Candace C. Bowen - Knight Series 03 Read Online Free PDF

your bed?”
    “Did I miss Leofrick?” Talan glanced around with red-rimmed eyes.
    “He has not yet returned,” Winifred said. “I would wager his mother has taken him to task for the condition he arrived home in.”
    “No doubt she has come to believe that I am a bad influence on him.”
    “I find that unlikely.” Winifred’s expression softened. “I will ask William to leave the door unbolted for him.”
    “Then I shall see you both in the morn.” Stumbling up the steps, Talan passed his chamber to enter the communal bathing room at the end of the long narrow wood paneled passageway. Doing nothing to alleviate his throbbing head, the cold water bath briefly revived him.
    Dressed only in his braies, he entered his chamber to fall heavily onto the bed. The cool wind beyond his window moaned eerily through the blossoming fruit trees as he drifted off into a fitful doze.
    Calling out in his sleep, he jerked awake in the dawn’s early light. Drenched in sweat the vestiges of a disturbing dream still weighed heavily on his mind. He lay still willing his racing heart to slow listening to the inn slowly come to life.
    Dark shadows beneath Talan’s eyes attested to his restless night. Strapping on his bawdryk, he slid his sword into its sheath. His hand briefly rested on the hilt when he envisioned the justice’s smug countenance. The loathsome man would take everything he had ever wanted for himself, and he was powerless to stop him.
    Different scenarios played out in his mind to halt the wedding, yet all ended the same way. Shame and disgrace for Mylla, her family’s downfall, and his death. He briefly toyed with the idea of asking his liege to intercede on his behalf by speaking to King Henry. In truth, his liege was out of favor at court. Still even the king could not forget how Fulke had saved his life at the Battle of Bremule in Normandy. It was the day Fulke had earned his knighthood. A glimmer of hope filled Talan before he recalled his own personal encounter with King Henry. Having escorted Lady Reina to court, he stood as her voice when she had a private audience with the king. Recalling King Henry’s instant dislike toward him, he lowered his head in defeat. The king may have a soft spot for Fulke, but it did not extend to his men. For the first time in his life he would be forced to break his word.
    Determined to put on a brave face for Mylla, he withdrew his dagger from its sheath and headed to the bathing chamber to shave. 
    †
    Mylla woke to the sound of her mother opening the slatted shutters. She blinked against the early spring sunshine pouring into her chamber. Tired after a sleepless night, she rolled over to bury her head beneath her reed and feather stuffed pillow.
    Emmaline perched on the edge of the bed to pull the pillow away. “It is time to rise and face the day, daughter.”
    Mylla reluctantly sat up. “Better this day than the morrow. At least today I shall get to see Talan.”
    “La-La.” Emmaline used Mylla’s childhood nickname. “That is what I have come to speak to you about.”
    Mylla’s heart sank when she noticed her mother’s tear-swollen eyes. “Father believed Edmund, did he not? He has forbidden me to say adieu to Talan.”
    “La-La...”
    “Tell me I am wrong.” Tears filled Mylla’s eyes.  
    “Your father has set no store in Edmund’s hasty words,” Emmaline assured her. “It is only that the clerk will be arriving today after lauds to prepare us for the justice’s arrival on the morrow. Since you and Talan cannot conceal your feelings for one another, he believes it would be taking a risk were the clerk to witness you in Sir Talan’s presence.”
    “So not only are we denied one another, we are now forbidden a final farewell.”
    “You must under—”
    “I understand all too well.” Mylla leapt from the bed nearly tripping on the hem of her cream linen nightgown. “I understand that my heart will break the moment I am married to the justice.”