A Knight to Remember Read Online Free Page B

If I want to go to the church, I will!" She did an about-turn and began to march off, only to feel a strong hand clamp down on her shoulder once again, only this time, more firmly.
    She suddenly found herself inches away from his face as he growled, "Turn thy back on me again and thee will find thy bottom over my knee and a sound pasting applied! Dost thou understand?" He shook her slightly and she gulped, alarmed at his anger.
    "Y-Yes, but I only wanted to go to the church. Surely it's not that dangerous?"
    "Art thou addle brained, lady? Hath Hugh not taught thee anything? Outside these castle walls there lie dangerous folk, folk that would as soon rob or maim thee as look at thee. Rest assured, milady, I mean what I say. Step one foot outside these walls without a guard and thou will pay dearly!"
    Jenny looked at him and realised he wasn't going to budge. Good grief, it couldn't be that bad, could it? She studied him for a few minutes and realised that he was indeed serious about his intentions.
    "All right. I won't go without a guard." She crossed her fingers behind her back.
    He released her shoulders, satisfied that she would obey him.
    "Come, sit with me and tell me something of thyself. I would know how thee came to Okehampton." He walked over to the food table and piled a plate high with bread, cheese and fruit before walking over to the high board. Jenny reluctantly followed him. She dreaded having to speak to him. What could she say?
    He poured himself wine and held the jug out enquiringly to her. She nodded and held out a goblet, watching him beneath lowered lashes as he filled her cup.
    Pulling her goblet towards her, she added a little water from a nearby jug. She sipped the strong wine and watched Stephen as he tucked in with relish to his morning meal. After a couple of mouthfuls, he paused to ask her a question,
    "How came thee to Okehampton? Didst thou not hath an escort?"
    "Oh, yes. He...er...left me at the church." Stephen frowned, so she quickly continued. "He had to get back to London quickly, so I told him I'd be quite safe!"
    "Who was this man?"
    "Oh...my cousin. You wouldn't know him."
    He nodded slowly, taking in her words. "Didst thou think to stay at Hugh's abode?"
    "Yes. I...er...didn't know he was away on the crusades."
    "Next time, be sure thy accommodation is assured afore setting foot on the road. Thy mission was foolhardy!" She lowered her lashes as his eyes bored into hers. "I will keep thee safe under my roof until Hugh returns."
    "Oh, there's no need, really."
    "Nay, thee will be my guest. I willst not hath thee staying elsewhere without an escort." His voice brooked no argument, and wisely, Jenny decided to stay quiet. Stephen swallowed a mouthful of food and then calmly asked, "So, Jenny Perevel, why art thou still a maiden?"
    Jenny almost spluttered on the wine. Maiden? Fuck! She was no maiden, in fact, her 'maidenhood' had been taken away four years ago. Guess that didn't happen so easily in these times. She swallowed a mouthful of wine before replying, choosing her words carefully. "I...er...just haven't found the right bloke yet!"
    "Bloke? What is this word?"
    "Oh er...man, partner...umm...husband."
    "Truly, thy words art strange," he muttered, taking another bite of bread. "Hast thou not had offers?"
    "Offers? What...offers of marriage?"
    He nodded and chewed slowly on a piece of cheese.
    "Well, I...umm...no! Not really! What's that got to do with you?" She stuck out her small chin indignantly.
    "I am merely curious, Jenny. A pretty maiden such as thee dost not stay long in spinsterhood!"
    "God...you make me sound like I'm fifty!"
    "Do not take the Lord's name in vain, Jenny. Last warning!" He gave her a stern look before continuing. "Thou art certainly not fifty. Nay, it is unusual, 'tis all." He shrugged and pushed his plate away. "Wouldst thou like to travel out with me this afternoon?"
    Jenny frowned, not sure if it was a good idea to explore her location with this big,