Read Online Word of Honor (Knights of Valor Book 1) by Lauren Linwood - Free Book Online

wife.”
    Geoffrey’s
fists tightened. Thoughts of Merryn flooded through him.
    His captor
frowned, as if concerned. “She didn’t look well. She was quite pale, in fact.
She looked as if she hasn’t slept in—”
    “Enough!
You aren’t to speak of her. Ever.”
    The
nobleman took his outburst in stride. “I sympathized with them, of course. Kept
my expression grave. My tone hushed and respectful.” He smiled. “And all the
while I wanted to shout to the heavens that you resided below in my dungeons. That you’d survived the crossbow attack. And would never see daylight
again.”
    Berold
stepped away. “Till tomorrow.”
    Geoffrey
waited till the retreating steps ended, leaving him once again in darkness.
    For the
first time, he wept.
    ***
    “My lord?”
    Geoffrey
stirred from sleep. He sat up and saw a figure standing at the bars.
    Hardwin.
    Hope
stirred within him. Mayhap the boy’s guilt would spur him to act responsibly
and set him free.
    “I brought
you something.” He tossed a leg of meat through the bars. It hit the floor.
    That didn’t
matter. Geoffrey pounced on it, eager for the taste of meat after being
deprived of it for God only knew how many days or weeks. He had no way to count
time.
    “My name is
Hardwin. My friends . . . call me Hardi.”
    He chewed a
moment. He needed to gain this boy’s trust.
    “’Tis good
to know your name, Hardi. I am Geoffrey.”
    “I know,”
the boy said sullenly. He looked around. “I’m not supposed to be here,” he
muttered.
    “But you
are.” Geoffrey held up the leg. “I thank you for the meat. I don’t know if I’ve
tasted anything better. I appreciate this small kindness on your part.”
    “Did you
really kill my brother?”
    How should
he answer that? He couldn’t alienate this boy, but he also could not hide the
truth.
    “I had a
part in his death.” He paused. “What has your father told you?”
    Hardi
snorted. “He tells everyone that Barrett died a hero on the battlefield. That
France only capitulated because of brave men such as his courageous son.” He
looked searchingly at Geoffrey. “But I have heard the whispers amongst the
servants. And when I questioned Father in private, he told me you were
responsible for Barrett’s death.”
    “Nay, I’m
not.”
    “I know who
you are. You are our neighbor. From Kinwick Castle. You fostered with Sir
Lovel.”
    “You are
correct. Have you fostered in another household? Been a page? Or surely by now
you’d be a squire?”
    The boy’s
bottom lip stuck out. “I was attached to Lord Herry’s household, but Father
decided I would be better served if I were under his tutelage. I returned home
when he came back from France.”
    “I see.”
Geoffrey wondered why the earl brought the boy home. He guessed the only reason
would be in case Berold died so that Hardi could continue with this ghastly
blood feud in case of his death. From the look on the boy’s face, Hardi had
come to the same conclusion.
    “I liked
Lord Herry. I didn’t want to leave his service.”
    Geoffrey
wanted to encourage his defiance of his father. His freedom might be won
through this child, but ‘twould be baby steps to take in order to accomplish
the deed.
    “I’m sorry
that your father chose to remove you from one as important as Lord Herry.”
    “You know
him?” Hardi’s eyes lit up.
    “Aye,
indeed. He’s a great warrior. You could have learned much under him.”
    The boy
became sulky again. “He would kill me if he knew I were here.”
    “Nay. You
are his heir. Blood of his blood. You will have the title and Winterbourne one
day.”
    “Well, he
would certainly punish me.”
    Geoffrey
offered a small smile. “Then I suppose you’ll have to be careful whenever you
come to visit me.”
    Hardi
sneered. “Why should I visit you? You killed my brother.” He kicked his boot
aimlessly, staring down at the ground.
    “Look at
me, Hardi.” His firm tone was one he’d used to command others.
    Slowly, the
boy’s