Free Childe Morgan by Katherine Kurtz Page A

dwindling supplies were beginning to pall on everyone. The fighting men kept up their edge by arms practice in the castle yard or, when the weather turned really foul, by moving their exercise into the great hall. By mid-March, the most hardened warriors were beginning to think even war preferable to the inactivity of the winter.
    But spring came at last, along with the celebrations of Easter. Shortly thereafter, as soon as travel conditions would allow it, a delegation from Lendour arrived in Rhemuth to escort their new earl and his family back to Cynfyn, Lendour’s capital, where Kenneth Morgan would enter into possession of his lands and present his son and heir to their people. His daughter Zoë traveled with them, as female companion for Alyce and governess for young Alaric, along with two maids and several grooms.
    The king had also given Kenneth the service of the newly knighted Sir Trevor Udaut as his aide, for Trevor’s father was one of Corwyn’s regents. And the two knighted by Kenneth at Twelfth Night had returned with the escort party: Sir Yves de Tremelan and Sir Xander of Torrylin. But by far the most congenial of the fighting men added to the new earl’s party was the leader of the Lendour delegation, Sir Jovett Chandos, who managed to spend most of the journey at Zoë’s side, and who, on the morning they were to arrive in Cynfyn, finally summoned the courage to approach Kenneth on a very delicate matter.
    â€œMy lord, might we ride apart a little?” he murmured, drawing alongside Kenneth, who was riding with his wife. “There is a matter I would discuss with you in private.”
    â€œBy all means, go,” Alyce said before Kenneth could reply. “I shall ride on ahead with Zoë and the other ladies.” And be gentle with him, darling Kenneth, she added, only in his mind. I believe he means to ask for Zoë’s hand.
    â€œWe’ll catch you up,” Kenneth agreed, reining back and indicating that Jovett should fall in beside him. They waited for the rest to pass them by, then followed at the rear of the cavalcade, several horse-lengths behind the last baggage animals.
    â€œSo, what’s on your mind, Jovett?” Kenneth asked amiably.
    The young knight looked distinctly nervous, though his voice was steady as he spoke.
    â€œMy lord, I hope that I am in your esteem, and that you have found no fault with my service to Lendour. It has been my honor to serve your lady wife, and I am honored to be now in your service as well.”
    â€œAnd I, to have you in my service,” Kenneth replied, restraining a smile as he watched him sidelong.
    â€œThank you, my lord. I—ah…”
    â€œAre you looking for a way to ask me for my daughter’s hand?” Kenneth asked gently. “You needn’t look so surprised, son—or so apprehensive. Alyce told me you might be asking—and my daughter has made it quite clear to me that she holds you in great affection.”
    Jovett gaped briefly at this revelation, scarlet briefly washing his cheeks with high color.
    â€œI—am right pleased to hear it, sir,” he began. “I had intended to ask for her when we came for Twelfth Night. But when you were named earl…”
    â€œDoes that change your feelings for her?” Kenneth asked.
    â€œNo, sir, not at all!” Jovett blurted, faintly rattled. “But I am only a knight’s son, and now she…”
    â€œNow, she is the daughter of an earl—an earl who would still be a simple knight, were it not for his wife’s rank,” Kenneth reminded the younger man. “I know where I come from, Jovett. I am of no more lofty a family than you are. Do you love her?”
    â€œWith all my heart, my lord!” Jovett whispered. “And I promise you that I would do my utmost to make for her a worthy and loving husband.”
    â€œThen it’s settled,” Kenneth replied. “What more could a