The Iron Knight (The De Russe Legacy Book 3) Read Online Free

when his father, Weston, had personally delivered his eldest son to his friend and comrade to foster.
    Weston de Royans, Baron Cononley and Constable of the North Yorkshire Dales, had been very emotional trusting his beloved son to The Iron Knight, but it had been necessary. Colton had been a spoilt, outspoken, gifted, and humorous youth who had been vastly overindulged by his adoring father. It had been up to Lucien to remove the spoilt edges and help mold the boy into one of the best young knights of his generation.
    It had worked, but it hadn’t been without a struggle. Colton had been headstrong and stubborn, but Lucien had been patient. Patience, and a few fatherly beatings, had helped turn the unruly boy into a confident man. Colten grew to adore Lucien, which had turned their relationship into a fond one. They adored each other, to be truthful.
    Colton was the son that Lucien had always wanted.
    But Colton also interacted with Lucien in a way that Lucien’s other knights wouldn’t dare. He told the man what he thought and, most often, he didn’t hold back. He was quite bold and had the fighting skill to back up that boldness. Like now; he grasped Lucien by the arm before he could completely get away.
    “Go where?” he asked. “You cannot leave when Lord de Saix and his daughter are due to arrive any moment. They will expect you to greet them.”
    Lucien came to a halt, mostly because Colton was dragging on him. He turned to look at the blonde-haired knight, a very handsome young man and also a very tenacious one. He knew very well that Colton might hang on to him and not let him leave and then he would find himself in a fight. He sighed heavily, looking at Colton’s hand on his arm.
    “Let me go,” he said quietly.
    Colton refused. “Lucien, you cannot leave,” he said quietly but firmly. “I know you have no interest in this contract, but Henry himself arranged it. It was Henry who personally sent you the missive about gifting you with a very wealthy bride and because he is taking such an interest in this betrothal, if you run out now, you will not only insult the lady and her entire family, but the king as well. You know this.”
    Lucien was, indeed, aware. He could feel that formidable de Russe anger swelling in his chest. “I do not need you to lecture me,” he said, jerking his arm and breaking Colton’s grasp. “I am well aware of what is at stake.”
    “And yet you would still leave?”
    “I did not say I was going forever!”
    Colton pursed his lips wryly at him. “You did not say that you were not going forever, either,” he pointed out. “Lucien, truly. You simply cannot leave because you do not want to face them. You will have to face them sooner or later.”
    Wise words from the young knight that halted Lucien in his tracks. He lost some of his fight then, feeling foolish for having been reminded of the truth from a man young enough to be his son. He visibly relaxed, sulking now.
    “I know,” he muttered unhappily, running his hands through his long, dark hair. “But… with God as my witness, Colton, you know that I did not want this. I never wanted it. I never asked for it nor did I ever make any mention of anything having to do with a betrothal. This is all Henry’s idea and, although I know he believes he is rewarding me, the opposite is true. I do not want a wife. I am too old for one and I am especially too old for this one. She is younger than you are and, from what I’ve heard, a spoilt little minx. I do not want that in my midst much less married to it.”
    “Who told you that?”
    Lucien’s eyes narrowed. “I have friends. Men who know her father have told me such things.”
    Colton wasn’t sure he believed him but he didn’t say so. He knew that Lucien would do anything to remove himself from having to face this unwelcome betrothal. He had been with Lucien when, two weeks ago, the man had opened a missive from the king only to discover he was soon to be a husband.