Page 64 of Knight School Chronicles Box Set

A malia had sat with them the previous eve and this morn when he and the others broke their fast. Roland had not spoken with either Alden or Darien about his decision, but he wasn’t surprised that both men cornered him outside the stables.

“Something has changed,” Alden said, direct as ever.

Roland looked around the courtyard. “I will admit, I’ve not been here before so ’tis difficult for me to determine, but all appears as it did when we arrived.”

“Roland,” Alden warned.

He ignored the warning.

“Though it was dark last eve. As I consider it now?—”

“With Amalia,” Darien cut in.

“Ahhh,” Roland said. “You did not specify that.”

Darien crossed his arms, looking at Roland.

“You are maddening.” Alden adjusted the sword at his side. The weapon was as fine as any Roland had ever seen, the man having forged it himself.

Knowing they would not be put off, he shared some of his conversation with Amalia. “I asked if she would allow me to court her,” he said.

Darien laughed. Roland scowled.

“You do not appear pleased with me.”

“Because,” Darien said, “Amalia is a fine woman, not deserving of your ‘courting.’” He said the word as if it were a slur.

“You misunderstand, friend. Court her for marriage.”

Darien’s smile fled. “Marriage? You cannot...” He stopped talking. Tried again. “You can, and will?”

“Aye,” Roland said. “If Gareth and Evelina can risk all, why should I do any less?”

“Do you love her?” Alden asked.

“Love? I know nothing of it. I desire her. Wish to be with her. Get to know her. And I admire Amalia, unlike any woman I’ve admired before. She is wise, and willful in a most delightful way.”

“He loves her,” Darien said.

Alden didn’t disagree.

Did Roland love her? How would he know, as he’d never considered the emotion before?

Love was not necessary to be with a woman.

It was not necessary to marry a woman. His father and mother loved each other because they were forced to, but it was not that kind of love.

It was a mutual respect, an endearment. Theirs was an arranged marriage, as Roland’s was supposed to have been. But love?

“You are determined not to be the next earl of de Vere.” Darien shook his head. “The betrothal. Fighting with us. And this?”

“Betrothal? What betrothal?” Alden asked.

“Good morn, Mistress Amalia,” Darien said, lifting his hand.

Both Roland and Alden turned to see the lady in question walking toward them.

“Good morn,” she replied.

“I took the liberty of having your mount fetched,” Roland said. “Will you ride with me today?”

Amalia smiled. “I will.”

“How is our knight?” Darien asked of the man who had taken ill when they arrived.

“I’ve just left him.” Amalia took the reins of her horse and thanked the stable boy. “His coloring has improved.”

“Do you know what caused his illness?” Roland asked.

“Perhaps the food he eats. It seems he has an aversion to meat, and fish too. I advised him to at least consume more beans and lentils. Nuts and seeds too. I am just glad we were able to find an ample supply of nettle and dandelions.”

As the others began to mount, Roland aided Amalia and rode beside her.

“You say you are not a healer, but I would disagree heartily, Amalia.”

“My services were not needed at Ashford Manor, so it has been some years that I’ve done much more than observe Rowena.”

“Not needed? Or not utilized?” Her expression was his answer. “Ashford is a bastard. I am glad he is not Evelina’s true father.”

“As am I,” Amalia agreed.

As they rode toward Lincoln Castle, Roland and Amalia spoke of her training and love of herbs.

She explained the differences between each one, those she used most often and ones that were difficult to procure but could be useful.

He asked what she envisioned for an herb shop and Amalia admitted she had given it some thought, that if she had the coin, she would both sell herbs and advice on how to use them.

Though she was practicing as a healer on this journey, Amalia admitted it was not a dream of hers.

“Of course, I would very much miss serving my lady. Evelina has given so much to me.”

It wasn’t until days later—after they had spent much time discussing Amalia’s dreams, and Roland’s too after he admitted, though it seemed he pushed away his inheritance, that he would wish to be the next earl of de Vere—that Roland returned to the subject of Lady Evelina.

“You mentioned serving your lady,” he said, helping Amalia dismount in the courtyard of Lincoln Castle. “The day we left Ashbourne.”

By now, Darien and Alden were accustomed to Roland spending every moment he was able by Amalia’s side. The pair strode ahead as the impressive sight of a full contingency of Guardians prepared to meet the “Sacred Oak” who they’d been training to fight for these past months.

“I remember,” she said. “We spoke of the shop that day.”

“Aye.” Roland stopped, Amalia with him. “If we marry,” he said, more earnest about the possibility than the day he’d asked Amalia to allow him to court her, “you will be a lady in your own right and cannot serve Evelina.”

Amalia sighed, her shoulders lifting and sinking, the heaviness of their topic of discussion evident. “Then I will be glad to call Evelina a friend instead.”

“Until this is all over, I know not what our future might entail. If I will inherit the earldom or not. There are more uncertainties than certainties.”

“Roland?”

He wanted to pull her toward him. Roland had not touched her since this journey began, save aiding her in mounting and dismounting. The effort weighed on him—the desire to hold her, kiss her, to make Amalia his, grew stronger and stronger each day.

Resisting the urge to reach out to her, he said simply, “Aye?”

“Your courtship is sincere.”

“You did not think it was the day I asked?”

“I was uncertain.”

“And now?”

“And now . . . ” She wished to say something, but remained silent.

“Amalia, you can say, or ask, anything of me. You know as much, I hope?”

“I want you to come to me,” she blurted.

His eyes widened. “You mean . . . ?”

“I heard some of the men talking. They believe there is a real possibility of an attack on the way to London.”

“You will not be harmed,” he said, meaning every word. “You will ride with the empress herself, and I will protect you both.”

“Nay, it is not that. I know you will protect me. But...” She swallowed. “I’d not ride into danger without knowing your kiss once more.”

The surge of joy, of desire, at her words told Roland all he needed to know about the decision he’d made to court Amalia Sinclair. The somewhat reckless decision that he would not question. His father had taught Roland many things, and one of those was to never question himself.

“Amalia,” he said, smiling. “Nothing would give me greater pleasure.”