Free [The deBurghs 07] - Reynold De Burgh: The Dark Knight by Deborah Simmons

basking in the quiet strength of her companion. And the silence between them was comfortable, unlike the unnatural hush that had haunted her days for so long.
    Motioning for him to join her, Sabina led the way inside the building, cool after the heat of the sun. Shewalked around the interior, its familiarity soothing, though the priest had long since fled to a less dangerous place of worship. According to him, one or more of the villagers was responsible for their troubles, someone in league with evil, perhaps even a demon. His alarming words had neighbours eyeing each other warily, so Sabina was glad to see him go.
    She turned to find Lord de Burgh studying the wall where a smaller depiction echoed the one outside. He seemed deep in thought, and Sabina felt a surge of affection for him. The man was on his way to Bury St Edmunds to see the great abbey, and no doubt he had been to other cathedrals that soared into the sky, laden with riches. And, yet, he appeared to appreciate even this small work of art.
    ‘Repent and seek your reward,’ he read in that deep voice of his. It was gravelly and yet acted like liquid warmth seeping into her bones. He turned his head to give her a questioning look. ‘Is that advice for the dragon or the worshippers?’
    Sabina laughed and then went still. How long had it been since her heart was light enough for laughter? For one giddy moment, she felt like throwing herself into this knight’s arms in gratitude. But his expression became shuttered, and he turned away. She had already discovered he had a dry wit. But did he ever laugh himself?
    There was something melancholy at the core of Reynold de Burgh, a weight that Sabina wished she could lift. But what could she, a mere female in dire straits herself, offer a man such as this?

Chapter Five
    T he woman called Ursula was waiting for them when they approached the manor, and Reynold was surprised he had been so long alone with a beautiful woman. At the time, he had not realised it. For once, he had been at ease in such company, probably because Mistress Sexton made it very clear what she wanted from him, and Reynold knew, as well. He had a job to do. Nothing more.
    When they entered the hall, Reynold nearly laughed at the sight of Urban and Peregrine, who were wearing matching disgruntled expressions. It was evident that they would rather have accompanied Mistress Sexton, and Reynold was glad that he had learned to hide his own emotions rather than parade them for all to see—and mock.
    ‘Come, squire, make yourself useful,’ Reynold said to the lad in voice a bit gruffer than usual.
    ‘Where are you going?’ Urban asked.
    ‘I’ll just have a look around.’
    ‘I thought that’s what you already did,’ the man said. His speech sounded a challenge, more often than not, as though he were suspicious of Reynold’s every move. Simon, the most hot-headed of the de Burghs, would have already slammed him against a wall a time or two.
    Luckily for Urban, Reynold was not his brother, so he only shook his head. ‘Mistress Sexton kindly showed me parts of the village, but I would have a closer look myself, for signs of the dragon.’
    Mistress Sexton’s head jerked up at his words. ‘I’m sorry,’ she said. ‘I did not think of that. How foolish of me to simply…’ She did not finish, but gazed at him, her eyes wide, and Reynold realised they were blue. Of course, they were blue. What other colour would they be?
    Reynold held up a hand to stop her apology. ‘Now that I know my way around, I would rather search the area myself.’
    ‘I’ll come with you,’ Urban said, though he did not appear happy about the prospect.
    Reynold shook his head. He didn’t want anyone telling him what had happened where, preferring to observe for himself and draw his own conclusions. ‘I’ll just take the boy here, and we’ll see what we can find.’
    No one seemed pleased at that pronouncement. Both Urban and Mistress Sexton looked like they