Knights of Honor Books 1-10: A Medieval Romance Series Bundle

by Alexa Aston

  He broke the kiss and told her, “I will love you and honor you all of my days, Beatrice.”

  Tears sprang to her eyes. “And I shall love you and pledge to be truthful with you always. No matter what.”

  Raynor kissed her again, a sweet, rich kiss, full of promise for what was to come between them. In that moment, Beatrice knew all would be well.

  He released her. “We should leave Sir Henry to rest and make plans to leave Brookhaven at once.”

  Beatrice glanced back at the bed. Sir Henry slumped against the pillows, his eyes now open and vacant. She leaned over and closed them.

  “He’s gone,” she said. “I need to tell the priest.”

  Chapter 21

  Edwin Stollers insisted Beatrice and Raynor attend the funeral mass that afternoon for Sir Henry and Sir Guy. Raynor had wanted to leave Brookhaven immediately, but he believed in some way Sir Henry reminded Beatrice of her own grandfather. The nobleman had been kind to her. Although it would prolong their stay for a few hours, Raynor knew she wanted to honor their former host by seeing him laid to rest.

  They now sat together in the small chapel as Father Bernard chanted in Latin. Raynor took Beatrice’s hand. He leaned to her ear and whispered, “All will be well. I promise.” He squeezed her hand in reassurance.

  Just holding it brought him a peace he had never known. This woman, who had come out of nowhere, had taken over his every waking thought. He looked forward to the life they would build together.

  The mass ended. Serfs, servants, and soldiers from Brookhaven began to file out of the chapel.

  Raynor said quietly, “We should go to the stables immediately, though it means leaving your lute and clothing behind.”

  “They can be replaced,” Beatrice assured him. “I agree that it’s time to depart. I don’t trust Edwin Stollers.”

  “First, I need to find where they placed the cart after we arrived.”

  “No,” she said firmly. “The cart will only slow us down. I’ll ride on Fury with you.”

  Her words shocked him since he knew how frightened she was of horses. “Are you certain?”

  Beatrice nodded. “When I looked for you after . . . after you learned of my deception, I went to the stables. I touched Fury.”

  “And?” he said encouragingly.

  She smiled, her dimple calling out to him. “He was gentle when I stroked him. Petting him brought back childhood memories of my father. We shared a love of horses. I remembered the good times and not the day I lost him. Touching Fury seemed to be my first step in beginning to heal.”

  Raynor helped her to her feet. They moved toward the door, falling in among those exiting the chapel. “I am relieved to hear this. Not that Stollers has the power to stop us, but horseback will be far quicker than driving a cart. I want to be as far from Brookhaven as soon as possible.”

  “He is unstable.”

  “I agree.” Raynor knew Stollers had been taken with Beatrice, so much that he had broken his betrothal contract in order to pursue her. Because of that, Raynor planned to marry Beatrice on the way back to Ashcroft at the first opportunity. He wanted to ensure that no man could steal her from him—especially Edwin Stollers.

  They blended in with the last of the workers leaving and then turned toward the stables. When they reached Fury’s stall, Beatrice greeted the horse. Raynor saw the animal’s ears prick up.

  “I’ll saddle him,” he told her. “Stay outside the stall since the space is small.” He entered and gave Fury an affectionate pat on the rump.

  “Ah, there you are, my lady.”

  Raynor watched Beatrice turn. He recognized Stollers’ voice.

  “I wondered where you’d gone off to.”

  “I came to see Fury.” Though her tone was even, Raynor watched the pulse jump in her throat. He knew Stollers scared her even more than horses did.

  Fury poked out his head and Beatrice stroked the animal calmly. Pride swelled within him as he saw how she’d begun to conquer her fear.

  “My father passed along his love of horses to me,” Beatrice said.

  “And your lute?” Stollers asked.

  “My mother taught me to play when I was young.”

  The new lord of Brookhaven stepped into view and took hold of Beatrice’s arm. “I long to hear you play. Come, my lady.” He started to lead her away.

