by Alexa Aston
The captain of Kinwick’s guard nodded in acknowledgement. “Lord Geoffrey wishes to see you. He’s in the solar.”
“I’ll go at once.”
Hal set off for the keep, thinking his father wished to speak with him about the trip planned to the hunting lodge that was set to begin tomorrow. That lodge held a special place in Hal’s heart since he’d found Elinor and made love to her there for the first time.
Thoughts of his wife brought a glow to his insides. Elinor now carried their babe in her belly. By January of next year, they would be parents to a boy or girl. Or even twins. Who knew? His mother had birthed Alys and Ancel, while Alys had produced Philippa and Wyatt. Mayhap he and Elinor would also welcome two bundles of joy at the same time.
Hal crossed the bailey and entered the keep. He headed straight to the solar and knocked. His father’s deep voice bid him enter. As Hal opened the door, he saw Geoffrey de Montfort sitting at the table, pouring over a missive.
Henry Bolingbroke, the Earl of Derby, stood next to him.
Hal had not seen the king’s cousin since that day at Radcot Bridge, when he’d been forced to give up everything he had to the nobleman. Derby looked up and gave him a genuine smile, which made him appear even younger than his one and twenty years.
“Sir Hal, ’tis good to see you again.”
Hal bowed his head quickly. “And you, too, my lord.”
Derby burst out laughing. “Oh, I doubt that. The last time we saw one another was not pleasant for you.” A shadow crossed his face. “I regret my actions that day.”
“Nay, my lord,” Hal assured the earl. “You were on the winning side at Radcot. You had an army full of supporters. I had . . . well, I had me.” He shrugged nonchalantly, not showing the hurt he still felt at the memory.
“I am sorry we were on opposites sides that day.”
“Then return to the side of right and good,” Hal tossed out.
Geoffrey de Montfort cleared his throat. “Lord Henry has brought news, Hal. Have a seat. Both of you.”
Hal took a place next to his father, while Derby sat across from them.
“You know the Lords Appellant have controlled the government in the king’s place for some months,” Derby began. “We have failed in our task.”
“How?” Hal asked.
“Three weeks ago, the Scots won a resounding victory at Otterburn. The Earl of Douglas led a raid that crossed the border into England, trying to take advantage of the division between Neville and Northumberland, who’d just taken over defending the border. Though we outnumbered them three to one, the Scots took the day—and both of Northumberland’s sons.”
“Has Douglas continued to press deeper into England?” Hal asked.
“Douglas is dead,” Derby said, his voice flat. “But that hasn’t stopped the Scots. The Lords Appellant are being blamed for the entire debacle. The north is frightened. The rumbling has begun. By this time next year, I guarantee you that my cousin will be back on his throne and in full control.”
“And where will you be, my lord?” Hal challenged.
“If Richard will have me, back in his service and good graces,” responded Derby smoothly. “Nottingham, more than likely, will join me in this defection. If anything, the king still has a fondness for me. I’m sure Nottingham and I will be rewarded and the three remaining Lords Appellant removed from office.”
“So why are you at Kinwick?” Hal asked, puzzled.
Derby rose and walked to the corner. He retrieved a sword propped there and brought it to Hal.
“To return this to you.”
The earl extended the weapon to Hal, who took it in disbelief.
“I thought I would never see this again.”
“’Tis yours. It was always yours. I determined to return your sword to you the moment you handed it over to me. I know it was a hard thing to do, Hal. You were a brave man that day, in front of all those soldiers. You hold my admiration and my respect.”
Derby offered his hand and Hal clasped it.
“Mayhap, we will cross paths again in London,” the earl said. “Until then.” He bowed to Geoffrey and left the room.
Hal turned to his father. “If the border wars are heating up, then you will be required to send men.” A sick feeling washed over him. He knew he would have to go to war again—and most likely miss the birth of his first child.
