The Maiden and Her Knight Read Online Free PDF

one—related to him in marriage. “I wish you success. Perhaps a victory in the squires’ melee will improve matters.”
    Just as he hoped a victory in tomorrow’s tournament would make Allis appreciate him more. “How is Sir Connor on the field?”
    â€œVery good.”
    â€œHe does lose?”
    â€œYes, my lord, he does…occasionally.”
    â€œI see.” Rennick twisted the stem of the goblet in his long fingers while Percival shifted nervously.
    â€œMy lord?”
    Rennick glanced at him.
    â€œMy lord, you told me to watch Lady Allis and I did. After she left the hall, she went to the kitchen, and to her father’s chamber.”
    â€œI thought as much. And then she retired.”
    â€œNo, my lord. Then she went into the rose garden, and she was not alone.”
    Rennick sat up abruptly. “Who else was there?”
    â€œSir Connor, my lord. I saw him leave.”
    Rennick set his goblet down on the arm of the chair so hard, he bent the base of it. “Did he see you?”
    â€œNo, my lord.”
    He stared at the stone floor, scowling. He had been more than patient waiting for Allis to see that he and he alone was a worthy match for her.
    Unfortunately, he had lived long enough to know that for most women, it wouldn’t matter that Connor of Llanstephan had no more money than a pauper at the castle gates, or that he had been cast out of the king’s retinue. He was good-looking, young and virile, and had probably seduced scores of women who had less to offer than Allis. He was likely well aware of the large dowry that awaited the man who married Allis of Montclair and would use every means and skill he possessed to woo and win her.
    It was not enough for this Welsh dog to be among the king’s chosen. Now this dishonored whelp wanted Allis, too?
    If that were so, Connor of Llanstephan was as good as dead. He had not waited and planned and schemed and put up with Lord Montclair all these years for some impoverished knight to swoop in and steal what he deserved. He was going to wed and bed Allis, and he was not about to let Allis—and her dowry and the power of being the earl’s son-in-law—slip away from him.
    â€œHe was there but a little while, my lord,” Percival stammered, his face pale. “I am sure the lady did nothing unseemly. She is a very model of propriety, my lord.”
    â€œYou are not sorry you told me this, are you, Percival?” Rennick inquired, his emotions once more restrained.
    â€œNo-no, my lord.”
    â€œGood. You were following orders, as a squire should if he is to be knighted. And I quite agree. Lady Allis is above reproach.”
    The young man’s slender shoulders slumped with relief. “Yes, my lord.”
    â€œThe Welshman is a different matter. Sometimes, Percival, it falls to us to remind these rebellious up-starts of their place.”
    Â 
    The next morning, Allis stood in the storeroom checking the amount of clean linen available when Isabelle and Edmond burst in, quarreling yet again. She set the napkins she had been counting on the nearest shelf and prayed for patience.
    â€œIt isn’t fair!” Isabelle cried. Her hands balled into fists as if she was considering hitting Edmond, which had been known to happen. “I don’t understand why I can’t watch the melee from the battlements, too.”
    Allis crossed her arms. “Because a lady does not watch a tournament. A knight doesn’t stick out his tongue, either,” she chided Edmond, having caught him in the act.
    â€œA lady doesn’t get to have any fun,” Isabelle mumbled. She picked at the hem of her long cuffed sleeve and pouted.
    This was also a frequent complaint. “If you mean watching grown men ride at one another like a pack of dogs and bash each other, no, we don’t.”
    â€œYou’re just jealous!” Edmond declared, his feet wide apart, and his arms crossed in