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

by Alexa Aston

  Temp frowned. “I hate hearing you refer to him that way, like he is family.”

  “But he is my uncle, as much as you are.” Rosalyne hugged him. “You know you are more like a father to me. Nothing will ever change the love between us or my devotion to you.” She kissed his cheek. “Edward knows how strong our bond is. Without my prompting him, he offered to have you come to Kinwick with us after we wed. Just think, we will be part of a large family, Uncle Temp.”

  “You love this man a great deal,” Temp observed.

  She smiled. “I do. My heart is light and my step happy. Edward de Montfort is the man for me. I have no doubt about that.”

  “Then I will trust him to look after you.” He clasped her hands. “Be wary, Rosalyne. Do not take everything Benedict Bowyar says to be the Gospel truth. I do believe he is troubled by his behavior and how he let Amicia control him all those years ago with her threats of murdering you in your crib. Still, be on guard, my dear.”

  “I will,” she promised. “Get some rest. If Edward works things out, we might soon go to the palace. You need to be ready.”

  Rosalyne stayed with him till his soft snores began, closing the door behind her.

  As she turned, a servant came down the hall. “Lady Rosalyne. You have a visitor.”

  It was too early for her uncle to arrive. Mayhap, Edward came early and they would be able to spend some time alone together.

  She allowed the woman to lead her back downstairs to the room they had met in with her uncle. As Rosalyne entered, a tall man turned and studied her with interest. He looked familiar, though they had never met. Approaching him, she realized exactly who he was.

  “You must be Sir Hal de Montfort. I am Lady Rosalyne Parry.”

  His blue eyes swept across her, assessing her. He stood an inch or so taller than Edward and was as broad through his shoulders as his brother. His hair seemed quite dark.

  “Edward said you were talented and beautiful. He neglected to tell me you were intelligent.”

  She shrugged. “Merely observant, my lord.”

  “Part of being an artist.”

  “So he told you that?”

  Hal nodded. “He did. And that he loves you a great deal. I had to come and meet you for myself. To see if you are worthy of my little brother.”

  “Edward is not so little,” she retorted. “And he does have a mind of his own.” Rosalyne softened her tone, not wanting to alienate this man, whom Edward held dear. “But I know how much he cares for his family and how close he is to you, Sir Hal. He will want your approval, so I must win you over, I suppose.” She gave him a warm smile.

  “I already like you, my lady. Come, shall we sit? I’d like to learn a little about you. Edward did not have much time to speak with me, so you are a mystery to me.”

  He led her to a chair and they seated themselves.

  “The two of you are very alike,” she said. “Your gestures are similar. So are your looks.”

  “But we are very different in our outlook. Edward is usually a most somber young man. Full of living up to his ideas of duty and loyalty.”

  “I know he believes those to be of utmost importance but I have found Edward quite lighthearted and cheerful.”

  Hal laughed. “Then you are most certainly the woman for him, my lady, for you have changed him. Mother says that the love of a good woman will change a man for the better. Edward was already a kindhearted person and one of the most capable knights in England. If you have brought laughter and light into his life, then you will be accepted into the de Montfort family with open arms.”

  He leaned forward and said, “From this moment on, you are not like my sister. You are my sister, Rosalyne. I will afford you with the protection, respect, and love that I give Alys, Nan, and Jessimond.”

  She was taken aback by his intense declaration and saw how Edward and Hal reflected the same depth of character and honesty.

  “Then I will look upon you fondly, Hal, as my new brother. I have no siblings and by wedding Edward, I am pleased that I will find myself with many.”

  He burst out laughing. “Oh, you will get your fill of family, Rosalyne. The de Montforts. Our cousins. All the children. You will soon find you might never have a private moment to yourself once you come to Kinwick.” He waggled his eyebrows at her. “Except for those times you and Edward sneak away and enjoy love play.”

  “Hal de Montfort!” she exclaimed, feeling her face flame in embarrassment. “Is this what having a brother is like?”

