Page 27 of One Knight
The royal spread in front of her more than made up for the long days of travel.
Henry returned to her side and took his seat. She glanced at him, holding back her questions.
“All is well, my lady. The king’s entourage will accompany us back to the manor and will make a comfortable place for Lady Hilda to travel with us as well.”
Elisande sucked in a quick breath. “Truly?”
“Yes, my lady. The king now understands your devotion to your niece.”
“He is not what they said at all, is he?”
“He can be many things, my lady. Never underestimate what the king is capable of. But in His Majesty’s case, women and children receive excellent care.”
“He has my gratitude.”
“And you will have an opportunity to express it. He will stay with us for a few days to survey the area and decide what he wants done with the lands neighboring Rosewyn.”
“Baron Goddard’s lands? Alger’s father.”
“Is that who he is? The son of a baron?”
“The youngest son, my lord.”
Henry smiled at her. “I must say, this new title sounds best upon your lips, my lady. I much prefer it to hearing his name.”
“My lord,” Elisande said again, dipping her gaze, “any jealousy would be misplaced. While he might have had designs regarding me, I never shared his inclination or feelings beyond friendship, as you have already surmised.” She lifted her gaze to her husband’s.
An expression that seemed like satisfaction settled over his countenance. “That is good, my lady. Because you are out of his reach forever. Even if something were to happen to me, you would be under King William’s protection.”
“Please don’t talk about that.”
“You don’t want to be a widow?”
“I just became a wife. I would like to try that for a while, my lord.”
His blue eyes lit with his smile. “Indeed, you shall. As I said before, I am rather difficult to kill.”
“Please stay that way, my lord.”
“As you wish, my lady.”
“You’re leaving with them?”
Alger’s whisper came from beside Elisande’s horse, and she glanced down to find him cloaked in the early morningdarkness. She looked around for Henry, knowing he would not be pleased.
“Of course. You must go back to the priory. Stay there until it’s safe.”
“You still care about my safety, my lady?”
“I care about everyone’s safety. Now go, before someone sees you.”
“I only wish that you could be mine, Eli.”
“Go!”
Henry rode toward her. “Did you say something?”
“I’m ready,” she said.
