Candace C. Bowen - A Knight Series 02 Read Free

protective embrace and take the burdens from her shoulders, even as it angered him to know that he had no right to do so.
    As he ascended the steps, Lecie’s beautiful golden eyes fluttered open. “Sir Albin,” she murmured softly. “These are always the best dreams.”
    Dumbstruck, Albin came close to tripping on the last step. Replaying her words, he stared back down at her. Could it be that she was indeed as attracted to him as he was to her? 
    Further thought would have to wait as he pondered the thought of where to bring her. He could not very well carry her into Edric’s chamber. Ill or not, a man would not take kindly to seeing his wife in the arms of another.  
    Seeing no other alternative available, he carried her into his chamber and laid her gently down on the bed. His throat went dry as he watched her curl on her side towards the very spot where he had been sleeping. 
    His hand shook when his fingers lightly brushed against a full breast as he covered her with the blanket. Uttering a curse, he exhaled to gain control of his traitorous body.
    On his way down the darkened passage, he idly pondered how much longer Edric had left to live. Shame for thinking such a callous thing coursed through him when he heard yet another racking cough followed by a low moan of pain.
    Clearing his mind of all thought of Lecie, he rapped lightly on Talan’s door.
    Muttered oaths and stumbling preceded the cracking of the door as Talan sleepily peered out at him. “Albin, what is amiss?”
    “I need you to assist me below with some cookery.”
    Understanding lit Talan’s weary gaze. “Have you been in the common room drinking all this time? I did not see you return.”
    “Of course not.” Offended, Albin spoke in hushed tones. “I need your assist in the kitchen.”
    “Break your fast at first light with the rest of us,” Talan muttered, attempting to close the door.
    Pushing against the door, Albin scowled. “It is not my stomach I am thinking of. With your noble nature, you will be pleased to discover I am here on behalf of another.”
    Talan opened the door wider. “Lecie?”
    “Aye, Lecie,” Albin whispered anxiously. “She fell asleep in the kitchen whilst cooking.”
    “Give me a moment to dress.”
    Reappearing a moment later, raking his hands through his light brown short-cropped hair, Talan followed Albin down the steps and through the empty common room. 
    Talan glanced around the large, untidy kitchen as they entered. “Where is Lecie?” 
    “Asleep in my chamber,” Albin replied in an offhand manner as he lifted the lid of a salted meat barrel. “Does this look like dried pork or mutton?” 
    When Talan failed to reply, Albin glanced up to find him staring at him with mouth agape. He felt color suffuse his face as he barked, “Cease thinking like Gervase. I found her asleep at the cook table and brought her to my chamber to get some much needed rest.”
    Accepting his answer without comment, Talan crossed to glance in the barrel. “That is salted pork.” Lifting the lid of another, he found rabbit meat. “What should we prepare?”
    “If I knew the answer to that, I would not have fetched you,” Albin replied with a trace of sarcasm.
    Eyeing the supply of garlic, onions, peas and beans, Talan pulled several rabbits from the cask and held them out. “Rinse the brine from these and cut the meat into bite-sized chunks.”
    Taking the salt cured game, Albin grinned. “What are we making?”
    “Apparently, we are not making anything,” Talan replied. “I am doing the cookery and you are lending assist.”
    Eyeing Talan’s smug look, Albin mimicked his tone. “Very well, what are you making?”
    Talan lifted an iron cook-pot and plunked it down on the worktable. “I shall figure it out as we go.”
    “Sounds flavorsome.” Rolling his eyes, Albin reached for a water pot.
    The meat was prepared and in the pot as Albin chopped onions. His eyes watering from the pungent vapors, he squinted