Page 11 of King’s Knight

Jamie had been a knight for several years when she had gone with Rhodri to Wales. Now, just into his third decade, he was a well-favored man with a head of sun-bleached curls and a winsome smile. He often aimed that smile at Lora whose exotic beauty drew admiring glances from many men. But Lora’s eyes seemed focused on the dais where Alex sat between his father and Sir Geoffroi.

Did Lora long for Alex? Merewyn hoped not, for her friend could have no claim on the heir of Talisand any more than she could.

“Tomorrow there will be tests of strength and contests,” said Jamie, the sparkle in his eyes conveying his eagerness for the coming day. “Will you be attending the matches?” He had posed the question to the two of them but Merewyn was certain ’twas Lora’s answer he awaited.

Lora returned him a small smile. “Yea, all of Talisand will be there.”

“I will look for you then,” he said. “And you, Merewyn, will you compete against Talisand’s archers?”

She let out a breath, acknowledging to herself the mixed feelings she had about competing against the other archers. Though she disliked being on display, she could not resist the thrill of the competition. “I will. I was hoping Lady Serena might shoot. ’Tis been long since I have witnessed a demonstration of her skill.”

“She does not often compete against the archers anymore,” Jamie said. “Young Tibby and her work in the village keeps her occupied most days.”

Lora chuckled and directed her next words to Merewyn. “My brother, Ancel, and Tibby follow that little vixen, Cecily, around like puppies.”

“Aye, I have seen the three of them tormenting the chickens,” Merewyn said.

“You should have seen them this afternoon,” said Lora. “Their faces were smeared with the remnants of Maggie’s tarts. Cassie had gone home to change and Maggie was in the hall directing the servants. The three imps found the cooling tarts sitting in the kitchen and apparently could not resist. I could hear Maggie’s shouts to the front door of the hall when she found them.”

“That must have been a sight,” said Jamie, shaking his head.

“It would have been amusing,” Lora said, smiling, “had not Maggie informed them they had just had their sweet for the day and would get no more. Their loud protests for what they considered a great injustice echoed through the hall as Maggie chased them from the kitchens.”

Jamie laughed, as did Merewyn, trying to picture the scene. There had been children in Wales, dark-haired little ones she had adored, including those belonging to Rhodri and Fia. They had returned her affection, calling her “Merry”. For as long as she remained among them, the name had described her well. In Wales, she had forgotten the shame of her youth. But always in the back of her mind was the memory of the raven-haired lad who had saved her in the woods.

* * *

Alex stabbed a slice of venison with his knife and brought it to his trencher, listening to Sir Geoffroi with only half an ear, as he watched Merewyn. Lady Emma stopped by Merewyn’s table to speak a word to her and he was reminded that she had once lived with Sir Geoffroi and his wife. When Merewyn laughed, men turned their heads to glimpse her. Did she know how attractive they found her? How attractive he found her?

“Has the king mentioned an intention to betroth you to a woman from one of Normandy’s noble families?”

His attention roused, Alex faced the knight whose dark blond hair was now gray at his temples. “What?”

Sir Geoffroi’s stark blue eyes took on a serious mien. “Surely the possibility comes as no surprise. Now that he has gained new lands in Normandy from his brother, I expect William will want to bind his young nobles to those lands.”

“The king has said naught of it to me,” Alex replied contemplatively. Crossing his arms over his chest, he added, “I would prefer to choose my own bride when the time comes.”

“ ’Tis not likely you will have the freedom. You know how your father came to wed your lady mother.”

“Aye, I know the story. Neither was given a choice. But that was the Conqueror.”

“ ’Tis possible his son might feel differently. I do not know William Rufus well enough to say. But if you think to take a bride from Talisand, consider my daughter, Beatrice.”

Alex looked to where Bea sat with Rory’s sister, Alice. “She is very comely,” he said half-heartedly. At eighteen summers, Guy’s sister was living up to the name “Beautiful Bea”. With her silken light brown hair and gray-green eyes, she was every bit the child of her mother, Lady Emma, who sat close by her daughter. But that was just the point. To Alex, Bea was a child and a compliant one at that. He looked beyond her to the woman who fascinated him.

“If you are gazing at Sir Alain’s daughter, Lora, you may have competition from Sir Jamie. ’Tis why he is still unwed.”

“Aye, I can see he is attentive to her,” said Alex. He had not missed the attention Jamie paid to Lora and was not unhappy she was the one who garnered smiles from the captain of his father’s house knights and not Merewyn. Why had Sir Geoffroi not suggested Merewyn? Was it the circumstance of her birth, her orphan status, or her unwomanly choice of pursuits?

“Well, there is also Alice, Rory’s sister,” Sir Geoffroi went on, “but I’m told the redhead is difficult.”

Alex’s brows drew together in a frown. “Marriage is not on my mind.” He reached for his wine.

Sir Geoffroi lifted his goblet, giving Alex a sidelong glance. “Taking after your father? Until he met your mother, the Red Wolf was not his only name. The Conqueror’s men called him ‘the warrior priest’.”

Alex laughed, covering his mouth to keep from spurting his wine on the table. Breaking off a piece of bread, he sopped it in the juices in his trencher. “There are many things they might call me, Sir Geoffroi, but ‘priest’ is not among them.” He took a bite of the tasty juice-soaked bread. “Still, I thank you for the warning about the king’s intentions. I have seen enough of Normandy to last me a long while. I have no desire to bind myself to it. There is no peace to be had in that nest of vipers.”

Sir Geoffroi laughed heartily. “Now you know why your father and I were happy to accompany Duke William to England. The rewards came later.”