King's Knight by Regan Walker

Author:Regan Walker
Language: eng
Format: mobi
Publisher: Regan Walker
Published: 2016-10-11T03:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 9

Alex shared a glance with Merewyn, who rode across from him, resisting the urge to pull her into his lap. They had departed London the next morning before Terce, taking the same route back to Talisand they had coming south.

In the days that followed, Alex was able to share only a few whispers with Merewyn. It was grand torture to be so close to her and yet unable to touch her, except to help her from her pony. At times, he worried his friends, if not his parents and Sir Geoffroi, would sense the new closeness between them and see his gaze drifting often to Merewyn. He did not want the others to know of his intentions concerning her, not yet.

The storms held off making their stop in Shrewsbury pleasant. This time, it was his younger brother, Roger, who lost a game of chess to Merewyn. Alex had watched the game, exchanging occasional, heat-filled looks with Merewyn. That she had been able to keep her mind on the game so as to beat his brother amazed him.

It was a weary group of travelers that rode into the bailey a sennight later. Alex was pleased to be home. He and his men would have only a few days before they would have to leave to meet the king in Durham and he meant to share them with Merewyn when he was not in the practice yard.

Maggie came to meet them as they entered the hall. “My lady, my lord, there is food and drink should ye be wanting it.” His parents thanked her and headed for the tables.

Alex turned to Merewyn. “Will you have a drink of ale?” The road had been dusty and his throat was as dry as dirt.

Merewyn looked down at her rust-colored gown, covered in dust. “Ale would be good but what I need is a bath.”

He leaned in to whisper. “Would that I could join you.”

She blushed and darted a look at the others. “ ’Tis most unseemly to say so.”

“Aye, I suppose it is.”

By the time the weary travelers had drunk their ale and wine and Alex and his companions had hied off to the river to bathe, the afternoon was fair gone. On his way back, he stopped in the stable with Rory and Guy to check on their horses.

As he entered Azor’s stall, the stallion was nibbling on oats while the young groom combed briars from his tail.

Alex stroked Azor’s neck. “See anything I need to attend?”

The groom stood, one hand on Azor’s buttock. “Nay, except he needs a new shoe. I’ll see the blacksmith fits him tomorrow.”

“And the destrier?” The horse Alex kept for battle was fierce in a fight but too difficult to manage for long rides over the countryside. But he would have his squire bring him to Durham.

“Your squire has seen to him while you were away. The destrier was restless this morning, so I turned him out for a bit of exercise, but you might want to run him through a few paces before you go.

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