Read Online Candace C. Bowen - A Knight Series 02 by A Knight of Battle - Free Book Online Page A

of deep green, she ran a comb through her silken tresses leaving her hair unbound. Pinching her cheeks for a spot of color, she hastened down the steps only slowing to take a few deep breaths near the bottom.
    Albin stood from his perch on a stool before the bar as she approached. “You look beautiful, lass.”
    “Thank you.” Blushing to the roots of her hair, Lecie gestured with a trembling hand towards the door. “Shall we depart?”
    Falling into pace with the crowd heading towards the center of the village, Lecie’s heart raced each time Albin would lightly clasp her arm to assist her around horse dung or deep ruts in the hard-packed dirt road.
    With his hand resting at the small of her back, he guided her through the milling crowds packing the square, towards the ale booth.
    “Mylla,” Lecie called excitedly when she spotted her friend standing beside Sir Talan.
    “Lecie.” Mylla rushed over to hug her. “Sir Talan said you would not be coming today.”
    “It appears Sir Albin had other ideas,” Lecie replied with a smile. “And I am so very glad he did.”
    “As am I,” Albin spoke softly from behind her as he paused to clasp Talan’s arm. “Have you been here long?” 
    “Long enough,” Talan replied cryptically with a nod towards Hamon as he passed out ale and collected coin in the booth.
    “Is something amiss, Sir Albin?” Confused by their somber manner, Lecie broke off her conversation with Mylla.
    “Nothing that you need to concern yourself with,” Albin leaned close to speak low. “You are to enjoy yourself. Will you and your friend excuse us for a moment? Talan and I have something of import to discuss.”
    “Aye, of course,” Lecie agreed. “Take your time.”
    Her brow furrowed in thought as she watched them walk a short distance away, Lecie turned back to Mylla. “Did Sir Talan mention anything untoward prior to our arrival?”
    “No, not at all.” Mylla shook her head. “He merely said he needed to speak to Albin and told Edmund and Caine we would wait here while they visited the armourer’s tent to have their swords sharpened.”
    “I wondered where your escort had gone off to.” Lecie smiled despite a niggling feeling in the pit of her stomach. “It is not like your Da to send you off without at least one of your brothers by your side.”
    “Speaking of which.” Mylla reached out to take Lecie's hand. “How is your Da?”
    “I fear he grows weaker by the day.” Lecie averted her gaze to Albin’s back where he stood a short way off in deep conversation with Talan. “I do not expect him to see the first snowfall.”
    “I am sorry Lecie.” Gently squeezing her hand, Mylla recaptured her full attention. “We shall always be here for you.”
    “I know that.” Changing the subject, she tilted her head towards the men. “So when shall I be expecting a betrothal announcement?”
    Blushing, Mylla smiled shyly as she glanced back at Talan. “Not soon enough, I fear.”
    “What do you mean?”
    A shadow darkened Mylla’s bright blue eyes as she sighed. “Do you remember when I told you about meeting the king’s itinerant justice when I was in London?”
    “I do. You said he was an elder filled with arrogance and overly bold in his attentions towards you.” Lecie glanced between Talan and Mylla as the situation became clear to her. “Are you saying you believe Justice de Glanville will offer for you?”
    “It is what I fear most,” Mylla admitted. “He has made many unexpected calls upon my father since we met and always insists upon my being present.”
    “Oh, Mylla.” Lecie’s heart sank for her friend at the implications. “He is a powerful man with the ear of the king himself. He will not take kindly to being denied your hand.”
    “You tell me nothing I do not already know, Lecie.”
    “So why does not Sir Talan marry you to thwart Justice de Glanville’s plans?”
    “My father will not entertain the idea. He feels the justice will take offense,