Read Online Heartsong by Allison Knight - Free Book Online

moved toward the tables.
    “Find a place and break your fast, wench,” he said loud enough for everyone in the hall to hear the command. After the meal? Garrett frowned. Lydon’s words the night before raced through Garrett’s thoughts. Ladies sewed and servants did not necessarily have the time or the tools to learn the skill. If this one could sew... He refused to allow that thought more fuel.
    “Can you use a needle?”
    “Just a little,” she responded.
    Garrett jerked to attention. So, Lydon was not correct. She obviously had been taught to sew a bit as part of her duties to the Lord of Brynn Ffrydd. Satisfied with his analysis, he leaned back in his chair and tried to ignore her.
    ~ * ~
    Rhianna moved toward the last table in the hall, too embarrassed to respond to deShay’s query with anything but a few words. She kept her eyes on the heavy oaken planks of the floor as she walked. Fighting to control her apprehension, she slid onto a small bench at the end of the table.
    She ignored the few men who moved away from her as she sat. Somehow she had to get to Arthur so they could plan their escape. She gazed at some of the soldiers in the room. None of them would look in her direction. The servants were a different matter. The glares she received should have scared her to death. Her safety in this keep could be in serious doubt if she had to stay for any time. That was out of the question, of course. She had to find a way to leave this place, return to Wales and Lily.
    Sick at thoughts of what the child of five summers might be thinking, Rhianna pulled a trencher close and nibbled at the contents, much too upset to taste the food. The sip of ale she swallowed would not pass over the lump lodged in her throat. If she could have fled from the room without drawing more attention to herself, she would have done just that.
    “Men,” deShay’s voice sliced through Rhianna. He rose from the table and she trembled, wondering what the mighty lord of Knockin wanted now.
    She had her answer immediately.
    “Come, we’ve training to see to and mock battles to wage.” He hurried toward the door and she sighed with relief.
    As soon as deShay strode from the room, his men rose and followed. Rhianna stood herself .
    I’m back to that chamber . At least there, she hoped she would find some security.
    For the rest of the morning and much of the afternoon, she sat in deShay’s chamber and plied her needle, stitching the garments Mildred brought her to mend while Mildred kept her company.
    “Are you not needed in another place?” Rhianna asked once against the clang and clash of metal striking metal which resounded from outside the chamber.
    “Nay. Sir Tomlaine insisted I stay with you.”
    “For my protection?”
    “Well, there is that.” Mildred couldn’t meet her gaze and Rhianna knew she had the right of it. She did need protection.
    As she sewed, her hands shook making her stitches uneven and irregular. Thoughts of what would surely happen that night had her shuddering in fear. deShay had already told her he intended to bed her and by carrying to his room, Sir Tomlaine indicated to all what plans deShay had for her.
    Mildred brought a tray for their nooning but Rhianna swallowed little over the tightness in her throat. Well into the afternoon, Mildred excused herself and Rhianna put the mending and the sewing needle away. She stood at the window slit in the empty solar and watched as the sun spilled dark mauve and crimson streaks through the sky. Finally, ebony night crept toward Knockin. She had to leave, to escape, but she could not leave without Arthur.
    “My Lady,” Mildred finally returned and announced, “your presence is wanted below.”
    “Nay.” She had no desire to go into that hostile hall. “You must ask that I be excused. I have an aching head. Too much close work this day.”
    After Mildred left to deliver her message, Rhianna paced around the room, her fear a metallic taste in her mouth. He would