by Alexa Aston
Avelyn stepped forward to introduce herself and had to tilt her head far back as she looked up into his tanned face. Hazel eyes more green than brown stood out, drawing her in. Of all the men she had met at court, this knight was the most handsome man she had ever seen. Her mouth went dry and she found swallowing almost impossible. Avelyn struggled to find her voice.
And then she caught the impatience in his eyes. It broke the spell he had seemingly cast over her and she found she could speak once more.
“My lord, I am Lady Avelyn Le Cler, sister to the Countess of Sandbourne. Lady Alys is my cousin. And this,” she indicated her friend, “is Lady Sela Runford. She, too, will be a part of our traveling party, as she has just gained the queen’s permission to visit Sandbourne and act as my companion for the summer. I trust this will not be an imposition.”
Fairfax stared down at her disapprovingly. “Do you have parchment to confirm that I am to take Lady Sela with us?”
“Nay, I do not,” Avelyn said, her temper rising at a stranger questioning her so. “She has her father’s permission. He sits on the king’s council. And instructions from the queen that she is to remain with me at Sandbourne during the court’s summer progress.” She paused. “If you care to wait in line with the hundreds of courtiers that wish to see the queen in order to confirm this, I’m sure the rest of us can find something to occupy our time while you tarry the day away.”
He continued to study her a moment. She wasn’t happy with this knight’s behavior and would make sure Elysande and Michael knew of it.
“Under your leadership, Sir Kenric, I believe that ten men can protect three females for a few days,” she said, not disguising her displeasure.
Fairfax bowed his head. “As you wish, my lady. Have no worries. We shall deliver Lady Alys safely to her home and make certain you and Lady Sela arrive at Sandbourne unharmed.”
Avelyn turned to her companions. “Then let us be off.”
*
Kenric fumed at the turn of events. He had been sent to escort Lady Elysande’s sister from court, not a gaggle of women. Though he’d admired Lord Geoffrey upon meeting him, he didn’t like the addition of a mere child to their escort party because children did not travel well. The road was no place for them, much less a female child. Though Lady Alys seemed well spoken and mature for her years, she wasn’t even half a score. And then this sister to the countess had the audacity to blithely invite another featherhead from court at the last minute?
He never liked when things didn’t go according to his wishes. As a knight, Kenric favored planning, paying careful attention to details. This would change the course of the journey he had already set, as he had not intended to pass by Kinwick.
And though his code of chivalry demanded that he protect women, he certainly had no use for them.
Especially after that night at Longshire.
Kenric glanced at his boots and the place his spurs should have rested. Guilt still ate at him daily.
No, from the detached feelings of his mother to the wiles of Gussalen to the insanity that Jannet’s death had brought into his life, he had no desire to spend any more time than necessary in the company of women.
Ever.
He knew it was an honor that Lord Michael had chosen him to escort his sister-in-law from London to Sandbourne. Kenric had only been with the earl for a short time, so it showed great trust and favoritism for him to be tasked with this mission. Yet Kenric resented it all the same. He would rather spend his time training with the other soldiers at Sandbourne than escorting an empty-headed court beauty and her equally silly friend on the road for several days, much less a girl child who would probably whine while the two noblewomen complained about everything from the meals they ate to the ground they would sleep upon.
Kenric knew he’d better make the best of a poor situation—else this troublesome sister might spread falsehoods about him with the earl and countess upon their return to Sandbourne. He masked his rising anger and placed a pleasant look upon his face.
Turning to Lady Avelyn, he said, “The countess said you wouldn’t wish to ride your own horse. I hope you and the others do not mind riding with another soldier. Especially since they were unexpected additions,” he added.
“Nay,” she replied, glaring at him as if he’d done something wrong.
“I know Sir Ralf,” Lady Alys said. “I can ride with him.” She walked to where Ralf’s horse stood.
The knight reached down and lifted Alys into the saddle with him, helping her to arrange the box she carried.