  Grinning from ear to ear, he nodded. “Brothers are known for teasing their sisters. I am merely preparing you for what your future holds.” He sighed. “But tell me about yourself, Rosalyne. Where did you grow up? How did you begin to paint? Why do you enjoy it?” Hal laughed. “I sound as curious as Alys. She is usually the one who finds out everything from everyone. I cannot wait to lord over her that I met you first and how much I know about you.”

  Rosalyne couldn’t help but laugh. Already, she enjoyed knowing Hal and thinking of him as a brother. She told him of her life in Canterbury with Uncle Temp and how she had always been attracted to the smells and colors of paint. They passed a pleasurable half-hour that way and then Hal told her a few stories of growing up with Edward and fostering with Lord Hardwin at Winterbourne.

  Finally, he rose. “I must return to the palace, dear sister.” He kissed both of her cheeks. “I am thrilled that you and Edward have found one another. Hopefully, I will be seeing you and Uncle Temp at the palace, your paints in hand.”

  “So you know of Edward’s plan to have me paint the royal portraits?” she asked.

  The door opened and Edward entered. Surprise registered on his face.

  “I looked all over the palace for you,” he playfully chided his brother. “And you were with Rosalyne all along.”

  Hal smiled. “I wanted to be the first to welcome her into the de Montfort family.” He paused. “And I wanted to see the woman who had turned your world upside down, little brother. When you approached the queen yesterday, ’twas more out of character than anything I have ever seen you do. I had to meet the delightful creature who could cause you to act so fearlessly, all in the name of love.”

  Hal bowed to Rosalyne. “I’m off to the palace but I look forward to seeing you soon—and will keep your secrets, of course.” He gripped Edward’s shoulder. “An outstanding choice, little brother. If you had not laid claim to Rosalyne first, I might have enjoyed winning her heart.”

  Edward bid his brother farewell and turned to her. “And Hal is only one of my siblings. You only have four more to meet. Plus, two parents, multiple nieces and nephews, and an assortment of cousins.”

  “I look forward to it.”

  He wrapped his arms around her and gave her a lingering kiss. Rosalyne tingled from head to toe by the time he released her.

  “And before your uncle arrives, I must share the good news with you. The king is eager for Templeton Parry to paint the queen’s portrait. You and Temp are to come to the palace tomorrow morning in order to begin. I have arranged everything with the queen.”

  Equal bits of excitement and nervousness shot through Rosalyne. “So soon?”

  “Aye.” He kissed her again. “And the queen knows that you will be the true painter.”

  “You told her?” Surprise filled her.

  Edward grinned. “That—and also that I am in love with you and plan to marry you.”

  Before Rosalyne could respond, Benedict Bowyar entered the room. He came and kissed her cheek and offered Edward his hand.

  “I overheard that the two of you plan to wed,” he said.

  “We do. Temp has granted me his permission,” Edward revealed. “I love Rosalyne very much.”

  “I hope ’twill be a happy union blessed with many children,” Bowyar replied sincerely.

  Edward looked to her. “I will leave you with your uncle. I know that you looked forward to his arrival.”

  Once he left, Bowyar asked, “Where
is Temp?”

  “Resting in his room.”

  “Shall we go see him? I think it’s important he be included in our first conversation or two.”

  It surprised her but she agreed, leading this new uncle upstairs to Temp’s bedchamber, though she warned him they might find Temp asleep.

  “Then we’ll sit by his side for our conversation.”

  They found Temp awake. He told Rosalyne he’d enjoyed a good nap as he warily studied Bowyar.

  “Stay in your bed, Temp. We can speak here.”

  Temp frowned at his brother-in-law. “Say what you want. I can’t stop you.”

  “I didn’t expect you would. I’m only here to learn more about Rosalyne and the life she’s led and tell her something about her parents.”

  “I want to her about Mother and Father first,” she insisted. “What they looked like. What they enjoyed doing. What their life at Shallowheart was like.”

  “Lawrence was larger than life. A few inches taller than Father or me and shoulders as wide as a doorway. His laugh was deep and rich and made you want to join in. He was two years older than I was and I worshipped the ground he trod. He got us into more mischief than possible but always had a way of extricating us from too much punishment.”

