Page 68 of King’s Knight

She raised her head, her dark eyes full of regret. “She left Talisand yesterday, we believe with Owain. I did not see her go.”

It was not a name Alex knew, but it sounded Welsh. “Who is this Owain and why would Merewyn leave Talisand with him?”

Lora’s attention shifted to the few servants who were cleaning the tables.

“Come,” he said, “we can speak outside.” In the bailey, he urged Lora to a more secluded place, scattering chickens as he strode across the hard earth. “Now, tell me who Owain is and what happened.”

Brushing a strand of dark hair from her face, Lora took a deep breath and let it out before responding. “While you and the others were gone, a man from Wales came to see Merewyn. Owain is a prince of Powys and nephew to Rhodri. She and Owain were friends in Wales.”

“She left with this Owain?”

Lora nodded.

How could she leave me? Did my love mean nothing? He had promised to return, assuming he survived. Why would she not wait for him? Given what they had shared, what they had vowed, he could not understand how she would leave and with another man.

“Tell me about this Welshman. I would know more.”

As he and Lora left the bailey and walked toward the river, the wind stirred the dry leaves that had fallen to the path. The days of autumn were dwindling.

He listened as Merewyn’s friend described the archer, Rhodri’s nephew, who had taught her to shoot from her pony.

“Did she have tender feelings for him?” He had to know but he dreaded the answer.

“As far as I could tell, she considered him only a friend. But I think he would have her be more. I could see it in the way he looked at her. Some of the men believed him a spy for the Welsh, but he asked no questions about the men, where you had gone or the king’s plans. He spent all of his time with Merewyn, even helping her teach the children archery.”

“She said nothing to you about leaving?”

Lora shook her head. “Nay.”

“But you are her good friend!”

“I do not understand it myself, Alex. It came as a complete surprise. You might ask Jamie about Owain. I think they had a conversation or two. In your absence, Jamie was very protective of Merewyn. He was not pleased when he discovered she was gone.”

Alex took his mail to the armory and washed the dirt from his face. He’d been covered with more dirt than he realized. Donning a fresh tunic, he went looking for his father’s captain. He found him in the practice yard sparring with one of the house knights. When the match ended, Alex signaled to Jamie, who sheathed his sword and came toward him.

Jamie ran his fingers through his curly hair and wiped the sweat from his brow. “I had heard you and the men were back and the king has made peace with the Scots. A good result.”

“ ’Tis true, but not why I have sought you out.” Alex was impatient to glean as much information as he could about the woman he had thought of every day he was gone. “Lora said Merewyn has left with some Welshman. Do you know anything of it?”

He hesitated before answering. “A bit.” Folding his arms over his chest, Jamie said, “He arrived one day about a fortnight after you left. I am certain Merewyn did not expect him, but she seemed quite happy to see him. She knew him from her time in Wales.”

“That much I have already ascertained.”

Jamie’s blue eyes were in earnest. “He said he came for her. Told me that when I questioned his purpose in being here.”

“And while he was among you… What passed between them?”

The captain uncrossed his arms and again ran his hand through his hair. “They practiced archery in the afternoons, played chess in the evenings and I occasionally saw them riding their ponies together. He has one much like hers, only gray.”

“Did she say anything about leaving with him?”

“I do not think so. Certainly not to me. Last night at the evening meal, your lady mother noted Merewyn’s absence and asked about her. No one knew where Merewyn was and a search disclosed she was not among us. Then we realized Owain was gone, too, and both their ponies were missing from the stable.”

Alex frowned, speaking his thoughts aloud. “I cannot believe she would leave without saying goodbye to my mother and her friend, Lora.” Or to me. “Merewyn has made a life here. Why would she go back to Wales?”

“I doubt she would want me to tell you, but I believe she left for you.”

“For me?” he asked, incredulous. “Why, when I want her to stay?”