Read The Angel's Assassin for Free Online Page B

comb through it. It
was tangled beyond belief but the maid was gentle and Annabel felt almost
refreshed once her hair was rid of its knots. After their conversation the
night before, Edith was quiet and Annabel knew it was her persistent need for
answers that had been the cause.
    Having attended
Mass and broken her fast with some bread, cheese and dried fruit, Annabel was
escorted out of the gate house. A great sense of relief washed over her as she
left the quiet confines of the convent. Sister Margaret bid her a soft goodbye
and carefully closed the gate behind her.
    Atop a grey rouncey
awaited Nicholas, looking as expressionless as ever. Annabel could not help but
feel a little flutter of anticipation and pleasure at the sight of him. It was
odd indeed that Annabel had found no companionship in a convent of women yet
felt almost joyous at the sight of such a stern man.
    With ease, he
dismounted the large mare and Annabel admired his agility mayhap a little too
openly. She was aware she was probably staring at him with a starry-eyed
expression more suited to a young girl than a grown woman, but she could not
seem to help herself.
    “My lady,” he
greeted her with a bow of his head, his eyes fastening onto hers.
    Did she just
imagine the glint of pleasure in them?
    “Nicholas, ‘tis
good to see you. I feared you may change your mind and leave me here.”
    “Did you not rest
well, my lady?”
    “Oh, well enough,
but I am ill-suited to such a peaceful way of life I fear. I shall pray that I
never have need to join a convent for I would make a terrible nun!”
    Nicholas tilted his
head slightly and looked at her uncertainly. She grinned and shook her head at
him. It amused her how such a great warrior seemed daunted by her mirth.
Peering around him, she took in the steed.
    “She is beautiful.
You told me you did not normally ride; may I ask why we are to ride now?”
    Nicholas shifted
uncomfortably. “We have far to go my lady, ‘twould not do for you to be
exhausted when we reach Lord Benedict’s.”
    “Well, I thank you,
Nicholas.”
    He dipped his head
again in acknowledgement before mounting once more. Holding his gloved hand
out, Annabel took it, gasping as he easily pulled her onto the saddle, settling
her across it. His strength surprised her for some unknown reason. She was
thoroughly aware of the muscles that lay hidden beneath his hauberk but to be on
the receiving end of such strength seemed to stir something deep within her.
    His arms came
around her, not quite touching but close enough to provide reassurance, and his
chest pressed into her back as he prodded the mare on. A surge of awareness
filtered through her and every part of her body seemed to tingle in response.
    They continued up
the muddy road, passing the few cottages that clung onto the walls of the
abbey, until they reached open fields. Annabel welcomed the sight of open land,
unsure of how she would cope being so close to Nicholas in the shadowy confines
of the forests. Briefly she considered that her reaction could be due to the
fact that she had never been this close to another man before, with the
exception of family. However, she quickly dismissed that idea seeing as it was
not only the touch of his body that incited strange reaction within her but his
presence too. She had spoken with many handsome knights and lords before, but
never felt even the slightest bit disconcerted.
    Little conversation
took place. It was not easy to converse with the heavy pounding of the mare’s
hooves in her ears, and the jostling gait stole her breath. She forgot how much
work simply riding was. Occasionally Nicholas would enquire after her, his
gruff voice brushing over her ear, and she found that all she could do was nod
meekly.
    The rouncey carried
them easily over the gentle hills until the white clouds in the sky began to
converge and darken. Nicholas must have taken note because he directed the
horse towards the oak trees that ran along the top of the