Free Silverhawk by Barbara Bettis

have to wait. Duty first. She must see to Henry’s younger sister. The girl was vivacious, but her weariness showed in the tired slope of shoulders.
    Emelin stood and smiled to the ladies. “Please excuse us. Lady Evelynn, you’ve had a long journey. Would you care to rest?”
    Evie rose. “Oh, yes. That sounds wonderful.” She gave the others a pleasant nod and walked beside Emelin to the stairs.
    “I’m sorry your chamber isn’t large,” Emelin told her, “but you’ll have privacy, at least. The keep is old. Whoever built it included several small areas on the upper floor. You get the smallest one.”
    “By virtue of arriving last.” Evie chuckled.
    Emelin turned to her. “I must confess, after sleeping on a hard, narrow bed for years, I often take more than my share of space now. However, you are welcome to share my chamber. The bed is considerably larger.”
    “Thank you, but if you will not mind, I appreciate the solitude. Although you must find company enjoyable after the convent?”
    “Depends upon the company,” Emelin murmured. “Yours would be most welcome.”
    Laughing like old friends, they climbed the stairs.
    ****
    The sound of laughter drifted to Giles as the two ladies retreated up the steps. He’d noticed immediately his little nun had lost the warrior tilt to her head. He traced some of her uncertainty to the large blond knight on Osbert’s right, the one whose glare upset her. He recognized the brother from the near-encounter earlier in the day.
    But when she’d caught Giles’ gaze, a spark of understanding passed between them, and before his eyes, her shoulders squared and that dainty square chin raised confidently.
    Given time and a friendly nudge now and then, she’d be all right.
    Provided this almost-husband of hers didn’t play at treason. That’s what the talk amounted to, although Giles wasn’t sure the others were aware of that. Henry was. He shifted on the bench, sipped a cup of wine, and when he set it down, glanced up. The two men exchanged blank looks that said each knew exactly what was going on.
    Osbert referred several times to information from Lord Paxton, the king’s man. Pity Henry hadn’t managed to reach Langley in better time, Osbert said. He’d missed the opportunity of hearing the lord’s news. As it was, Osbert tucked in his chin and shook his head. Paxton and his troops had scarcely disappeared from view before Henry’s party rolled through the gates.
    So that’s who they’d seen leaving. The name Lord Paxton meant nothing to Giles. What the man said, however, meant a great deal. Collecting an army to repel an invasion from Scotland? Not likely. And not in the middle of country. That story clanged like lead. If Paxton served a country and a king, it wasn’t England and it wasn’t Richard.
    Giles had no intention of allowing Langley to be branded a traitor, the land confiscated by the crown. He had another end in mind for the man and the land.

Chapter Six
    “We got to be ready when the Scots’ king makes his move.” Lord Osbert thumped his fist on the battered wood in front of him. His eyes folded at the corners in satisfaction, and his gaze skimmed along the warriors at the table. It skipped Giles.
    Did he think the strange knight had no interest in this fight? The old man was mistaken.
    The scheme just outlined could be the very one King Richard suspected. If Giles thwarted a conspiracy against England, Richard would be pleased. That, in turn, would serve Mercadier. He owed his mentor that much—and more.
    But God’s bones! He didn’t have time for this intrigue.
    Lord Henry leaned forward, his lips pursed. “Are you certain Philip plots with King William to invade England? It doesn’t make sense. Richard plans to marry his nephew to the Scots’ king’s daughter.”
    “Not any longer,” Osbert declared. “That arrangement’s long dead. And the king’s man said Scotland is looking for revenge.”
    “So Richard has sent his man to