Geoffrey nodded. “I will. Derby and I spoke of it. The call will go out soon. The Lords Appellant cannot leave unanswered what the Scots have begun.” He rose and placed a hand on Hal’s shoulder. “But you will not be part of the soldiers I send.”
Anger flickered inside him. “You cannot show favoritism toward me, Father. I am one of your best knights. I must go and lead the Kinwick men.”
“Nay. My captain of the guard never leaves Kinwick. He stays behind to ensure the protection of my castle and lands.”
It took a moment for Hal to understand the meaning behind his father’s words. “I . . . am to be your captain?” Astonishment filled him. “What about Gilbert?”
“Gilbert and I agree the time has come for you to take his place, Hal.”
Elation poured through him. “I am most honored, Father. I never expected such recognition.”
Geoffrey smiled. “I always expected this day would come. I planned for years for you to become Kinwick’s captain. The time is now right.”
“I hope Gilbert will choose to assist me in the yard.”
“Nay. He specifically requested not to do so. He doesn’t want the men’s attention or loyalty divided between the two of you.” Geoffrey chuckled. “Gilbert is retiring to a cottage I have given him. With Tilda.”
“Tilda? Our Tilda?”
“Aye. It seems they have carried on with one another for years and none of us suspected a thing. Tilda will leave our service to care for her husband. Of course, that means another wedding.”
“How is Mother taking this? Tilda has been by her side for many years.”
“Merryn will be fine. She will depend more on Elinor to help her run Kinwick, though, whenever she is not working with Joseph and the raptors.”
“Elinor would be delighted to have a larger role,” Hal confirmed. “I will find her now and tell her.” He grinned. “And let her know she is now bedding the captain of the guard.”
He hugged Geoffrey tightly. “Thank you for having confidence in me, Father.”
Hal left the solar, feeling as if he walked on air as he held his sword in his hand. He saw Elinor down the corridor from their chamber. Before he could call out to her, she paused and brought both hands to her belly. Cold fear gripped him. Margery had lost a babe several months after she conceived. Ancel told Hal he still felt sorrow from the loss of their little one.
Racing down the hall, he reached his wife. His sword clanged to the ground. Elinor looked up and gave him a brilliant smile.
She grabbed his hand and rested it against her belly, both her hands atop his one. “Wait,” she commanded.
Hal looked in her eyes, confused. Then something bumped his hand. Once. Twice. He beamed from ear to ear.
“’Tis the babe?” he asked.
Elinor nodded. “I have felt small twinges until just now. This was a kick. I’m certain of it. Oh, Hal, I am so glad you are here to share this moment with me.”
He stared in wonder at her rounded belly. Another nudge pushed at his hand. Hal bent and cradled her belly with his hands. “Greetings, little one. We cannot wait for your arrival.”
Rising, he captured her hand and brought it palm up to his lips and pressed a fervent kiss to the center. Elinor’s gaze met his, full of desire.
“Shall we celebrate feeling the babe move?” she asked, her lips twitching in amusement.
He retrieved the sword to show her. “We have many things to rejoice in. Our babe. The Earl of Derby returning my sword.” Hal paused as her eyes grew wide. “And I have just learned that my father has appointed me his new captain of the guard.”
Elinor squealed in excitement and threw her arms about his neck, pulling him down for a slow kiss.
She finally broke the kiss and said seductively, “I believe I mentioned a celebration, Husband?”
Hal swept her off her feet and stepped through their chamber door. He kicked it shut with his foot and took her to their bed.
“I like the way you think, Wife.” He placed her on the bed and began removing her shoes. “I plan to work my way from the crown of your head to your tiniest toe. By the time I finish, hours from now, you will be loved completely.”
“Completely?”
“Thoroughly.”
“Thoroughly?” she echoed.
Hal nodded.
“Then you better get started,” Elinor told him.
So he did.
