by Alexa Aston
Avelyn frowned. “I’m not certain I understand you, Merryn.”
Her aunt wrapped an arm around her. “First, I shall look at your ankle to see if it swells.” She grinned. “And then we will talk of very important matters. I see your lady mother hasn’t advised you.”
“What should she have taught me that she did not?”
Merryn shook her head. “Ankle first. Then we shall speak woman to woman.”
Chapter 10
Avelyn spent the rest of the day within the guest chamber. After Merryn examined her ankle, she told her it only had slight swelling. Merryn even said that Avelyn could walk on it starting tomorrow. She would experience a little discomfort, but no real pain should surface. She elevated Avelyn’s leg and wrapped it in cold rags to bring down any potential swelling.
Sela brought the noon meal to her and kept Avelyn company as they chatted about what they’d seen that morning during the training exercises. Her friend seemed quite taken with Sir Martin’s prowess and Avelyn wondered if a budding romance might occur between the two.
Alys visited after that, bringing Edward with her. Avelyn enjoyed holding the babe while her cousin changed the bandage and then placed a poultice about the ankle for any lingering pain. She was left to nap after that.
She awoke feeling rested but grew bored sitting in the empty chamber. Alys had taken Cattus with her so the kitten could play with Hal instead of being confined to the bedchamber. Avelyn wanted to get up and walk around but feared Merryn would catch her at it and scold her for not waiting till tomorrow.
A sudden knock at the door had her happy that a new visitor had arrived.
“Come,” she called out, ready to have a conversation with whomever might appear.
It surprised her when her uncle entered, bearing a tray with the evening meal. But it wasn’t all that surprised her. As he closed the door and came closer to the bed, Avelyn sat up, plumping the pillows behind her.
“I can tell by the look on your face that Merryn spoke with you,” she began.
He set the tray on the table beside the bed and shrugged. “That’s the way between husband and wife. Sometimes, we don’t even need words between us. We know each other’s mind and what is in our hearts.” Geoffrey waited a moment and then said, “Tell me about Kenric Fairfax.”
“Actually, I would ask the same of you,” Avelyn replied. “I know you met him previously at Sandbourne.”
“I did.”
“What is he like?”
Geoffrey retrieved a nearby chair and brought it close to the bed. He sat and thought a moment. “I visited Sandbourne with Hal in tow. Merryn was too heavy with child to accompany me. It was only a few weeks before Edward’s birth. In fact, I took Hal with me because she needed a break from him and his wild ways.”
Avelyn laughed. “I know what you mean. He’s the dearest boy in the world, but he can be a handful.”
“Michael shared with me how pleased he was with several of his new knights and one in particular. Kenric Fairfax had arrived and told him that he searched for a liege lord to serve. That he had heard the Earl of Sandbourne was a respected and respectable man who rebuilt the force of soldiers at the estate since he had recently come into the title. Fairfax said he wanted a chance to come to Sandbourne and be a part of everything.”
“Did Michael say where this knight came from? Or anything of Sir Kenric’s past?” Avelyn couldn’t help but think of the missing spurs and wondered why Kenric no longer wore them—or if he ever had.
“He only revealed that Fairfax was from the far north and that he preferred to settle in the south.”
“I know I enjoy the milder winters here after growing up in the north,” Avelyn said. “I can’t blame him for that although I detect the south in his accent. Mayhap he was born here but went to foster in the north.”
“That could be the case,” her uncle agreed. “At any rate, I watched him spar with the other soldiers. Physically, he’s an imposing man. He is quick with a sword and accurate with an array of other weapons. I asked to face him and we engaged one-on-one.”
Avelyn drew in a quick breath.
“Do not, under any circumstances, reveal that to Merryn,” Geoffrey warned.
She grinned. “I’ll hold that piece of information over you, Uncle. Mayhap you can bribe me to keep quiet about it. But go on.”
He gave her a mock scowl, but she knew ’twas all in fun. “Fairfax bested me. Not by much, but he is as seasoned and talented a knight as I have ever seen, and I’ve fought many excellent warriors in the past.”
