Read The Knight and the Seer for Free Online Page A

arrived last night with the laird’s son.” She gave her a long, steady look. “How is it that you and Andrew know each other?”
    “We first met at his castle.” Gwenellen decided not to try to explain further, and was delighted when the woman seemed to accept her answer as sufficient.
    “I hope your clothes were cleaned to your satisfaction, my lady.”
    “Aye. I thank you.”
    The woman leaned close, keeping her voice low. “I pride myself on my dressmaking skills, but I confess, I’ve never seen a gown so fine as yours. Who did the weaving of this cloth?”
    “My mother is the weaver.”
    “The cloth is so fine, she could even dress the queen.”
    Gwenellen’s smile was radiant. “I do thank you, Mary. I’ve always thought my mother had a rare talent, but it’s nice to hear it from a stranger’s lips as well.”
    “Andrew said you’d be returning to your home, my lady.”
    Gwenellen hesitated for only a second. “I believe I shall stay in your lovely village awhile.”
    “We’re honored.” The woman set a second slice of bread in front of Gwenellen, and as an afterthought offered a dab of honey before moving on to the next table.
    At her kind gesture, Gwenellen couldn’t help but smile. Perhaps this world wasn’t so different from her own after all. At least they indulged their love of sweets.
    She bent to her breakfast, intent upon being ready to leave whenever the villagers beckoned. After all, what would be the harm of remaining here for another day or two? She’d already had a taste of Andrew’s anger. Though she’d been alarmed and more than a little afraid, she’d survived. She would survive another bout of temper. And if he should banish her, at least she’d have the satisfaction of having tried.
    Andrew hauled the smoldering timber outside and placed it in the growing pile. Already more than a dozen villagers had arrived to lend a hand, with the promise of more when their farm chores had been tended.
    Though the damage to the fortress had been extensive, he’d been pleased to discover by the light of morning that much of it could be salvaged. Because so much of the building was made of stone, the outer shell was sound. Fires had been set inside the castle area, torching the tapestries that had once lined the walls, destroying most of the wooden beams and much of the furniture.
    Such things could be replaced, he reminded himself grimly. And would be. But the things that mattered most in his life could never be restored. He felt again the twin tugs of pain and guilt. Pain at the loss of his father and loyal servants who had been with his family for generations. Guilt that he and his father had parted in such anger. Now he must put aside his anger at his father and direct it against his enemy.
    He silently vowed that the one who did this cruel thing would be caught and punished.
    At the clatter of horses and carts he looked over to see more villagers arriving. In their midst sat Gwenellen, talking and laughing with the women as though she’d known them all her life.
    His frown deepened as he stalked over to confront her. “Woman, what brings you here?”
    “I wish to help.”
    His voice lowered, for her ears alone. “I warned you. I can’t see to your safety.”
    “Then I’ll just have to see to my own.”
    “Are you simply a little fool? Or is your defiance of my wishes something more?”
    She lifted her head like a queen. “I know not what you mean, sir. The call went out for help, and I simply answered it. Now if you’ll excuse me…”
    She started to step down, and was forced to catch her breath as his big arms came around her waist, lifting her as though she weighed no more than a wee child. Again she felt the most amazing flutter around her heart at the mere touch of him.
    She found it difficult to speak over the constriction in her throat. “Thank you, sir.”
    He set her on her feet and studied her with a growing frown. How pretty she looked, all fresh-faced and