Tori Phillips by Lady of the Knight

Author:Lady of the Knight [Knight, Lady of the]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin Enterprises
Published: 2011-07-15T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter Twelve

Rosie sopped up the last few crumbs of honey-soaked bread with her finger, then sucked them into her mouth. All the while she observed a curious flow of expressions cross the countess’ beautiful face. She wonders what to do with me. Rosie straightened her shoulders and waited for whatever would happen next. Both women jumped when Andrew poked his head inside the tent flap and whistled.

“Hoy day, ladies! By your stern looks, tis a serious talk indeed. Have I your leave to come in yet? Tis as hot as hell out here in the sun.”

His clean-shaven face was quite red and he dripped with perspiration. Rosie had never seen Sir Andrew look quite so uncomfortable. He mopped his face with his wrinkled handkerchief.

Lady Alicia waved him inside with her yellow-plumed fan. “Aye, Andrew, we have finished—at least for the present.”

Smiling broadly, the gentleman swept through the entrance. Jeremy scurried behind him. With a burst of activity, the squire threw open one coffer after another and pulled out a number of items from each. Sir Andrew’s large boxes held the wonders of the world, Rosie thought. There seemed to be no bottom to them.

“What mischief will occupy you today, Andrew?” The countess ignored the growing pile of bright clothing that Jeremy draped across the empty stools and chest lids. “Do you wait upon the king?”

Andrew held up a beautiful jacket of butter-yellow and bright-orange. Gold thread trimmed the buttonholes and edges. “Nay, my lady. I am to demonstrate my skill on the archery range within this very hour.”

He nodded his approval of his squire’s selections. “Mind you, tis a waste of everyone’s time and arrows. The judges should award me the prize at the start. No one need draw a bowstring in this heat.” He grinned. “All of England and soon France will see that I am the best shot in the world.”

Rosie wrinkled her nose. No doubt this outrageous boast was merely another one of Andrew’s wild jests. How could anyone take him seriously when he wore such garish colors? Or such tight hose? Rosie couldn’t help but admire his figure. For a gentleman of leisure, Sir Andrew had quite strong legs. His thigh and calf muscles rippled under the parti-color stockings. Her gaze roved over his tight backside. He radiated a vitality that drew her to him and made her pulse leap with stirring excitement.

Lady Alicia smiled up at him with a motherly fondness in her eyes. “Then with your permission, Rosie and I shall accompany you. Twill be good experience for her to see what a gentleman does.”

“I already know what a gentleman does,” the girl muttered.

Andrew shot her a warning look. He had the ears of a fox.

The countess stood and beckoned Rosie to follow her into the rear chamber. “Pray wait until we have removed ourselves before you dress, Andrew,” she admonished him with a clicking of her tongue.

He chuckled. “I quite agree, my lady. The sight of my manly form would be too much for your chaste eyes.

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