Read Online Margaret Moore - [Warrior 14] by In The Kings Service - Free Book Online

hundred at least, and they were well trained and well armed. Blaidd had spent years with fighting men, and these were some of the finest soldiers he’d ever seen. Men that skilled and well trained didn’t come cheap.
    A lord could, of course, plead the necessity of guarding his land, but few put so much of their resources into it. Where was the man getting the money to pay forhis soldiers, their weapons, and this castle? To be sure, the estate looked moderately prosperous, but even so, it didn’t seem possible that Throckton could afford such a fortress and provide for so many soldiers unless he had another source of income.
    Yet the man himself was so friendly, so pleasant….
    His father would tell him to utterly disregard that; nevertheless, Blaidd found it hard to accept that a man could be so hospitable and encouraging to a courtier of a king he despised and hoped to ruin.
    The other thing Blaidd had come to realize, although it had nothing to do with his mission, was the unusual position of Lady Rebecca in the household. By rights, and as the eldest, Lady Laelia should be the chatelaine, overseeing the food and linen and everything else in and about the hall and apartments. However, those tasks seemed to fall solely to Lady Rebecca. Keys jingling as she moved, she went from the kitchen to the storeroom to the buttery with seemingly tireless energy. She gave orders to the servants and spoke with the merchants who came to sell their goods. She apparently organized everything.
    Blaidd had yet to discover exactly what Lady Laelia did except look lovely and embroider.
    He wasn’t the only one getting restless here, either. Trev was clearly beginning to wish he had more to do than polish Blaidd’s sword and shield. He’d been good about obeying Blaidd’s admonitions concerning the serving women, but a bored youth and a pretty maidservant who always had a smile for him couldfind themselves in mischief soon, if the weather didn’t clear.
    Then, after a tedious evening during which Blaidd decided he and Trev would ride out the next day, rain or not, the morning dawned sunny and warm—a beautiful spring day. Blaidd felt years younger, and he was determined to get out for a gallop across a meadow.
    Blaidd was in such a good humor, he whistled as they left the chapel after Mass and headed toward the hall to break the fast. Lord Throckton walked beside him on his left, Lady Laelia glided along on his right and Trev brought up the rear. Lady Rebecca had disappeared, probably into the kitchen.
    “I feel as merry as your tune, Sir Blaidd,” Lord Throckton said with a deep chuckle. “It looks to be an excellent day for hunting. Will you join me?”
    “I’ll be delighted to, my lord.” Blaidd smiled at Lady Laelia. “Maybe you’ll accompany us?”
    He was surprised to see her dart an uneasy glance at her father.
    “Of course she will!” he cried. “Have no fear, Laelia, I’m sure Sir Blaidd will keep a moderate pace if you ask him.”
    A moderate pace? Blaidd had to struggle not to betray any disappointment. But he’d been hoping for a wild gallop, and he was quite sure Aderyn Du would be wanting that, too.
    Lady Laelia stared at him woefully with her big green eyes. “I’m afraid I’m a timid horsewomen, SirBlaidd. If you’d rather not ride with me, I’ll understand.”
    Being a gentleman, Blaidd battened down his frustration. He could always exercise Aderyn Du later. “Of course I won’t mind. Besides, how could I truly appreciate your beautiful countryside at a gallop? Or if you prefer, we could stay behind,” he finished, remembering he was supposed to be courting her, although this meant losing an opportunity to speak with her father.
    “That won’t be necessary,” Lord Throckton said. “She’ll ride, won’t you, Laelia?”
    “Yes, Father.” She looked up at Blaidd. “I’m sure you’ll be considerate of my maidenly fears,” she murmured.
    Blaidd immediately thought of another young woman, one