  The nobleman told her about several escapades they’d been involved in as children and Rosalyne found herself laughing till her belly ached.

  “What about my mother?” she asked.

  “Ah, Lara had the tiniest waist and feet of any woman you’ve seen. Hair a few shades darker than yours. She was petite in height and build and had a smile that lit up any room she entered. People were drawn to Lara, like a moth to a flame. She was irresistible, as full of mischief as Lawrence was. No wonder they made a good pair.”

  Bowyar told of a picnic they’d gone on and how Lara shed her shoes and hose and hiked her skirts up above her knees so she could wade in the cool water.

  “She slipped on a rock and her feet went flying. Lara wound up soaking wet from head to toe. ’Twas shallow so she was never in danger but I can still see the water dripping from her nose.” He chuckled, shaking his head.

  Rosalyne found out about the horses her parents kept and the cat that always slept on their bed after they wed.

  “Lara loved that cat. Brought it with her to Shallowheart. It followed her about everywhere she went.” He frowned.

  “What happened to it?”

  “Amicia banished it to the barn,” he said too quickly. “She refused to have a cat in the keep.”

  “There’s more,” Rosalyne prodded.

  Her uncle raked his hands through his hair. “Aye—but do you really want that truth? I’ll tell you. She didn’t banish the creature. She killed it. Twisted its neck till the poor thing was paralyzed and then flung it into the fire.” He shuddered. “I can still hear the howls coming from it as it burned alive. Amicia said she would get rid of everything Lara loved. She did. From you to the cat to Lara’s clothes. Tapestries she’d woven. Tore up her herb garden, only to make the servants replant another. Blinded the horse Lara loved to ride and then sold the beast. She even banned Cook from preparing pear tarts and eel pie because they’d been Lara’s favorite foods.”

  Rosalyne found she couldn’t speak. She glanced to Temp and saw new sympathy in his eyes for his brother-in-law.

  “You were lucky your uncle was willing to care for you,” Bowyar continued. “Not many bachelors would’ve taken on the responsibility of a babe. I used to fall asleep at night wondering where the two of you were. If Temp still painted. If he’d taught you how. I pictured you with paint covering your face and hands and Temp laughing as he cleaned you up. Every time Amicia found something new to rage on about, I would retreat to a world I’d created, one where Temp and I raised you together.”

  “Why didn’t you stand up to her?” Temp asked softly.

  “After I gave Lara her freedom and agreed to wed Amicia, I didn’t care if I lived or died,” Bowyar explained. “Amicia’s father was a tyrant. I found myself so beaten down by him that when Lawrence died and I returned home to Shallowheart, I wasn’t much of a man. Being her father’s child, Amicia recognized that and continued to intimidate and threaten me. It was easier to give in to her demands just to keep the demons at bay.”

  He looked to Rosalyne. “Though I would have given anything to raise you, being around Amicia was toxic. Giving you to Temp gave you a chance for a better life.” Bowyar smiled. “Look at you now. You’re beautiful. Intelligent. Talented. Everything I would have wished for you.” He turned to Temp. “You did an excellent job raising our niece, my friend.”

  Rosalyne saw Temp softening toward his this man. “Though Lara loved Lawrence, you may have made the better husband to her, Benedict. I’m sorry for what you endured during your marriage.”

  “What’s done is done. At least we have Rosalyne—if you don’t mind sharing her with me.”

  “Rosalyne is full of love, Benedict.” Temp shrugged. “I’m sure she’ll find a place for you in her heart.”

  Bowyar looked at her earnestly. “I have grieved for years for my cowardice, Rosalyne. Once Amicia passed, I searched for you and Temp for a long time. Too many years had passed, though. I never met with success—until now. I hope you and your uncle can see to forgive me for all of my transgressions.”

  “There’s nothing to forgive, Uncle Benedict,” she told him. “You put my welfare above all else. It was a gift to be raised by Uncle Temp. I’m only glad we can all come together now. Hopefully, you’ll find some peace.”

