Lonely is the Knight by Cynthia Luhrs

Author:Cynthia Luhrs
Language: eng
Format: mobi
Tags: Medieval
Published: 2016-02-03T18:30:00+00:00

Chapter Twenty-One

A few days later, Henry watched Charlotte as she talked with the villagers. He was drawn to her. Found himself seeking her out during the day. She came to the lists every morning to watch him train. The men teased him mercilessly.

“My lord? Timothy is back. He’s asking to speak with you.”

Henry slumped. This would not be good news. “Bring him to my solar.”

Henry stopped in front of Charlotte. “You heard?”

She nodded. “He hates me.”

“As a favor to a friend of my mothers, I took Timothy as one of my men. He has always believed women to be weak. But lately…” Henry sighed. “He has grown mad. I will deal with him.”

He found Timothy in the kitchens terrorizing the girls as they worked. “To my solar.”

The man’s eyes gleamed with an unholy light. “I come from a most important meeting with the bishop. I have spoken with him about the dark doings under your roof. He knows the evil started when the demon arrived.”

“The only dark doings at Ravenskirk are in your mind. Mayhap ’tis time for you to seek shelter with your cousin’s family.”

He shook his head. “The bishop will see the lands cleansed. I have a message for you, from the bishop. Turn the faerie over for questioning within a se’nnight or—”

“Who is this faerie you speak of?”

The man’s face turned crimson. “The evil one. Charlotte Merriweather. You have seen how she behaves, the strange things she says. Her beauty is unnatural. A woman so comely must be in league with the devil or a faerie. To save her soul she must be burnt. Before she corrupts all the men at Ravenskirk.”

“I am most appreciative how you look out for the welfare of those under my care, Timothy.” The man scowled at him, and it gave Henry great pleasure to say, “Though I must refuse your bishop. Mistress Merriweather is under my protection. She is not evil. She is not a devil or a faerie or a demon. She is merely a woman. And I will not give her to you. For I know what kind of questioning takes place under the bishop’s care.”

Timothy scowled and puffed up. “You will regret this. If you do not turn her over, he will confiscate all that you own. You would not want that to happen, not after your family worked so hard to regain what was lost. You will bring shame upon your brothers.” Timothy stomped out of the room, slamming the door.

That would teach Henry to ever allow the bishop to visit Ravenskirk again. His timid little priest, Father Riley, would be happy the man was gone.

Henry turned to Royce, who rested his hand on the hilt of his sword.

“What think you?”

“You should’ve run him through.” Royce paced the room, thinking. Henry had known him since they were boys. They fostered together, fought together, and became friends. He respected his captain’s judgment.

Finally he stopped pacing and looked at Henry. “There is only one solution.” He grinned, and Henry knew he was not going to like what was said next.

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