“I can manage Lady Sela,” another man volunteered. He grinned shamelessly at Sela and said, “I am Sir Martin, my lady.” He dismounted and then escorted the woman to his horse.
Kenric glanced back at Lady Avelyn. She asked, a little too sharply for his taste, “And whom shall I ride with, my lord?”
“’Twould be my honor to have you ride with me, my lady,” he said grudgingly. He had planned for her to ride with him all along since he would be her chief protector in their travels.
“Very well.” She gave him a sweet smile, which only showed how fickle the woman was, because her voice had been laced with sarcasm moments ago.
He offered his arm and took her back to his horse. She stopped as they reached Firefall. Kenric saw fear in her eyes as she gazed up at the beast. He’d learned from the countess that her sister was not much of a rider, which surprised him. Lady Elysande was, mayhap, the only woman he had any liking and admiration for. She knew more about horses than any man he’d encountered. He believed himself quite knowledgeable about them, but through several conversations, she had taught him many things.
“I haven’t been on horses very often,” Lady Avelyn said. “The few times I have, it’s proved uncomfortable and frightening for me,” she revealed. She glanced back at Firefall. “This horse is the largest I have ever seen.”
“His name is Firefall, my lady. I know he looks fearsome, but he’s the most gentle of beasts. You will be safe atop him. I guarantee it.”
Lady Avelyn nodded, as if she considered his words, but he saw she trembled. Then a calm descended over her. She stood taller, her shoulders thrown back, as if she had come to some decision known only to her. Leaning over, she stroked the horse tentatively at first and then more firmly.
“I’m Avelyn, Firefall,” she told the animal, her voice low. “I have no treat to give you, but I’ll appreciate you doing your best to get me to Sandbourne.”
Kenric couldn’t help himself. He laughed softly. “You’re cut from the same cloth as your sister, my lady. She speaks to every horse on the Sandbourne estate as if they are human and can understand everything she tells them.”
“She probably likes them more than most of the people who populate the place. Elysande has always favored horses over people.”
“Shall we?” he asked, impatient to be on the road. They’d already wasted enough time dallying in the courtyard.
She nodded. Kenric placed his hands about her waist, easily spanning its slender width. He lifted her onto Firefall’s back and then mounted behind her. He caught her looking to the ground, which most likely seemed a long way down for a woman who did not ride much.
Something stirred in him at that moment. He had an overwhelming desire to protect her and assure her that she would be all right.
Kenric wrapped an arm about the noblewoman’s waist, drawing her to him, inhaling a hint of vanilla that clung to her hair and skin.
“Lean back into my chest, my lady. It will make for less bouncing and more comfort.”
She did as he asked. Something within Kenric exploded, awakening him, a foreign feeling like nothing he’d ever known before. Suddenly, he wanted her.
Badly.
She looked over her shoulder at him, her teeth tugging in worry on her full, bottom lip. Kenric wanted to do the same. Nip it. Lick it. He wondered what she would taste like. He longed to bend and cover her mouth with his. Possess and plunder the sweetness within.
<
br /> Lady Avelyn smiled at him with white, even teeth. His pulse skipped a beat as he became lost in eyes of sky blue.
Kenric blinked. He glanced over his shoulder to break the unnatural hold she had over him and called out, “We ride.”
Firefall moved forward of his own accord, as if the horse knew what he wanted. The world raced by as they left the courtyard and wound their way around till they reached the open road.
Chapter 6
The scout Kenric had sent out returned, assuring him that the spot they had stopped at on their way to London would be the best place to make camp for the night. Motioning for the men to follow him, he led them off the road and into the clearing. He swung down from Firefall and reached up for Lady Avelyn’s waist. She tilted forward as he captured it and brought her to the ground. With reluctance, he released her—and wondered why.
They had not spoken while they rode. The clopping of the horses’ hooves prevented it. He had allowed a brief respite in the early afternoon so the ladies could stretch their legs and tend to their needs, but they’d pursued no conversation in that brief interlude.
