Page 3 of Knight of Havoc
Hawke stepped forward and gave a slight bow. “I have promised to protect this lady from the day of my first service in this household. Nothing will change that, Sir Barnabus.”
A heavy sigh left the man lying in the bed and he closed his eyes at Hawke’s words. ’Twas as though any energy he still had left him knowing she would be taken care of. “Good. Good,” he answered before he turned pale blue eyes in her direction. “You have been a blessing in my life, child. Never forget that you are loved.” He gave her a weak smile before heaving one last sigh as his final breath left him.
“Grandfather!” she sobbed but ’twas of no use. He was now gone, and she had no idea how she was to go on in this world without his guidance.
A strong arm came around her shoulders and pulled her from the stool. “Come, Elysande. You have done enough for one day. Let the priest give your grandfather his final prayers. You must needs rest. Olive, come see to your lady’s comfort in her chambers,” Hawke said ushering her toward the door. Olive went around them and disappeared down the corridor.
Elysande looked over her shoulder for one last look at her grandfather whilst there was still the slight bit of color to his skin. “I will need to see to his grave.”
“Nay,” Hawke replied. “I will see to it myself along with sending a servant downstairs to the kitchen to ensure there is an evening meal for you to fill your belly. When was the last time you ate?”
She shrugged. “Does it matter?”
“Aye,ma petite, it does. I will not have you wasting away whilst you give your meager portions of food to others. You will do yourself no good if you do not retain your strength.”
They left the bedchamber and made their way to the turret, climbing the stairs to the fourth floor where her own room was located. “There is too much work for me to do still, Hawke. There is no time to rest.”
“For today, you are finished, my lady,” Hawke insisted.
“Ordering me about, are you, Hawke?” she managed to tease. She peered up into his green eyes. His blond-brown hair hung in soft waves to his shoulders. There was a time in her youth where she thought she had been in love with this handsome Frenchman, not that she was old at only a score of years. But five years was a long time to hold an affection for someone when she knew her parents would never approve and she had finally given up on any notion of finding love with the captain of her guard.
A slight chuckle left him, not that there was anything to be merry about. “At least for the remainder of the day, my lady,” he murmured whilst opening the portal to her bedchamber. Olive had already turned down the coverlets and waited for Hawke to depart.
“You will personally see to his grave?” she asked stepping farther into the room before turning around to face him.
“Aye, Elysande, I will see to it personally,” he assured her before giving her a bow and taking his leave, shutting the door behind him.
Elysande went to the bed to pull the covers back up. “’Tis too early in the afternoon to climb into bed, Olive. I will just take my ease with a short rest. You can return when ’tis time for the evening meal unless I am already downstairs in the hall,” she said as the weight of what she had lost this day fell upon her.
She waved her maid away and once she was left in the privacy of her bedchamber, she climbed on top of the coverlets and the softness of her bed. For once, she would not think of the responsibilities that awaited her outside of this door. Instead, she dreamed of a carefree life where her parents doted upon her, and suitors came to call who would take her breath away. If only life were that simple.
Chapter Three
Reynard checked thesaddle straps of his horse one last time. All was in order. He only awaited on Richard who had his hands full with his sister, Beatrix.
She stomped her foot. “You cannot leave me here, Richard. Why, what if some man attempts to take advantage of me? Who will defend my honor if you are not here?” she complained bitterly.
Richard continued to see to his horse before he finally turned his attention to his sister. “I doubt any man could withstand your sharp tongue. You will behave yourself and attend the empress as is required of you. That is your duty. Besides, you will soon be on your way to Oxford. I expect you to stay out of trouble,” he answered before placing a kiss upon her cheek. He then put his foot into the stirrup and settled into the saddle. “Do not make me regret leaving you alone.”
“You shall be sorry the moment you leave Gloucester’s gates,” she fumed, crossing her arms over her chest.
“Heaven help me! How I wish our parents were here at court instead of back home at Lyndhurst,” Richard uttered, turning his attention to Reynard. “Can you say something to her to make her behave?”
A burst of laughter left Reynard. “You think I have some kind of control over her?”
“One can only hope,” Richard said with a sigh. “Do something about her, Reynard.”
“She isyoursister,” he chuckled.
“But you are like her brother as well. Mayhap you will have some kind of an influence over her since you are of the same age.” Richard pulled on the reins turning his horse around. “Behave yourself, sister, and I will see you soon in Oxford.”
Beatrix stuck out her tongue before composing her features to face Reynard. “I suppose you think to control me, too, before you leave for Bristol,” she said with a frown, “as if you ever could.”
“I would not dare,” Reynard replied with a slight smile. She appeared so forlorn he felt a moment of pity toward the younger woman who, as Richard had just said, was like the sister he never had. “I know how you enjoy being the center of attention and I would think that you would have more freedom without your brother watching your every move. What has you so upset, Beatrix?”
She widened her eyes as though she were surprised that he could read her so easily. She shrugged and gave a sigh. “I have no friends here, Reynard. No one to confide in or have a friendly conversation. The other women of court only think of me as a lady in waiting to the empress with special privileges. They do not see me for who I am.”
He gave her a small grin of understanding. “The cattiness of other women never bothered you before.”
