Chivalrous Read Free Page B

filled with hearty meat stew. But her eldest brother, Reginald, who ruled in her father’s absence, would never tolerate such generosity to their serfs. “Well, I have a surprise you might like.”
    With Maggie dangling from her, Gwen dug through the sack on Andromache’s side. Pulling out not one, but three bright red apples, she held them before the wide-eyed little girl. “Now you must promise to share these with your brother and sister.”
    â€œOf course, miss.” Maggie dropped back to the dirt and jumped about.
    â€œOne should call her Lady—” Rosalind began, but Gwen cut her off with a wave of her hand.
    She had no need for ceremony with these villagers. Handingthe treats to her small friend, she hustled Maggie to her hut. Then Gwen and Rosalind continued toward the austere stone tower, which she was obliged to call home.
    If only Reginald would tend their serfs in the manner recommended by Duke Justus, she should not have to fill her sack with apples. His dukedom, North Britannia, had grown near legendary for its adherence to the law and Christian charity. Chivalry and kindness ruled the day. The very reasons Gwen wished she could fight to protect the dukedom alongside her brothers.
    But her eldest brother, Reginald, walked a fine line. While he had little choice but to treat their serfs with a modicum of fairness, being so close to the grand castle of the duke, he also had to please their father, who expected him to rule by the old values.
    The only Christian principle her father seemed to stand by was divine order—nobility over peasants, men over the spawn of Eve. Forget the Ten Commandments. Forget the gentler instructions of Jesus’s sermon on the mountain, which their duke held so dear. An eye for an eye would suffice for her father. Being sent such conflicting messages from a young age, Gwen had chosen to ignore religion, trusting instead her own inner sense of right and wrong. She could not help but think religion mostly a man-made system for proving one’s own preferences correct.
    Hoofbeats drew her attention as a horseman in full armor raced in their direction. When the rider drew near, her brother Hugh’s jovial features and riot of golden curls came into view.
    He pulled his destrier up hard beside them and hopped lithely to the dirt road, tossing up a cloud of dust with the impact.
    â€œGwennie! My most darling and beloved sister on the entire earth.” He caught her head under his arm and tousled her hair in a boisterous display of affection, as he had since childhood.
    â€œYour only sister on the entire earth.” She shoved him away with a chuckle. After handing off Andromache’s reins to Rosalind, Gwen gestured to Hugh’s formal attire. “What is this? And why the dramatic greeting?”
    Rosalind cut between them and curtsied. “Afternoon, Sir Hugh. How can we be of service?” Her flirtatious tone revealed far more about the nature of her relationship with Hugh than Gwen wished to acknowledge.
    Hugh, always carefree and charming, raked Rosalind’s form with his gaze. “Ah, my fair maid Rosalind, I fear there is little you can do for me today but bid me a fond farewell.”
    â€œAre you leaving?” The words burst from Gwen in an unexpected shout as her heart sank to her boots. Her brother Gerald was still supporting the king’s army in Lincoln where they had defeated the rebels. Must she lose Hugh as well?
    â€œYes, I am to escort the new king, Henry, on a tour of his recently reacquired northern realms. Father believes my jovial nature might be an asset with the young sovereign. Perhaps I shall pull a gold coin from his royal ear.”
    Gwen swatted her irreverent brother. “I am just glad England is no longer under the rule of that awful King John.”
    â€œAs are we all, but that is not why I came,” Hugh said. “I must warn you that Father has at long last returned. You best