Crusaders and Knights by Kathryn le Veque

Author:Kathryn le Veque [Le Veque, Kathryn]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Fiction, Medieval, Romance
Publisher: Dragonblade Publishing, Inc.
Published: 2018-10-08T23:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

PEYTON DIDN’T SAY a word as Alec loaded her onto her small palfrey, nor did she speak as he went about securing the caravan that would accompany them to St. Cloven. She continued to watch him closely, deeply curious as to what had occurred between him and his father. From the words that had been exchanged in the corridor, it was obvious that something severe had happened.

She’d not had the opportunity to ask him why he had been gone so long, leaving her alone to stew in her own fears, and after what had transpired with Thia, she had completely forgotten about his absence. But now, observing his cold manner and curt orders as he dealt with the servants, she would know what had happened between father and son.

She could stand her curiosity no longer. As Alec passed particularly close to her palfrey, directing a groom to better secure his Saracen stallion, she called out to him.

“Alec?” she hailed softly.

He turned sharply as if she had startled him, but his expression immediately softened. “What is it, sweetheart?”

She smiled weakly and politely beckoned him. Obediently, he complied and she immediately reached out to him. He took her hand and kissed it, although she could tell he was hurried.

“Are we to leave soon?”

“Aye, love. We are almost complete.”

She cleared her throat, eyeing the large traveling party.

“Isn’t your mother and father going to bid us farewell?”

His soft expression stiffened. “I do not think so.”

He turned to move away from her but she gripped his hand tightly and he was forced to look at her. “Why not?” she asked softly. “Alec, what’s happened between you and your father?”

He glanced over his group of horses and wagons. “Not now, Peyton. We will discuss it later.”

She refused to let him off so easily. “Unless you have had bitter, awful words with them, I would like to bid your parents goodbye. They have been very kind to me.”

“No,” he said flatly. When she opened her mouth to protest, he cast her a beseeching look. “Not now, Peyton. Please. Do not press me at the moment.”

She sighed heavily, with great disapproval, but complied. Alec kissed her hand again and released it, his focus returning to the impending journey. He hadn’t taken two steps from her when Lady Celine suddenly exited the castle, her wide blue eyes focused intently on her son.

Alec froze, his gaze riveted to his mother. Before he could recover his surprise, Lady Celine crossed the bailey toward him with great determination.

“Where are you going?” she demanded loudly.

Alec moved towards his mother quickly. He would not allow family problems to be aired for the scrutiny of the world. He held out his hand to her, but she slapped it away angrily.

“Answer me, Alec. What’s this nonsense I hear from your father?”

Alec was as emotionless as always superficially, but inside he felt like a five-year-old boy again. “Father has disinherited me. You will have to ask him for clarification.”

“I did,” she snapped. “He proceeded to inform me that you went beyond subordination this night, Alec.

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