Read Online The Fallen One by Kathryn Le Veque - Free Book Online

not fair you know my
age and I do not know yours.”
    He cast her a sidelong glance. “I am much
older than you.”
    “How much older?”
    “Thirteen years.” When she began to count
her fingers, slowly, he laughed. “I have seen thirty-three years.”
    “God’s Bones,” she said, shaking her head.
“Are you truly so old? Why have you not married before now, Mathias?”
    “Who says that I have not?”
    “Have you?”
    He snorted. “Nay,” he said. “I was
betrothed once but she found a better prospect.”
    The truth was that he had been betrothed to
the Lady Lucy de Geneville, a niece of the Lady Joan, Roger Mortimer’s wife.
But that betrothal had been quickly dissolved when Roger had been captured and
anyone associated with him dishonored.   He didn’t particularly care about it, although Lucy had been devastated.
For some reason, she had fallen in love with him.   He still remembered her tears when everything
fell apart.   Looking at Cathlina, for the
first time in his life he was coming to understand, however small, the
disappointment Lucy must have felt.   To
be separated from the person you so desperately want….
    “Impossible,” Cathlina cut into his
thoughts. “There is no better prospect than you. Why, you are a successful
craftsman with a thriving business. I would think any young lady would be
honored to be your betrothed.”
    He gave her a half-smile, humble, but his
eyes were on the knights that had now drawn much closer.   In fact, they began to race towards them down
the road, kicking up rocks and dirt, and the line of eight or ten men at arms
behind them were also beginning to gallop.   Mathias went on his guard.
    “My lady,” he said, holding a hand out to
her and trying to remain calm. “Come to me. I would have you get on my horse
and ride with me.”
    By this time, Cathlina saw the horses
racing towards them and she was frightened.   Dutifully, she directed her palfrey over to him and he took the reins to
hold the horse steady.
    “Those men?” she said, reaching over to
pull herself onto his horse. “Who are they?”
    He let go of her horse long enough to pull
her up in front of him.   She was warm and
soft and smelled of lavender, but he ignored the very sweet sensations as he
settled her on his lap. As the thunder rolled and the wind whipped her hair
into his face, he let go of her palfrey so he could have full control of his
steed.   The old horse had a lot of
strength but not a lot of speed, and he was without a weapon.   He was mentally calculating the odds and
several potential escape plans when Cathlina suddenly let out a hiss.
    “It is Beauson,” she said.   Then, she started waiving frantically.
“Beauson!”
    Mathias had no idea what she was doing, or
who she was speaking of, but he quickly realized she knew the incoming knights.    He held his charger steady as the party
closed in on them.
    It was a well-armed group. The de Lara
knights were dressed for battle, including massive broadswords and a variety of
smaller weapons.   The men at arms were
also well equipped.   Both knights threw
up their visors, angry and accusing eyes moving between Cathlina and
Mathias.   In fact, the knight in the lead
unsheathed his broadsword and pointed it dangerously at Mathias.
    “If you value your life, you will let her
go,” he snarled. “Release her!”
    “Wait!” Cathlina cried, throwing out her hands.
“Put down your weapons, both of you! He has done nothing wrong!”
    The knight retracted his sword somewhat but
not all of the way; he was eyeing Mathias critically.   The lady didn’t seem harassed or injured, but
the man sitting behind her was very big and very menacing looking.   The sword was remained at the ready.
    “What do you mean?” he demanded. “Your
father is frantic, Lady Cathlina. What goes on here?”
    “Beauson de Velt, put your sword away,”
Cathlina commanded. “I rode into town on an errand and this man politely
offered to escort me