Page 22 of Knight of Chaos
“What do you want, Oswin? As you could see, I was trying to rest so I can once again fight for our Empress.”
He stepped forward, holding out his chalice. “Will you drink with me?”
Shaking her head, she went and poured her own cup. Sharing a chalice with Oswin would be too intimate and would imply a lover’s connection. “Why are you here?” she repeated, waiting for his answer.
He gave a heavy sigh before downing the remains of his cup and setting it aside. He made his way to her. She had to lift her head to look upon him for his height once more had her at a disadvantage. “I but came to check on you to see if you required anything.” He watched her carefully. “I did not mean to disturb your slumber.”
“Did you expect anything else when you failed to announce yourself before entering?”
The corners of his mouth lifted. “I had hoped to find you awake and in need of company.”
“Surely your presence is required in the fighting, Sir Oswin. I can hardly believe you have the time to spare for a purely casual social call. It seems to me that you, along with the others who have suddenly come to visit me today, have deliberately chosen a time when Theobald is too busy and cannot interrupt our conversations.” She took a step back to give her the space she needed. She did not feel threatened by this man, only put on her guard that he would enter Theobald’s tent without first announcing his presence.
“As I said, I took a moment to see how you were doing. Do you need anything? How may I be of service to you?” he inquired. Stepping forward, he reached for her hand.
“Sir Oswin,” she began but he surprised her when he dropped to one knee. Humbling himself before her was not about to change her mind where this handsome man was concerned.
“Mayhap you would favor me once this battle is over. We can see if we might suit,” he began rubbing the back of her hand. Ingrid was at a loss for words.
Suddenly the flap of the tent was snapped opened and Theobald filled the space of the entryway, his brother and a knight she had briefly met on the battlefield directly behind him. The smile Theobald had on his face quickly left his visage whilst he thrust a bunch of wildflowers into Reynard’s hands.
“Am I disturbing something?” he fumed, clearly upset with the situation he had interrupted.
Ingrid pulled her hand away whilst Oswin rose to his feet. The cocky grin the knight had upon his face was like a challenge. The two men came face to face and Ingrid could only ponder what would happen next.
Chapter Fifteen
Theobald would notback down, especially inside his own bloody tent! Oswin appeared far too smug for his own good. ’Twas as if he believed he had some claim upon the lady since he had rescued her. But Theobald was in no mood to spar with the man, nor would he allow Oswin to think he could get the better of him.
Theobald walked around Oswin, giving him no opportunity to voice whatever had been about to pass from his lips. Coming to stand before Ingrid, he took her chin between his fingers to gaze into her eyes. “You are unharmed?” he asked quietly in what he hoped was a concerned tone.By St. Michael’s Wings, how he wished to kiss those lips.
Oswin stepped forward. “Of course she is unharmed. What kind of man do you take me for?”
Theobald looked over his shoulder, his brow raised. “I find you in my tent with the lady without the company of a chaperone and you do not think this would cause me concern? Or did you forget Ingrid is in my care?”
A short laugh erupted from Oswin. “Yet, where is this chaperone when you come to this very tent each night? She needs protection, not just for her virtue but for her very life! I told you to keep her safe but here I find her alone without a guard at the entrance,” he fumed.
“A matter that I will rectify immediately,” Theobald replied, turning to face the angry knight. Nodding to his brother, Reynard went to stand outside at the entrance of the tent.
Richard stepped forward staring at Ingrid with a frown. “I know you…”
Ingrid nodded. “But not formally.”
Theobald looked between the two of them wondering where on earth they would have had the chance to meet. “Ingrid Seymour, may I present Lord Richard Grancourt. He is a family friend who is more like a brother to us.”
Ingrid and Richard continued to stare upon one another from across the tent. “What am I missing?” Theobald asked.
A knowing look passed between Richard and Ingrid before she spoke up. “Did you find her?”
“Nay,” Richard answered, “I did not. She should have never been allowed to go free in the first place.”
“’Twas a courtesy… One woman fighting for a cause dear to her heart to another.”
“She could be dangerous,” Richard continued with a grim expression.
“Aye… I suppose she could be just as we are dangerous in our own right to pursue what we view as a just cause,” Ingrid said whilst she made an attempt to appear steady on her feet.
Theobald shook his head. “I hate to interrupt this discussion that makes sense only to the two of you, but we have more pressing matters at hand,” he said with a frown marring his brow. “Richard… if you do not mind… would you give us a few moments to settle what is between the three of us?”
