Page 50 of Knight of Chaos
His eyes searched ahead into the faces who were hesitant about strangers entering their village. Some scurried to gather up their children, others huddled together in apparent fascination to learn what their business here might entail. Yet, there was only one face Theobald longed to see and ’twas the one person he did not encounter. He could not miss, however, the two knights who quickly pushed through the crowd to reach their side.
Theobald tried to keep his temper in check as he slid to the ground from the saddle. His face surely showed any who cared to look close enough that he was going to fail once Blake and Kingsley were in his reach.
“Thank the heavens, Theobald, you made it,” Kingsley announced in relief but held up his hands in defeat. “Do not take out this matter on us. We kept her safe!”
Blake stepped forward. “Aye. She is safe and that should be your main concern.”
Theobald cursed. “Safe? My concern should be that she is safe? I have been at my wits end trying to find her since she left. BySaint Michael’s Wingsyou two are idiots to have aided her in leaving me!”
Kingsley wagged his finger at Theobald. “You would rather she go alone?”
“Of course not,” Theobald sputtered in anger.
Blake nodded. “She would not be talked out of her decision. Be thankful we came with her. She has no sense of direction and we became lost several times. What should have only taken a few days took double that, but we knew you would eventually catch up with us.”
Reynard inched his horse forward. “Brother… you are creating a spectacle. Mayhap this conversation could be taken elsewhere?”
Richard dismounted. “I hope there is a stable somewhere for the horses. They have earned a rest.”
Kingsley nodded. “’Tis not much but ’twill provide shelter.”
Oswin also dismounted. “We could use a reprieve from our travels, but you had best tell our friend where to find his wife or he just might take his frustration out on all of us.”
Blake pointed off into the distance. “There’s a path into the forest past the fields where you’ll find a stream. She went in that direction to wash some of her garments.”
He handed Buttercup’s reins to his brother. “See to my horse and then find yourself some place warm to rest your heads. I have matters of import to impart upon my missing wife.”
His stride was one of pure determination. She was so close. He continued onward through the fields of wheat and entered the forest, plunging himself into its shadows. He stopped to listen to his surroundings and heard the sound of the creak nearby. He followed the sound but stopped short of leaving the tree line when he espied Ingrid talking with a blond-haired man.
When Theobald heard his wife call the manCharles, he knew this was her childhood friend, although from the looks of things, this man wanted more than mere friendship. Theobald began listening to their conversation. He knew Ingrid was more than capable of handling the situation and protecting herself but he still worried. His eyes scanned the surrounding area. Where the bloody Hell was her sword? Theobald clenched his fists at his side when Charles stepped a little too close to Ingrid.
“This is hardly the place to continue our conversation, Charles,” Ingrid hissed dropping the sopping wet tunic onto a nearby bolder. “I have work to do, and I need to figure out how I will feed myself and my two friends. What little monies I had were given to the monks at an abbey where we took shelter from the storm. I cannot continue to take advantage of the generosity of the two knights I traveled with, nor can I keep taking handouts from the villagers. Not when taking their food might mean that their own families go hungry.”
“I care not for the villagers, only that you admit that you care for me,” Charles growled out.
Ingrid put her hands on her hips. “Idocare for you, Charles, like abrother. When will you get that through that thick skull of yours?”
“How can I convince you to see me otherwise?” he pleaded whilst attempting to reach for her hands. Ingrid stepped back.
“You cannot. I do not understand why you continue to push this matter. You know very well that it matters not how you may wish our relationship can be closer. I am now married,” she said taking hold of the wet tunic and wringing the water from the fabric.
“Mayhap a kiss would change your mind.” Charles reached around to grab her waist in an attempt to pull her close. Ingrid once more dropped the garment to place her hands firmly on his chest.
She pushed hard but Charles barely moved. “Are you mad?” she said angrily. “The only man I will be kissing is my husband. Now, let me go!”
A smile of satisfaction at his wife’s words spread across Theobald’s face. Having heard enough, he came forth from the trees. “Am I interrupting anything, wife?” he asked attempting to hide his amusement when the two people suddenly broke apart.
Relief appeared to sweep across Ingrid’s face. “Theobald!” she cried out.
“Have you missed me?” he asked whilst holding out his hand. A sob escaped her as she ran into his arms and buried her face in his chest. “I will take it by such a welcome that you have,” he said chuckling.
She gazed up at him with tear filled hazel eyes. “I have no ken what you find so amusing.”
“We can discuss that later once we are in the privacy of your home. Now, tell me who this is who thinks to take advantage of my wife,” he asked even though he already knew Ingrid’s answer.
She clutched his tunic. “’Tis not what you think.”
Her frightened eyes told him that she worried about what he might have seen or overheard. Court life and how she must have viewed the scenes played out for her benefit came to his mind.
