Knight Triumphant by Heather Graham Read Free Book Online Page A

here, fight her people, demand the castle, and mourn his child while demanding that she keep his wife alive. Force and power, even brute cruelty might be expected in war, and these were violent and dangerous times.
    But that he should know her life, and mock her love for so fine a man, seemed an invasion that went beyond the power of a victor. She locked her jaw tightly, fighting tears before she replied. Then her anger infused her words with strength. “How dare you? How dare you suggest that . . . You did not know Afton. You could never know a man like Afton, never understand a man like Afton. The world to you is take and seize with your sword, with your violence. Fight with such fury that you will always win. There are those alive who can see the plight of others, men with minds as well as brawn, who will not practice cruelty because cruelty has been practiced against them. My husband was such a man, with both strength and gentleness, and had I been his wife but one day, sir, I would have loved him with a deeper passion, admiration, and respect than you could ever begin to understand.”
    His gaze remained on her and she waited for—expected—mocking words in return. But after a moment he turned to his wife. “Then I am sorry for your loss. But still, this is—was—your husband’s holding. And it was he, surely, who ordered that prisoners, dying and in pain, be kept in the dank bowels of a castle, there the quicker to die.”
    â€œIt was not Afton! The king’s men came—”
    â€œA lord need not bend a knee so low, even to a king.”
    â€œYou fight and bow to yours.”
    â€œI choose to stand behind mine. He does not cross the lines of right and wrong—those lines drawn by your God, my lady.”
    â€œHow wondrous—when it is said that he did away with the last man to compete with him for the throne by doing a murder.”
    He twisted where he sat, staring at her coldly, but not denying the charge. “Many men have betrayed one another in this struggle. But the die is cast now, and Bruce is king. King of Scotland. None of this is important now. My wife is.”
    She walked to the bed, standing at his side, trying very hard not to tremble. “I have done what was in my power for your lady, for your people. I will fight to save her life. Not because you will kill me—or even others—if I don’t. But because your are mistaken when you think that my lord husband did not know compassion, and what was right, and wrong, in the eyes of God. And humanity.”
    â€œPerhaps you should give your speech about humanity to Edward of England.”
    â€œAs you have said, kings are not important here, this lady is. Speak no more about my husband, if you would have me tend your wife—with you in the room.”
    He stood, coming to his full height and size, which sent her back a step.
    His fingers bit into her shoulder, but stopped short of inflicting real pain.
    â€œShe must live!” he said, and in his words she at last sensed his desperation, and the weakness within the man.
    â€œI swear to you that I will try.”
    He released her, and took his chair again, and in a few minutes’ time, she had him hold his wife so that she could do her best to get some of the healing brew of wine and herbs between the lips of his beloved Margot.
    Again, then, she began the bathing with cold cloths.
    An hour later, it seemed that Margot’s fever had cooled somewhat. Father MacKinley came to the room and told Igrainia that she must rest. She shook her head firmly before the Scotsman could reply to him. “I am fine for now, Father.”
    â€œSir, I would speak with you for a moment, if you would allow me,” Father MacKinley said to Eric.
    The Scotsman rose and went to the door with the priest. Igrainia kept vigil at the woman’s side, praying.
    She was startled when Eric called her sharply. “Madam, the priest has need of you