Page 15 of To Honor

“Both sword fighting and women?”

“Aye.”

Sir Roland’s easy manner had Gareth smiling. Or perhaps it was knowing, once this strategy lesson was over, he would soon be seeing Lady Evelina again.

“Pray tell, what is that one thing?” Alden asked, turning back.

“Loyalty to my friends.” Roland laughed aloud, causing Alden, who was just opening the chamber door, to look back at them.

“And we are friends?” Gareth asked.

Roland looked to Alden first and then back to Gareth. “I believe we will be.”

He’d not dispute the claim. But Gareth had no time to consider the matter further as a woman’s voice reached him.

“So nice of you three to join us. Do get inside, new recruits. And tell us what kept you from arriving at the designated hour.”

Gareth hid a smile. Thankfully, Alden was first to enter the chamber and therefore would be forced to offer an explanation for them. Better his friend than he.

“We mean no disrespect, my lady,” his friend said.

It was not the words but the way he said them . . . the way Alden looked at her that gave Gareth pause.

“Then if you would, please take your seats, gentleman.”

They did, Gareth looking back and forth between Alden and Lady Elara.

“We’ve two new recruits,” she said to the others, no more than ten men. “Welcome Sir Gareth Claymore and Sir Roland de Vere.”

A murmur of welcomes from some men Gareth had met already, and others that were new faces to him, greeted her statement.

“I will share with you,” she continued, “what I do with each new recruit. You have a measure of skill already, or you would not be here. But the Order of the Sacred Oak will require you,” she spoke to he and Roland now, “to be forced into positions you’ve never trained for. Our goal is to ensure, no matter the mission, each and every knight here will find success. The future of England depends on it. With me, you will learn to use your wits when the sword or bow and arrow are not sufficient to further the cause.”

“I’ve not encountered a situation yet,” Sir Roland responded, “where the sword could not further my cause.”

Gareth dared not smile at the man’s daring. Lady Elara was, indeed, a woman to be reckoned with.

“Precisely why even the Lion of Ravensbrook’s son requires lessons. There is much, it seems, he still does not know.”

This time, Gareth’s effort to keep his expression neutral failed. Lady Elara waited, as if daring him to continue, but the swordsman said no more. Her gaze darted to Alden, ever so briefly, and then back to the others.

“So then. Shall we begin?”

8

“You would have me hide in the alehouse?” Lady Evelina asked.

“Mistress Lucy said her husband is making deliveries and will not be there,” Amalia said.

As both women dismounted and handed their reins to the stable hand, Evelina remained skeptical. “If Master Nathan returns? I trust the alewife to keep my secret, but her husband will more than likely run straight to my father if we are discovered.”

“He will not return.” Amalia’s brows rose. “Unless you and Sir Gareth plan to meet overly long? I thought ’twas to be a simple conversation. Or were you hoping for something more?” her maid teased.

Of course, the thought had crossed her mind, but such things would be highly improper.

“I was not,” she lied.

Amalia barely held in her smile. “I will fetch your knight. Now go before you’re seen by too many.”