He leaned against his horse.
“I must return to Pelinom and tell my father what transpired here today,” he said. “But I should like to return soon, with your permission, and spend time coming to know an ally better.”
There was a spark there, something they could both feel, something burning low in the belly as if something between them had been kindled. A hint of interest, a shadow of attraction.
It was there.
Corisande began to feel the least bit giddy because of it.
“You are always welcome at The Keld,” she said. “I do hope we see more of you. And your men, too, although your knight may not wish to return if my sister makes herself a terrible nuisance.”
Cole fought off a grin. “I will leave him home.”
“Where is home for him? I mean, where is he from? My sister asked and I did not know.”
Cole gestured in a general southerly direction. “A land very far away,” he said. “Addax and Essien are princes to their people, from a kingdom called Kitara.”
Corisande was interested. “Truly?” she said. “Where is it?”
“Far away,” he said. “In a land of ancient kings. There is an enormous river that runs through that desert land and Kitara is on that river. It would take you years to reach it.”
“If it is so far away, what are they doing in England?”
“They were young when there was an insurrection in their country,” he said, moving to the end of his horse where she was standing. “Their father was killed, so they were forced to flee. Truly, their life story is something quite amazing. They made their way to The Levant and ended up under the care of Christian knights. When the wars were over, they traveled toGhent where they were trained, and knighted, and then they came into the service of my father. They are brilliant men and fine warriors.”
“They areprinces,” Corisande said. “They should be treated as such. God’s Bones, they should not be sleeping in the knight’s quarters. They should be in the keep, in a fine chamber with a soft bed.”
She seemed a little panicked that she had royalty in her house and had not given them proper treatment. But Cole smiled and put a big hand on the fingers that were holding the moss.
“They are knights,” he stressed, a twinkle in his eyes. “The knight’s quarters suit them quite well.”
“Are you certain?”
“I am.”
He removed his hand from her fingers, which had only really lingered there for a brief moment, but Corisande felt his flesh against hers like a brand. It was difficult to think of anything other than the feel of his hand against hers, something she’d not experienced in a very long time.
“If you say so, then I will not worry,” she said, trying not to appear distracted. “When you return, I hope you bring them. I should like to hear of their travels and of the land of Kitara. It is a beautiful name.”
“Sounds like a woman’s name, doesn’t it?”
She nodded. “Indeed,” she said. Then, she paused a moment. “My lord, may I ask you a question?”
He nodded. “You may,” he said. “But I would be honored if you would call me Cole.”
Corisande smiled bashfully. “Thank you,” she said. “But only if my family is not around. They may not like it if I become too familiar. It will sound disrespectful.”
He chuckled. “I will assure them that you have my permission,” he said. “What is your question?”
Her smile faded. “I am not quite sure how to ask this,” she said. “I have not yet seen my father since the events of the afternoon, and I am not sure he would answer me truthfully. I sense that you would not lie to me.”
“I would not lie in any case. What is it?”
“The man… the Scotsman from today,” she said. “I have been wondering… was he a prisoner?”
Cole wondered what brought on the change in subject, but he answered truthfully. “Aye.”
“Was he trying to lure my father into a war?”
