Journey in Time (Knights in Time) by Karlsen Chris

Author:Karlsen, Chris [Karlsen, Chris]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Books to Go Now
Published: 2011-08-31T22:00:00+00:00

Chapter Thirty

Shakira shook off the shock of the unusual decision and started a mental laundry list of facts to present.

"I just heard," Alex said, closing the chamber door. "The king’s consented to let you, a woman," he jiggled his brows, "question Dankworth in front of the whole court."

“I know. John Holland came by after you left and told me to prepare. The case goes before the king in three days. He said the prince suggested I be allowed to question Dankworth.”

“Ah,” Alex said, connecting the dots, “knowing Edward, he finds the idea amusing.”

“I suppose princes must get their laughs where they can,” she said, a little less impressed with the decision now.

Alex poured two goblets of wine and handed her one. "Here's to you, darling. You're about to give the Middle Ages a taste of enlightenment.” He raised his cup in toast.

“I welcome the decision for a public trial. At last, I’ll be in an arena where I have expertise. I’m not following you around like a puppy.” She sipped her wine and for clarification added, “You realize I’m not interested in altering the medieval mindset. It isn’t about bringing enlightenment to the fourteenth century.”

“I was teasing. I know you’re not. You’re not the crusader type. That said maybe one mind will be expanded.”

“I am a little nervous about putting a foot wrong, not being familiar with the nuances of the Plantagenet legal system.”

“I’ve every confidence you’ll do great.”

He drank another mouthful and said in a more serious tone, "The bruises on your ribs are worse this morning. You should’ve told me how badly he kicked you."

"I forgot. I was so grateful to see you all I could think of was getting out of there. Besides, you’d have killed him and probably gotten yourself in royal trouble."

"Maybe not killed him outright, I know how much the king prefers to administer justice as he sees fit. However, I might’ve ridden closer to the river, tied Dankworth’s hands a bit looser. Even the king doesn’t expect anyone to wade into the Thames after a prisoner."

Alex set the goblet down and dragged a chair around the table. He seated himself across from her, elbows on his thighs, and clasped both her hands between his. "We need to talk."

Never in the course of history did the words "we need to talk" bode well. “I’m listening," she said, prepared for the worst.

He took a deep breath. "Rocky, I've experienced few failures in my life--lives," Alex corrected. "I considered my good fortune a blessing until I failed you so profoundly. Never have I been at a loss for accurate words, but at the moment, they escape me. I can’t begin to adequately describe how gut-wrenching it is to see your bruises and welts and know I could've prevented this--begged off the hunt."

Relieved, she relaxed. "Don’t torture yourself. This is Dankworth's doing and to a lesser extent the king's. If you hadn’t gone on the hunt, the king would’ve found another way to separate us."

Alex’s unbound hair hung loose over his shoulders the way she loved.

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