Free KNIGHT OF SECRETS (Knights of Passion Series 2) by Evie North Page B

her brother in his own rise. More importantly, Sir Jerome would increase the might of the northern barons against King John.
    Edwina supposed that marriage to such a consequential man was a piece of luck for her, but the truth was she dreaded it. So far she had managed to stave off her fate but the day was coming. Sir Jerome was old, so old, and had already worked his way through three wealthy wives.
    Edwina was not keen on being his fourth.
    “The road to Carlyle?” she said now, as he still seemed tongue tied.
    He nodded, ran a hand over his face, winced as he felt the slice in his flesh. “I had business there. They came upon me and pursued me. I thought I could lose them across country—my horse is a fine one—but they were swifter than I imagined.”
    What business had he in Carlyle? Edwina wondered. But she said, “Come upstairs and let me tend to your wound.”
    She turned, leading the horse, which was calmer now. It was warmer inside the manor and she reminded herself that they were safe. The bridle was suddenly taken from her hand and he gave her a smile as she turned in surprise.
    “Through here,” she directed him deeper into the shadows of the manor house. “You can leave him. There is hay and water, and a cloth if you want to rub him down.”
    He nodded, and she left him to it, making her own way up the stairs to the rooms above, where the family lived out their cramped lives. A few of the servants had been here until a day or so ago, but they had left to go to a wedding in the village and the weather had prevented their return. She’d been enjoying herself, although in truth she had grown a little bored over the past days. Still, she wasn’t sure she wanted to be in the company of this handsome stranger.
    Edwina hurried to remove her cloak and stoked the fire into life. The warmth made her shiver and she held out her hands after she’d taken off her gloves. She kicked away the fur lined boots and slipped her feet into some house shoes, the toes curled upwards. Her clothing was fine enough; her father had spoilt her as the only daughter. She had not realised how comfortable her life had been until she’d lost it; she wished she had shown more gratitude.
    Her brother’s wife had purloined the best of her clothes but Edwina had managed to hang on to a few favoured items. So far. Perhaps Sir Jerome would buy her new clothes with her own fortune, once he got his hands on it? Or would he prefer her naked and on her back?
    She shuddered.
    “Lady?” The stranger had come up behind her.
    She turned and gave him a cool look. He swung off his cloak, laying it carefully upon a chest so it would dry, and began to strip off his gloves. She saw that he wore a ring with a green jewel set into it.
    “Sit down.” She gestured at a chair and he did as she bid him. She lit a candle—outside the night was almost upon them and inside it was gloomy. Hastily she found what she required and set the items on a table beside him, before peering at the wound. “It is deep,” she said, before she touched him. “You may need me to stitch the edges together.”
    He shrugged his shoulder. Outside there was muffled laughter. He stiffened and lifted his head. He’d brought his sword and dagger with him, the latter strapped to his belt, the former in its sheath and lying at the floor at his feet and ready if necessary.
    “They cannot get in,” she reminded him. “If you like we can go up into the tower and look down. See what they are up to. We can raise the flag to summon help from our neighbours, but I do not think they will come. The snow is so deep in places that few will venture out.”
    Certainly not Sir Jerome, not even to save his intended bride from rape and murder.
    “I know,” he said ruefully. “I came through it.” He hesitated. “What is your name, lady?”
    Edwina had begun to gently bathe away the blood, bending closer to him. “Edwina.”
    His skin was unblemished apart from the injury but she