  “Stop!” Raynor called out, stepping from the shadows of the stall to join them.

  “Le Roux. I wondered where you were.” The nobleman glanced inside the stall and frowned. “I hope you weren’t leaving so soon. I expect you to attend the banquet tonight in honor of my father and grandfather.”

  Their host’s fingers tightened on Beatrice’s arm. Raynor fought the urge to smash his fist into the man’s face.

  “I found the missives between our grandfathers, my lady,” Stollers said easily. “I was touched by their friendship and my grandfather’s offer for you to visit us at Brookhaven.” He smiled at her. “I’m glad you brought the old man some solace in the end. And I insist that you grace us with your presence tonight since the meal will be in his memory. You can sing and play your lute for us. I know Grandfather would have wanted you there to celebrate his life.”

  Beatrice looked at Raynor. He nodded his consent because alienating Stollers at this point would be unwise.

  “Sir Raynor and I would be happy to attend the banquet, but we must leave first thing tomorrow.”

  “So soon?” Stollers shrugged. “Then I’ll make the most of your company tonight.” He pulled on her arm possessively. “Come, my lady. Return with me to the keep. I look forward to hearing you play, for I am very fond of music.”

  Beatrice glanced back uncertainly in Raynor’s direction.

  “Go ahead, my lady,” he said affably. “I must tend to Fury.”

  Raynor waited a few minutes since he wanted his next errand to be hidden from Edwin Stollers. He took his time brushing Fury and promised the horse that they would be far from Brookhaven by sunset tomorrow.

  Leaving the stables, he returned to the chapel to seek out the priest who’d performed the funeral mass. Raynor hoped the man would agree to his request. As he entered the chapel, a group of men bore the coffins carrying the remains of Sir Henry and Sir Guy past him. Father Bernard walked slowly behind them.

  “Father? May I have a word with you before you go to the burial site?”

  “What may I do for you, my son?”

  “I am Sir Raynor Le Roux of Ashcroft. I escorted Lady Beatrice Bordel to Brookhaven.”

  The priest nodded. “I’ve met the lady. And I saw you enter Sir Henry’s bedchamber shortly before his death this morning.”

  “I have something important to ask of you before we return south tomorrow. We wish to be married before we set out on our journey.”

  Father Bernard gave him a knowing look. “I suppose this might have something to do with the young lord voiding his betrothal contract this morning.”

  Raynor decided silence was best in this case.

  The man shrugged. “You’d be surprised what a priest hears. What he sees when no one is looking. What others tell him even beyond the confessional.”

  “Then I’ll be blunt, Father. I fear for Lady Beatrice. I am sworn to protect her.” He paused. “And that includes keeping her safe from men such as Lord Edwin Stollers.”

  “Do you love her?” the priest asked.

  Raynor couldn’t hide his smile. “I do love her, Father, with all my heart. I would move mountains for her if she asked me to do so.”

  “Then I have some advice for you, Sir Raynor. Remember that it’s the small things that touch a woman’s heart. Pick wildflowers for her when she least expects it. Massage her sore feet when her belly is swollen with your child. Talk with her—not at her. And never take her for granted.”

  The man of God paused before continuing his counsel. “Most important of all, tell her you love her each day. Show your love, for all to see. Though many believe it turns a man
weak, they are wrong. Love strengthens a man.”

  “I can say that I’m a better man for knowing her, Father. I will take your words to heart.”

  “Then I’ll be happy to bless your union. When do you wish to take your vows?”

  “We’ve been invited to stay for tonight’s feast in honor of the old lord. Could we meet you at midnight? We plan to leave Brookhaven at first light.”

  “I’ll wait for you outside the chapel, my son,” Father Bernard assured him. A twinkle came into his eyes. “And I can provide two discreet witnesses to your union.”

  Raynor took the priest’s hand and grasped it in friendship. “Thank you, Father.”

  *

  Beatrice changed into a blue cotehardie trimmed with gold piping. Tomorrow, she would wear the one with her hidden coins when they left to return home.

  Home.

