Once a Knight by Christina Dodd Read Free Book Online Page A

words penetrated. “Ivo and…your men-at-arms?”
    â€œThe very same.” With the deliberation that markedall her movements, she disappeared again, then returned leading a palfrey. In a tone of censure, she asked, “Who else would guard me? You failed to arrive at dawn.”
    â€œI failed to arrive at dawn,” he repeated calmly. Too calmly, if she had but known.
    â€œWhen I give an order, I expect to have it obeyed. If you are going to be my man, David of Radcliffe, you must do as I say.”
    He removed his gloves and urged Louis toward her at a walk. “So you left the Crowing Cock Inn to teach me a lesson?”
    She hesitated, then inclined her head. “You might say I am not unhappy to have accomplished that, too.”
    He tried to contain himself. He really did. But this…this woman had made him feel guilty. For nothing! She’d never been in danger. She’d been in command at all times, and he’d been charging around like a half-wit. “ Me , a lesson? And if I were a thief and a murderer, my lady, who do you think would have learned that lesson?” She tried to speak, but he leaned far out of the saddle and caught her under the chin. Lifting her face, he glared down at her. “I just proved that a seasoned knight is more than a match for your puny bodyguards, and there are knights who prowl the roads. They would have taken your goods, killed your men, raped your body, and strung your intestines across a tree.” He let her go and shoved his hand back into his glove in one savage motion.
    She touched her chin where the marks of his fingers showed on her fair skin. “I see.”
    â€œThose men would make your fear of abduction by a suitor look tame. Next time you hire a mercenary, wait for him.”
    â€œAye, of course.”
    â€œWhat would it have hurt you to wait? Or to send one of your servants for me?”
    â€œIt seems my judgment was at fault.” She mounted her palfrey, urged it toward him, and stopped at his side. Looking right into his eyes with her cool gray eyes, she said, “Forgive me, David of Radcliffe.”
    As she moved toward the light of the road, he stared after her. She’d taken his rebuke so well! She’d weighed his complaint, analyzed his logic, and without making excuses, agreed that she’d acted foolishly. Then, just like that, she’d apologized, sincerely and pleasantly. He pursed his lips in a silent whistle. No wonder she hadn’t wed again. Every man in England must tremble when confronted with her sensible attitude, for she made it very difficult for a man to feel superior.
    â€œIvo,” she called. “Gunnewate! Pick yourselves up off the ground and let’s move along. If we’re to make George’s Cross in only four days, we’ll have to use every moment of sunlight.”
    David rode out of the woods to see Ivo trying to hoist the armor-clad Gunnewate onto his feet. He guided Louis around the two men. The steel clanked, out-of-tune notes against the harmony of the forest.
    â€œHurry!” Alisoun clapped her hands lightly, her leather riding gloves muffling the sound. “The carts have gone ahead and as Sir David aptly demonstrated, we’re vulnerable to attack.”
    Smiling, David lingered behind and told them, “Aye, you’d best hurry, my good fellows. The way you’re lolling around here, you’d think a knight’s armor weighs eight stone.” Setting Louis in motion, he called back, “It can’t weigh more than five.”
    He chortled at the cursing he heard, then galloped ahead. Alisoun had reached the creeping carts and now moved along beside them, seeking the open road wherethe dust would not bother her. Following her, David spoke to her drivers as he passed them. The surly peasants stared as if they’d never heard a nobleman who could converse in their vulgar English language. He spoke again, wanting them to answer,