She Owns the Knight by Diane Darcy Read Free Book Online

amazing.”
    “Aye.”
    “The artist would not have come cheap. Why have the likeness set on paper in such a way? Why not embed it within gold?”
    Kellen could not fathom it.
    Owen, finally curious, moved stiffly forward.
    Kellen gave the book to Tristan and reached into the bag again, this time pulling out a smaller bag made of paper so fine he could see through it as if it were not even there. It was filled with colorful objects. He pulled one small piece out and studied it. He lifted it to his nose, widened his eyes and held the object out to his friends. “Smell!”
    Tristan took the piece, sniffed once, let out a breath and smelled again. “Amazing! A spice?”
    Kellen shrugged.
    Owen snared it, sniffed once, grunted and placed the object on the table.
    Next Kellen lifted out a small metal rectangle, so bright a pink as to confound the eye. He had never before seen the color. The object had a white cord even longer and finer than the one that closed the pack, but made of a stiffer material. A finely wrought belt perhaps? The pink box would make a pretty accessory against a gown. He’d never seen the like. He needed to travel to London more often.
    Next he dug out a small packet with what looked to be clear gauzy material inside, then a tube of stiffer material with a tie around it came next. Kellen plucked at the tie and the material gaped open, and when Kellen gave the object a shake, the thing shot longer and blew itself wide, as would a bullfrog’s throat.
    Startled, Kellen dropped it and it rolled off the table and onto the floor.
    “What is it?” Tristan asked.
    Kellen shook his head, leaned forward and plucked the thing off the ground by the stick protruding from its top and lifted it high. “A hat?”
    All three men shook their heads in mute horror as Kellen set the thing on the table and they all watched it rock and finally settle.
    Tristan let out a long whistle. “Let us hope it does not become the fashion, else there will be no room to sit next to the ladies at supper.”
    “Aye.” Kellen nodded his agreement, and reached into the pack and removed a long tube of blue metal that mushroomed at the top. A man could easily grip it in his hand but what of its use? As a bludgeon it was shorter and much inferior to the one he already possessed.
    Setting it aside, he reached into the pack once more. Finally, something he recognized. Paper. But the paper was unbelievably fine.
    Tristan looked over his shoulder. “Corbett must travel often to find such treasures. And to send them with the girl, as part of her dowry, must be a message of the esteem in which he holds you.”
    Kellen nodded. He couldn’t help but agree and regardless of the unexplained way of his bride’s arrival, couldn’t help but feel relieved.
    He opened the binding of paper, and found a sketch. It was his castle, but it looked to be a ruin, hundreds of years old.
    Owen sucked in a breath. “An insult? A threat?”
    Kellen could not imagine what purpose there could be in drawing his castle old and decrepit. A shiver raced down his spine and he threw the papers down to the table, stood, and started to pace again. He did not understand any of this. Did Lord Corbett want to incur his favor or his wrath?
    “My lord.” Sir Owen followed close behind. “If it is an insult, we should go to war to defend your honor.”
    Frustrated, Kellen shook his head. “I will get answers from the girl before making any decisions.”
    “But, my lord—”
    Kellen sliced a hand through the air. “We will wait and see.”
    Kellen had plans. Big plans. And war would interfere with them all. He needed an heir, an alliance, and prosperity for his land and people. Honor and building his family name were all important. He could overlook a slight or two in favor of his goals. Mayhap it was simply a joke in poor taste?
    Kellen glanced up the stairs again, the unanswered questions giving him a headache. Did they think to send her unchaperoned so she would be