Sword Play by Sahara Kelly

Author:Sahara Kelly [Kelly, Sahara]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2017-11-15T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter 2

“My Lord, brave knights, welcome, welcome…” Baron Lymington beamed and spread his arms wide as if to embrace the incoming party of guests.

Gilles felt his gut tighten. He hated the obsequious nature of such greetings, and it looked as if Baron Lymington had the art of arse-licking down to a tee.

“Our humble abode is graced by your presence. And your trusty knights. Welcome gentlemen. ‘Tis a happy day for our home to have such nobility and courage within.”

Guy’s lips curled in distaste, and Gilles could read his friend’s mind as clear as day. It was a trait they’d discovered within each other—this ability to sense the other’s emotions with a mere flicker of expression.

It had bonded them more closely than the fiercest battle, and once again, Gilles blessed the day that he had found himself next to Guy. Almost closer than brothers, they had shared much in the way of adventures and Gilles knew that he’d gained so much more than just a trusty sword at his side.

Theirs was a deep and abiding friendship, tempered with loyalty and a great deal of respect.

A respect which, unfortunately, did not extend to their host.

Gilles pasted his polite smile onto his face, and watched as Guy’s lips tightened into their customary forbidding line.

They followed the Baron into what had once been a Great Hall, but had now been converted into smaller apartments. The high-beamed entrance hall was all that was left of the original keep.

“I have ordered rooms prepared for you, and a meal shall await you as soon as you are bathed and settled.” Baron Lymington summoned his steward, a shadow of a man who scuttled to do his Lord’s bidding.

Gilles and Guy found themselves occupying a huge chamber above stairs, and had no complaints about the accommodations, only the host.

“An effusive man,” muttered Gilles as he shed his travel-stained and dusty clothing.

“Not one I’d care to live near, that’s for sure,” agreed Guy, sinking into one of the two wooden tubs that faced a huge fireplace in the room.

He sighed as the warm water swept his limbs. “At least he has hot bathwater,” he murmured.

Gilles, busily sinking into his own tub, simply sighed.

Thus, the two clean and relaxed knights found themselves seated later that evening in Baron Lymington’s chamber, enjoying a flagon of ale and listening to the man as he related his tale of woe to Lord Benstede.

Glancing around him, Gilles noted that the man clearly spared no expense when it came to his own luxury.

Far off in the shadows was a mammoth bed, hung with a fine damask tester, and the wall hangings matched it in elegance. The floors were polished smooth, and the windows, through which he could see darkness falling, boasted well-mounted glass panes. Glowing wooden chests and bureaus lined the walls, and a fine fur rug lay before the Baron’s fireplace.

“Will Lady Lymington be joining us this eve?” inquired Lord Benstede.

“No, my Lord. She passed on to her just reward nigh on seven years ago. There is no Lady Lymington.

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