Claire Delacroix Read Online Free PDF

Their gazes locked and held for a breathless moment, then the knight stepped closer and offered her a linen handkerchief. Gabrielle gracelessly blew her nose and mopped up her tears as he stood just a step away and watched her avidly.
    “How can you risk your own life?” he asked with low urgency. “Should you perish and your son survive, he will be alone.”
    Gabrielle’s chin shot up. She had not thought of that.
    The unexpected pain glowing in the knight’s amber eyes stole her breath away. Gabrielle stared at him for a long moment before she could summon a word of explanation to her lips.
    He was right. If Thomas lost both his parents as a result of her deeds, Gabrielle would be tormented by that for all eternity.
    “But I cannot leave him in such danger,” she whispered, and her telltale tears threatened to spill forth once more at the very thought. “And none will aid me.”
    “You cannot risk the only parent remaining in your son’s life,” the knight argued with quiet resolve.
    Gabrielle turned away, torn by his certainty that she would perish trying to retrieve Thomas herself.
    But what else could she do?
    “I have to try,” she whispered brokenly. “I have to try to help my son.” Gabrielle looked back to the knight and was snared anew by the intensity of his gaze. She took a deep breath and squared her shoulders. “I can only hope your prediction of my certain failure proves wrong.”
    The knight’s lips tightened, but he did not speak. Gabrielle inclined her head slightly and lifted her hood once more. “I thank you for your time, Chevalier,” she said quietly, and left.
    Gabrielle stepped out of the tent and took a deep breath of the spring air. It was comparatively quiet here among the tents, with all the other guests and their staff enthusiasticallycheering the competition on the tourney field. She forced herself to note the new grass pushing through the earth, the few flowers making their appearance after the winter.
    Spring was a time for rebirth and renewal, after all. Easter was a time for faith, and her faith had sustained her thus far. It would see this matter through. Gabrielle had to believe that she could accomplish the impossible or she would have no chance of success.
    “Wait!”
    Gabrielle glanced back, not at all certain she wanted to hear whatever the knight might say. He stood framed by the tent flap he held open, his features painted golden by the rays of the sinking sun, and she was amazed again that a man could be so finely wrought.
    And so different from the men she had known. Who would have guessed a knight would have declined the prize of Perricault?
    “My lady,” he said quietly, “I will accept your offer.”
    Gabrielle stared, stunned by the change in his decision. That hint of a smile tugged at the corner of the knight’s mouth again and her heart began to pound loudly.
    Surely he did not jest?
    Surely he could not be concerned for her welfare? Certainly, the way he looked at her made her blood heat, made her feel achingly aware of the fact that she was a woman and he a man.
    “For the sake of your son,” he added.
    The words hit Gabrielle like a douse of ice water.
    It was an unwelcome reminder, particularly at this moment when she felt so vulnerable. Gabrielle knew full well that she was not the kind of woman for whom men risked their lives in tournament, nor for whom troubadours composed their odes. To be told so to her face was the last thing she needed on this day.
    The knight’s words were a reminder that all men looked to their own advantage alone. Yves de Sant-Roux wanted Perricault,just as Gabrielle had guessed he would and despite any coy games he played.
    She was a fool to feel any disappointment that matters had resolved themselves precisely as she had expected them to do.
    Gabrielle lifted her chin and stared back at the knight, determined not to let him glimpse how his words had stung. If he wanted Perricault alone, then that was what he would