Three Dog Knight. Tori Phillips

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СКАЧАТЬ pricked behind Alicia’s eyelids, though she swore to herself that she would not allow them to escape. It would make the parting more difficult. The time for tears came later. “How I love you both! I shall remember you forever.”

      Katherine kissed her on the forehead. “And you will always be in our thoughts and prayers, child.”

      “If you must contact us, do so by messenger—one that you can trust—and send to Bruges in care of the Goldsmith’s Guild there. But do not write unless ‘tis a matter of life and death. Oh, my child!” Sir Edward kissed her on the forehead. “Know that I leave my heart with you. Take good care of it until I return.”

      Alicia bit her lips to keep them from quivering. “When will that be?”

      Sir Edward’s brow darkened. “If your brother can escape, and make his way back to his aunt’s court in Burgundy, then I shall see you soon. If not…” He sighed.

      Alicia traced her thumb over the furrows in his brow, wishing she could wipe them away. “Let us not think of the alternative. I shall pray for you and for Dickon.”

      “If God hears anyone’s prayers, he will certainly hear yours, sweetest child.” After giving her another hug and a kiss, Sir Edward retrieved his hat from the floor. Then he bellowed at the waiting squire. “And you, Sir Twig! I hold you accountable for her in every respect.”

      Andrew swept him another jaunty bow. “You have placed your trust wisely, my lord.”

      “In whom, I wonder?” Brampton mused under his breath.

      “In my good master, Sir Thomas Cavendish, my lord,” the youth replied. “And in myself, as his obedient servant.”

      With a muttered oath, Sir Edward took his wife’s arm and propelled them both toward the castle’s entranceway. Pausing under the arch, he glanced back to Alicia. She smiled and waved at him, while her heart broke within her breast.

      “Jesu, you were such a tiny thing when first I held you in my arms. Who knew what an angel you would become?”

      “Papa…” Alicia could not utter another word.

      Then they were gone.

      She bit her knuckles to keep from bursting into tears on the spot. She must not show weakness now, especially in front of her betrothed’s squire.

      Andrew offered her his arm. “The first night is the worst,” he confided.

      Alicia blinked back the moisture from her eyes. “Your pardon?”

      “The absence of your parents.” Andrew tucked her hand within the crook of his arm. “‘Tis worst the first night, then becomes easier. I know.”

      She sniffed. “How did you come by this sage knowledge? Were you homesick at the Duke of Buckingham’s?”

      Andrew grinned. In a faint way he reminded her of Dickon. “Nay, ‘twas when I came here to be Sir Thomas’s squire. Cried my eyes out that first night.”

      “Oh?” Alicia wondered if she would cry all night. She had a sinking feeling that she would.

      “Aye. When one of the serving men complained to Sir Thomas that my blubbering had kept him awake, my master bade me sleep on the trundle bed in his own chamber.”

      She couldn’t help but be interested in the boy’s story. “And did you keep Sir Thomas awake?”

      Andrew laughed. “Nay. ‘Twas he who banished sleep by telling me the most amusing stories until my eyelids fell of their own accord. When I awoke the next morning, I found that Vixen had joined me, and had warmed me all through the night.”

      Alicia gasped with shock. “Fie on Sir Thomas for that! How dare he debauch so innocent a boy in his care! And just who is this vixen, pray tell?”

      Andrew laughed even harder. “Vixen is a small greyhound, Mistress Alicia. You saw her earlier with my master. Methinks you will like her.”

      Ah, but will Vixen like me? Alicia wondered. And what about the dog’s handsome master?

       Chapter Three

      “What?” Lady Isabel Cavendish hurled a chamber pot at the trembling maid. “You lie, you slut!” A cushion from the nearby stool followed after the smashed clay receptacle.

      Meg ducked as the heavy pillow sailed past her. “Nay, ‘tis gospel true, my lady.”

      Isabel snatched up one of her satin slippers from the disordered pile of her footwear on the floor. “Thomas betrothed? ‘Tis as much to say that we shall catch larks when the sky falls. How now, Meg? I am in no mood for jesting.”

      The maid backed closer to the door. “I do not wag my tongue, my lady. I saw the woman with my own eyes. She has come, bag and baggage. Master Andrew has put her in the royal bedchamber, and there she stays. I came straightway to tell’ee, my lady.”

      Isabel lowered the slipper. “And Thomas? What has he said?”

      “Naught.” Meg hid a giggle in her apron. “In truth, he sputtered and goggled like a pike on a hook, then he bolted from the hall.”

      Isabel curled her lips. This unwanted guest was as much a surprise to her brother-in-law as she was to Isabel. No doubt the great Earl of Thornbury now cowered somewhere in the home park with those filthy hounds of his. Isabel presumed that he wouldn’t return until after sunset. All the better. This bold wench could be well on her way back home by the time Thomas gave her a second thought. A tiny smile crept around the corners of Isabel’s mouth.

      “Bring her to me,” she ordered. “I shall deal with this unpleasantness myself.”

      Meg bobbed a curtsy. “Very good, my lady.” She turned to go.

      “And, Meg?”

      The maid paused. “Aye, my lady?”

      “Tell no one of my conference with the woman. Do you mark me?” Isabel narrowed her eyes. Meg was such a taddle-toad. “One word, and ‘twill go very badly for you, I promise.”

      The maid swallowed. “Aye, my lady.” She bobbed again, then dashed away.

      Isabel picked her way around the heaps of discarded clothing that littered the floor of her chamber. She stopped before the large sheet of costly Venetian looking glass that William had imported especially for her, and wrinkled her nose at her reflection. She hated to wear black. It made her look plague-racked. Who in this godforsaken castle cared what Isabel wore? She could roam the corridors stark naked for all the interest she stirred in Thomas.

      She skimmed her hands across her breasts and down to her narrow waist. William had always complimented her figure. He appreciated a beauty when he saw one. Not like his father, the old earl. All that man had ever said to Isabel was, “When are you going to do your duty, mistress? When am I going to hold my grandson?”

      God knows she had tried СКАЧАТЬ