Page 51 of King’s Knight

“Yea, a lady.” He would say no more. “I must take my leave of you now, for I have a meeting I must attend to.” He did not say the meeting was with his horses. Bowing, he left her frowning. So be it. He cared little if she was not smiling. He only hoped Merewyn remembered his caution based upon Maugris’ warning.

* * *

Merewyn was gathering her new arrows with the gray feather fletchings when the door of her chamber opened. Lady Adèle entered, shutting the door behind her with a loud “thump”. On her otherwise lovely face was an angry frown.

“Is something wrong, my lady?”

“Indeed!” she exclaimed, eying Merewyn as if she were a piece of discarded clothing. Her manner was haughty and disdainful as she said, “Have you given Sir Alex the impression he has aught to say about the king’s intention to see us wed?”

Merewyn straightened from where she had been bent over the arrows, pausing to stare at the furious woman before her. “Whatever made you think I have done so? Nay, I have always encouraged Sir Alex to abide by the king’s wishes.”

“Well, it is best he do in this matter of our marriage or some ill may befall you both. When a king orders a wedding, a wedding there shall be!”

Tired of the woman’s ill-tempered speech, Merewyn asked, “Has the king ordered a wedding?”

With that, the woman turned on her heels and quit the chamber. Merewyn stood looking at the closed door. Sill angry, she remembered the woman’s threat of harm and trembled. Would she hurt Alex?

* * *

Days later, Alex stood with his parents by the open gate, watching as the guests from Normandy disappeared over the hill. The comte and his daughter had stayed for several days and were only now taking their leave. It was not soon enough for Alex.

“Well?” his father asked, “What say you to William’s choice?”

“He is scowling,” Alex’s mother put in. “I told you he would. Alex likes her not.”

“Herbert’s daughter is comely enough,” his father offered. “And her father is enthusiastic about the match and his lands in Vermandois are extensive.”

Alex’s scowl deepened. In his mind, he saw only the woman he had come to love: Merewyn racing through the forest on her white pony as she raised her bow to shoot; Merewyn smiling at him over the chessboard; Merewyn walking along Fish Street in London, laughing with his mother. “I would choose my own wife. And you are correct, Mother, ’twould not be Lady Adèle.”

“There, you see,” said his mother, giving his father a knowing look.

“A king’s knight does his sire’s bidding,” his father calmly reminded her.

His mother pursed her lips, but said nothing.

They began to walk back to the manor.

“What about Sir Geoffroi?” Alex asked, raising the one exception he knew of, a knight respected by his father for his defiance of the Conqueror. “He defied his king.”

His father’s brow furrowed. “I admit there are times when honor requires a man to take his own path. But is this a question of honor? You could be more than the heir of Talisand. You could have lands in Normandy and the favor of your king.”

The words Maugris had spoken came to him. Honor is revealed in the face of temptation. “It is a matter of honor to me.” He had claimed the woman he wanted and would do right by her. The temptation for more lands or a woman of noble birth would not lure him from his intended course.

His father shrugged. “Then it falls to you to find a way to appease your sire if you are one day to choose your own bride.”

They arrived at the door of the manor and his mother asked, “Do you go to the practice yard?”

“I have no choice. Our visitors took up my time when I should have been preparing the men to meet Malcolm’s warriors. I have heard the Scots are fierce and fight like wild men and there are but a few days to prepare before we must leave.”

“You distress your mother by such talk, Son.”

Indeed, his mother’s face was full of worry.

“Forgive me. I would not have you anxious for my sake. But I would have your prayers while I am gone.”

“You will have them,” his mother replied. “Father Bernard has agreed to say prayers each day for your return and a peaceful outcome.”

He smiled at his mother and nodded to his father, then left them as he headed toward the armory where he was to meet Rory and Guy.