Page 36 of Knight of Chaos
Ingrid scanned the women in their group. “We are barely out of Winchester and have only just begun our travels,” she grunted in response.
Theobald nodded. “Aye. I have no idea how the Empress will endure multiple days in the saddle.”
“She has little choice in the matter if she wishes to evade capture.”
“I do not wish to linger here any longer. The horses are refreshed but I fear our enemy is not too far behind us. We shall need to ride most likely into the early eve before we can make camp for the night,” Theobald stated. He reached out to caress her cheek.
She leaned into his palm. “I have missed you,” she whispered, wishing they were alone so she could show him how much he meant to her.
“And I you,” he said. Bending forward, he quickly kissed her lips. “Now mount up on Valor and let me see if Buttercup will be as accommodating. He has been especially stubborn this morn. I fear he may just buck me off and trot away to find the nearest stable.”
Ingrid stepped closer, taking hold of his hand. She was about to demand a kiss, not caring who would witness their affection, when they were interrupted.
“Norwood… I grow impatient,” the Empress warned. “Should we not be on our way?”
“Aye, my Empress,” Theobald answered before he gave Ingrid a wink. “Duty calls…”
Ingrid could only watch him depart. Aye… duty called, and she must also adhere to the dictates of the Empress. After all, they had an army that could surround them at any given moment. Ingrid would not be at ease until they were safely ensconced at the earl’s castle.
Chapter Twenty-Three
Far into thenight did they travel. Finally, when they were far enough away that Theobald deemed ’twas safe, they made camp. Reynard and Oswin had been able to hunt, and several small rabbits were roasting over a fire. A slow-moving stream provided both water for drinking and bathing for those brave enough to withstand the icy cold.
Theobald reached out for the Empress when she tripped over a hidden root on the forest floor. He tucked her hand into the crook of his arm and continued their stroll. She had asked him to accompany her so that they could have a private word.Merciful God!What more would she ask of him?
“You are no doubt wondering why I asked you to walk with me, Norwood,” she began as though she had heard his innermost thoughts. Her eyes turned upwards as though she was assessing his worth. One would have thought she had already found him more than capable of performing his duties. If the Battle of Lincoln had not proven his allegiance to her, then surely their safe flight from Winchester had done so.
Inwardly he sighed. “I am yours to command, my Empress,” he said whilst they continued to walk. They did not go far from their campsite, nor did he think they would be gone long from the company of the others.
“You have had my attention for some time, Norwood. I am more than aware that you are trustworthy, or you would not be here with me now,” she said patting his arm as though to soothe any troublesome thoughts he had running amiss inside his mind. “I am confident that you shall listen carefully when I ask what your attentions are toward Mistress Ingrid.”
“I wish her to be my bride once we have fulfilled our duty to you and your cause, Empress,” he stated without hesitation.
“And will that be before or after you fill her belly with your babe?” She stopped walking and took her hand from his arm waiting for his reply.
“I cannot in good faith offer to wed her when I know not what the morrow will bring. Our journey is filled with the threat of being accosted upon every turn of the road. I could be lying dead upon it on the morrow for all I know.”
“What the morrow will bring?” she fumed with an angry scowl. “’Twill bring you into the state of fatherhood whether you are ready for the responsibility or not, you fool! God forbid if you were to perish in your service to me—but at least if you were married first, Ingrid would become a widow and her child would not be labeled a bastard.”
“’Tis not my intention to take unfair advantage of Ingrid, Empress,” he declared placing his hand over his heart.
“And yet you bed her without the bonds of wedlock. How is this treating her fairly? You have not even asked permission to wed her nor have you sought out a priest to bless your union!”
“I had every intention of doing so once our situation became more stable. Surely you cannot expect me to take a wife when I have naught to offer her.” He stood his ground. Even though the Empress clearly considered him to be in the wrong, he was unsure how to right the situation.
Her brow rose. “So, you seek the riches only I can offer you. Title? Lands?” she asked warily.
“Only if you deem me worthy, my Empress,” he stated with a bow. “I am, after all, only your most humble servant.”
A snort left her whilst she continued to stare up at him. “Only time will tell if you continue to be worthy, Norwood. However, I expect you to do right by one of my ladies in waiting. I will not have her pregnant at court without having vows spoken between you.”
“As you wish, Empress,” Theobald said wondering how he would bring this issue up to Ingrid.
“’Tis not what I wish, Norwood,” she said quietly, “but what Ihopeyou will do on your own terms.”
’Twas Theobald’s turn to be surprised at her words. “My Empress?”
“I have another mission for you, Norwood, once we have reached Gloucester, you have been properly wed, and your horses have adequately rested from our journey.” She began pacing back and forth across the forest floor and Theobald waited for whatever she would now ask of him.
