If Not For The Knight, Debbie Boek [electronic reader TXT] 📗

No more words were necessary as he leaned in to take her lips against his own. Their hearts beat rapidly in anticipation, as he slid onto the bed beside her and engulfed her in his warm embrace. Holding one another close, they knew, as no one else could, how right it was for them to be in each other's arms.

Later that night, with their passion spent and Calder still holding her tight, Regan turned in his arms to watch him sleep. The moonlight coming in through the open window cast its glow on his strong, proud face, relaxed now in sleep. His thick lashes lay against his cheek, his broad chest rose and fell in a regular rhythm.

“Calder,” she whispered softly, wishing she had the courage to say these words to him when he was awake, “I love you and would suffer anything to be with you. I wish I could tell you the truth of Radolf, that it was your seed which created such a wonderful child. I wish I could tell him that he has a father that he can be proud of. A strong and courageous knight who can be as tender and loving as any man God set down on this earth. But, I don't know how.”

She watched him for a few more minutes, wishing she could stay with him, but knowing she could not.

Consumed with her own thoughts, she did not notice when Calder opened his eyes and followed her movements as she dressed, reveling in the knowledge that Radolf was his son.

CHAPTER 13

Draco noticed how quiet Calder was as they rode slowly toward the site of the new castle the next morning.

“It's coming along well,” he said.

“What?” Calder asked, shaking himself from his reverie.

“The castle is coming along well,” he repeated, gazing at Calder curiously.

“Yes,” Calder replied, “but, although the Keep is almost complete, it will take quite a bit more time before the outbuildings and wall are finished.”

They stopped their horses so that they could look down at the site. Calder turned to Draco. “How long have you known that Radolf was my son?”

“Since the first time I saw his face up close. Remember that I knew you as a child. It was obvious who his father is. I'm surprised you could not see it yourself.”

“I don't have a lot of time to study myself in a mirror, Draco,” Calder replied dryly.

“Did she tell you, then?”

“Yes, without realizing that she did so. She is not aware that I know.”

“She keeps her silence, thinking to protect you.”

“In what way?” Calder asked curiously. He was not angry at Regan for keeping the boy's true parentage from him. He was still too awed at the thought that it was his seed that had created a boy such as RadoIf.

“She worries that Edgar will use your knowledge to hurt you, or the boy, in some way.”

“He would have tried, I'm sure of that. Which reminds me, how did the patrol do last night?”

“They saw no one, but several more head of cattle were missing this morning.”

“Tonight, we will come up with a plan to deal with this. I am tired of playing these games with him.”

“Yes, Milord,” Draco replied. “What will you do about the boy?”

“Nothing for now. Once Edgar has been dealt with, I will see what Regan does.”

“There is another problem with her.”

“What?” Calder asked, surprised at the extent of concern that flooded through him.

“I do not believe she has food. I've been having them eat with me at the Manor in the morning, but her work for you is finished and I can do so no longer.”

“How can they have no food? There is plenty for everyone in the village.”

“Edgar has not provided for her in some time. They have no fields, own no livestock and, I imagine, any money that they had disappeared with Edgar. Her parents do feed them every night, so they are not starving.”

“Damn,” Calder said softly, “I never considered that Edgar could be that much of a bastard. I'll make sure that she gets the wages I owe her tonight.” He looked appraisingly over at Draco. “You have some free time on your hands now that Regan has completed her tasks, don't you?”

“Yes, Milord.”

“Feel like doing a little hunting today?”

Draco smiled. “Aye, Milord, but whatever will I do if I bag more than we need at the Manor?”

“Perhaps you might show RadoIf how to dress some game and, as his reward, send him home with a couple of rabbits.”

“Yes, Milord,” he replied, reining his horse toward the woods and galloping off.

Regan was startled by a knock on the door as she cleaned up her kitchen that evening. Her heart began to thud painfully against her chest when she saw Calder filling the doorway.

“Good evening, Regan,” he said, as he stepped inside and looked around the small, one room cottage. “I hope I am not disturbing you.”

“Not at all, Milord. It is an unexpected, but pleasant, surprise,” she murmured, as she lowered her eyes, feeling suddenly nervous and shy around him.

“Is Radolf awake?” he asked.

“No, Milord,” she said, waving to a corner with a blanket drawn around it. “He fell asleep a short while ago.”

“Oh,” Calder said, disappointment evident in his voice.

“Why do you wish to see him?” she asked curiously.

“I have to pay him his penny and was looking forward to seeing his reaction. Here are your earnings,” he added, laying a small bag on the table. “I apologize for not giving it to you sooner.”

Noting the weight of the bag, she said, “I think this is not what we agreed to, Milord. There is too much here.” A silver penny was equivalent to one day's work in most trades, and there were many more coins than days that Regan had worked.

“Not nearly enough actually, considering all you have done for me. Your work has been invaluable. Which leads me to my next request,” he said with a smile. “Will you compare the information that you have obtained with the books Aric kept? I will pay you a like amount for doing so.”

“Certainly, I will do it, Milord. But there is no need for you to be so generous.”

“It's the least I can do,” he said, reaching over to brush a stray curl from her cheek, his fingers lingering on her face. Looking around, he saw that there was no privacy for the deed his body craved.

Sighing heavily in disappointment, he handed her one more penny. “Will you see that Radolf gets this in the morning?”

“No, I cannot do that, Milord.”

He looked at her in surprise, not used to having anyone refuse him.

“May I bring him out to the castle site tomorrow? He is quite excited to see it. Mayhap, you could show him around and give it to him then?”

“I would like that,” Calder said with a grateful smile. Leaning down, he took her lips gently with his own, but feeling his pulse quicken and his desire rise, he quickly withdrew his head and moved toward the door.

“Till the morrow then?”

“Till the morrow,” she replied softly, her lips still tingling from the feel of his kiss.

“Good morning, Lord Calder,” Regan called out the next morning as they approached him at the site where the new castle was being built.

Men were bustling all over, some cutting beams and planks and others carrying them inside the Keep, where loud hammering and occasional cursing could be heard.

“Good morning, Regan. Good morning to you also, Radolf,” he said, smiling down at his son.

Radolf hopped from one foot to the other, his excitement almost too overwhelming to contain as he watched all the activity.

“Morning, Lord Cawer,” he said absently, turning his head to and fro, trying to take in everything at once.

“Would you like to see the inside of the Keep?”

“Yes, please.”

Calder took Radolf's hand and, smiling over his head at Regan, led them up the stone steps on the outside of the building, which led to the second floor.

Regan glanced around as they entered the cavernous Hall. The large stone fireplace took up most of the wall along one side of the room. The Lord's table was set on a dais, higher than the others, away from the doorway and close to the fireplace. Two large chairs were positioned behind it, unlike the benches provided for the other tables.

The floor was not yet covered with rushes and smelled of newly cut wood. Rows of large, wooden pillars were placed strategically throughout the room to support the third floor. The glassless windows were open now and would help the smoke from the fireplace escape when it was in use.

The windows were fitted with wooden shutters, which could be closed and secured