  Rosalyne kissed both men tenderly, happy her own family had grown by one.

  “I have news to share with you both,” she announced. “Uncle Temp and I are to meet with the queen tomorrow morning. Edward confided in her that I am the one who will paint her portrait.”

  As the men congratulated her, Rosalyne only hoped she would be up to the task.

  Chapter 19

  Rosalyne placed several pieces of parchment and charcoal inside a bag. She smoothed her rose-colored cotehardie again, hoping to calm her nerves. Meeting the queen today would be difficult enough. Painting a portrait that would please both her and the king became more arduous. But to eventually reveal that she—and not Uncle Temp—was the true artist?

  It terrified her.

  She had imagined every reaction from the monarch while trying to fall asleep last night. King Richard might laugh off her assertion, not believing a woman could produce such a work. Or he could express his delight in finding a unique artist. Then again, he might attack the wood and destroy it in anger at having been lied to. Or even the unimaginable. He might call for her head—and Uncle Temp’s.

  And even Edward’s, for betraying him.

  Nerves danced through Rosalyne at all of these possibilities. She wondered why she had ever agreed to go along with Edward’s scheme. But she knew he hoped the king would reward him with his freedom, for both his thorough investigation in Canterbury and for bringing a talented artist that would produce the royal duo’s likeness. She only hoped their gamble would pay off.

  Rosalyne went downstairs and collected the eggs her hens had laid. She’d brought three of them along. Edward had told her they would have easy access to eggs in London but she knew the size and consistency of those her favorites laid and how to work them into her pigments. Better to stay with what she knew than to experiment with such a burdensome commission before her.

  Returning to her bedchamber, she collected her bag and then stopped by Uncle Temp’s room to escort him downstairs. She assessed his color and balance and found both better today, the best since they’d left Canterbury. Still, she noticed the slight tremors in his hands and wondered if others would, as well.

  Edward awaited them at the foot of the staircase, looking handsome and vibrant. It took everything in her power not to fling herself at him and kiss the very life from him. This man continued to stir strong feelings within her. Seeing him, Rosalyne knew she would do anything he asked of her.r />
  Anything.

  She only wished he would ask for more. His every kiss set her skin afire. Though she knew it to be wicked since they were not yet husband and wife, Rosalyne still wanted to lie with him. Explore every inch of his bare skin. Rub against him. Satisfy the burning need inside of her.

  “Ready to travel to the Palace of Westminster?” Edward asked, his eyes telling Rosalyne how much he loved her. She hoped hers did the same.

  Temp snorted. “I never thought I would see this day. Me, Templeton Parry, meeting the Queen of England.”

  Edward unfolded the cloth in his hands. “I have brought you a present, Temp. This is a short cloak. I had it cut so that you can hide your hands more easily. And since it’s not as long or thick as a usual cloak, you shouldn’t overheat wearing it inside the palace.”

  He wrapped it around her uncle. “Very thoughtful of you, Edward,” Temp said.

  “We can walk to the palace from Sir Harry’s. I think you will enjoy getting to see some of the city that way and it’s not far away.”

  They placed Temp between them in order to keep him steady. Less than ten minutes later, they arrived. Temp drew the light brown cloak about him. She was pleased to see that it did as Edward said. By looking at her uncle, no one would be privy to his secret.

  The gatekeeper admitted them and Rosalyne couldn’t help but admire the architecture outside and the grandeur within once they stepped inside. She had trouble understanding how many people were inside the palace. Servants scurried down hallways and everywhere else, while nobility teemed in groups large and small. She also heard other languages spoken as they passed by and assumed those men acted as foreign ambassadors to England from various countries.

  By the time they reached the queen’s rooms, Rosalyne felt overwhelmed. She tried to collect her thoughts and stand tall as they entered and went through a series of rooms before reaching a chamber containing close to a dozen women. Some sat sewing. One woman plucked on a lute as another sang softly. Two royal guards, one of whom was Hal, stood nearby.