“Elysande wrote to me that Michael trusted Kenric.”
Geoffrey nodded. “That would be true or Kenric never would’ve been charged to lead the escort party that brought you from London. But enough of my talk. What do you know of him, Niece?”
Avelyn considered a moment. “He is set in his ways. Stubborn. I didn’t want to like him after we first met but, somehow, I came around.” She paused. “He is intelligent and a capable leader. He seems of good character.”
“And?”
She sighed, knowing she could keep nothing from him. “I find him the most handsome man I have laid eyes upon. If he were at court? He would have to swat the ladies away like a horse’s tail does with flies. They would give him no peace until he married.” She snorted. “And even after he took his vows, there would be women that still chased him.”
“Merryn says you have feelings for this man.”
A calm descended upon Avelyn as she heard his words. “I do. A part of me believes that fate has sealed our destiny. From the moment we kissed, I have felt as one with him.”
Geoffrey grinned. “So you found that enjoyable?”
She felt the heat in her cheeks. “Quite so.”
“Have you ever been kissed before?”
“Uncle!”
He lifted his hands, palms up, as if in surrender. “I know you have been at court, so I thought it only fair to ask.”
Avelyn twisted her hands nervously in her lap. “Aye. A few courtiers have stolen a kiss from me, but not for any great length. They were . . .” She hesitated, finding it hard to put into words how bland those kisses had been and how unaffected she was by them.
“Nothing like Sir Kenric’s kiss,” Geoffrey finished.
She met his eyes. “Nay. They weren’t.”
Her uncle leaned closer. “Did it feel as if the very earth moved under your feet? That your glow could light the night sky brighter than the stars from the heavens above?”
“How poetic,” she declared.
“’Tis how I feel every time I touch Merryn.” He gazed at her steadily. “I would hope this for you, as well.”
Avelyn nodded. “Aye, it’s so.”
He sat back. “Good. As your uncle—and with your father gone—I’m responsible for you and your welfare. I know I asked the queen to look for a suitable match for you, yet you found one on your own. I think she will understand.”
“But I don’t know how Kenric would feel about wedding me,” she protested. “And in truth, I know so little about him. He may not be of a marrying mind.”
Geoffrey gave her a long look. “If he feels as you do, he won’t be able to stop from pledging himself to you. He’ll move heaven and earth in order to commit to you.” He paused. “If this is what you want, Avelyn, then you have my blessing.”
He leaned over and kissed her cheek.
“We can keep this between us for now,” Geoffrey said. “But I’ll write to Michael and tell him that you have my blessing. I trust he’ll look out for your interests while you are at Sandbourne this summer.”
Avelyn hugged him tightly. Hope filled her that, by summer’s end, Sir Kenric Fairfax would declare his intentions toward her.
More importantly, she longed to hear from his lips that he loved her.
*
Avelyn finished the meal that her uncle had brought and rested the tray on the table next to the bed. Before she had time to be bored, Alys arrived.
“I’ve returned to look at your ankle,” her young cousin said.
She removed the poultice and unwrapped the bandage. She studied the ankle, her touch light. Alys rewrapped it with fresh, cold rags that she pulled from her basket.
“The swelling is minimal, so you’ll be able to walk on it tomorrow with just a few twinges. You were lucky, Avelyn. It could’ve been much worse. I’ve tended to sprains where the swelling caused the joint to balloon up and bring much pain. I have ordered people to bed for a week.”
“Then I’m glad it was only a small hole I stepped into and only a slight twist I suffered,” Avelyn teased. “Else you would keep me here a sennight and practice your skills upon me.”
Alys swept up the tray and excused herself as Sela entered the chamber.
“I wondered where you had gone.”
Her friend sat down on the bed next to her. “I had a busy day. Thank goodness it wasn’t atop a horse. My poor rump is still sore from being in the saddle for so long. But I did walk a good deal and saw quite a bit of Kinwick. The de Montforts have a lovely estate.”
