Page 10 of The Saxon Lord's Unwanted Bride
During the evening meal, Eloise sat at her husband’s right hand and served him, but he ignored her.
Papa set his goblet down. “Your husband insults you, child. I cannot bear to see it.”
“Papa, I beg you, do nothing,” she said.
“Daughter, I must. You belong to this man and in a few days I won’t be here to protect you.”
“Of what are you speaking?” a voice boomed.
Eloise kept her eyes cast down as she felt her husband’s gaze on her.
“Nothing my Lord.” She picked at the greasy joint of meat in front of her.
“Is our Saxon food not good enough for you?”
She shook her head. “I’m not hungry my Lord.”
“Then you must retire.”
“My lord, ‘tis early,” she stammered, “and you’ve yet to finish your meal.”
“I saidyoumust retire, not I,” he growled. “I promised to marry you, not bed you.”
The company around them fell silent and Eloise’s face burned with shame.
“Husband, may we discuss this in private?”
“There’s naught to discuss, wife. You do as I bid and go where I tell you. Tonight you shall retire to your chamber and I to mine.” He stood up, scraping his chair on the stone floor and pulled her to her feet.
A shrill laugh told Eloise that the redhead had heard everything.
“My lord, I must protest,” Papa said, his voice laced with anger. “My daughter deserves…”
“Papa.” Eloise placed a hand on his arm. “My husband is lord. I will do as he bids.”
Harald sneered. “You understand your worth to me, wench.”
Flinching at the word she turned her gaze to her husband. “Aye, my Lord, I do. I understand the sanctity of the vows I made. I will honor my vows whether or not you honor yours. I wish for nothing more than peace, if not with my husband, then with the people of Wildstorm. For myself, I take solace in knowing that I am doing my duty.”
Harald waved a servant over. “Edith, show her ladyship to her chamber.”
* * *
Harald watchedhis wife as she followed Edith, stopping only briefly at Roswyn’s behest. The redhead leaned towards Eloise, her face twisted into a contemptuous snarl.
“He wants you not,” she hissed. “Iwill satisfy him.”
Eloise looked back at Harald, her direct gaze shaming him more than he cared to admit. Then she left the hall with an air of dignity. Shortly after, her father followed.
Harald sighed. He’d been determined to hate them, but he found himself admiring Alain and his daughter their poise and grace. Looking round, he saw his household for the first time as an outside observer might—boorish, raucous, with nothing more than wine and wenching on their minds, not caring what was happening to their country.
Roswyn sidled over and slipped into Eloise’s seat.
“That’s no longer your place,” Harald growled.
“You cannot want her,” Roswyn coaxed, rubbing her hand along his thigh.
Harald slapped her hand away. “Go back to Jeffrey,” he said. “I’d rather enjoy the services of an honest whore who requires only a coin for pleasuring me.”
