Page 29 of Rogue Knight
She turned her beautiful eyes on him. “I did not want to go, knowing it would soon be dark, but I could not leave him alone thinking he might be hurt.”
“Does he often hunt in the forest?” he asked.
“Yea, more so now that food is needed. He brings home hares nearly every day, proudly dropping them at the door.”
“I will gladly supply you with meat, Emma,” Geoff said. He would supply her with more, were she to ask. But for now, at least he could see that she and her household were well fed.
The servant, Sigga, refilled their goblets.
Mathieu took a drink as Geoff said to him, “Before we leave, take the deer from your horse and give it to the lady’s manservant.”
“Aye, sir, I will.”
After all, Geoff mused, he and his men were doing the hunting for the king. It would not be difficult to see this family had sufficient meat to sustain them. And it would give him an excuse to see her again.
“We are grateful for the deer,” said Emma, “but will your king allow you to feed a York family?”
“My knights and I hunt each day,” he told her. “You can have the deer. We took others my men carried back to the castle. ’Tis not like we are feeding rebels.” Something flickered in her eyes just then, causing him to wonder. Could the man she harbored be a rebel? Could she be one herself? He remembered the knife she would have wielded against Eude. But from what he had seen, there had been no women among the rebels. “The king would not object to my providing meat for women and children as long as I continue to feed his army.”
“Will you and your men stay for the evening meal?” she asked. Then with an amused smile, “We’ve plenty of hares for stew.”
He shot an inquiring glance at Alain and Mathieu. They had expected to eat venison, but the deer they would give Emma would take too long to prepare. He was hungry, as always, and happy to see Alain and Mathieu nodding.
Geoff turned his attention back to Emma. “Aye, and thank you.”
She rose, crossing before him, her enticing curves drawing his attention. A woman of her character and beauty was rare. London had its beautiful women and he had not been unmindful of their charms directed at him. There were available women at Talisand, too, but none were like Emma of York.
“Feigr is still abed with his injuries,” she informed him. “’Tis best he not know I entertain Normans. I will ask his daughter, Inga, to join us, but I must first tell her you and your men were the ones who rescued her father, else the sight of a French knight will make her fearful, as you can imagine.”
“Yea, I can. Are you certain we should stay?” He had no wish to upset the young woman.
“It may not be easy for her, but ’twould be best if she meets you. I have already told her not all Normans are like the one who attacked her.”
“I am glad to hear you say that, my lady.” He remembered their first meeting in the clearing when she had been angry and spiteful. “It gives me encouragement.”
She did not see the smile that came to his lips. Instead, she turned and, without a word, went up the stairs, leaving him to wonder if the missing man whose large shoes he’d seen would also be joining them for the evening meal.
***
Emma returned to the hearth room with Inga. Sir Geoffroi knelt beside Magnus with the twins on either side of him. The children listened attentively as he explained where he had found the hound and how he had freed Magnus from the snare. Her heart warmed.Such an unusual knight.
She introduced Inga, who was shy around the men, but walked with Emma to the table. In one corner of the room was a bowl of water set on a small table. Next to it was a clean linen cloth.
“Wash up, children,” said Emma.
Finna obediently stepped to the bowl and washed, then dried her small hands.
Ottar followed. Shooting a glance at Sir Geoffroi who had come to the table, he said, “She makes us take a bath every Saturday, too.”
“Everyonetakes a bath on Saturday,” Finna reminded her brother.
When Emma and Inga washed their hands, Sir Geoffroi announced, “We will wash our hands as well, Ottar. ’Tis needed.” He winked at Finna.
“Here,” said Sigga, bringing another bowl from the kitchen, “clean water for you and your men.”
Once the hand washing was complete, they took their seats on the benches that were on either side of the table, the knights and the squire on one side and Emma, Inga and the twins on the other. Candles flickered in the center of the table as Sigga dished out the steaming stew into bowls. Artur poured more mead and brought fresh baked bread and butter, making Emma’s stomach rumble. She watched covertly as everyone in the room crossed themselves to acknowledge their gratitude before the meal, including the Norman knights. Her heart warmed to see their rough manly courtesy.
“I will be glad when I can once again buy food from the market,” remarked Sigga.
