Page 28 of Promise of a Knight
Her sister laughed, head falling back and the peeling sound echoing painfully in Alex’s head.
“Take the necklace? Why ye little whelp, wasn’t that yer duty?” She sneered, her arms coming uncrossed as she leaned closer, obviously looking Alex up and down and finding her wanting. “Mother knew ye wouldn’t do it.”
“Did ye take it?” Alex asked again.
“Go back to Caerlaverock where a ninny like ye belongs.” Agnes did not answer the question, but whirled on her slippered heel and stormed away.
Agnes had to have been the one to take it. She never confessed, but she didn’t deny it either. The truth had been written on her face. Alex had to find Alaric. She had to tell him. Had to make sure he knew it wasn’t her responsible, but her sister.
But… Then her sister would be arrested. Punished. And it would have been Alex who snitched on her. Despite how her family treated her, like a black sheep, Alex still didn’t want to give up her sister’s name right away. There was still a chance it wasn’t Agnes… though it was highly doubtful. If pressed, Alex would tell Alaric it was her sister, but beg him to keep that part a secret, even though she knew he’d likely deny her.
Alex chewed her lip the entire length of the grounds and back looking for Alaric. The castle had come to life and the sounds along with it. At this rate, she was likely to only find him in the Great Hall at supper that evening.
After an hour, with one last ditch effort, she headed toward the stable, in hopes of finding him there. But she wasn’t prepared for what she saw upon pushing open the door.
Alaric stood without his shirt on, in only a pair of breeches as he brushed his horse, then led it to the center aisle before tying his reins to the walls.
For a few blessed seconds she memorized every rippling muscle of his back and the powerful corded strength of his arms and shoulders. The line of his spine was one she’d use to measure all else.
But her moment of admiration was quickly doused when he turned and glared at her once more. Her heart hurt seeing him stare at her that way. She didn’t want him to hate her. Wanted to be back up on those ramparts where nothing existed but the two of them and the light of the stars and moon.
Alaric flicked his hand to the servants present, sending them out the door, leaving the two of them alone.
“Go back to your chamber, my lady. I will be with you shortly to deal with your disloyalty,” he growled.
Alex rushed forward, shaking her head. “Nay, Alaric, ye must listen to me.”
He turned slowly, crossing his arms over his glorious, muscled chest and leaned against his horse. A sprinkle of hair danced over the sinew of his torso and she couldn’t stop staring. She’d not seen a man in such a state before. At least not a man that made her heart pound.
“Listen to you? I need do no such thing. Leave it for the king to decide.”
She pressed her hands together, holding them to her heart. “It wasn’t me, I swear. And I know who it was.”
Though he didn’t move, his eyebrows lifted with interest. “Do you now?”
“Aye,” she rushed out, praying he wouldn’t ask her to give him a name and knowing all the while that thought was silly.
“Tell me who could have possibly stolen the necklace that you so desperately wanted to take for yourself?”
Alex chewed her lip, her excitement faltering. “I cannot tell ye, only that it wasn’t me.”
Alaric let out a frustrated growl. “More lies. Have you not had enough? For I have.”
He moved to turn back to his horse, but Alex reached out. “Wait. I’ll tell ye, but ye must promise to keep it quiet.”
Though he kept his gaze on her, he said nothing. Made no promises to her, not like he had before. Alex either had to accept that, or walk away now and wait for the castle guards to collect her for something she didn’t do. Once again she was in the same position of protecting her family or following her heart. Her heart that led to Alaric.
Alex whispered a prayer for forgiveness and then confessed what she knew. “My sister.”
“Your sister?” Alaric studied Alex, praying what she said was true.
He’d been walking around with an immeasurable pain in his chest since earlier that morning when he’d found her on the ramparts and he knew there was only one way to alleviate it—to find her not guilty.
“Aye,” she whispered. Though her gaze was steady on his, he could see her demeanor cracking.
“I believe you.” Alaric held out his arms and Alex all but rushed into them.
“Oh, Alaric, ye have no idea how much I needed to hear that.” Her arms circled around his waist and her warm, tear-stained cheek pressed to his chest.
