Honor (Second Novel of Rhynan) by Rachel Rossano

Author:Rachel Rossano
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: adventure, honor, clean romance, knight, castle, sweet romance, chivalry, honor duty, knight and damsel, rhynan
Publisher: Rachel Rossano

Chapter XV

Elsa Reeve

The light of the spring sun glinting off the parapets of my home brought a sense of hope. I loved my family home.

The thick walls and squat, sprawling appearance were a constant trial on my mother’s sensibilities. She loved elegance and grace, both of which very lacking within the walls of Malorny Manor.

But for me, it represented love, family, and freedom. I could roam alone and escape mother’s constant reminders that I was not doing exactly what she wished. Indulging in chores became a matter of course in recent years because of the dearth of servants. Hard work offered the reward of exhaustion. A few full days and I would be able to sleep once again.

“A tumbled down pile of stones isn’t it?” Merrill observed from his horse.

“You should have seen the newer manor.” Mother’s eyes brightened. “It lies just beyond the village to the north. If only we had the money to restore it to its former glory.”

“Why don’t you live there? Surely it is more palatable than that dump.” He gestured toward the manor with a flick of his wrist.

“The fire destroyed too much.” Mother shook her head sadly. “It is only a shell now. Not worth restoring.”

“We shall see.” Merrill straightened in his saddle. “Adequate funds can do much.”

“Oh, that would be lovely.” Mother clapped her hands in delight. “Returning to the new manor and leaving this eyesore behind.”

I spoke. “I doubt Barack will be able to resurrect our fortunes to that extent for many years. And I doubt Naron will want to invest in rebuilding another man’s house.”

“Nor would I expect him to,” Barack exchanged a loaded look with Merrill as he came alongside the wagon. “Stables are in the back. Let me show you and then we can retire to my father’s old work room to discuss the details of our arrangements.”

The wagon halted at the base of the hill. The unpaved path worn up to the front door beckoned to me. Not waiting for Terrance to unlatch the door, I flung it open myself and jumped down into the dirt and straggly grass. Resisting the urge to lift my skirt and run, I settled for breathing deeply of the familiar scents of home.

Although I knew not to expect it, I instinctively looked toward the front door. Whenever Mother took Dedria and me on her matchmaking adventures, we would return to an energetic greeting from Father as he burst out the front door, hounds about his feet and arms open wide to welcome us home. The door remained closed, the windows dark, and not an exuberant pup in sight. I blinked back tears.

Father’s body had already been examined and buried before we arrived. All that physically remained of him were his possessions, all of which now belonged to Barack. But I still possessed my memories. They crowded forward and pressed tears into my eyes.

“Don’t go running off now, Elsa,” Mother called from behind me. “I expect you to help with the unpacking.”

“And entertaining our guest,” Barack added.

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