try not to speak so refined when we’re near other people. Try and mimic those around you.” More buildings came into view. “Use some slang. Curse.”
“I most certainly will not curse. I can, however, use some slang as you call it.”
He chuckled. “This should be good fun.”
A cart neared. The driver didn’t even bother to glance their way as he steered the horses past them.
“No wonder Russeks wear those fur things.”
“Excuse me?”
“It’s so cold here. I’m sure the fur wraps keep them warm. At first I thought it was to intimidate others, but now I see it’s for survival.”
They would stand out even more without cloaks of some sort. Especially if Harley kept shaking like that.
The cart stopped in the middle of the road ahead of them. Ackley stepped in front of Harley, a dagger already in his right hand.
The man driving the cart chuckled, then climbed down. “You from Melenia?” he asked in a thick accent. He was six feet four inches tall and about two hundred fifty pounds. His long dark hair was pulled back at the base of his neck.
While Ackley didn’t visibly see any weapons, the man probably had one in his boot and maybe one hidden on his back. The way the man held his body, along with his muscled arms, indicated he was well versed in the art of fighting. He probably didn’t need a weapon—his hands were deadly enough.
Yet, he hadn’t made any move against Ackley or Harley. Weighing his options, Ackley decided to shrug.
“I’ve been waiting with yourfriend. When he saw you pass by, he sent me after you.” He folded his arms, tilting his head to the side, studying Ackley. “He didn’t expect you to bring a woman along.”
Ackley shrugged again. “What difference does it make?” He hoped having Harley there didn’t prevent him from meeting with Kerdan.
“Just wasn’t part of the plan,” he replied. “Your friend who arranged everything never did tell me your name.”
“I’m Prince Ackley of Marsden.”
The man threw his head back, laughing. “You’ve got balls, I’ll give you that.”
Harley moved closer to Ackley. He wished she hadn’t moved because by doing so, she drew attention to herself.
