Blind Impulse Read Online Free PDF

known but others were nothing more than butchers.  Alyn a, he knew in his heart, was one of the finest, and she cared deeply for Garin. 
    Simon knew Garin had been wounded in their final battle before leaving the Holy Land, but he had no idea it festered so terribly.  N ow he understood why Garin had struggl ed with bouts of dizziness and weakness on the journey home.  Simon thought it only due to exhaustion and lack of food.  Why hadn’t he realized?  Why hadn’t he taken action?  It was his duty--
    A soft, choked sob caught his attention and he looked up startl ed.  Juliana stood at the open door, trembling violently, her face pallid and eyes wide.  Garin’s blood still stained her hand.
    Simon quickly picked up a clean cloth and strode to her.  “My lady,” he said gently, taking her hand in his and cleaning the blo od from it.
    “ Oh, Simon, what have I done?”  She stared up at him, tears shimmering in her eyes.
    “ You have done nothing,” Simon said firmly.  “Garin was wounded in the war.  Even I did not know it was this bad.”
    She started to reply but tears abruptly strea med down her cheeks and she covered her mouth with her free hand.  Simon wrapped an arm around her and quickly guided her into the corridor where she sobbed against his shoulder.
    “ I didn’t mean to hurt him.”
    “ I know, Juliana.  Worry not, Alyna is a fine he aler.”
    She lifted her head, staring up at him.  Simon felt a strange tightness in his chest which he had never experienced before.  He automatical ly stepped closer to her.  H is gaze lingered over her face and agonized blue eyes.  Simon instantly recogn ized a return to the sweet Juliana he once knew.
    The warmth of her gentle fingers sent a fire searing through his callused hand - a hand only worthy of bearing a sword in battle, not of holding a gentle bred lady.
    “ Juliana,” Peter said sharply, striding to ward them.
    Simon released her, focusing his attention on cleaning the blood from her hand.
    “ Aye, Peter?” she asked, her voice shaking.
    “ What ha s befallen your brother?”  H is voice lacked any care or compassion.
    “ He...he was wounded...I didn’t know, Pet er.”
    Peter glared at Simon, who returned his gaze with stony silence.  “Come,” Peter said, taking her arm none too gently. 
    Simon stiffened, automatically stepping forward, but he managed to stop himself.
    “ You are distraught,” Peter continued.  “We shall fetch you a cup of wine.”  He wrapped his arm around Juliana’s and strode away.
    The tightness in Simon’s chest increased as his gaze remained locked on Juliana’s arm entangled with Peter’s.  Then he automatically denied it, certain the sensation was caused only by his weariness and worry of his friend.
    A servant appeared bearing a tray with cups of wine.  Simon acquired one, remaining in the corridor and staring in the direction Juliana had vanished. 
    Drinking deeply, Simon battled the errant thoughts with in him.  He should not be feeling such things, Juliana was the daughter of a baron, and a lady of breeding.  Simon was nothing more than a constable knight, with only Renwick Hall as his inheritance.  The land was prime but not enough to justify winning a noble born lady.
    S eeing Juliana on Peter’s arm, galled Simon to no end.  The sod was equal in rank to her, but nothing more.  Peter had been knighted simply because his father could afford the expense and the boy king, Henry, was in dire need of knight s.  Indeed, few could afford to become knights now and the justice duties of the assize bore heavily on all. 
    Simon had been lucky, his natural talent and strength granted him attention of other knights.  Most notably Sir Salkeld, Alyna’s father, who took a special interest in training him.  Simon had done well under his tutelage.  A fter the death of his wife, Salkeld left Kirkoswald to raise his newborn daughter alone.  Garin’s father became Simon’s patron.  Had