A warning bell went off in Mathias’ head. He turned to her. “Who was your lord?”
“Ranulf de Pennington,” she replied. “He held the castle for the crown. He nearly won the joust but a big black knight under Roger Mortimer’s banner beat him. Nearly drove Lord Ranulf right into the ground. We all hated him very much after that.”
Mathias looked away.That big black knight was me,he thought ironically. Odd how the world, so big most of the time, had suddenly grown quite small. “Did you even know the knight’s name or was he simply the Hated One?”
Cathlina giggled. “I do not recall,” she said. “It was something like Rain or Rainton. I do not remember. If I ever meet this man, I will punch him right in the nose and call it justice for Lord Ranulf.”
It was de Reyne. Mathias knew she didn’t know his surname because he never told her. He thought to never tell her now lest she punch him in the nose. Moreover, it seemed as if she already had a bad opinion of him. He cleared his throat, almost nervously, and hastened to change the subject.
“So you have been to Lincolnshire,” he said. “You have traveled a great deal. Many people do not ever leave the towns they were born in. You have been fortunate.”
She was successfully diverted. “I was at Lincoln Castle for six years,” she replied. “There was so much war going on and my father was away so often that my mother did not want her daughters away as well. I went to foster when I was eight years of age and returned home six years ago.”
“That would make you twenty years of age.”
“You are correct,” she said. “I had my birthday last month. How old are you?”
“Tooold.”
She grinned. “It is not fair you know my age and I do not know yours.”
He cast her a sidelong glance. “I am much older than you.”
“How much older?”
“Thirteen years.” When she began to count her fingers, slowly, he laughed. “I have seen thirty-three years.”
“God’s Bones,” she said, shaking her head. “Are you truly so old? Why have you not married before now, Mathias?”
“Who says that I have not?”
“Have you?”
He snorted. “Nay,” he said. “I was betrothed once but she found a better prospect.”
The truth was that he had been betrothed to the Lady Lucy de Geneville, a niece of the Lady Joan, Roger Mortimer’s wife. But that betrothal had been quickly dissolved when Roger had been captured and anyone associated with him dishonored.He didn’t particularly care about it, although Lucy had been devastated. For some reason, she had fallen in love with him. He still remembered her tears when everything fell apart. Looking at Cathlina, for the first time in his life he was coming to understand, however small, the disappointment Lucy must have felt. To be separated from the person you so desperately want….
“Impossible,” Cathlina cut into his thoughts. “There is no better prospect than you. Why, you are a successful craftsman with a thriving business. I would think any young lady would be honored to be your betrothed.”
He gave her a half-smile, humble, but his eyes were on the knights that had now drawn much closer. In fact, they began to race towards them down the road, kicking up rocks and dirt, and the line of eight or ten men-at-arms behind them were also beginning to gallop. Mathias went on his guard.
“My lady,” he said, holding a hand out to her and trying to remain calm. “Come to me. I would have you get on my horse and ride with me.”
By this time, Cathlina saw the horses racing towards them and she was frightened. Dutifully, she directed her palfrey over to him and he took the reins to hold the horse steady.
“Those men?” she said, reaching over to pull herself onto his horse. “Who are they?”
He let go of her horse long enough to pull her up in front of him. She was warm and soft and smelled of lavender, but he ignored the very sweet sensations as he settled her on his lap. As the thunder rolled and the wind whipped her hair into his face, he let go of her palfrey so he could have full control of his steed. The old horse had a lot of strength but not a lot of speed, and he was without a weapon. He was mentally calculating the odds and several potential escape plans when Cathlina suddenly let out a hiss.
“It is Beauson,” she said. Then, she started waving frantically. “Beauson!”
Mathias had no idea what she was doing, or who she was speaking of, but he quickly realized she knew the incoming knights. He held his charger steady as the party closed in on them.
It was a well-armed group. The de Lara knights were dressed for battle, including massive broadswords and a variety of smaller weapons. The men-at-arms were also well equipped. Both knights threw up their visors, angry and accusing eyes moving between Cathlina and Mathias. In fact, the knight in the lead unsheathed his broadsword and pointed it dangerously at Mathias.
“If you value your life, you will let her go,” he snarled. “Release her!”
“Wait!” Cathlina cried, throwing out her hands. “Put down your weapons, both of you! He has done nothing wrong!”
