Page 2 of A Knight To Call My Own
They slowed their mounts as they neared the open barbican gate. Was it just her imagination, or did she receive several disappointing looks from those high above who guarded Berwyck’s walls? She gazed upward to stare at the heavy metal spikes of the portcullis as they rode beneath them and she shuddered whilst thinking of the death trap awaiting an unwelcome visitor.
Bringing her horse to a halt in the outer bailey, she waited patiently for a lad to come to take the reins and lead Beauty to the stables. Ever efficient, she did not sit there long afore two young lads came running towards her and her guardsman.
Rolf dismounted and promptly came to her side, raising his arms to assist her from her saddle. She gladly accepted his help, resting her hands firmly on his broad shoulders. As he began to slowly lower her to the ground, their eyes locked to one another for the briefest of moments when she became level with his gaze. His stare was intense and quite unexpected causing her heart to flutter softly like the wings of a small bird in flight. Heat flushed her face since she had never thought to be the recipient of such a look, especially from her captain. She blinked, breaking the spell between them as he set her unsteadily on her feet.
He cleared his throat, causing Lynet to realize she continued to hold on to his arms for support. She hastily muttered an apology and dropped her limbs uselessly to her sides. Embarrassed to the core of her being, she refused to look at him again ‘til she felt the slightest pressure of his fingers beneath her chin. She raised her eyes to once more meet his and saw a tentative grin form on his face.
“I know ’tis not my place, Lady Lynet, but Ian is a fool for not seeing what he would gain by taking you to wife,” Rolf said with a sincere heart.
She scoffed at what she presumed to be reference to the wealth she would bring to her marriage. “Oh aye!” she responded sarcastically. “He is indeed a fool to throw away so much coin to fill his coffers, even ifIcome with such an agreement.”
“I was not referring to monies, my lady.”
“Were you not?”
“Nay, I was not. Any man with sense in his head can see coin matters little where you are concerned, not to mention he would be blessed to have you at his side.”
Rolf’s words consoled her injured pride, making Lynet blush whilst her face once more became heated at his words. Silently, she wondered for the first time if Rolf held a certain affection for her. She had never thought of her guardsman in such a manner, most likely because her heart had always belonged to Ian. Still, she could not boldly speak her mind to inquire if he spoke his own feelings. Instead, she voiced the next thought that popped into her head.
“Why do you not just address me by my given name, Rolf? You know I have asked this of you more times than I can count,” she whispered sweetly.
He gave her a small nod of his head. “You know the answer, my lady, if you but search your heart,” he replied respectfully.
He did care for her! Silence stretched between them, and she pondered how she could have been so blind. Sadly, she understood that she had hurt his feelings, but, ’til now, had been unable to offer him anything more than friendship. She thought of how Rolf had pulled her out of more reckless scrapes than even she cared to admit over the past several years. He had always been there, hovering near at hand, since Dristan had won Berwyck in the name of the king and had appointed him as her captain. If there were a fool in her midst, it surely must be herself.
Rolf’s name was called, and its sound took her out of her musings. Looking up towards the lists, she noticed how Dristan was beckoning to his knight whilst his captain, Fletcher, stood anxiously with his sword resting upon his shoulder.
“I must go,” Rolf scoffed, “I have a long night ahead of me.”
“Aye,” she returned softly. “I will still have speech with Dristan if you but wish it of me.”
He turned his gaze to her once again, and Lynet thought she would burn on the spot from the intensity of his eyes leveling on her body. “Nay, you will not, my lady, but perchance, you may take pity on me by providing me with something to quench my thirst, once I return to the hall.”
Rolf did not wait for the opportunity to hear her answer, but bowed low over her hand and took his leave of her. She watched him go and pondered her stupidity.How many other broken hearts have I left in my wake with my refusal to wed over the years?There was no reply forthcoming inside her head, and, mayhap, she would never know for sure.
Lynet turned to make her way into the keep ’til she too heard her name called from the lists. Returning her gaze back towards the sound of men training, she noticed her liege lord crooking his finger for her to join him.
She gave a weary sigh and, with much trepidation, put one foot in front of the other. ’Twas time to pay the price for her waywardness and the trouble she had caused this day. She would not make another mistake as to actually put off the inevitable, for the Devil’s Dragon demanded reparation for her insubordination. She might as well get it over and done with so she could once more begin to ponder the direction her sorry life would now lead.
Chapter Two
The Drunken Bard Tavern
Edinburgh, Scotland
Boisterous laugher filled the overlycrowded tavern as men banged their cups upon heavy oaken tables whilst awaiting them to be filled, yet again. Serving maids busily went about their business, trying as best as they could to replenish their customers’ ale, without too much abuse to their already bruised backsides. An outraged squeal of protest, as a playful slap landed squarely on one pretty maid’s bottom, only caused another round of loud guffaws.
A scuffle broke out whilst yet another set of intoxicated louts attempted to lay claim to the same maid who worked the inn for a bit of coin. She was rudely tossed aside as one of the ruffians took his chair and slammed it upon the head of the other. Splintering wood flew in multiple directions, whilst complaints were bellowed from those nearby, as the two combatants continued their fight on the floor. ’Twas only at the shouting of the barkeep, informing his patrons they would be paying for any damages incurred, that the two rose and took the matter outside to be settled where things of this nature should be resolved in the first place.
“Now, this is a tavern more to my liking!” roared Turquine as he lifted his mug and drained its contents. “I like my inn to have some flavor and not be so meek and civilized like the last one we visited.”
“Ale!” called his brother Taegan. The serving maid hastily filled his cup, but with a wink of her eye, she plopped herself right down into his lap. His hearty laughter filled the room as he began to nuzzle her neck much to her approval.
Ian held out his own tankard as another serving wench answered his call. When she came up to him, she leaned forward practically spilling out of her gown. He did not mind the view she freely offered him for she was well endowed. With a promise in her smile, she wound her arm around his neck and settled herself in his lap ’til a most unladylike shriek rent the air.
Another woman rushed over and stood shaking her fist in outrage. “Eh now, sod off! Ye know I’s ’ad me eye on this one!” She gave the girl a hard push ’til Ian’s arm snaked around the irate wench’s waist, bringing her closer to his side.
Ian chuckled as they began to bicker between themselves. “Now, now, ladies, enough of all that. There are more pleasurable ways to spend the eve. I think there is more than enough of me to go around.” He gave each a quick kiss on the cheek, which seemed to pacify at least one of the maids. The other looked as though she was not of a mind to share what she had laid claim to. “What of you, Thomas? See something you like?” he asked bringing both women closer upon his legs.
