Lonely is the Knight (Merriweather Sisters Time Travel Romance Book 3) (10 page)

She opened her eyes to see blue leggings—no, make that hose; that’s what they wore here.
You will not faint, Charlotte Merriweather.

“I am sorry you had to witness violence. He is one of Lord Hallsey’s men. My enemy.” He took her hand in his, the calluses on his palm rubbing against her skin.

“Do not worry. I will protect you and keep you safe.” And then he smiled at her, a dazzling grin. “After all, you are much too beautiful for me to allow another to carry you off.”

It had the desired effect. Charlotte laughed. “I’m feeling a bit better, thank you.”

She wanted to tell him she’d never seen a dead man before. Wanted to tell him she knew what it felt like to stab her knife through a side of beef. But thinking about that made her stomach do flip-flops.

He was definitely the man to help her. Now the only question was to figure out how to find her sisters.

So many questions he wanted to ask the strange woman. Henry believed her tale of traveling to visit her sisters. He found it more difficult to believe she was the only survivor of a shipwreck with no wreckage. Not a single piece of ship or person washed ashore.

No matter how many tourneys or places he visited, Henry always felt a sense of peace fill him as he clapped eyes on his home.

“Oh my goodness, is that yours?”

“Aye. I am the third of five brothers. My sire provided each of us with a castle. Mine is not the largest, but ’tis home.”

She twisted in the saddle to look up at him. “You have four other brothers and you all have castles? Do your parents live in a castle too?”

“They did. They died years ago.”

Oblivious to his discomfort, Charlotte looked about as if she had never seen a castle before. Henry had to wonder, where did she come from?

“This is a really long bridge. With the castle sitting in the middle of the water, how do you grow anything?”

“’Tis fresh water. There are two wells inside and a deep pit in the ground for 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 explain. Not only was she far from the coast, she’d never been to England before. Not in all her travels.

So why did she feel like Ravenskirk was home?

“My lord’s chamber is across the hall.” Chester, one of Henry’s knights, pointed to a wooden door. He opened the door to her room and stood aside to allow her to enter first.

“It’s lovely.”

“’Tis the nicest chamber in the castle, after my lord’s.”

The room was beautifully done, the bed huge and heavy looking, with what looked like a soft featherbed on top of the straw, along with decent sheets and blankets.

As she stood in front of the hearth, he said, “There is always a fire, as the rooms are cold all year long, lady.”
 

How did you tell someone,
Hey, I’m from the future
, without sounding totally loony tunes? In her opinion, it would be best to wait until she knew Henry better and he knew she was of sound mind.

There was a pipe sticking out of the wall. Chester saw her looking at it.

“Running water.” He pointed to a pitcher and basin. “To wash.”

“How clever.” She let the water flow into the pitcher. There was a ceramic cup, and she poured the water into it. It tasted clean, reminding her of well water. A friend of hers in the country was on well water, and Charlotte had always liked the taste.

From the window, she could see the castle reflected in the water surrounding it. The land beyond was green and lush. So many shades of green.

A knock sounded at the door.

“Come in.”

A young girl, around eleven or twelve, grinned at her.
 

“Mistress, I’ve been sent to fetch your clothes so they can be washed. My lord said you’d been in the sea.”

“I leave you in good hands, lady,” Chester said, and tweaked the girl’s braid as he left.

The girl held out a bundle. “You can wear these while your clothes are cleaned.”

Charlotte took the dress from her. It was a pretty dark blue wool, embroidered all around the neckline, sleeves, and hem with what she thought might be bluebells. The chemise was embroidered with leaves.

The girl moved behind her. “I’ll assist you, lady.”

“Please, call me Charlotte. What’s your name?”

“Addie, lady.”

“It’s a lovely name.” She let the girl help her undress.

“You have such beautiful skin. Your hair is so lovely, almost as comely as Lord Ravenskirk’s.” The girl clapped a hand to her mouth and blushed.

Charlotte knew the feeling well. She also had a bit of a crush on the lord of the castle.

“He’s very handsome, isn’t he? And you’re right, his hair is beautiful.” The little girl smiled shyly. Charlotte opened her backpack, taking out the salt-encrusted clothing.

“I hope they will come clean.”

The girl looked at the dresses. “My mum has soap. The clothes will clean.”

Charlotte smiled at the girl. “Might your mom have something for the leather on my bags?” She pointed to the salt stains.

While Addie folded up her clothes, Charlotte dumped the contents of the bags on the bed and threw the covers over them. She wondered again why the daggers and bracelet were missing. The daggers couldn’t have slipped out—the backpack and messenger bag were both zipped shut. The bracelet fit close to her wrist. She paused. Did they disappear because they didn’t yet exist in this time?

“Mistress?

“Sorry, what?”
 

“I’ll bring a bit of soap for you as soon as I take your clothes to be washed.” She turned back to Charlotte. “Unless you would like to come with me? I can take you to the kitchens for something to eat. Chester doesn’t like to be inside waiting on ladies.”

“Lead the way.”
 

As the girl left the room, Charlotte hesitated. “I’ll be right there.”

She scooped up her stuff and put it in the chest at the foot of the bed. It made her nervous to leave it there, but she’d have to trust no one would go through her things.
 

Charlotte followed Addie out of the chamber. In the hallway, Chester leaned against the wall.
 

Addie said, “I’ll take Mistress Charlotte to the kitchens for something to eat.”

He nodded. “I’ll come and fetch you when he wishes to speak with you.”

Charlotte followed the girl down to the kitchen, listening to her chatter the entire way. The soft leather shoes she’d been given to wear fit okay, but she longed for her boots. They were currently back in her hotel room. Oh well. She hoped someone would enjoy them. The money and gems were tied in scarves, and now sat in the trunk as well.

As they came into the kitchen, Charlotte smiled. A kitchen was a kitchen, no matter what century you found yourself in.

Henry looked up from the desk to see Addie and Mistress Merriweather entering the solar. “Feeling better after you’ve eaten?”

“Much better. Thank you for your hospitality.”

He wondered if it had been merely the effects of rescuing a damsel in distress. But no, Henry looked upon her glorious face again. Her long blonde hair hung to the middle of her back, loose around her face. Clear gray eyes gazed at him, and in that moment he knew would do anything in his power to aid her.