“Did you enjoy seeing it with Sir Martin?” Avelyn asked. She watched as Sela blushed prettily.
“He accompanied me, but several others from Sandbourne and Kinwick came along with us. I met many people and they were ever so friendly. You were right, Avelyn. Country life is much different from that in London.”
“I hope you’ll enjoy your time at Sandbourne, Sela.”
“I’m certain I will. Oh, I came to tell you that Tilda has made up a bed for me in the chamber across the hall. Merryn wanted to be sure that you received a proper night of rest. I admitted to her that I can be a restless sleeper, so you’ll be alone tonight.”
“Merryn does have a tendency to fuss.”
“I like her a great deal. She is full of spirit and life.” Sela kissed Avelyn’s forehead. “I’ll bid you a good evening and return to the great hall.”
“Would Sir Martin be awaiting you there?” she teased.
Sela’s brows arched. “Mayhap he does.” She giggled and climbed down from the bed. “I’ll see you soon, Avelyn.”
After her friend left, she felt at loose ends. She wasn’t ready to retire for the night, but she didn’t expect any more visitors. Then a gentle rap sounded at the door.
Something told her that Kenric Fairfax stood on the other side.
She called for him to enter. He stepped in, a concerned look on his face.
The man took her breath away.
She’d never thought a man to be beautiful, but everything about Kenric spoke to that. Avelyn wanted to run her fingers through his dark, curly locks and stare into those hazel eyes for an eternity. More than anything, she wished to press her body against his, sculpted with muscle.
And kiss him. Oh, Sweet Jesu, she longed to touch her mouth to his and never come up for air.
“My lady, I came to see how you fare.”
She swallowed and found her voice. “I’m doing well. Alys just left and said that I may get on my feet tomorrow.”
“That’s good news. Lady Merryn says we can leave as planned. We’ll ride all day tomorrow, so you won’t have to strain yourself. Then we should arrive at Sandbourne by the noon meal the day after. Your ankle should be much stronger by then.”
“Thank you for letting me know.”
An awkward silence loomed between them after she spoke. Avelyn had no idea what to say. Then, as she started to speak, Kenric did so at the same time. They both stopped and laughed before they fell silent again.
She wanted him to stay but didn’t think he’d take the initiative—so Avelyn took matters into her own hands.
“Would you mind bringing Uncle Geoffrey’s chess set upstairs so that we might play a game or two? It can be found in the steward’s room, where the records of the estate are kept and managed.”
Kenric asked, “Are you certain I should do so?” His hazel eyes twinkled at her. “After all, I must uphold my code of chivalry, which is to always honor women. I wouldn’t wish to embarrass you.”
Avelyn sensed the flirtation in his tone. “You think to best me at chess?”
He shrugged. “You are but a woman.” He gave her a charming smile that caused her pulse to quicken.
She found her eyelashes fluttering instinctively. “I possess just as much ability to think and reason as a man,” she told him, a smile playing about her lips. “I demand you retrieve the set at once—then I can prove it to you.”
“If you insist.” Kenric left the room.
Nervousness built within her as she waited for his return. When the door swung open a few minutes later, it startled her when Merryn came in.
“I stopped by to be sure that you were settled for the night. Geoffrey told me that he spoke with you.” Her aunt gave Avelyn a contrite look. “I hope you don’t feel as if I betrayed a confidence by sharing what I knew about your feelings for Sir Kenric. I only wanted to make Geoffrey aware of the situation. He is the head of the family and must give his approval if there’s to be any match.”
Avelyn took her aunt’s hand. “I understand. I’m not upset. In fact, he was rather sweet about it. Oh, Merryn, he is so in love with you.”
Her aunt’s face grew dreamy. “Even after all these years, our love is strong. I cannot imagine myself with another man. Geoffrey is—and always will be—the one for me.”
At that moment, Kenric returned. “I’m sorry to interrupt.”
“Nay, stay,” Merryn told him, “I was about to leave.” She smiled. “I see that you’re going to play chess.”
