Page 97 of The Knight’s Reward

Eleanor’s shrewd eyes narrowed.

“He did not tell him, Your Grace, that we fell in love.”

She allowed those words to settle before continuing.

“It is for this reason Sir Neill, the most loyal and honorable knight in England, asked our king to grant him the reward given as the Tournament of Peace champion without provision.”

“A provision,” the queen said, her voice firm, “which I myself added.”

Neill had suspected as much. It was a favor to one of her ladies, likely at the request of Lady Alina herself. She was hardly the only woman in England to have taken an interest in the tournament champion, Kathryn suspected, and her father was likely eager for the chance to align himself with one of the most powerful families in England.

“Today Sir Neill is asked to choose between peace along the borderlands, where his family resides, and a love forged by circumstance but no less powerful for it.”

She’d said it. Hands trembling, Kathryn was thankful now for the fabric that hid what she hoped was the only indication she was terrified of what she’d just done.

Eleanor did not speak at first. In fact, she hardly moved at all.

“Why did you not return to court?” her lady asked her.

Kathryn had no answer but the truth.

“I worried his murderer could reside here, at court, Your Grace.”

Eleanor breathed so loudly through her nose, Kathryn could hear it from where she stood.

She thought to continue explaining herself, her desire to find the man who’d murdered her father and inability to know whom to trust. Instead, she remained silent.

“Hmmm.”

She wasn’t sure if anything she’d said had moved the queen, but her expression was uncharacteristically flat. Was she angry that Kathryn had stayed away? Did she consider it a mark of disrespect?

“Men and women do not marry for love,” the queen said. “You know this, Lady Kathryn.”

“And yet, some find it.”

Had she gone too far? The suggestion that the king and queen were in love, even though it was obvious to all, was risky. It was not something openly discussed at court.

Kathryn looked away, and her eyes pinned on the banner hanging above the queen. Three lions, a dragon, and a castle on a field of red. She had to hold back a gasp as she thought of the seer’s vision at Kenshire.

The queen startled her out of her reverie.

“Indeed.”

The queen sat up then, waved her hand, and said, “That will be all. I will send for you this afternoon, my lady.”

Stunned, Kathryn did not move at first. When she realized she’d been dismissed, by the queen of England, there was nothing left for her to do but bow.

And leave.

She’d expected an answer. Or at least some indication of the queen’s thoughts. She’d received neither.

Defeated, she listened to the swishing of her grand gown with each step she took back to her chamber. Not even glancing up at the guards who stood outside the queen’s solar, Kathryn tried to be thankful she’d had the audience at all. Thankful the queen even listened to her plea.

But all she could think of was her frown of displeasure when Kathryn had admitted she’d stayed intentionally away from the court.

Without warning, her cheeks began to tingle as tears streamed down her face.

She wanted her father.