Her Gallant Knight: A Medieval Romance Novella by Catherine Kean

Author:Catherine Kean [Kean, Catherine]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Love, Medieval Romance, Historical Romance, adventure, Romance, Middle Ages
Publisher: Your Company Name
Published: 2018-09-07T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Seven

“You were right about Ryder.” Looking glum, Nanette crossed to Honor’s bed near the hearth. With a dramatic sigh, she flopped down beside it, rested her chin in her hand, and stared into the fire.

Shutting the chamber door, Amelia frowned. Nanette never sat on the floor or intentionally creased her garments. The situation must be dire.

“Tell me what happened,” Amelia soothed, ignoring the parchment, quill, and pot of ink that had arrived a short while ago and that waited on the nearby table. Later, she’d write down her recollections of the outlaw attack. She sat on the opposite side of Honor’s bed and, stroking the sleepy hound’s back, waited until the young woman felt ready to share her misery.

After sighing again, Nanette told of Ryder’s rejection in the bailey.

“Why do men have to be so unyielding?” the young woman moaned.

Amelia scratched the dozing hound’s ear. “At least you now know how Ryder feels about you,” she said gently. “Your heart is free to find love with someone else. Someone better suited to you.”

Nanette shrugged, but she seemed to have found some solace in Amelia’s words. After a brief silence, the young woman asked, “What did you want to tell me earlier?”

Amelia’s fingers curled into Honor’s warm fur. She couldn’t believe Ryder would hold them captive, and yet, she’d seen resolve in his eyes. “You should know Ryder is—”

A knock sounded on the door.

Amelia had told the guards in the passageway outside that she didn’t want to be disturbed…but mayhap the captain-of-the guard or one of her wounded men-at-arms needed to speak with her?

“Aye?” she called.

“Milady, please open the door.”

She didn’t recognize the man’s voice. “For what reason?” Amelia called.

“We ’ave items ta deliver.”

“From whom?”

“’Is lordship.”

“Please thank him, but we would prefer not to be disturbed,” Amelia replied.

“Milady, Lord Stanbury’s orders—”

“Whatever his lordship has sent,” Amelia said firmly, “please take it away.”

Murmurs carried from outside. Then: “We also ’ave a message fer Lady Nanette.”

“For me?” The young woman pushed to her feet. “What message?”

“John enjoyed meeting ye by the well earlier.”

Nanette’s eyes widened. “John is a squire?”

“Aye. He wonders if ye’d like ta walk with ’im in the garden.”

Nanette squealed and excitedly stamped her feet. “I want to go. I absolutely must.”

Chuckling, Amelia rose; ’twas good to see the young woman’s confidence had returned. “I think the walk is a fine idea.” She went to the door, Nanette following close behind. Outside in the passageway, Amelia found a handful of servants, one of them a blond lad she recognized from the bailey. Some of the folk held chairs and linens, others a table, as though readying to set up for a meal.

Nanette brushed past Amelia to stand with John. His face scarlet, the young lad smiled at her.

Amelia met John’s shy gaze. “You will take a chaperone.”

He pointed to a red-haired maidservant. “She will come with us.”

“All right, then.”

John offered Nanette his arm, and with the maidservant in tow, they strolled away.

Amelia faced the rest of the servants. “Thank you, but what you have brought will not be needed.

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