Avelyn snorted. “He thinks women haven’t the skill to do so. Much less win.”
Merryn cocked an eyebrow. “Then you don’t know the de Montfort women, Sir Kenric. Avelyn’s half de Montfort. ’Twill be enough to bury you,” she promised. She gave the knight a sweet smile. “I bid you a good evening.” Merryn swept from the room and closed the door behind her.
Avelyn’s anticipation grew as he set up the game pieces. She intended to win.
Not only the game—or the match—but Kenric’s heart.
Chapter 11
Kenric found himself stunned when Avelyn Le Cler beat him soundly in their first game. It happened quickly, as if he experienced a surprise attack by the enemy that left him decimated. He struggled but clawed his way to victory in the second game. Though the noblewoman proved a cunning opponent, when he saw the disappointment in her eyes, he thought to give her an out.
“Mayhap your injury contributed to your loss, my lady.”
Her jaw fell open and then snapped shut. “A slightly twisted ankle has nothing to do with my thinking.” She eyed him for a moment, much as a cat might before it pounced upon a helpless mouse. “A final game, my lord, to see who’ll take the match?”
“Nay.” He sat back from the gaming board. “We can reengage in play at Sandbourne.”
Her grin told him that he had been caught.
“You wish to think about my strategy and plan a way to try and win.” She laughed, a teasing light shining in her eyes. “You think, despite your talk of honoring ladies with your code of chivalry, to embarrass me in front of your home troops in the great hall, where you will have men rooting for you.”
Avelyn picked up her queen and toyed with it. “I accept your challenge. It will give me time to give thought to your chess play, as well.” Her eyes now sparkled with mischief. “You should fear me, my lord. I won’t go easy on you, no matter what witnesses stand present at your defeat.”
He crossed his arms. “I fear I won’t find an easy victory, for I now see you have a keen mind.” He paused. “I underestimated you, Lady Avelyn.”
In more ways than one . . .
Kenric decided to change the subject. “I like Sandbourne very much. I think you will enjoy your stay there with your sister this summer.”
“I’m looking forward to our arrival. But why are you there? What caused you to enter into service with Michael?”
He rubbed his chin. “I heard that the earl had come into his title and assembled a new group of men under his leadership at Sandbourne. I decided to seek him out. He has a noteworthy reputation as a warrior and is a fine man, both moral and just.”
“So you served no other liege lord before him?” she asked, curiosity lighting her delicate features. “I know some knights become restless in a single place and choose to hire out their services as they travel about England. Does that describe you, my lord?”
Kenric shrugged, not wishing to reveal anything about his time fostering with Lord Forwin.
Or what had happened with the nobleman’s daughter.
“I’m happy at Sandbourne and plan to remain as long as the earl wishes my presence there, but I did roam about before then.”
“Where?” she asked eagerly.
“Far from here,” he said brusquely, wanting to close the topic from discussion.
“I am from the north,” she told him. “I grew up in the harsh cold and snow. When my father died, the king had Mother bring us south with her to Hopeston Castle where she wed again. My stepfather passed away suddenly last summer and Mother is charged with keeping Hopeston for now.”
“Truly?” The thought of a woman solely in charge of a castle puzzled him. He knew it occurred in times of war when the lord would be away, but for an unmarried woman to have total control baffled him. “The king has left the castle and its people in her care?” he asked, hoping to clarify Avelyn’s meaning.
“Aye. Mother is a formidable woman.” Her lips turned up into a small smile. “Merryn told you before—de Montfort women are most capable, no matter what task they take on. But what of the women in your family? Your mother? Have you sisters? Tell me what Sir Kenric was like as a small boy.”
His body tensed at the mention of his childhood. He wondered how much to share with her.
“I have no sisters, so I have no experience around women.”
“But you did have a mother. What is she like? Are you much like her?”
He tried to relax his clenched jaw and said, “Aye, I have a mother. But as a second born son, she lavished her attention upon my brother. As the heir to Shadowfaire, Roland rightly received all her time and interest.”