Page 55 of An Enchanted Knight

Going outside behind the stables, he was greeted by noisy pens housing pigs and goats. Gwen didn’t notice him approaching as she patted a goat’s head, speaking to the animal softly.

“Aren’t you cute,” Gwen cooed at the animal, which preened, nuzzling her hand.

“You like beasties?”

She nodded. “I do prefer the smaller ones. Although I do like horses, I prefer smaller animals, like dogs, cats, and, well, now goats.” She smiled at the goat, allowing him to nuzzle her arm.

“We must speak,” he told her. “I would like to begin work to free the remaining men immediately.”

“Of course,” she replied, finally raising her eyes to him. He felt his heart tighten at the tenderness in them.

“I have an idea about Gavin. I think he and my sister connected.”

“I do as well,” Tristan agreed, moving closer, but stopping when she took a step back. Not wanting to make her uncomfortable, he turned toward the stables. “After the evening meal, we can adjourn to the sitting room.”

The day progressed quickly. After touring the estate lands, Tristan locked himself up in the study with Edith and Miles to begin lessons on running the estate. They’d decided to spend two hours a day teaching him.

Edith was pleased. “You’re a quick study. I am impressed. You must have kept a close eye on how things were run while away.”

“I would like to go for a ride this afternoon,” Tristan told them, hiding how overwhelmed he felt at the moment.

“Son, you don’t ask for permission, you do as you wish,” Edith told him with fervor. “You are the laird. The sooner you are able to take the reins, the sooner my life of leisure begins.” She giggled, a schoolgirl-like sound. “I can’t wait.”

Gwen paced in the study after dinner. Tristan was not present at the beginning of the evening meal; he’d returned late from riding and burst into the room at the end of the meal, his eyes bright.

He’d apologized to Edith for his delay. Brushing his long hair impatiently away from his flushed face, he’d refused to sit at the table, claiming to be too soiled from his ride. It had been impossible not to admire him. Tall, dark, and handsome, not to mention his body. Tight riding pants displayed his muscular legs. The riding jacket showcased his broad shoulders. Gwen had been forced to look away, the tightness in her chest reminding her, she’d leave soon.

“Thank you for waiting.” His entrance made her stomach pitch nervously.

She forced a smile. “Did you eat?”

“Nay, Liza is bringing something here,” he replied, locking gazes with her.

Clearing her throat, Gwen opened her laptop. “While Sabrina was here, she spent time researching spells. She has strong seer abilities, which will prove helpful.”

They spent the next hours going over details, even continuing while he ate. She was astounded by how much Tristan knew about each man in the alter-world. No doubt, they’d spent much time sharing the most intimate of details of their lives. She took notes on a laptop, biting back a smile when Tristan peered over her shoulder, frowning at the screen.

“What will happen to the words inside the frame?” he asked her, his brow still crinkled.

“It’s stored in here,” she told him, pointing at the bottom of the laptop. “I can plug it into another device called a printer, which will print my notes out to look like this.” She picked up a piece of printed paper.

He held the paper, but didn’t look at it. Instead his worried eyes met hers. “Through the years when I came here, I tried to learn as much as I could. Each time I visited, much changed. I didn’t realize it, but once I didn’t come for almost fifty years. I felt lost. Parts of the house had been redone, some of the rooms enlarged, everything was totally different.”

He took a deep breath. “I knew it would be difficult but didn’t expect to not know basic things.”

Gwen reached to touch his shoulder, but pulled her hand back. “Don’t be so hard on yourself. The world, no matter how much times goes by, basically stays the same. I bet during your day women competed to look prettier than others; men favored certain knights in bouts, and argued with one another over who was superior. Young people sneaked kisses, children gave the food they didn’t like to the dogs, and old people claimed the wisdom of time. Am I right?”

Finally his lips curved, “Yes, you are right. Knights in bouts?” He chuckled. “I do know about football. I’ve watched by a window, during family gatherings, as they kicked the ball about the pitch.”

Glad he felt better, she saved the document on the computer and went to leave. He held her back, his hand on her forearm.

“There is something else we should discuss.”

“Oh?”

“I’ve given my word to your sister. I do not wish to dishonor you. We’ve been intimate on more than one occasion. I will marry you.

“Oh, God.”