Page 26 of Knight School Chronicles Box Set

“ I t has come to my attention that you’ve met Lord Ashcroft’s daughter for the past week.”

When Sir Eamon had asked to speak to him after the training in arms, though Gareth could not guess what the instructor would say, it certainly was not this.

“My lord,” he began, each of his meetings with Evie running through his mind, “I mean no offense.” Except, that meeting an unmarried woman alone was an offense, and both men knew it. “How did you...” He thought back, certain he’d never been followed to the village.

“I am complicit in keeping an order of the best knights in England secret from the king. Surely knowing one of my charges is meeting a woman in secret is not a surprise?”

Gareth watched as the leaves’ shadows danced in the field behind his instructor. He’d learned so much already in the short time he’d been here, the thought of leaving . . . of never seeing Evie again...

“I will gather my belongings,” he said, knowing there was no hope for it. He’d broken one of the most sacred codes of chivalric conduct.

Evie. She would be as devastated as he. Yesterday, she’d leaned toward him, and he wanted to kiss her. Wanted to touch every single part of her, wanted to make her his. He’d held back, yet should not have. Now he would leave not knowing her touch.

“Why?” Sir Eamon seemed genuinely confused.

“Why?” he repeated, not understanding.

“Why are you gathering your belongings?”

The answer was obvious to him. “Because I’ve dishonored Lady Evelina, the school, you.” He could go on.

Sir Eamon laughed. “Has she met you willingly?”

“Of course.”

“Have you taken her virginity?”

His answer was automatic. “I have not.”

“Then you’ve dishonored no one, my boy.”

Though not true, he appreciated the sentiment. “You are a friend of her father’s.”

“I am an acquaintance of her father. Our cause depends on coin from him, and others like him. I care for Evie as if she were the daughter I never had, which is why we’re having this discussion. Why I, and no others, know of your meetings.”

If the grizzly sword master wanted to berate Gareth for his clandestine meetings with Evie, he was doing a poor job of it. In fact, it almost seemed as if he were doing just the opposite. Wisely, Gareth said nothing and allowed Sir Eamon to take the lead.

“Her father plans, when the war is won, to pledge her to Lady Maude’s son.”

Mirroring Sir Eamon’s neutrality, not giving anything of his thoughts away, he said, “I am aware.”

“So you are also aware, I am certain, he would not accept the third son of a deposed baron as a son-in-law?”

Gareth could not be more aware of the fact. “I am.”

“So what, then, are your intentions with Lady Evelina?”

It was the hardest edge the knight’s tone had taken since they began the conversation.

By now, however, having initially misinterpreted Sir Eamon’s intentions, he understood the purpose of this conversation.

As always, Gareth followed the advice his father had given him long ago.

In dealings with honest men, the only true response is an honest one.

“At first, I was unsure. Drawn to her from our first meeting, I simply wished to see her again. To know her. Now, however...”

He would admit to Sir Eamon what he’d not yet admitted to Evie even as, after four meetings, they’d grown closer and closer. “I would see my family’s honor restored when Lady Maude retakes the throne and then ask for Lady Evelina’s hand in marriage.”

“Even aware of her father’s intentions?”

His chin rose. “Aware those intentions are unlikely to come to pass. There will be much competition for the prince’s hand in marriage, if he is so named. There are earls who support the empress with daughters of marriageable age.”

He expected Sir Eamon to argue with him. “Agreed,” he said instead. “I do not think Lord Ashcroft’s hopes are realistic ones. But they stand, nonetheless. ’Tis possible you will secretly court his daughter only to lose her to Henry Fitzempress.”

“’Tis also possible,” he argued, “I will play an instrumental part in restoring Lady Maude to the throne. If my family is on the right side of the crown, our titles restored, I am not in want of coin to offer Lady Evelina a substantial dower.”

Sir Eamon smiled. “Tournaments have been good to you.”

“I have made it so.” It was not a boast but the truth. He’d worked hard to ensure it was so.

“I like you,” Sir Eamon said bluntly. “And because I like you, I will tell no one of your meetings. Nor will I ask you discontinue them. But I would request one thing of you, Sir Gareth, as your instructor. And, perhaps, as a friend.”

Sir Eamon, a friend? An interesting development . . .

“Anything,” he said sincerely.

“Do not dishonor her.”

“I’ve no intention of it.”

Sir Eamon’s jaw set. “Even if she wills it,” he added.

Gareth took a deep breath, imagining a scenario where they continued to meet, and Evie wanted more of him.

Of course he’d want to give it. Every time they were together, he wondered more often how Evie’s body would feel beneath his own.

He wanted her as badly as he wanted any woman, and yet, there was only one answer to give.

“I would not dishonor her,” he said. “For any reason.”

It seemed the words were enough for the sword master. He nodded, mumbled, “Very good,” and left Gareth staring at his back as he walked away.

Alden and Roland would have difficulty believing the conversation he’d just had, but he would relay it to them anyway. The three men had found themselves sharing more and more each day, and Gareth trusted them.

But first, he had a secret meeting to attend to and feared he was late. Evie would already be waiting for him.