Free Darkest Knight by Cynthia Luhrs Page A

forgive you for letting me think you dead these past ten years.”
    Heaven help her. He was just as charming as John, if not more so. Though there was something to be said for a man who took his responsibilities seriously. Not that she was falling for John; it was just an observation. His brother looked like what her favorite Regency romance novels would call a rake.
    “I’m Anna. Anna Waters.”
    “Robert Thornton, at your service, lady.”
    “I can tell you are brothers.”
    “Yes. I am the more handsome one, wouldn’t you agree?”
    “Whatever.” She laughed at the fake hurt look on Robert’s face. John took another swipe at his brother. Then his face turned serious.
    “I am sorry, Rob. I wanted to keep all of you safe.”
    “We will have time to talk later, brother. I am famished.”
    “There likely isn’t enough for your enormous appetite.”  
    “Dolt.”
    “Whoreson.” John waved a hand around the hall. “As you can see, there’s a great deal of work to be done.”
    “’Tis fortunate I am here. Your lady and I would starve otherwise.” Robert winked at her and she grinned. He was trouble. “I have brought provisions.”
    Like a magician conjuring a rabbit out of a hat, Anna watched as people streamed through the doors.
    “I have brought servants and food. And furniture.” Robert looked at his brother as if waiting for him to notice something.
    Anna saw the moment it hit John. “My furnishings.”
    “I cleared out Blackmoor after…” He tucked a lock of hair behind his ear. “I’m sorry I didn’t keep the place up.”
    John clapped his brother on the back. “Nay, Robert. I am grateful for all you have done. You should not have brought all this. I will not be here long enough. The king’s men will come. They will take me back to the tower. And then where will everyone go?”
    “You worry overmuch,” Robert said softly to his brother.
    Anna wanted to leave the hall, leaving them to have a private conversation. She started to inch away but John turned that all-seeing gaze upon her.
    “Anna, stay with us.”
    Robert placed a hand on his brother’s shoulder. “It will not come to that, John. But if it should, everyone will come back with me. We have all taken your people. They will be safe. What is family if not to help when there is need?”
    “You were so young when our family lost everything. I will not have such a thing on my conscience again.”
    “’Tis no longer your choice. We will aid you. The old king is dead. Letitia was a silly girl. Lord Denby is a bastard who will get what he deserves. The Thorntons stand together. Edward is seeking an audience with the king. He will ask him to pardon you.” At this Robert grinned. “After all, he is the best of us all at keeping his temper.”
    The love John and his brother had for one another…Anna yearned to know the feeling. The knowledge you had another in the world that cared for you. A brother or sister who would help you whenever you needed them. As an only child, she longed for a big, boisterous family. Her first boyfriend after high school came from a family of six brothers. She stayed with him for too long because she loved his family—as it turned out, much more than she cared for him.
    She leaned against the wall, sipping a cup of water, content to listen to them talk. Something Robert said made her pay attention.
    “We have sent messengers across the land. They report seeing you in York. Others tell the king’s soldiers you were spotted in London, and others swear they spoke with you near the border of Scotland.” He grinned. “’Twas James’ idea.”
    “He is aiding us?”
    “Aye. As is William Brandon.”
    John’s brother filled the room with his presence. She or John didn’t have a prayer of getting a word in. Robert practically hopped around the kitchen with glee. Anna couldn’t help smiling at the younger version of John. He must give the women around England fits.
    “A small band of soldiers came to