A Knight Amid Thorns
Laurel O'Donnell
Chapter One
Fifteen years later
England
1417
Eleanor Rames knelt before the tombstone etched with the words Edwin Rames. She pulled weeds from around the base of the tombstone, yanking them with enough steady force to tug the roots from the ground. She sat back and stared at the name carved into the stone. Edwin. She could barely remember what he looked like anymore and that made her guilt worse. He had died five years ago. Edwin was her older, rambunctious brother. Born only a year apart, they had been inseparable. She remembered his vibrant energy, his charismatic charm. She would never forget him, she vowed.
Her gaze moved to the white rose that bloomed beside his name. The white flower was the first to bloom on the bush. She couldn’t help the disappointment that spread through her. It wasn’t a blue rose. Her mother had always told her that a blue rose was magical and the most wondrous sight. Her mother had spoken endlessly about the power of the blue rose. That was why Ella had planted the rose bush beside Edwin’s grave. She had hoped the rose that bloomed on the bush would be blue in honor of Edwin, had hoped her happy memory of him had seeped into the soil when she had planted the bush, had hoped that her sisterly love for him would give rise to the legendary power of the blue rose.
Sighing, she stood up and brushed the dirt from her skirt. She saw a brown cloaked monk standing in the doorway of the chapel, watching her. She greeted Father Barnaby with a nod. Five years ago, even Father Barnaby had not been able to console her. He had said time would heal her grief, and while the pain had diminished, the wound was far from healed. Edwin had been so young, only fourteen summers. There had been a time when she couldn’t even talk about Edwin. He existed quietly in her memories. Lately, she found it eased her pain to speak of him. She enjoyed listening to the stories of others. Somehow, it kept him alive. She wished her older brother, Miles, was there to share stories and add his own. But he had left to fight the war with the French three years ago.
Father Barnaby intercepted her as she walked toward Castle Rames. He had a round stomach and a full head of dark hair. A cross swayed from a rope around his neck. “How are you this morn, Ella?”
Ella continued walking. “Well, Father. And you?”
He nodded. “This is the first summer the rose bush is blooming.”
Ella nodded. “I thought maybe they would be a different color.”
“It is beautiful,” Father Barnaby said kindly. “I’m glad you planted it, as I am sure Edwin would have been.”
“I hope it grows thorns so long and sharp that I could poke Dumount’s eyes out with them,” Ella said.
“Ella,” Father Barnaby said and stepped before her, halting her. “You must let this hatred go. It is not good for you.”
Hatred was too soft of a word for what she felt. Ella clenched her teeth and her fingers curled into fists. “Dumount is a cad and a murderer. He should have been locked up for what he did to Edwin!”
“Ella,” Father Barnaby pleaded. “It was an accident.”
“Edwin was fourteen summers! He was just a boy! How could a grown man have gotten into a fight with a boy!”
“I spoke with Dumount. He meant no harm.”
“Meant no harm?! He killed Edwin!”
Father Barnaby sighed. “I understand your anger. I know how difficult this must be for you.”
Ella lifted her chin and turned away from him. “Hating Dumount is not difficult at all. Lord forbid I should ever run into him.” Ella caught sight of Maria, a servant girl from the castle, running toward them. She held her skirts up high and was racing as fast as she could.
Ella hurried to intercept Maria. Something must be wrong. Tingles peppered the nape of her neck. “What is it?”
“My lady!” Maria gasped, her breath coming in ragged gasps between her words. She pointed back at the castle.
“Take a breath, Maria, and then tell me.”
The girl took a breath and the words tumbled from her mouth. “Lord Miles has returned.”
Joy blossomed in Ella’s chest. She glanced back at the castle and jerked to run toward it.
Maria grabbed her wrist.
Ella looked back at her, confused.
