Free A Lord for Haughmond by K. C. Helms Page B

Bereford claims his time.”     
         Dread rose within her. “’Tis naught the whole of it!” she exclaimed, spying the wary glance the two men exchanged, sensing their tension.    
         Rhys shifted his gaze to her. “Sir Geoffrey has arrived at Warwick,” he said.
         “Oh, sweet Jesu, protect us,” Anne gasped, clasping her cheeks.
         “He took longer to arrive than I reckoned.”
         Katherine frowned at Rhys’s offhand comment.
         The knight tilted his head and threw her a meaningful look seeming surprised she didn’t understand. “He searches for you, else he’d be long past this shire.”
         “He’s found us,” cried Anne, tears sprouting in her eyes.
         “Nay, but he does use his journey to Edward as a pretext to conceal his search,” the knight replied before stomping to the warmth of the fire. He threw more coals into the grate. “The cagey devil, he says naught on the matter, merely that he’s bound for the king’s court.”
         “To petition the king for Haughmond!” Katherine drilled the knight’s back with all her fear.
         He turned to face her. “’Tis likely. Thus we remain at Warwick ’til he departs.”
         “Nay, we must gain King Edward’s audience first, else the king does grant that evil man’s request!"
         Rhys shook his head. “We cannot be abroad, Katherine, and have Sir Geoffrey overtake us on the road. ’Tis safer to remain hereat.”
         Simon stepped closer. “Think you he’ll attempt an ambush if he travels in advance of us?” 
         “Methinks he’ll try to reach the king with all haste, hoping to be the first to bend his ear.”
         “’Tis so," groaned Katherine, her despair threatening to undo her. She clasped her arms about herself. What became of Anne should Sir Geoffrey succeed? A chill coursed down her spine. What became of them both? Would they yet remain beneath Sir Geoffrey’s clutches? Fear slammed into her stomach. Everything Aunt Matilda had predicted was coming to pass. She caught her trembling lip betwixt chattering teeth.
         “Brace your heart, Katherine. We will bide our time within these walls before we venture to the king and plead your case.”
         She opened her mouth, but Rhys’s raised hand silenced her. “Keep troth. The king is a fair man. He will deal with Haughmond without bias.”
         “’Tis easy for you to say,” she managed. “’Tis not your life or future.”
         “Would that it could be. Ill luck can cast its miserable shadow on any of us at any moment.” Rhys stepped to her and placed his hands on her shoulders. “I would not see you so strained, my lady. You must contain your fears.” His fingers lifting her chin gave Katherine no choice but to meet his gaze. “I have declared I will own your cause. Have I not already proven that troth sufficiently to ease your worries?” 
         Though she stared into the depths of the knight’s intense gaze, she could not find the surety to make a reply.
         Rhys tipped his head and looked closer into her face. “I know the king, Katherine. He will listen to our plea and treat you with fairness. You must bear this setback with patience and fortitude. Pray, depend on me.”
         Could she? Should she? ’Twas frightful how truly she and Anne depended upon the charity of this knight. And upon the might of his sword arm. Rhys exhibited a youth that could well portend their ruination, should he not vanquish Sir Geoffrey. Had he been tested in battle? Verily, she knew not this knight’s worth, had only his brave words for comfort. But she knew Sir Geoffrey’s worth, knew he had never lost a joust, knew he took advantage of others’ weaknesses. 
         Was Rhys worthy? Her palms broke into a sweat and her mouth went dry. What if he were not? But what choice had she?
         She sighed, a broken sound that lay bare her