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

he couldn’t imagine having “maidenly fears.” He could more easily picture Lady Rebecca glaring an opponent into submission.
    He tried to put her, Throckton’s other daughter, out of his mind. “Naturally, my lady. My greatest pleasure will be your company.”
    God’s wounds, that was a bit much, but Laelia beamed, gazing at him with gratitude and admiration. One would think he’d offered to sacrifice his life for her.
     
    A little while later, Blaidd stood near the stable beside a restless Aderyn Du, waiting for the rest of the hunting party to assemble. The beaters and other servants who would travel on foot were already assembled near the inner gate, talking and laughing among themselves. A groom had led out a fine brown gelding sporting an expensive looking saddle and bridle, and a white mare that was surely for Lady Laelia. Trev was still in the stables, saddling his horse and taking his own sweet time about it. Perhaps he’d gotten a bit lazy these past few days, and a reprimand would be in order. Or at least a pointed remark.
    Blaidd’s gaze roved over the buildings, and he noticed scaffolding on the eastern wall, which obviously still needed some work. There were no workmen there now. Perhaps they’d gone to work on another part of the castle. Lord Throckton had mentioned something about a gate the other evening.
    Blaidd should have paid more attention to that and less to Lady Rebecca’s playing.
    Aderyn Du tossed his head and shifted his feet, obviously anxious to run. Blaidd wished he didn’t have to keep a tight rein on him, but there didn’t seem much help for it. Maybe after the noon meal they could go out again. Surely Lady Laelia and her father wouldn’t miss him for a few hours.
    Tapping his foot, Blaidd continued to watch the stable door, wondering if he’d have to go in and urge Trev to get a move on.
    Then, to his surprise, Lady Rebecca appeared at the entrance to the stable, leading a remarkably fine roan. She was as plainly dressed as always, except that she wore a long gray cloak and gauntlet gloves of leather. Obviously, she was going riding. With them?
    Why not?
    Because she’d never appeared anxious to spend time with them before; her household duties seemed to occupy all her time.
    She caught him watching, and his first impulse was to turn away, like a little boy caught with stolen sweetmeats.
    He wasn’t a little boy, though, so he didn’t.
    Then he expected her to ignore him.
    She didn’t.
    “You look surprised, sir knight,” she coolly noted as she led her horse near the excited Aderyn Du, who got more excited. It was as if he were anticipating a race. “Having one leg shorter than the other doesn’t prevent me from riding.”
    “I’m sure, my lady, it would take a great deal to prevent you from doing whatever you set your mind to,” he replied. “I didn’t think you could spare the time from your many duties.”
    A smile twitched at the corner of her lips and her blue eyes sparkled. It struck him that she seemed as anxious to be out of the castle as he and Aderyn Du were. “I’m not indispensable. I’ve been cooped inside for long enough, and I think the servants will be happy to be rid of me for a little while.”
    “Command can be onerous,” he agreed. “And the weather has been dismal.”
    “I thought the Welsh were used to rain,” she replied, her intriguing smile growing a little wider. It was like seeing the sun peeking out from behind a storm cloud—just as lovely, just as welcome.
    “Used to it we may be, for fine sunny days arerarer in Wales than here. But that means we appreciate the sunny days even more. I’m anxious to enjoy this one.”
    “Your horse seems anxious, too.”
    Blaidd ran his hand down Aderyn Du’s strong neck. “Aye, he is. He needs a good gallop to calm him.”
    She cocked her head and her smile altered to a rueful one. “If you’re riding with Laelia, that’s not likely.”
    “So I understand. I hope to have the chance