Master Of Surrender by Karin Tabke Page B

has seen well to my needs thus far, Henri.” Rohan gestured with his sword to the dark knights flanking him. “While I have grown immune to your insults, my brethren have not. Tread lightly lest you find your tongue a tempting morsel for the hounds.”
    “Would you threaten me, bastard?”
    Rohan stepped closer, the point of his sword pointed directly at Henri’s heart. “I never threaten, brother. You of all people know that small fact about me.”
    Henri slapped at the blade and made as if to move past. Yet the blade barely moved in Rohan’s steady hand. His men closed ranks. Henri’s men shifted nervously in their saddles.
    “It would not sorrow me if you pressed the point.”
    Henri retreated a step. “I would not argue with you, brother. Besides, this manor is a hovel. There are more worthy lands of a more worthy noble. One whose blood runs true in his sire’s line. I’ll leave you to pretend, brother, but mark my words. You will not find yourself lord here or—”
    Henri’s eyes widened, and he looked past Rohan. In that instant, Rohan knew what captivated his brother so. Not trusting the noble-born son, Rohan stepped back and moved toward the open door where Isabel stood. Anger flared in his belly. “I told you to stay in the hall.”
    “I chose to ignore you.” Isabel darted past him to where Henri stood. She looked from the grinning knight back to the scowling knight. “You look to be twins.”
    Rohan moved forward to obscure her from Henri’s lecherous view. But his brother acted swiftly. He took Isabel’s hand and bowed regally. “I am Henri de Monfort. Second son of the Comte de Moraine and Belleview and Lord of Moreaux. I am at your service, damsel.”
    Isabel curtsied. “Lady Isabel of Alethorpe, eldest daughter of Alefric Lord of Alethorpe Wilshire, and Dunleavy. It would please me greatly if you would champion my honor.”
    Rohan grabbed her from his brother’s grasp. His men came to arms. “Go, Henri.”
    The noble was not to be gainsaid. “What does the lady speak of?”
    “Nothing that concerns you.”
    Henri studied his brother closely. Rohan’s temper simmered. It would be just like the noble-born to find a noble reason to take the lady from his care. Yet he knew Henri would use her harshly, then turn her over to his men for more of the same. Isabel knew not whom she temped with her wiles.
    “I should petition William on her behalf, brother. He will not take it lightly that his knights, his most trusted knights, who have sworn to protect the weak, especially a titled lady, would handle her with less then noble hands.”
    “Crow to William all you wish, Henri. The maid is in good hands here.”
    Henri looked at Isabel and smiled. “Do you have other kin?”
    “My brother Geoff and my sire, sir.”
    “Do they reside in the hall with you?”
    “Nay, they have yet to return from Hastings.”
    Henri’s eyes softened. He made to move toward Isabel, but Ioan blocked his way. “Irish scourge, move aside!”
    Wulfson growled and lunged past Rohan, his double swords poised for attack. Rohan grabbed the younger man’s forearm and pulled him back. “He is not worth it, Wulf. Would you waste good steel on a blackguard’s heart?”
    Rohan pressed his sword to Henri’s chest for the second time. “As is your way, you have created a storm in your wake. The lady is no doubt the heiress to this shire, but since it now resides under William’s standard, it is not up to us to decide what he will do with the manor or the lady. Until he makes his decision, brother, do not return here. For if you do, I will not curb my men.”
    Henri stepped back, his bold gaze raking Isabel. The full breeze pressed her garment full against her body, leaving little to the imagination. Her nipples were clearly outlined against the pale blue fabric of her tunic. With her hair unbound and her bare feet peeking from beneath the hem of her garment, she made quite a fetching sight. Rohan’s blood warmed. He