The Redeeming Read Online Free PDF Page A

sought betterment of his sword skill, was all he had revealed before warning her to take care that she was not seen at the window. His concern had made her laugh bitterly, for she knew the same as her brothers that King Henry was aware of her presence at Wulfen. The only ones who were yet oblivious were the young men who trained here, and they were of no danger to her.
    Halfway across the chapel, the intruder halted. “My lady,” he said, as if theirs was an arranged meeting rather than a violation of her privacy.
    How did he know she was noble? It was not as if the mantle that concealed the fine raiments beneath were edged in ermine. The simple, woollen outer garment could belong to any common woman. Might she be mistaken in believing those who trained at Wulfen remained ignorant of her presence? If so, why was she still confined abovestairs excepting the rare occasion when Everard or Abel took her riding?
    No sooner did the question settle than the answer followed. For the distraction women breed, Everard would say. Regardless if one was a lady or a serving woman, their sex was not allowed at Wulfen. And with good reason, considering the upheaval caused by Lady Annyn Bretanne who had come here four years past in the guise of a squire. Though intent on working revenge against Gaenor’s brother, Garr, her attempt on his life was thwarted. Thus, before all, she was revealed to be a woman. Now she was Garr’s wife.
    “Who are you?” Gaenor continued to brandish her dagger, though he made no move to draw nearer.
    “You do not know?”
    “I do not, though from afar I have seen you at training with my brother, Sir Abel.”
    Something turned in his eyes, but she did not think it was surprise that she was Abel’s sister. And she had not intended it should be, for if he knew her to be a lady, he surely knew the only woman who would be allowed at Wulfen was the Wulfrith sister who had gone to ground.
    As the man before her had yet to answer, Gaenor said, “I still do not know your name, Sir Knight, nor the reason you did not reveal yourself when I entered.”
    Christian glanced at the dagger, then returned his gaze to the woman who would be his wife. Though he knew he would regret the course he was about to set, he could not tell her the truth, especially as it seemed a truth for which she was unprepared. Not only was it apparent her brothers had told her nothing of her betrothed’s training, but despite Christian’s prompt, she showed no sign of consideration that the one who had watched from the shadows was the same man whom she believed to be without integrity and honor—a man whom she beseeched God that she not be made to wed.
    Silently acknowledging the sin of his deception, making no attempt to justify the means by which he might learn about the woman with whom he would spend his life, he said, “I am called Sir Matthew.” He searched out the color of her eyes amid the low light. “And I did not reveal myself lest I disturb your prayers.”
    Her lids narrowed in a face that was, perhaps, a bit long. “Yesterday as well?”
    Gaenor Wulfrith was not to be underestimated, Christian realized as her brother’s advice returned to him. Not only had the lady’s keen senses picked his presence from the shadows this day, but she knew it was he who had tipped her senses on the day past.
    “Yesterday as well,” he said. “‘Twould seem you and I are similarly inclined to seek the Lord past the dawning of day.”
    A brittle smile revealing straight teeth, she said, “Nay, Sir Matthew, I am inclined to seek the Lord without an audience, and twice now you have denied me that.”
    “So I have.” Though chafed by her refusal to soften, Christian dipped his chin. “Apologies, my lady. I assure you, ‘twas not done with ill intent.”
    “What intent, then?” She appeared unmoved by his show of contrition. But, then, it was not genuine, for he would do again what he had done to better prepare for their