Page 10 of Knight of Havoc
His laughter filled the room. “You are not the first to inform me of such a trait and you certainly will not be the last. But surely you can see my point. Close up the keep until your return or for when your parents travel back home. You will be safer with me and those who are about the empress’s business.”
“And who will keep me safe from the advances of those same men in your company? You?” she inquired and then blushed that she had spoken her thoughts aloud.
He set down the knife. “I offered you my protection. My vow still stands. I am fully aware you do not know me or my nature but I am hardly in the habit of accosting women to see my needs fulfilled—”
A gasp escaped her that they were having such a conversation. “I did not say that you and I—” She bit her lips shut when he raised his hand to halt whatever words would spill forth next from her mouth.
“—nor do I take that which is notfreelyoffered,” he finished with a sly grin waiting for that answer to sink into her muddled brain.
“I am offering you nothing but a place to rest your head… alone.”
A chuckle escaped his lips. “A pity.” He took up the knife and continued the task she had given him. “If you feel so uncomfortable traveling with strangers, then by all means bringyour captain and maid and anyone else you would like. I care not who you wish to travel with so long as we make haste. I offer them the same protection that I offer you. If whoever you choose to ride with can keep up with the pace of our army, then there will be no problem. We wait for no one who cannot travel at the speed needed to meet our objectives.”
She was surprised at his words. “You have given me much to think on,” she murmured softly.
“Do not take too long to mull over your decision. I would much rather have you come willingly than for me to take you by force because you are too stubborn to see this as a remedy to your situation and is for your own good.”
She narrowed her eyes at this man’s gall. Just when she thought she might consider his offer, he goes and ruins it all. “You would not dare!” Hands on hips, she stomped her foot to get her point across only causing Reynard to give her a sly grin.
“Try me…”
With that challenge tossed in her direction and his task complete, he stood. Giving her a short bow of his head, he left her there sputtering and cursing his name. She swore she could hear his laughter echoing in the great hall.Bloody hell! He was going to make her leave whether she wished it or not. She hated him!
When the rear door opened again, Elysande briefly closed her eyes to give herself strength, gritted her teeth, and took a deep breath to confront the man who had returned to attempt again to persuade her to leave Blackmore. She turned to face the scoundrel and sighed in relief when she espied Hawke entering the kitchen.
He sat down at the bench, took up the knife, and continued to cut the vegetables still waiting on the table. “You appeared flustered when I saw you walking with Sir Reynard. Are you all right?”
“He vexes me,” she muttered trying to come to terms with leaving. She sat down next to her captain who inspected her intently. “Go on… out with it.”
“Out with what?” he said barely containing the slight smirk to his lips.
“Do not play games with me, Hawke. Tell me your thoughts so we may get this conversation over with. I am not certain I can bear further soul searching for one day,” she stated, folding her hands in her lap. She clenched her fingertips together, ready for whatever would spill forth from the man whose council she most trusted.
“As I have already stated, my lady, you and I both know that Sir Reynard speaks the truth. Whilst there are not many of us left here at Blackmore, there are still too many to feed with the limited sources we have available. You would do well to heed Sir Reynard’s words so that we may travel with him to the empress.” Hawke finished his task and tossed the vegetables into a cast iron pot on the table.
Elysande raised her tortured blue eyes to face him. “You would come with me?”
He gave her a smile. “To the ends of the earth if need be.”
’Twas as though a heavy burden were suddenly lifted from her shoulders, just from knowing her faithful captain would agree to travel with her. “Mayhap we could quickly make arrangements for the remaining servants to return to their families. They have been devoted to me, and I will not see them remain here and starve,” she replied finally coming to terms with her situation.
Hawke nodded. “I am certain we can make such an arrangement—and I am glad you came to the conclusion to leave Blackmore of your own accord.”
A snort left her. “’Twas hardly of my own accord, Hawke, and you know it.”
“Aye… well… mayhap Sir Reynard had a little something to do with your decision.”
Elysande reached over and clasped Hawke’s hand. His eyes momentarily widened at her touch. She almost regretted showing this warrior this small bit of affection until she felt him gently squeeze her hand.
“Thank you for standing by me all this time, Hawke.” How could she adequately express her gratitude to this man? There were not enough words to convey how highly she valued all he had done for her both before and after the siege.
Hawke stood and gave her a bow. “I am forever your most humble servant, my lady. I had best see to what can be done for the other servants prior to our leaving and see to packing.”
Elysande watched him leave. When more servants came into the kitchen, she gave the task of preparing the evening meal over to others. She went to stand at the entrance to her great hall and her eyes swept the room as memories flooded her mind. There really was no other choice but to go, and yet she hated to leave this place. More importantly, she would hate to see the smug look of satisfaction plastered on Sir Reynard’s face when he realized he had convinced her to leave. She swore she would hate him for all time!
Chapter Seven
Reynard’s gaze traveledover his shoulder to view the woman who had reluctantly come around to his way of thinking. She appeared miserable and he supposed he could not blame her. She must have felt his stare for her head jerked upright, her brows narrowed, and then she stuck her tongue out before turning away with a look of what appeared disgust. A childish act but so be it. Hate him if she must, but Reynard still felt he had made the right decision to bring her with him.
