Read For My Lady's Heart for Free Online Page B

true name.”
    “Liege lord of my life,” the knight said, “I have made a vow.”
    “Yea, I remember. Not until thou art proved worthy, was it? At least
    remove thy helm, sir. It alarms the ladies, as thou canst well see.” He made
    a slight gesture toward Melanthe.
    The green knight hesitated. Then he seized his helmet and pulled it off
    his head. The feathers fluttered as he held it under his arm. Melanthe
    glanced at the emerald that adorned the crest, and looked into his face.
    But he kept his eyes well cast down, focused on some spot below the table
    at Lancaster’s feet, showing mostly a head of black hair cut short and
    unruly. He was clean-shaven, with a strong jaw and strong features, sun- and
    battle-hardened in a way that was different from the men she was accustomed
    to— in the way of campaign and
chevauchee,
open-air knight errantry
    instead of close-handed
duellum
with wits and dagger. Melanthe had
    an abiding respect for any type of violence; this type had the benefit of a
    certain novelty. One could appreciate the theory of chivalrous knighthood
    ... one could smile at the idea of a man who would not give his name until
    he was proven worthy.
    Since she felt the urge to smile, she followed the primary rule of her
    existence and did not do it. Had she followed that principle a moment ago,
    stifling instinct, she would not now be standing in this foolish and
    conspicuous way, showing herself the only one who had been so affected by
    the sensational entrance.
    “You desire a unicorn, and I give it you,” Lancaster said in high good
    humor. “The beast is yours to command, Princess.”
    The knight lifted his head slightly. His face was immobile. A faint
    tickle of significance stirred in Melanthe’s mind, a fleeting thought she
    could not catch. He was indeed a fine man, tall on his horse, strong of
    limb, his face that combination of beauty and roughness that provoked the
    ladies to sighs and the more elegant courtiers to spiteful remarks about
    vulgarity. The range of expression in the company behind him was of vast
    interest to Melanthe—and not least intriguing the green knight’s own taut
    countenance. He had a look of extremity on him, some emotion far more
    intense than mere playacting at marvels before a lady.
    “What will you, my lady?” Lancaster asked. “Shall you send them to hunt
    dragons?”
    The knight glanced at Melanthe for an instant, then away, as if the
    contact startled. His destrier shifted restlessly beneath him, its enameled
    hooves thumping on the braided rush. The bells jangled. With an abrupt move
    he yanked one glove from his hand and threw it down before the company. “A
    challenge!” he shouted. He turned about in the saddle, scanning the hall,
    rising in his stirrups. “For the honor of my lady, tomorrow I take all who
    come!”
    Lancaster went stiff beside her. He stood up. “Nay, sir,” he snapped.
    “Such is not thy place, to defend Her Highness!”
    The knight ignored his liege. “Is this the court of the Black Prince and
    Lancaster?” he shouted furiously. “Who will fight me for the honor of my
    lady?”
    His voice echoed in the stunned silence of the hall. They stared at him
    as if he had lost his senses. But comprehension burst upon Melanthe.
This
was the source of Allegreto’s mirthful satisfaction—he had created
    a chance for her.
    “Cease thy nonsense!” Lancaster growled in a low voice. “It does thee no
    credit, sir!”
    The green knight had dropped his veneer of submissive respect. His gaze
    hit Melanthe and skewed away again. He dismounted and went down on his knee
    before her in a chinking clash of mail. “My lady!” Over the edge of the
    table she could see that he held his bare hand against his heart, the plumed
    helmet thrust under his arm. “I crave of you, do me this ease—give me
    something of your gift, that I might carry the precious prize tomorrow and
    defend against all comers.”
    “Thou shalt not do so!” the duke