My Valiant Knight by Hannah Howell Read Free Book Online

herself in Gabel’s arms had been quite a shock. Even more so when she had recognized how much his touch and deep soothing voice had contributed to the easing of her fears. That was not something she wished him to discover.
    Especially not now when he kens most everything else about you, she thought with a strong hint of self-disgust. Her decision not to control her words suddenly felt like a grave error, and not only because of all Gabel had learned about her. His responses had revealed a few things about him, that he could be a gentle man for one thing. Ainslee did not want to know about the man’s good qualities. She was going to have enough difficulty controlling her attraction to the man. She sighed and yet again prayed that her father did not prove obstinate about ransoming her.

Four
    “Twill be a fine, sun-kissed day,” said Gabel, gazing up at the sky.
    Ainslee glared at his broad back and heartily wished that there was some way to ride behind him safely without having to wrap her arms about his waist. That brought her very close to his strong body, and the warmth such nearness engendered within her irritated her. The fact that he had taken possession of the reins of her horse irritated her as well. Even the beautiful weather annoyed her. She was being taken away for ransom. The storm of last night should still be raging in heavenly protest. That her horse had so amiably accepted a new rider’s commands seemed to her to be a particularly cruel blow. She glanced down at Ugly, who trotted along beside them, and wondered when he, too, would desert her.
    “You do not find the sun’s warmth pleasing?” Gabel asked, glancing briefly over his shoulder at her.
    “Can ye not tell that from my smile?” she snapped.
    “From that grimace of clenched teeth? Nay. Your restlessness in the night has left you in a foul temper.”
    “ ’Tisna my restlessness which causes my ill humor.”
    “And will m’Iady grace me with the knowledge of what does cause her to be such poor company?”
    Certain she could hear a tremor of laughter in his voice, Ainslee fought the urge to punch him squarely between his broad shoulders. “Mayhaps I find it annoying to have Normans creeping about my lands taking whatever they covet—lands, keeps, honors, women, and horses.” She cursed under her breath, sure that she could see his shoulders shake with amusement.
    Gabel stroked the neck of her horse. “A fine, strong steed. Mayhaps too strong for a woman.”
    “Did ye see me have any difficulty with him?”
    “Nay. You ride with great skill.”
    His flattery only soothed her bad temper a little. “I suggest ye dinna get too comfortable on his back. My father will soon ransom me, and I shall take my horse with me when I leave.”
    “There are many men who would consider such a fine animal as the spoils of victory.”
    “Ah, but ’tis ofttimes said that Sir Gabel de Amalville is not like other men.”
    She was a little surprised when Gabel laughed aloud, a hearty, open laugh. A quick look at the men riding with them revealed several openly amazed expressions, as well as some looks of intense curiosity directed her way. Her tone of voice had been so sweetly flattering she had expected some amusement from Gabel, but not so much. What troubled her was how that deep, pleasant laugh caused a tingling warmth to curl around her insides. This further indication of her total lack of control over her own errant feelings heightened her sour mood, pushing aside the brief flash of good feeling inspired by his laughter.
    “Did you think that sudden piece of honey-sweet cajolery would alter my decision about anything?” he asked, grinning at her over his shoulder.
    For what felt like an embarrassingly long time, Ainslee was unable to speak. The playful smile that lightened his dark face seemed to push all the air from her lungs and shape it into a hard knot in her throat. As she struggled to clear away that obstruction, she prayed she did not look