Read By Right of Arms for Free Online

arriving in little groups throughout the night. Among the first to join him was his illegitimate son, Derek, and the boy’s mother, Faon. Derek was almost two years old, and Faon mothered the boy closely, and for this reason Hyatt acquiesced to her continued presence. He was amazed by his attachment to his bastard son, but he still lamented that first attraction to the fiery-haired vixen who had borne him. Many assumed that Faon provided him with much pleasure, warm nights and spirited amusement. But he would have no more bastards from her.
    Faon was from good merchant stock, clever, and some thought of her as beautiful. Any woman less so would have been settled with and left, but this woman he kept and supported so that he could supervise the rearing of the child. While many of his men believed Faon provided some carnal relief, it was the child who became a more significant part of his life with every passing day.
    Although Faon’s place with him was misunderstood by almost everyone, Hyatt was not inclined to explain his behavior. Sometimes he regretted his silence, for she was given to haughtiness as being the leader’s woman. He chose to ignore this because he considered the benefits of her position few. When she arrived ahead of the others, a bevy of guards protecting her, he was certain she had used some privy authority to accomplish this grand entrance.
    She rushed toward him, disregarding his frown of displeasure. He had hoped to see his other instructions followed before hers.
    “Victorious again, my lord,” she cried. Then, nuzzling his ear and neck, she added more softly, “I will make your night of victory very special.”
    “On this night, Faon, I am otherwise occupied. A room will be found for you and the boy.”
    She gave her head a toss, the reddish curls bouncing around her shoulders. Her eyes narrowed and she moistened her lips with her tongue. “Have you found some French whore to ease yourself upon?” she questioned flippantly.
    Hyatt laughed loudly. Her saucy confidence had originally attracted him and, his memory being sound, he chafed at the knowledge that he’d not found a better bedmate since. He condoned her nearness only because of Derek, for he did not love her and seldom approved of her behavior. On occasion she made him angry enough to strike her, and one day might yield to the temptation.
    “There is no French whore,” he said. “Not yet, though I look long and hard. The victory is not complete. I am hard at work, and the little time I spend abed tonight will be used for sleep.”
    He felt the urge to fondle his son, who sleepily reached chubby arms out to him, but instead he turned away. He was careful to let no witness other than the boy’s mother see how vulnerable he was to Derek. He made an impatient gesture with his hand, indicating that Faon and her servants and the child be installed somewhere to sleep.
    Hyatt’s distrust of women was understood, but left his acceptance of this one unexplained. He heard confused whispers, for he had been seen in generous acts toward her and also as he scorned her. Some spoke of his lusty demands and some, he imagined, even envied him this fancy harlot, for she was pleasing to the eye and brazen in her appeal. But Hyatt was discriminating, and not weakened by these hoyden flirtations.
    He was relieved when Faon did not rise early to press him for company, or some other demand … always on Derek’s behalf. It was true that he had much on his mind, and a goodly share had to do with Aurélie. While he did not think she would end her own life, he had been told of her pride and her devotion to Giles. His knowledge of her was far greater than hers of him, for Lord Lavergne had met them in Bordeaux and given the location of the castle and a great deal of information about Giles and his troop. If Aurélie did not kill herself because of the siege, she might attempt to do so when she learned that Lord Lavergne supported Hyatt’s attack.
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