Page 80 of King’s Knight

“I am not surprised,” said Lora. “When you told me Alex had gone after her, I did not doubt he would bring Merewyn back. He can be very determined.”

Jamie turned to the dark-haired woman at his side, aware she had once harbored a tendre for Talisand’s heir. “Alex has decided on the woman he wants. Does his choice concern you?”

Lora watched Alex and Merewyn dismount. “If what you suggest is true, I am happy for them. They make a fine couple, he so dark and she so fair. Alex needs a strong woman like Merewyn and I think she has always cared more for him than she was willing to say.”

“And you? Did you not find Sir Alex a handsome knight?”

She turned to face him. Nearly as tall as he, she had only to tilt her chin slightly to meet his gaze. “Once, like many of the girls at Talisand, I might have allowed myself to dream of Sir Alex, but I am no longer a girl. I have seen the man I would call husband, a knight who is much admired. And he is not Alex.”

The sparkle in her brown eyes brought a smile to his face. “If that be so, Mistress Lora, with your permission, I would speak to Sir Alain when he returns. Should your father agree, you and I will be wed.”

“Aye, Jamie,” she said, “you have my permission.”

He was so intent on Lora, so thrilled with her answer, he had not detected Alex’s approach, but the familiar voice drew his attention. “Will you stare at each other all afternoon or will you join us for some ale?”

Jamie turned to see Alex supported by Rory on one side and Merewyn on the other. “Of course, we will join you.” Then looking down, he noticed Alex stood on only one leg, the other bent at the knee as if injured. “What has happened?”

Alex let out an exasperated sigh. “I caught an arrow from a Welsh bow.”

“Well, no matter whose arrow it was, we had best get you off your one good leg,” Jamie said. Replacing Merewyn on one side, Jamie helped Alex into the hall.

Lora took Merewyn’s arm and followed closely behind them.

“It is so good to have you home. Jamie thought you did not go willingly with Owain. Is it true?”

“Aye. Poor Owain. He believed he was doing right by me.”

“Was it Owain who shot Alex?”

“Aye and Alex meant to take his head but I persuaded him to let Owain go. Imagine how Rhodri would react to Alex’s killing one of Powys’ princes.”

Jamie smiled to himself hearing the women’s conversation. Merewyn would make an interesting Lady of Talisand.

When the six of them were in the hall and Alex was seated, Jamie drew Merewyn aside. “I have said nothing to Alex of the child.”

“I thank you for keeping my secret, Jamie, but Alex knows and I suspect, very soon, all of Talisand will know as well.”

* * *

After Jamie left her, Merewyn went looking for Lady Serena, to let her know they had returned and that Alex had taken an arrow in his leg. She found her in the kitchen with Maggie.

Before she could open her mouth to speak, Lady Serena rushed toward her. “Merewyn! You are back!”

“We thought ye’d run off with that Welshman,” said Maggie with an expression that spoke of her disapproval.

“Nay, I did not. I was taken, but Alex rescued me.”

After she told them about all that had happened, well, except for the nights she shared his bed and her freeing the Welsh king, she assured them Alex was on the mend. “The earl’s physic said he will recover. The wound still pains him, but ’tis healing well.”

“Where is he?” asked Lady Serena, wiping off her hands on a cloth.

“In the hall, drinking with Sir Jamie and the others.”

“Go to yer son, milady,” Maggie urged her mistress. “I will see if I can find the crutch Earl Renaud used when he injured his leg. ’Tis around here somewhere.”

* * *

Alex did not intend to ask his father about Merewyn becoming his wife. He preferred to announce it as an accomplished fact. Because of the importance of what he was about, he had asked Merewyn to wear the blue velvet gown she had worn that first night in Chester when she had defeated him in chess, for he would have all of Talisand see their new lady. He dressed in the midnight blue tunic his mother had given him.