  Would they make Ashcroft their home? She’d already voiced her concerns to Raynor if they did so. She didn’t want to hurt Peter Le Roux by flaunting their love in front of him, but she wouldn’t be comfortable living there as Raynor’s wife if his brother grew bitter. Raynor had spoken of a small cottage, but Beatrice wondered if he could be happy in such a place since he’d lived in grand castles his entire life.

  The important thing was to make their way from Brookhaven as soon as possible. She didn’t like the idea of them staying another night with Edwin Stollers as lord. Beatrice thought it in poor taste to hold a feast on the very day both his father and grandfather were buried. She assumed Edwin did so simply because he could. No mention had been made of any other siblings, so she supposed he inherited everything with the deaths of the two men.

  Beatrice hoped she and Raynor could leave before the castle’s occupants awoke. It worried her that Edwin had many soldiers at his disposal. She guessed that Raynor agreed for them to stay another night so that Edwin wasn’t offended or upset. Now that the young nobleman held the title, he could prove to be a powerful foe.

  Hoping to quell her nerves, she combed her hair out. Grandfather enjoyed combing her hair when she was young, and the motion had always soothed her. It made her wish that she could have gotten to know Sir Henry better since he reminded her so much of her own grandfather. At least she had brought the nobleman some small comfort in the end with her song.

  Beatrice braided her hair again and reached for her lute. With the instrument in hand, it was time to make her way to the great hall.

  A knock sounded at her door. She answered it and found Raynor standing there, looking handsome and confident. It thrilled her that this dashing knight with the mesmerizing green eyes had forgiven her transgressions and actually professed his love for her. She had to be the luckiest woman in all of England.

  He stole a quick kiss from her. “I long for more, sweetheart, but we are due downstairs.” His eyes sparkled as he promised her, “There will plenty more of those to come.”

  Raynor offered her his arm and took the lute in his free hand. Beatrice felt his warmth radiating beneath her fingers and squeezed his arm.

  They reached the great hall, which was almost full. Shem, the steward, met them.

  “My lord awaits you on the dais. I’m to escort you to him.”

  “My friends,” Edwin welcomed them as they approached, his arms held wide. “Come and join me for our feast. We have boar and partridge. Eel and salmon. Heron and swan. A meal fit for a king.”

  The new Baron of Brookhaven seated Beatrice on his right and had Raynor sit to his left. She hated being separated from Raynor but kept her dissatisfaction to herself. Edwin indicated they’d share a trencher. She took a sip of wine from the goblet before her.

  Course after course arrived, but she only picked at the food. A somber air hung over the room. She guessed the inhabitants of Brookhaven weren’t pleased with their new lord’s decision to treat tonight as a celebration when they should have been in mourning.

  The last course finally came. She forced a few bites of it down before Edwin rose to his feet.

  “Good people of Brookhaven,” he addressed them, a broad smile on his face. “I know you held Sir Henry and Sir Guy in great esteem. It’s the reason why I wanted us to celebrate their lives tonight.”

  Lifting his wine glass, everyone present followed suit. Holding the cup high, he said, “I hope one day to be as wise as my grandfather as I rule over Brookhaven with a lovely lady by my side.”

  Beatrice felt a multitude of eyes fall upon her. Her pulse beat wildly. She feared Edwin might announce their upcoming nuptials and then they would truly have a serious situation to contend with.

  But the moment passed. Instead, he spoke of how hard everyone worked at the estate and how valuable their contributions were in keeping the property running smoothly. She began to relax.

  “And finally, I have a treat from the special lady seated next to me.” He glanced down and gave her a smile. “Lady Beatrice Bordel has agreed to entertain us with her lute. So pour more wine for us all and enjoy the music.”

  Nerves rushed through Beatrice at the attention she now received. Her mouth grew dry. She took a long sip of wine and swished it around before swallowing it. Retrieving the lute Raynor had placed in the chair beside her, she slipped it into her lap.

