Free Vow of Seduction by Angela Johnson Page B

from inside her boot in one smooth movement—metal hissed as the blade scraped the sheath. With his arms and legs wrapped around the tree, the blond boy shimmied up and reached for the lower branch. A thud sounded in the ensuing silence, the embedded blade quivering in the branch just inches above the lad’s outstretched hand.
    Crying out, he lost his grip and plummeted to the earth. He hit the ground with a loud thump, and a wail issued from his lips. His comrades yelped startled exclamations, turning to find the source of danger. Into this chaos, Kat strode boldly to the lad lying on the ground. The other boys scattered, their fallen friend left to fend for himself.
    Kat removed the dagger from the tree. She looked up and met Matthew’s wide-eyed gaze. “’Tis safe to come down, Matthew. No one can hurt you now.”
    “You are a girl!” the boy’s voice floated down to her.
    Kat laughed and returned her trusty blade to her boot. “Aye, the good Lord saw fit to make me so.”
    He swiped an arm across his nose and swallowed. “But how did you learn to throw a blade like that?”
    “I would tell you, but it is difficult to converse with one in a tree. ’Tis hard on the neck, you see.”
    A black lock of hair fell on Matthew’s forehead as his gaze shifted to the boy moaning at her feet. Then he turned and clambered down the tree like a monkey Kat had seen in the royal menagerie at the Tower of London.
    “Who are you?” he asked when he reached the ground.
    “I am Lady Katherine de Beaumont. But you may call me Kat. All my special friends do.”
    He smudged his toe in the dirt under the tree and looked up at her shyly. “I thank you, Kat. And I am Matthew of Oxford.”
    Kat smiled at him, and then knelt beside the injured boy to check his arm for broken bones. He cringed and tried to scuttle away. “I do not intend to harm you. Now let me see your wrist so I can determine the extent of your injury.”
    Not waiting for his assent, Kat grabbed hold of his arm and gently probed the wrist in question. As she thought, there were no broken bones, only a swollenness that indicated a mild sprain.
    Looking into the boy’s sullen black eyes, Kat admonished him. “You are most fortunate. ’Tis only sprained. I would recommend you find more honorable activities to pass your time in future. A word of advice—there is always going to be someone bigger and stronger than you. Let this be a lesson to you, although I doubt you will pay me heed. Now go, you are no doubt neglecting your duties.”
    The blond boy scrambled to his feet, scowling as he backed away. “I shall tell my father of your deeds this day. He is bigger than even you . He will make you pay for daring to harm me,” he spouted boastfully, then threw a hate-filled glance at Matthew and fled.
    Matthew looked at her with a worried frown. “He is trouble. Can his father really harm you?”
    “Don’t worry, Matthew. His father is a cowardly bully, just like him. And I can take care of myself. Besides, my husband is a powerful man and Lord Calvert would not dare cross him.”
    “Would you teach me to throw a knife like you do?”
    The sudden change in topic was understandable given the circumstances. He wished to be able to protect himself, so he would feel less vulnerable. Kat sympathized with his ambition, but he was a bit young to be wielding such a dangerous object. Still, there was a way she could help him and give him a safe haven from those who would torment him.
    “You are too young yet. Knifes are very dangerous and should be used with great care. Some day, when you are older, you will be trained as a squire and will learn all there is to know about handling weapons. But there is something I would like to show you instead.”
    “What is it?” Matthew asked, his warm brown eyes intrigued.
    “I cannot say. ’Tis something you must see for yourself.”
    His eyes sparkled with excitement and he nodded his acceptance. Kat turned back towards the river