Page 49 of King’s Knight

Adèle’s gaze followed his to where the other two were now playing a second game, Merewyn having won the first. Alex chuckled to hear Rory sighing deeply.

Alex’s game with Adèle continued. Mercifully, he finished it, uttering the word “Checkmate.” The comte’s daughter did not seem at all disappointed. “Come,” he said offering his hand, “I will introduce you to my friends.”

They moved down the table and joined Rory and Merewyn. Guy, sitting nearby, expressed his desire to play against Merewyn since her game with Rory was just ending.

“See if you can do better,” Rory said to Guy. “She has twice checked my king. ’Tis enough victory for her at my expense.”

Merewyn smiled encouragingly. “You put up a valiant fight, Sir Rory.”

“Valiance alone is not enough to win a fight against an opponent with foresight and strategy,” he answered.

“I thank you for the compliment,” said Merewyn, winking at the redhead. “You lose with good grace.”

A servant refilled their goblets as Guy set up the board for his game with Merewyn.

“Want to play, Alex?” asked Rory.

“Do you mind?” Alex asked Adèle.

“Non. I will watch.”

Alex took a seat next to Guy across the table from Rory. Lady Adèle sat next to Merewyn, which seemed odd to Alex. What was the young Norman woman thinking? Did she sense the admiration in his voice when he spoke of Merewyn hunting with the men?

While Rory contemplated his next move, Alex’s gaze drifted to the game next to him. Intent upon the board before her, Merewyn reached for her goblet.

Maugris, who was just passing the table, leaned in to speak to her, accidentally knocking the wine from her hand. The liquid splashed onto the board. Merewyn brushed the few drops from her gown that had reached that far. Guy dabbed the wine from the board.

“Please forgive me,” said the seer, lifting the goblet, now empty.

“No matter,” said Merewyn. “There is more wine and you did no harm.”

“Allow me to pour you another,” offered Maugris. He lifted the nearby pitcher and filled Merewyn’s goblet.

“ ’Tis kind of you, Maugris, but I think I have had enough for tonight.”

The speaking glance the wise one gave Alex suggested his knocking the goblet from Merewyn’s hand had been no accident. Why would he intentionally spill the wine and want Alex to know he had done so?

He would not… unless the wine was… poisoned.

With Alex’s mind on Maugris’ “accident”, he managed to lose his game to Rory.

“Finally, I have defeated you, Alex!” Rory beamed from across the table.

“Aye, you have, and well played. My congratulations.”

Merewyn fingered the stem of her goblet, looked up and smiled at Alex, then bent her head to the game before her. Guy was playing well tonight.

When Maugris left the hall, Alex made his excuses to Adèle and followed after the seer.

There was no one in the bailey and the guards at the gate were far enough away they could not hear them. “You did that a purpose,” he said to the old man.

“I did,” Maugris confessed, a gleam in his eyes reflecting the light spilling from the hall windows. “The young woman from Vermandois placed something into Merewyn’s goblet. Even now, I cannot be certain she would not do it again. She was quick. Best to watch her closely. She is aware your eyes are often on the fair archer.”

Alex let out a long breath. “You have my thanks, Maugris.”

“Go now,” the wise one urged. “Before the night is done, warn Merewyn not to take food or drink from Lady Adèle.”

* * *