He smiled faintly. “I trained with the master knights of Kenilworth Castle,” he said. “I also trained at Dover Castle and in France at Château de Beynac. I’ve also traveled to many place and have learned many things from warriors of specific regions. My background is solid and varied, enough so that after my education, I returned to England and became a royal knight.”
“Oh?” she said, showing more interest. “Did you serve the king?”
“I did.”
“Directly?”
“I was answerable only to him.”
He thought he saw a hint of a smile. “He is very young,” she said. “I’ve often wondered what Henry is like. He was so young when he took the throne, but he must be a young man now.”
“I served his father, John.”
Any shadow of a smile was now gone from her face. “I see,” she said. “And… and you enjoyed serving him?”
“I did.”
“It must have been dangerous.”
“It was.”
She simply nodded, but he could see that she wanted to say more. Perhaps she was determining just what to say given the fact that John was widely hated, still, and he hadn’t exactly elaborated on his answers. She surely must have noticed that.
He was expecting the conversation to become difficult now.
John had ruined another relationship for him, too.
“Forgive me,” she finally said. “I do not mean to pry, but you do not look old enough to have served John.”
That wasn’t what he’d expected. No condemnation? No criticism? Her comment made him smile.
It was also a relief.
“How old do you think I am?” he asked.
She flushed, fighting off a smile because he was grinning. “Truthfully, I do not know,” she said. “I just meant that you seem ageless.”
He chuckled. “That is a kind thing to say,” he said. “But I will tell you that I am, indeed, old enough to have served John. I came into his service when I was twenty years old and remained with him for about five years. I left his service before he died, about fourteen years ago.”
He could see the thoughts flickering behind those golden eyes. “If you came into his service at twenty years, and remained for five years before leaving fourteen years ago, then you must have come into his service in the Year of Our Lord 1205.”
His expression turned appreciative. “You can do sums in your head.”
She nodded, modest. “I have always been able to.”
“Then given the years and time spans I have given you, how old am I?”
“Thirty years and nine.”
He pounded the table softly. “Well done, my lady,” he said. “You are very bright.”
She grinned, displaying enormous dimples in both cheeks that he found absolutely enchanting. “As I told you,” she said, “I am quite educated. I can read and write, also.”
“Good,” he said. “If you can read, then I shall have you read to me. I’ve always loved listening to a beautiful woman with a beautiful voice read aloud.”
Her smile faded and she looked at him with a rather shocked expression. “B-beautiful?”
He could see that the gentle compliment had disarmed her. “You are quite beautiful,” he said. “I hope that I am not too difficult on your eyes, either.”