The End
Path to Honor
Knights Of Honor
Book Nine
Alexa Aston
Prologue
Kinwick Castle—July, 1376
Nan de Montfort held the tip of her wooden sword to Drewett Stollars’ throat, daring the page to move. He lay flat on his back, his face red from anger and exertion. She had a feeling that he might begin to cry if she did not let him sit up soon. It would serve him right for all the taunts he’d thrown her way since he’d come to foster at Kinwick last autumn. Drewett had returned early from his summer visit to his home and already she wished him gone again.
“You’re a cheater, Nan,” he loudly complained as his eyes darted around to see if anyone within hearing distance might be listening to his accusation and come to his aid.
The sound of clanging steel continued around them. Nan gave Drewett a triumphant smile, knowing none of the pairs of soldiers in the training yard would come to the grumbling boy’s rescue.
A shadow fell across Drewett. “What have we here?”
Nan recognized Gilbert’s voice but refused to acknowledge his interruption. The murderous look in Drewett’s eyes told her that she didn’t dare look away for even a moment.
“I bested him,” she said with confidence, making sure not to sound as if she bragged. She knew the captain of Kinwick’s guard would be proud of her. She’d overheard Gilbert confiding to her father how lazy and untrustworthy Drewett remained, despite everything Gilbert had tried to teach the young boy.
“Let this page up,” Lord Geoffrey de Montfort instructed as he joined Gilbert.
Reluctantly, Nan took a small step back and let her sword hang at her side. With her father present, she knew Drewett wouldn’t try anything foolish—but she would have to remain on her guard for the next few days. The page had a long memory and a short fuse and would do what he could to make Nan pay for embarrassing him, even though she doubted any man in the training yard had paid a bit of attention to the two tussling seven year olds.
“Stand alongside one another,” her father instructed as Drewett rolled to his feet and reclaimed his sword that lay in the dirt where she had kicked it beyond his reach.
Nan held her ground, which made Drewett have to come to her. He stood so close that their shoulders almost touched. She knew the boy wanted to intimidate her. Little did he know that nothing he could do could ever intimidate her. Growing up with three older brothers had already taught her to be fearless and strong. Besides, she was a de Montfort. De Montforts never feared others. They created fear instead.
“She cheated, Lord Geoffrey,” whined Drewett.
Nan cringed inside, knowing her father hated anyone telling tales. She almost felt sorry for the boy standing beside her.
Almost.
When Geoffrey remained silent, Drewett continued. “I know Lady Anne is your daughter but she does not fight fair. Knights are supposed to be fair.” The page glanced in her direction and sneered. “You can’t even be a knight. You’re just a girl. You have no idea what fairness is about.”
Nan didn’t know what irked her more—hearing herself called Anne or having Drewett point out that she was a girl. She never went by Anne.
And she was a girl who could do anything a boy could. Even be a knight if she put her mind to it.
“Aye, Drewett, knights do act honorably,” Geoffrey agreed pleasantly as he came to stand in front of the pair, towering over them. Then the warmth left his voice. “But in war, all is fair. You have a definite height advantage over Nan. A longer reach, as well. You also outweigh her and might have worn her down in time.”
Nan bit her tongue to keep from speaking. She could have danced circles around this stupid boy for hours if need be. Though irritated, she allowed the lesson her father was trying to teach the fool continue to unfold.
“Nan, what did you do to secure such an advantage over Drewett? When I arrived, your opponent had a sword at his throat and his weapon was well out of reach.”
Keeping a smile from her face, Nan solemnly replied, “I snaked my foot around his ankle in order to trip him, Father.”
Geoffrey also kept a stern look on his face but Nan knew he was secretly pleased. He directed his next words to the fostering page.
“You must always fight to win, Drewett. ’Tis important not only to protect yourself but those around you. Moreover, you must be able to count on the man next to you. These are important things to remember.”
“But she isn’t a man, my lord,” the boy huffed. “She shouldn’t even be in the training yard. Lady Anne will never be a knight. I don’t see why I have to partner with her.”
