Candace C. Bowen - A Knight Series 01 Read Online Free PDF Page B

for
something of my doing, Warin.”
    “It shall not come to that, Reina.   We will return to the keep before anyone wakes.   If need be, I shall ask his lordship for his
discretion.”
    Risking a quick peek, she blushed to see Fulke’s regard settled on her.
Feeling warm all over, she turned back to Warin.   “I believe him to be taken
aback.”
    “I would say so.” His lip quirked. “You should have seen him by the
stream. He leaned so far over the bank to stare at us I thought for certain he would
fall.”
    Reina could not help herself she burst out laughing.   Although no sound came out, her face lit with
joy. Calming, she said, “I think it best if you
voice your word, Warin.   I would not
offend his lordship after he has been so kind to us.”
    “I knew you would like him.”
    She glanced at Fulke to see if Warin spoke aloud, only to catch her
breath when he smiled.   Returning his
smile with a shy one of her own, she turned back.   “You are not amusing.”
    He tilted his head to the side.   “Now, would I do that to you, Reina?”
    She beamed, “Aye you would.”   Clutching the blanket, she continued, “Now, if you do not mind, I would like to dress.”  
    Warin kept his lips visible to her as he addressed Fulke.   “I believe it best if we return to the keep
soon, my liege.   It is well past matins.”
    “See to the horses, lad.”   Rising, Fulke gazed down at Reina with an unfathomable expression,
before addressing her.   “I shall leave
you a moment to dress, Mistress Reina.” Dipping his head, he stepped into the
brisk night air.
    Much weaker than she initially thought, Reina struggled into a sitting
position.    
    Hylda rushed over to help her stand.   “The coldness of the water has weakened you, Reina.”
    Taking her under-gown and kirtle from Hylda, she began to search for
her chemise; spotting the sodden mass beside the hearth, she bent to retrieve
the rent cloth.   Raising her eyes to
question Hylda, she hesitated as every scene she envisioned led back to Baron
Erlegh seeing her naked.  
    Discarding the ruined chemise, she finished dressing, determined not to
ask.  
    She knelt before Eddiva to run a hand along Rolfe’s wet brow. With a
relieved sigh, she sent up a quick prayer of thanks.   The fever appeared to be breaking.
    Touching her hand, Eddiva said, “Ye shall not leave my prayers all the
days of my life, Mistress Reina.”
    Gently squeezing her work-roughened hand in acknowledgement, Reina
smiled.  

 
    * * * *

 
    Returning to escort Reina, Fulke once again found himself amazed by her
selflessness.   Kneeling in the dirt with
no regard for her skirts, she lovingly tended a child not her own.
    Long ago, he stopped believing women like her existed in the
world.   He found her to be the embodiment
of all that was innocent and good.   In
that moment, he realized a painful truth. He would never be worthy of her.
    “Your lordship?” Hylda questioned.   Dragging him from his grim thoughts.
    “What is it, Hylda?”
    “Sir Everard,” she began.
    “Shall hear nothing of this,” he finished for her.
    “You have my thanks, your lordship.”
    Watching Reina approach, he murmured, “Think no more of it.”
    “Shall we, Mistress Reina?”   Extending his arm, he smiled.
    At the light touch of her hand, he ignored the feelings elicited by her
touch. “Coming, Hylda?”
    “I intend to pass the night here, your lordship.   Eddiva may have need of me.”  
    With the moon on its descent, it had grown darker since they entered
the hut.   The meager light afforded
coming from the open door.
    Shivering in his wet clothes, Warin stepped forward. “Shall I take my
sister up before me, my liege?”
    “No lad, I shall take her up before me, my horse can bear the
additional weight.”
    Reina tilted her head to get his attention, before arching a shapely
brow.  
    Embarrassed, he belatedly added, “Not that you weigh more than my
battle gear, mistress.”