Thrill of the Knight by Julia Latham

Author:Julia Latham [Latham, Julia]
Language: eng
Format: epub, pdf
Tags: Knights and knighthood, Man-woman relationships, General, Romance, Historical, Fiction, Nobility, Love stories
ISBN: 9780061235153
Publisher: HarperCollins
Published: 2007-02-08T00:00:00+00:00

Page 76

Elizabeth brought the midday meal to the tower and found Anne staring morosely out the solar window. She hadn’t even seemed to realize that Elizabeth was there.

“Anne?” Elizabeth said, setting down the tray.

The maid gave a start, and then put on a smile that was patently false, but so honest with its need to cheer Elizabeth, that she felt her throat tighten.

“Ah, another meal,” Anne said. “I am famished.”

“No more baskets?”

“Nay, probably because I stick my head out and look up so often that my benefactor can’t risk it.”

“I imagine you also look out the window often, wishing you were free,” Elizabeth said in a low voice.

Anne sighed and took her hand. “I regret nothing. And it is amazing what one sees from the window. I saw you this morn, near the tiltyard.”

“How could you tell it was me, from so high up?”

“You are wearing one of my gowns, are you not?” Anne said dryly. “And that terrible wimple—how could Lord Russell even want to kiss you?”

Elizabeth laughed halfheartedly. “I was questioning John’s friend. His name is Sir Philip Clifford. John caught us together, but he seemed to understand.”

“Ah, if only I could see their faces,” Anne said, her hand clutching the windowsill. “I sit here, watching the people move about below, and imagine each person’s life—dinner in the great hall, an argument with a parent, even mass. It helps keep me amused.”

“You know that if this is too much for you, I will—”

“Nay!” Anne said heatedly. “This is the most important thing I’ve yet done with my life. Together we will make this work.”

Elizabeth drew forth John’s missive.

“But will we have help?” Anne asked thoughtfully. “Is that a message from Lord Russell to you?”

Elizabeth nodded.

“Are you going to read it?”

“I have to.” She looked down at the missive and sighed.

Anne walked toward her. “You are getting tired of the lie. Why do you not tell him the truth?”

“Because…” She stiffened and forced herself to speak firmly. “Because I don’t know him well enough.” In her mind she saw him defending her against thieves. He had risked his life, but perhaps it was only to persuade her? “Talking to his friend proved no help at all. How do I know he is not lying, too? Although Philip was glad to hear of your mysterious basket. Apparently he’s been looking for validation about this League of the Blade, and he feels they’re helping us.

John—Lord Russell disagrees. It seems he is a skeptic.”

“Then read his words and decide,” Anne said eagerly. “I’ll eat my meal and leave you to read in private.”

“There can be nothing here that you can’t see. I’ll read it aloud.” Elizabeth broke the seal and opened the parchment. John wrote in a legible, bold hand.

“‘To the Lady Elizabeth: By now you have heard of the lengths I have gone to be of help to you. I would have preferred to come to you with a great army to convince Lord Bannaster that challenging me would be a grave error.

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