Nan froze at the page’s words. She wanted to turn and shake some sense into him.
Geoffrey knelt so that his eyes were level with Drewett’s. Nan glanced at her father and saw the ice in his hazel eyes, which now burned bright green as he glared at the boy.
“Lady Nan has more integrity and honor in her smallest toe than you do running through your entire body, Drewett Stollars.”
His tone was ever so soft but one that frightened Nan. She’d only heard it on a few occasions and vowed never to do anything to disappoint her father so that he used it with her.
“Today is a turning point in your young life,” he told the trembling page. “Either you will move forward and choose to become the best man you can be from this moment on—or you will go elsewhere. I’ll not have someone I’m responsible for with such an abysmal attitude.
“The choice is yours.”
Nan held her breath, wondering what Drewett would do.
The boy turned to face her. She saw both misery and regret mingling on his features and knew it was time for her to take the high road. Nan gave him an encouraging smile. She saw him relax and heard the long breath he exhaled.
“Lady Nan,” he began, “I am sorry that I have offended you in the past.”
She noted the use of her preferred name and inclined her head slightly in acknowledgement of it and their unpleasant encounters over the past several months.
“You are not a cheater. You are an excellent sparring partner and I can learn much from you. Will you accept my humble apology?”
The hungry look in his eyes begged not only for forgiveness—but acceptance. Nan decided that, mayhap, she had intimidated this boy and he now offered her an olive branch.
“I will,” she assured him. “I hope that we can be not only sparring partners but also friends.”
For the first time since he’d arrived at Kinwick, Drewett Stollars smiled. Nan beamed at him. He gave her a stiff bow and she returned it. A glow filled her. She believed that she had made a friend.
“Well done,” pronounced Geoffrey as he rose to his full height. “Gilbert, will you see young Drewett has something to occupy him. I am in need of time with my daughter.” He smiled at her. “Let’s walk, Nan.”
“I’ll care for your sword, my lady,” Drewett said eagerly and reached out.
Nan passed the weapon to him, amazed at the change that had come over the boy. Her father took her small hand in his large one and they set out from the training yard. These were the hours Nan cherished most. Geoffrey de Montfort was a busy man
so when he made time to spend just with her, she treasured every moment. He’d recently returned from London, where he’d left her brother Ancel to protect Richard, the king’s grandson, so this was the first day since he’d come back that they’d been alone together.
They walked in companionable silence through the castle grounds and out the gates. Geoffrey headed toward the meadow. Nan had roamed the estate since she could walk and knew more about it than anyone except her father. She often brought things to his attention that she had noticed, whether it was a fence needing repair or how a tree was growing.
Finally, he spoke.
“King Edward has died. I received a missive from court this morning. It happened a little over a week ago.”
It saddened Nan to think the old king had passed. He had come to Kinwick on summer progress several times. Though she could only recall a vague image of the monarch, she remembered him being kind to her, even slipping her a sweetmeat when no one was looking. He teased about how they both had a sweet tooth and that one day, he would be successful in stealing Cook away from Kinwick. He would bring the servant to the Palace of Westminster and be able to eat her fruit tarts every day.
“That means Richard is our new king? Even though he’s so young?” she asked.
“Aye. The old king had an idea he would not last long. ’Tis why he requested I bring Ancel to London to watch over his grandson. Your brother will be a member of King Richard’s royal guard. Richard knows how loyal de Montforts are to the crown and that Ancel will look out for him and always keep his best interests at heart.”
Nan would miss Ancel. Living in London or at the other royal residences, he wouldn’t be able to come home very often. At least she still had Hal and Edward with her. They fostered at Winterbourne, which was directly to the north of Kinwick, and both brothers were home now on their summer break. Nan had begged Hal to teach her how to shoot a bow and arrow yesterday and he’d promised they would start their lessons this afternoon. Excitement filled her at the idea of learning how to use a new, powerful weapon.