Read Joanna Davis - Knights In Shining Armor for Free Online Page A

that mattered was the end result.
                  "Oh, so that's it. I suspected you knew her before we came here. She hurt your feelings, did she? If you opened your eyes you'd see that she's obviously carrying a torch for you. Though I can't imagine why after tonight."
                  "Be silent old man and drink your ale."
                  "I don't care to share a drink with such a cold hearted bastard."
                  Wyeth stood and strode from the room toward the barracks. Kenneth sat there in silence for a few minutes before sheepishly rising to follow Wyeth. Only the lower ranked men remained to watch as Rowan downed his wine and stormed out of the room.
                 
     
     
     
    **********
     
     
     
     
                  Emeline slammed her door behind her, breathing heavily. Tears were already spilling down her cheeks from the moment she'd left the hall. She hadn't been able to stop them from falling.
                  How could she ever have cared for him? More than anything, the position he was putting her in, whatever was to come, that was what hurt the most. That she'd been fool enough to love him.
                  Love .
                  It had been so long ago. Perhaps he had once been kind but he had changed dramatically. It hurt too much to imagine that she'd been completely blind to his character. He'd been shy and gallant when they'd met by chance all those years ago. An unlikely and secret friendship had grown from there, with weekly meetings in the remote gardens of her fathers house on the rare days the trainee soldiers were allowed free reign. There had been letters too. Wonderful long letters full of promise. He'd even given her his family ring. It was a modest gold band but it had meant everything to her. She had truly believed he loved her and that they would be together.
                  Until the day that everything had changed. Her parents had sat her down and announced that she was to be married. She'd protested, even attempting to run away, before they'd broken down and told her the truth. That her father had lost everything in a game of cards to Lord Fairhaven. Their town house, the country estate, everything. That the old man had seen her dancing at a ball and would forgive her fathers debts. On one condition. He wanted her.
                  She probably would have gone through with it willingly if it were not for Rowan. She'd written him several frantic letters explaining what had happened before she'd run away, hoping he would meet her in Calais. Of course, she never made it that far.
                  That was the last she had heard from him. She'd never stopped writing though. It had kept her sane during the next few years when her husband kept her under lock and key, like a prisoner in her own home. No, not like a prisoner. She actually was one. And now, after one year of relative peace on her own, Rowan was going to imprison her again.
                  It was far worse this time though. Because she had once loved him. She knew now that he had never cared for her at all. He only saw her as an object to slake his lust on. To use.
                  His whore.
                  The word ripped through her gut, making her bend over in pain. She stared around the room wondering how long she had. She wasn't ready to leave yet. She needed a plan in place, supplies, someone to escort her all the way across England. She wasn't even sure if her aunt yet lived. Perhaps if she just hid, he would be more reasonable in the morning. Maybe he would relent…
                  Her tapestry hung on it's frame. She stared at it, her heaving sobs slowing to a stop. Then she tore it down, sending the broken frame crashing to the floor.
                  She snatched her cloak and was