05 Knight's Treasure by Amanda Scott

Author:Amanda Scott [Scott, Amanda]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Romance
ISBN: 9780446618557
Publisher: Forever
Published: 2013-07-19T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter 11

Having fallen back to let Isabella and Lady Clendenen ride two abreast ahead of her on the narrow track, Adela heard a sudden shout and gasped when she turned to see Lestalric pitching headfirst from his saddle.

Only Henry’s swift action saved him from falling between their horses, into the path of the horses and men behind them.

“Two of you lads, to the countess!” Henry shouted.

Somehow, one-handed, he caught Lestalric’s doublet shoulder. But Adela saw that he’d grabbed only cloth. And as Henry fought to control two unsettled horses and assist a struggling Lestalric trying to right himself, the cloth began to rip where the arrow had pierced it. Seeing this all in a blink, she wheeled the gray and kicked it hard, forcing it nearer until she could catch the cheek-piece of the bay’s bridle.

Holding it firmly, praying the animal would not panic, she spoke soothingly, steadying it effectively until Lestalric suddenly jerked himself away from Henry.

“Don’t fight him, you fool!” she snapped. When his horse tried to rear again, she added hastily but in the soothing tone she had used before, “I can see the arrow-head and it looks to be sharply barbed, my lord. Be still, or you may injure yourself more. Good laddie,” she murmured to the horse as it calmed.

“I know I hurt you then, Rob, but the lass is right,” Henry said. “I’ll take more care, but we must get you off your horse to have a good look at that wound.”

“Get the women to safety first,” Lestalric growled as he let Henry help him ease back onto his saddle properly. He sounded angry but whether at himself for revealing his pain or at the archer, Adela did not know.

“We’re not going anywhere,” she told him. “As you can see, two of Henry’s men-at-arms are already protecting the countess and Lady Clendenen, and have moved them out of the line of fire. Surely, we’re safer here with Henry’s men than if we tried to ride on without them.”

“Aye, she’s right again, Rob,” Henry said with a sweeping look around. “Your brain is muddled, lad. So listen to her unless you want a good clout.”

“Spare me, Henry. This damn thing hurts like fire.”

“I see that,” Henry said, gesturing for one of his men to dismount and help him.

“He’s bleeding badly, sir,” Adela said. “We need to get that arrow out and the wound bound up as quickly as we can.”

“Aye, but I’m thinking I might send a couple of my lads—”

“Listen,” Adela said sharply. “Riders!”

Exchanging a glance with Lestalric, Henry signed to two other men. One turned his horse deeper into the woods. The other rode toward the newcomers.

A moment later, a shout came from the latter. “A score or more, m’lord, bearing a royal banner and that o’ the Earl o’ Fife!”

Henry frowned, but Adela said, “Thank heaven! Now all will be well.”

Rob said quickly, “How badly am I bleeding, Henry? I can’t see the wound.”

“Badly enough to ruin your pretty doublet,” Henry said. “But at least that dark velvet will prevent anyone’s noticing from a distance.

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