Read Online A VOW TO KEEP (The Vengeance Trilogy) by Lana Williams - Free Book Online Page A
Authors: Lana Williams
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hair and everything else on her body felt filthy from the dust of the road, and she longed for some hot, steaming water.
Her gaze sought the powerful knight across the clearing. What had filled his dreams that disturbed him so? Whatever it was, it had shaken him. No sign of that remained now. He appeared at ease and back to the confident man she was beginning to know.
“Good day, my lady.” Hugh greeted her. His blue eyes sparkled with an inner mirth that made her smile. “How do you fare this fine day?”
“I’m well, thank you, Sir Hugh. And you?”
“Very well. Might I interest you in something to ease your hunger?” He offered her his elbow.
“Indeed.” She walked with Hugh to where Kenneth stood near the fire. “I’m certain Sir Royce is anxious to be on his way. I’ll eat quickly so we can leave anon.”
She had just finished her solitary meal when shouts drew her attention. A man galloped into camp and stopped before Royce. The others gathered around, including Hugh and Kenneth, and listened as the soldier spoke. He gestured broadly with his hands and pointed in the distance.
Royce questioned him, then called out orders as he and Hugh strode toward the horses. They wasted no time mounting. Three other men followed suit. Nicholas ran to Alyna where she stood near the fire. Alyna kept her gaze on Royce, alarmed at the thought of him leaving.
He glanced her way, looking every inch the fierce knight once again. His huge steed seemed to bear down on her, and it took all her courage to stand her ground as it drew closer. She pushed Nicholas behind her, then released the breath she’d been holding when the horse halted beside her.
“One of my men found the trail of some troublesome thieves who’ve caused your grandfather much strife. I’m taking a few men to see if we can eliminate this problem.” As though his thoughts were already on his destination, he glanced away. His horse stomped its feet, as ready as its master to be off. Royce’s gaze returned to her. “I regret the timing of this, but they’ve burned cottages and stolen livestock and must be stopped.”
“I understand. I wouldn’t want to be the reason you missed the opportunity to disband them.”
“I don’t plan to disband them, my lady. I plan to kill them.”
Uneasy at the thought of him leaving to face such danger, she put her hand on his leg and looked up at him. “When will you be back? Shouldn’t you take more men?”
“Nay. There’s a chance this is a trap, and I would take no risk with your safety. As to when I’ll return, I cannot say. We may not catch up with you before you reach Northe Castle.” He leaned over and placed his callused palm along her cheek. “I wish you well, my lady.”
She caught her breath at his touch, her gaze locked with his. His warm, gray eyes held her with an intensity that promised something more. His thumb moved against her cheek, and it was all she could do not to lean into the warmth of his hand.
“Sir Edward will see you safely delivered to Lord Blackwell. Call upon him should you need anything.” With a brief nod, he withdrew his hand and galloped off, Hugh by his side, his men falling in behind him.
Nicholas reached for her hand and, together, they watched them depart. She was less than pleased with Royce’s decision to put Sir Edward in charge. Why had he left her with him of all people? She scowled at Royce’s departing back.
She hadn’t realized how comforting Royce’s presence was until he was gone. Somehow, despite their differences, she trusted him.
But Sir Edward was another matter entirely. Worst of all, she had no horse of her own, so she’d be riding with him.
Conscious of Sir Edward’s gaze upon her, she did her best to keep her expression neutral. Nothing would be gained by letting him know of her dislike. “When are we leaving, Sir Edward?” she called out to the handsome knight.
“We await your command, my lady.” He bowed low as he spoke, but to
Her gaze sought the powerful knight across the clearing. What had filled his dreams that disturbed him so? Whatever it was, it had shaken him. No sign of that remained now. He appeared at ease and back to the confident man she was beginning to know.
“Good day, my lady.” Hugh greeted her. His blue eyes sparkled with an inner mirth that made her smile. “How do you fare this fine day?”
“I’m well, thank you, Sir Hugh. And you?”
“Very well. Might I interest you in something to ease your hunger?” He offered her his elbow.
“Indeed.” She walked with Hugh to where Kenneth stood near the fire. “I’m certain Sir Royce is anxious to be on his way. I’ll eat quickly so we can leave anon.”
She had just finished her solitary meal when shouts drew her attention. A man galloped into camp and stopped before Royce. The others gathered around, including Hugh and Kenneth, and listened as the soldier spoke. He gestured broadly with his hands and pointed in the distance.
Royce questioned him, then called out orders as he and Hugh strode toward the horses. They wasted no time mounting. Three other men followed suit. Nicholas ran to Alyna where she stood near the fire. Alyna kept her gaze on Royce, alarmed at the thought of him leaving.
He glanced her way, looking every inch the fierce knight once again. His huge steed seemed to bear down on her, and it took all her courage to stand her ground as it drew closer. She pushed Nicholas behind her, then released the breath she’d been holding when the horse halted beside her.
“One of my men found the trail of some troublesome thieves who’ve caused your grandfather much strife. I’m taking a few men to see if we can eliminate this problem.” As though his thoughts were already on his destination, he glanced away. His horse stomped its feet, as ready as its master to be off. Royce’s gaze returned to her. “I regret the timing of this, but they’ve burned cottages and stolen livestock and must be stopped.”
“I understand. I wouldn’t want to be the reason you missed the opportunity to disband them.”
“I don’t plan to disband them, my lady. I plan to kill them.”
Uneasy at the thought of him leaving to face such danger, she put her hand on his leg and looked up at him. “When will you be back? Shouldn’t you take more men?”
“Nay. There’s a chance this is a trap, and I would take no risk with your safety. As to when I’ll return, I cannot say. We may not catch up with you before you reach Northe Castle.” He leaned over and placed his callused palm along her cheek. “I wish you well, my lady.”
She caught her breath at his touch, her gaze locked with his. His warm, gray eyes held her with an intensity that promised something more. His thumb moved against her cheek, and it was all she could do not to lean into the warmth of his hand.
“Sir Edward will see you safely delivered to Lord Blackwell. Call upon him should you need anything.” With a brief nod, he withdrew his hand and galloped off, Hugh by his side, his men falling in behind him.
Nicholas reached for her hand and, together, they watched them depart. She was less than pleased with Royce’s decision to put Sir Edward in charge. Why had he left her with him of all people? She scowled at Royce’s departing back.
She hadn’t realized how comforting Royce’s presence was until he was gone. Somehow, despite their differences, she trusted him.
But Sir Edward was another matter entirely. Worst of all, she had no horse of her own, so she’d be riding with him.
Conscious of Sir Edward’s gaze upon her, she did her best to keep her expression neutral. Nothing would be gained by letting him know of her dislike. “When are we leaving, Sir Edward?” she called out to the handsome knight.
“We await your command, my lady.” He bowed low as he spoke, but to
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