  Taking a calming breath, she decided to play a few of the songs she’d sung on the road that Timothy and Bobbit had seemed to enjoy. Beatrice started with the secret inside the Trojan horse and the surprise attack that occurred after the unexpected gift was rolled inside the city gates.

  After each song, hearty applause filled the great hall, soothing her nerves. Her voice grew weary, so she decided to end with something different.

  “I’d like to share a last song with you,” she told her audience. “It’s the very one I sang to Sir Henry before he passed on. He didn’t ask for songs of glory and adventure. He told me he’d known love and thought it was what mattered most. This is what I played for him.”

  The large room quieted as Beatrice plucked the strings again. She began the familiar song of Odysseus and Penelope, though this time her heart sang it for Raynor. With every line that Odysseus proclaimed his love for his wife, Beatrice expressed her tender feelings for the gallant knight who had come to be her entire world.

  When the last note sounded, no one moved. Beatrice thought she’d done something wrong before the thunderous applause began. Cheers called out her name and that of Sir Henry’s.

  Beatrice finally found the courage to look across at Raynor. She hadn’t been able to glance at him during the song because of the strong emotions that filled her.

  His warm smile told her he’d received her message and was pleased with how she’d played.

  “You exceeded my expectations, my lady. Thank you for making tonight such a blessed occasion,” Edwin said.

  She’d become so lost in her song and her love for Raynor that she’d forgotten Edwin Stollers sat nearby.

  “I’m very tired after my performance, my lord. I hope you’ll excuse me from the remainder of the festivities.”

  “Of course, Lady Beatrice. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

  Raynor spoke up. “Let me escort you to your chamber, my lady.” He stood and removed the lute from her lap and then offered his hand to help her down from the dais.

  It took several minutes to make their way through the great hall. Many people came up and told her how moved they were by her song. Beatrice listened as they shared how Sir Henry would have been both proud and delighted by her performance. A few even mentioned in hushed tones that she’d honored Sir Henry in an appropriate manner.

  Finally, she and Raynor escaped and made their way upstairs. When they reached her bedchamber, Raynor lifted her hand from his arm. He turned it over and placed a searing kiss in her palm, causing her heart to skip a beat.

  “Do not undress tonight, Beatrice,” he instructed her.

  His words puzzled her. “Why not?”

  He grasped her elbows in his hands. “I’ve arranged for Father Bernard to marr
y us at midnight. Rest, for I know today’s events have tired you. I’ll return for you so we can slip away and meet the priest at the chapel door.”

  Happiness filled her. Beatrice pulled Raynor’s face to hers and kissed him with enthusiasm.

  He finally broke the kiss. “I thought it best,” he explained, “to be wed before we begin traveling south. I wanted to make sure you’re mine.” Raynor kissed her tenderly. “Don’t mention our actions to Stollers if we see him in the morning.”

  He pressed a chaste kiss upon her forehead. “I’ll return for you shortly.”

  Beatrice entered the chamber, butterflies dancing in her stomach. Tonight, she would be wed. That would include Raynor loving her, making her his—in every way.

  Chapter 22

  “Beatrice. Wake up, love.”

  She opened her eyes and found Raynor beside her bed. The candle burned low.

  She sat up. “I didn’t think I would fall asleep.”

  He cupped her face tenderly. “It was a trying day. I doubt you’ve ever had such an eventful day, sweetheart.”

  “But you forgot the best part,” she said. “When you forgave me for deceiving you. When you told me that you loved me.”

  “Oh, that?” he said, his eyes dancing with mischief.

  Beatrice punched him playfully in the arm.

  Raynor rubbed where she had hit him. “You may be small, but you’re most strong, my lady. I suppose I’ll have to watch what I say in the coming years.”

  “Remember, my lord, you are the one who taught me how to defend myself.” She arched her eyebrows. “The next time you displease me? I might go for your nose. Or worse.”

  He traced her lips with a finger. “I hope I’ll never displease you, Beatrice. I plan to tell you every day how very much I love you.”

  His lips brushed against hers, and their warmth spread a pleasant tingling throughout her body.