Georgette Heyer by Simon the Coldheart Read Free Book Online

that that was so a while back when thou didst come to my rescue. For which I thank thee, brother.’ He held out his mailed hand, and Simon gripped it, flushing slightly. They rode slowly on, down the hill.
    ‘Thy name?’ Geoffrey asked presently.
    ‘Simon – of Beauvallet.’
    Geoffrey laughed.
    ‘Oh, well done, Simon! I would thou wert not with Montlice. My father would take thee to himself were I to ask it.’
    ‘Nay.’
    ‘There is hatred in thy heart for him? Desire for vengeance, maybe?’
    Simon turned his head.
    ‘Why should I hate him?’
    ‘Because of thy namelessness! Thy – thy mother?’
    ‘A name will I make for myself. My mother chose her own road, and if she was not happy at least I never heard of it. She is dead. All that is nothing.’
    ‘Thou art the strangest lad I ever saw!’ Malvallet exclaimed. ‘Art squire, then, to Montlice?’
    ‘Ay. One day I shall call no man save the King my master, but for the present I owe allegiance to Montlice. I wonder, is he here, or did he fall?’ He looked round keenly, but in the fading light could not see his lord, nor distinguish one man from Montlice.
    ‘If he is killed, what comes to thee?’ asked Malvallet. ‘Wilt join my train?’
    ‘Nay, I must lead our men back to Montlice. If Fulk is dead, then do I owe allegiance to Alan, his son. But I do not think he is dead.’
    A rider came up with them, sitting very upright in his saddle. From under the shade of his protecting helm Simon saw a pair of shrewd, youthful eyes shining above the bandage that crossed the young man’s face. Malvallet lifted his lance in salute, and the stripling reined in his horse to walk beside them.
    ‘Oh, bravely done, Malvallet, and you, sir! Bravely done indeed! I saw thee yonder, Geoffrey, when thou wert hard-pressed, and I saw thy companion go valiantly to aid thee. Is all well with thee?’
    ‘I took no hurt, Highness, thanks be to Simon of Beauvallet here. I grieve to see you wounded, sir.’
    ‘Why, it is naught!’ Henry said merrily. ‘They made a deal of pother over it, but it irks me not.’ He stretched his arms. ‘Ah, but this has been a glorious day!’
    ‘Why, so Simon thinks, Highness, and wishes we might enjoy yet another like it.’
    Henry bent forward to smile at Simon across Malvallet.
    ‘That’s the spirit I love,’ he said. ‘Whose man are you, Simon of Beauvallet?’
    ‘I serve Montlice, Highness,’ Simon answered.
    ‘Montlice? I saw him fall a while since. They bore him away, but I do not think he is dead.’
    ‘He would be hard to kill, sir,’ Simon said. ‘I must go seek him, with your permission.’
    Henry nodded pleasantly.
    ‘Ay, do not wait on my coming. I would speak with Geoffrey. But I shall not forget you or your valour this day.’
    Simon bowed.
    ‘Your Highness is very kind, sir.’
    Malvallet held out his hand yet again.
    ‘We shall meet again, Simon.’
    Simon gripped his outstretched hand.
    ‘As foes, Malvallet, once I am at Montlice again.’
    ‘Nay, nay,’ Geoffrey answered. ‘I shall see thee in Shrewsbury. Remember I am in thy debt!’
    Simon smiled, and released his hand.
    ‘As I will bear no man gratitude so let no man be grateful upon me, Malvallet. Mayhap we shall fight again one day, side by side. Who knows?’
    ‘Then it is farewell for the present, Simon?’
    ‘Ay, Geoffrey. But one day we shall meet again as equals.’
    ‘See thou forgettest me not!’ Malvallet called after him, and watched him ride away towards the rearguard where they were tending the wounded.
    ‘That is a passing strange man, Geoffrey,’ the young Prince remarked. ‘Who is he? He is very like thee, save that he is fair where thou art dark.’
    ‘He calls himself Beauvallet, sir, and is my half-brother. I met him for the first time on this campaign. He saved my life a while back, as your Highness saw.’
    Henry nodded.
    ‘Ay, ’twas bravely done. Shall I have my father knight him?’
    ‘Ah, if your Highness would!