Yet Kenric had done nothing but think about the woman he held in his arms as they traveled away from the noise of London.
Avelyn Le Cler smelled divine. The scent of vanilla had invaded his nostrils, enveloping Kenric as they rode, tantalizing him. But that was only a small part of it. Her curves also called out to him. She had a petite frame, but her full breasts, tiny waist, and rounded bottom tempted him beyond measure. Having her pressed against him for most of the day had led to some very interesting fantasies that he’d had to pull himself from. He fought to concentrate on the road ahead, where danger could spring forth within seconds. As head of this escort party, he owed it to his men and the women they were charged with bringing back.
Before he could speak, Lady Avelyn began assigning tasks to the men. That did not sit well with him. He found it arrogant—a quality he despised in a man—much less a women.
“My lady?” he interrupted, knowing he must watch his words carefully. “Though you seem a natural leader, I’d have you allow me to instruct the men what they should do. We will hunt for dinner and cook the game caught.”
“Your men may hunt, but we three will cook the food and clean the dishes, my lord.”
Lady Sela, overhearing the remark, sputtered, a shocked look upon her face. Without thinking, Kenric burst out laughing at the noblewoman’s reaction.
Avelyn glared at him. “You find it amusing that I would cook and clean?” she asked, her arms crossing defensively in front of her.
He quelled his laughter and tried to remove any sign of amusement from his face. “Nay, my lady. Simply unusual. I know of no noblewoman who cooks or washes dishes. Now, weaving tapestries or embroidering? That would be more believable.”
“I like to cook,” she stated. “My mother and I gardened together from the time I was a child. My interest grew from there. Mother says I have quite the green thumb when it comes to vegetables and herbs. That led to my wishing to cook.”
“But men always provide meals during a journey,” he protested.
“This is not my first time out on the road, Sir Kenric. I came from the north, the place of my birth. My sister and I accompanied our mother south when she came to marry her second husband. We traveled on the road close to three weeks.” Avelyn shook her head. “You may see me as some spoiled court brat, my lord, but I know how to fend for myself. I believe this journey will be all the more pleasant if we act as a team.”
“This journey is what I say it will be. One where I keep you safe. And the additional women.”
He saw understanding dawn on her face. “So that’s what is bothering you. Having my cousin and friend accompany us.” She sniffed haughtily. “’Tis not your place to judge, my lord. The earl tasked you—”
“The earl did set the task, my lady,” he interrupted. “And I take orders solely from him. Not you.”
Avelyn laughed. “You act as if you are the best soldier in England and must follow your orders without any change in them at all.”
Kenric told her, “I am the best soldier in England.”
Her eyes widened. “You’re serious. And here I thought you merely arrogant.”
“Nay, my lady. I simply state a fact. I am the most capable of Sandbourne’s men. It’s why the earl tasked me to retrieve you and bring you safely back. Now, I ask that you allow me to conduct your passage to Sandbourne in the manner I see fit—and that includes what must be done when we make camp for the night.”
Kenric stopped, suddenly aware that the entire traveling party had surrounded them, drinking in everything they said. He glanced around, seeing amusement in the eyes of his fellow soldiers, which caused his anger at the dainty beauty before him to grow.
Immediately, he began barking orders. He sent three men to hunt for their supper and another two to chop and bring back wood and start a fire. Another two would tend to the horses while the last pair was sent to gather water to boil the meat.
And he bristled when he heard Lady Avelyn trying to stifle her giggles.
When the last of the men departed camp, he turned back to her. “I won’t have you question me and my authority in front of the men again.”
She wiped the smile from her face. “Nay, Sir Kenric, I won’t. If Michael charged you to fetch and protect me along the way, then you are the best of his soldiers. He loves my sister beyond words. You know that if you have witnessed them together. So to please her, I realize he sent his very best men—and you to lead them.”
