Free Lonely is the Knight (Merriweather Sisters Time Travel Romance Book 3) by Cynthia Luhrs Page B

waste. I did not build the castle. It was already complete when I moved in.” He shifted in the saddle. Henry knew his father had fought and won Ravenskirk from the Hallseys. They still bore him ill will because of it.
    “It’s good the waste doesn’t go into the fresh water. You can catch diseases that way.”
    He wondered what she meant by diseases , but before he could ask, she said, “You know, things that make you ill.”
    “There are gardens within the courtyard where we grow food. And many of the people grow food that is brought into the castle like the orchards we rode through. In times of war, the people seek refuge inside the castle walls. We can take apart the bridge.”
    She leaned over, looking into the water, and he had to pull her back so she didn’t fall off the horse.
    “How deep is it?”
    “’Tis deep enough to swim in. And stocked with fish.”
    “Your home is very beautiful and forbidding. It’s a nice contrast.”
    He was pleased she found favor with his home. Henry dismounted, lifting Charlotte off the horse. She was too thin. Did her family not have enough? From the fine fabric of her clothes, he thought they were of sufficient means. Perhaps from a minor family. By her speech, she was no peasant. Though not from a noble family either.
    “You can put me down. My ankle feels better.”
    He was loath to let her go.
    “If you feel any discomfort, I will carry you inside.”
    When she smiled, he wanted to stand there forever like a dolt, staring into her gray eyes. As he lowered her to the ground, he heard her sharp intake of breath and lifted her up again.
    “Wait. I can walk.”
    He watched as she took a small step. “I will stay close in case you have need of me.”
    “Lord Ravenskirk?” A small hand tugged on his tunic. Henry knelt down to face a wee girl. She held up a doll with a rip to its stomach.
    “They tortured Dolly.” The little girl pointed to two small boys playing with wooden swords. She looked so angry that Henry had to press his lips together so he wouldn’t laugh.
    “Lads. Come here.”
    The two boys stood before him, eyes downcast, feet shuffling in the dirt.
    “Look at me.”
    Slowly, they raised their heads to meet his eyes.
    “You want to be knights when you grow up?”
    They nodded. “Aye, my lord.”
    “And as a knight you must protect women. Women are to be cherished. Only women can bear children. We must love and protect them always.”
    The two boys looked abashed.
    “Kneel before your lady.”
    The two boys knelt in the dirt in front of the girl.  
    “Offer your sword and swear to protect her.”
    Each boy held out his sword and solemnly said, “I will protect you from all harm, Gilly.”
    Gilly smiled at the lads. “I accept your vows.”
    Henry smiled hearing the seriousness in her voice. “Take Dolly in and have one of the women sew her back together. Then have Mrs. Benton give each of you a pastry.”
    The three children ran off. Henry called out, “Where is Timothy?”  
    “I saw him running away after Mistress Charlotte arrived. He was babbling about faeries and demons and dark doings.”
    A raven circled overhead, cawing, and Henry rolled his eyes. Royce, his captain and friend, cursed. “Have a care, Henry. His cousin is a powerful bishop, and she is unprotected without family or kin.”
    “I will protect her.”
    “Be careful.”
    Henry offered Charlotte his arm. “I will show you to your chamber, and then Chester will bring you down to the kitchens for something to eat.”
    “Thank you again for your hospitality.”
    “After you’ve eaten, we’ll have speech in my solar.”

     

    Charlotte couldn’t tell if she was in shock or she’d simply been preparing for so long that she’d accepted her situation. It was amazing to see a living, breathing castle. The inhabitants going about their day-to-day lives, children playing, men practicing with swords.
    It seemed like a movie, and yet it felt like home, which she couldn’t