Free Knight Defender (Knight Chronicles) by Rue Allyn Page A

was one thing. But this? He could only pray all would turn out well.
    • • •
    After her talk with Angus, Jessamyn left the stable, Persia in tow, to find Maeve, Dougal, and Artis mounted and waiting for her. Of Raeb MacKai there was no sign. A tiny clutch of disappointment annoyed her. She would not waste a moment thinking about that man. Her goals would be achieved that much easier if he were not present.
    “Is Baron MacKai not joining us?” she asked of the group.
    Maeve and Dougal were so absorbed in looking at each other that they failed to note her approach or her question.
    “Raeb sends his regrets, Jessamyn,” Artis announced. “He said to tell you an urgent matter has arisen.”
    “Hmmm.” As excuses went it was sufficient enough not to be considered rude, but she had to wonder if this was not his true purpose, to make her believe he was finally going to play the suitor when all along he’d intended to avoid her. She shrugged and surveyed the horses. His plots could not matter to her, especially when her own plans were furthered.
    Dougal’s destrier was a fine animal and, from its stillness, quite well trained. The other two mounts were some of the most disreputable looking horseflesh she’d ever seen. They had to be cart horses, which confirmed what she had learned from Angus.
    Was Baron Raeb MacKai the sort of man to sacrifice his stables to help impoverished villagers? She’d not had enough experience of him to know, but the possibility that he was normally kind and considerate roused her suspicions about his treatment of her and his motives for ordering his household to be rude. More and more his discourtesy seemed out of character. She wanted her curiosity satisfied, and since she would not be able to ask him directly, she’d ask his sisters and Dougal.
    “Let us be off then.” She smiled at Artis. “I am certain you will be excellent guides.”
    A young boy led Persia to the mounting block and assisted Jessamyn into the saddle. The horse was smaller than most coursers, leading many to mistake her for no more than a gentle palfrey.
    “Maeve, Dougal,” Artis called their names sharply. “Jessamyn is ready.”
    Two heads lifted and turned startled gazes to their guest.
    “I’m sorry,” said Maeve. “I was … ah … distracted.”
    “Please forgive my neglect, my lady.” Dougal bowed his head and doffed his cap. “I am concerned that the MacKai has no chosen to share the nature of this urgent matter with me.”
    They set their horses in motion with the two sisters in front.
    “I gather the matter arose very recently. Is the baron normally more thoughtful when not pressed for time?”
    “Aye. ’Tis a verra thoughtful man, he is,” admitted the captain of the guard. “A mite too thoughtful sometimes.”
    More evidence that Raeb MacKai was not the man he showed himself to be with her. “Then perhaps the baron needs time to consider his possible options before seeking your counsel.”
    Dougal met her gaze and gave a small smile. “I am sure that must be it, but please pardon my preoccupation. I shall no be content until I know what trouble has arisen. Meanwhile, let us endeavor to distract Maeve and Artis, for they too worry much about their brother.”
    “Indeed, Baron MacKai appears more than capable of handling any crisis, and his sisters’ anxiety would trouble him. If I knew more, I might be better able to steer the conversation in a direction that would avoid stress.”
    “That would be helpful, Lady Du Grace, but you ken as much of this latest matter as I.”
    “Well enough.” Jessamyn sighed. “Let me see what I can do to distract Artis. I shall leave Maeve to you.”
    She trotted forward until she rode beside the two sisters and engaged them in discussion of the route they would take. They told her the holding was large enough that several days’ ride was required to cover the entire property. Thus today they would travel the coastline as much as possible, saving the