Kenric had definitely seen the looks pass between the earl and his countess, looks that conveyed a deep, abiding love. Small, special glances that only the two of them traded. He actually found himself almost envious and had brushed aside his feelings.
“So I’m not here to question you or your authority,” Avelyn continued. “I’m here merely to aid you on this journey. For example, I can skin an animal, but it would be nice if one of your men did so. But I must insist that we three women cook the meal and clean up afterward. It’s the least we can do to contribute in our own small way. Please.”
He saw the stubborn set to her mouth and knew it made no sense to argue with her. “As you wish, my lady.”
*
Avelyn watched Kenric head toward the horses. She did not like arrogance in a man, no matter how capable he was.
“Good riddance,” she said under her breath.
Sela’s eyes were round with surprise. “I’ve never cooked before, Avelyn. I haven’t a clue where to begin.”
Avelyn put an arm around her friend’s shoulder. “Alys and I know what to do, so just do as we say. You’ll see. It will be fun.”
Sela’s lips pursed as if she’d eaten something sour. “We have very different ideas of fun, Avelyn.”
Alys looked worried. “I’m sorry I asked to come, Avelyn. Father thought it would be convenient for me to do so. Mother so wanted to see you before you went to Sandbourne. And they both thought a night of rest inside the walls of Kinwick would break up the journey.”
Avelyn assured her cousin. “You are no bother, Alys. That knight is simply full of himself.”
“Well, he is an imposing man,” Sela pointed out. “And impossibly handsome.”
“But why does he not wear spurs, as a true knight should?” Alys asked.
Avelyn hadn’t noticed such a small detail. She looked over at him helping the two men he appointed to care for the horses. Sir Kenric had a natural air of confidence about him and was intelligent and well spoken.
But where were his spurs?
She knew both a sword and riding spurs were presented when a man became a knight. A disgraced knight, though, had his spurs hacked off.
Had that happened to Sir Kenric?
Surely, Michael would never have taken on a man of such dubious character. Avelyn figured there was more to his story—and she wanted to find out exactly what had occurred.
The small groups of
men soon returned. They started the fire burning and put the water pot on to boil. The hunters returned with three rabbits and some wild onions they’d found. They skinned the rabbits and turned them over to the women without question, though she caught a bit of merriment in Sir Martin’s eyes. Avelyn sliced the onions while Alys added some herbs from her box into the pot. Avelyn wanted Sela to chop the meat into small pieces, but her friend turned pale from the thought of touching the raw animal. Avelyn hurried with the onions and then saw to the rabbits, tossing everything into the pot. Within minutes, a fragrant smell encircled the camp.
One of the soldiers brought her their remaining bread. She looked at the amount and knew it wouldn’t last even to Kinwick, which was another two days away.
“Sir Kenric?” she called out.
He came over. Avelyn noticed everyone watching them surreptitiously and determined she wouldn’t get in to another spat with him with others present. She understood she had placed him in a bad light with his men and would do what she could to make amends.
“We are low on bread,” she informed him. “The last of it will be gone after we break our fast on the morrow. We should try to buy some when we pass the next village or nunnery.”
“Thank you for letting me know, my lady.”
As everyone had completed the work given to them, they naturally began to seat themselves around the fire, awaiting the stew to finish cooking. Avelyn decided to put the others at ease.
“Since we don’t know one another, we should introduce ourselves. I am Lady Avelyn Le Cler. I’ve been at King Edward’s court since last September, but I am a country girl at heart.” She looked at Sir Kenric. “I enjoy embroidery and am quite good at it, but I’m a dreadful singer. I refuse to hurt your ears, so I will keep any songs to myself.”
She turned to Alys. “Go ahead, Cousin.”
Alys smiled. “I am Lady Alys de Montfort, daughter of Lord Geoffrey and Lady Merryn, whom some of you have met. Mother has taught me much about herbs and I am a healer.”
