Read Online Candace C. Bowen - A Knight Series 01 by A Knight of Silence - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: A Knight of Silence
Ads: Link
She began sobbing. “There is naught anyone can
do, your lordship.”
“We shall see about that,” he replied angrily.
He did not recall walking away from Hylda, for the next thing Fulke
knew, he was stalking into the Great Hall. Finding a young boy tending the hounds, he snapped, “Fetch your
masters.”
Pacing before the hearth to gain control of his fury, he swore, “Fie.
Even I would be better for her than banishment to a bloody convent.”
Envisioning Reina's sparkle doused by a nun’s dour existence, his anger
soared to new heights. He could understand Lady Baldith's motivation, yet for
Sir Everard to do such a thing, sickened him.
His mind in turmoil, he quickly drafted a course of action. King Henry
taught him strategy succeeded where brute force could not. Interlacing his fingers, he cracked his
knuckles, mentally preparing himself. This was one battle he had every intention of winning.
By the time he heard their approach, Fulke portrayed a vision of calm
standing before the fire. Turning to the pair, he gave them a curt nod. “Sir
Everard, Lady Baldith, thank you for answering my summons so quickly.”
Lady Baldith curtseyed while Sir Everard stood stiffly by her side. “Is
there aught amiss, your lordship? My servant was under the impression you were
distressed.”
Fulke perfected an air of nonchalance. “Not at all, Sir Everard. I merely find myself forced to depart on a
matter of great import. Before I do so, I thought it best if we were to
finalize the betrothal accord.”
Lady Baldith gasped with obvious pleasure. “I shall summon refreshment
at once, your lordship.” She gestured towards a seat by the hearth, with a
sweep of her arm. “Pray, take a seat.”
Rudely ignoring her offer, he moved to one of the planked tables.
“Since this matter also affects Mistress Sibilla and Master Warin, it would
please me if you were to summon them as well.”
“Of course, your lordship,” Baldith replied eagerly. Hastening off to do his bidding.
Sir Everard crossed to the table, taking a seat on the bench across
from Fulke. Folding his hands before
him, he said bluntly, “I must say, your lordship, I believe this marriage will
be of great benefit to you. My daughter is blessed with a manner that will do
well at court.”
Fulke narrowed his eyes. “I am well aware of that, sir.”
Everard’s eyes flared at his harsh tone. Leaning back in his seat, he kept silent.
Anxious to see the matter settled, Fulke drummed his fingers on the
table.
They both straightened as Warin entered. Avoiding his father’s gaze, he stopped before
Fulke. “You sent for me, my liege?”
Taking in Warin’s pale features, Fulke realized he should have followed
his earlier instinct to question him further. Instead, he wasted most of the day. Reina was now that much closer to reaching the Convent.
“I did, lad. We are to discuss a
matter of great import that affects you as well.”
Albin entered, followed by Talan, Gervase, Guy and Osbert.
Fulke bit back a smile at their show of loyalty. Responding to their
solemn stares with a curt nod, he jerked his head to the adjoining table.
Visibly surprised by their presence, Sir Everard asked, “You mean to
discuss matters of import in front of your men, your lordship?”
“I trust my life to them, Sir Everard. I see no reason why they should not be privy to such matters,” he
replied stiffly.
Baldith swept in with a beaming Sibilla. Aiming a puzzled glance at the
somber men, she took a seat beside her husband.
Sibilla squeezed close beside Fulke. When he did not so much as acknowledge her with a nod, she pouted, “I am
here, my lord.”
“I am aware, Mistress Sibilla,” he replied coldly.
Choosing not to sit, Warin stood off to the side, staring hard at his
father.
Serfs hurried from the upper level bearing heavy trays. Glancing up to refuse refreshment, Fulke
spotted Hylda hovering in the shadows of
do, your lordship.”
“We shall see about that,” he replied angrily.
He did not recall walking away from Hylda, for the next thing Fulke
knew, he was stalking into the Great Hall. Finding a young boy tending the hounds, he snapped, “Fetch your
masters.”
Pacing before the hearth to gain control of his fury, he swore, “Fie.
Even I would be better for her than banishment to a bloody convent.”
Envisioning Reina's sparkle doused by a nun’s dour existence, his anger
soared to new heights. He could understand Lady Baldith's motivation, yet for
Sir Everard to do such a thing, sickened him.
His mind in turmoil, he quickly drafted a course of action. King Henry
taught him strategy succeeded where brute force could not. Interlacing his fingers, he cracked his
knuckles, mentally preparing himself. This was one battle he had every intention of winning.
By the time he heard their approach, Fulke portrayed a vision of calm
standing before the fire. Turning to the pair, he gave them a curt nod. “Sir
Everard, Lady Baldith, thank you for answering my summons so quickly.”
Lady Baldith curtseyed while Sir Everard stood stiffly by her side. “Is
there aught amiss, your lordship? My servant was under the impression you were
distressed.”
Fulke perfected an air of nonchalance. “Not at all, Sir Everard. I merely find myself forced to depart on a
matter of great import. Before I do so, I thought it best if we were to
finalize the betrothal accord.”
Lady Baldith gasped with obvious pleasure. “I shall summon refreshment
at once, your lordship.” She gestured towards a seat by the hearth, with a
sweep of her arm. “Pray, take a seat.”
Rudely ignoring her offer, he moved to one of the planked tables.
“Since this matter also affects Mistress Sibilla and Master Warin, it would
please me if you were to summon them as well.”
“Of course, your lordship,” Baldith replied eagerly. Hastening off to do his bidding.
Sir Everard crossed to the table, taking a seat on the bench across
from Fulke. Folding his hands before
him, he said bluntly, “I must say, your lordship, I believe this marriage will
be of great benefit to you. My daughter is blessed with a manner that will do
well at court.”
Fulke narrowed his eyes. “I am well aware of that, sir.”
Everard’s eyes flared at his harsh tone. Leaning back in his seat, he kept silent.
Anxious to see the matter settled, Fulke drummed his fingers on the
table.
They both straightened as Warin entered. Avoiding his father’s gaze, he stopped before
Fulke. “You sent for me, my liege?”
Taking in Warin’s pale features, Fulke realized he should have followed
his earlier instinct to question him further. Instead, he wasted most of the day. Reina was now that much closer to reaching the Convent.
“I did, lad. We are to discuss a
matter of great import that affects you as well.”
Albin entered, followed by Talan, Gervase, Guy and Osbert.
Fulke bit back a smile at their show of loyalty. Responding to their
solemn stares with a curt nod, he jerked his head to the adjoining table.
Visibly surprised by their presence, Sir Everard asked, “You mean to
discuss matters of import in front of your men, your lordship?”
“I trust my life to them, Sir Everard. I see no reason why they should not be privy to such matters,” he
replied stiffly.
Baldith swept in with a beaming Sibilla. Aiming a puzzled glance at the
somber men, she took a seat beside her husband.
Sibilla squeezed close beside Fulke. When he did not so much as acknowledge her with a nod, she pouted, “I am
here, my lord.”
“I am aware, Mistress Sibilla,” he replied coldly.
Choosing not to sit, Warin stood off to the side, staring hard at his
father.
Serfs hurried from the upper level bearing heavy trays. Glancing up to refuse refreshment, Fulke
spotted Hylda hovering in the shadows of
Similar Books
