Lonely is the Knight (Merriweather Sisters Time Travel Romance Book 3) Read Free Page A

her eyes. And something much older. She reached out, lost her tenuous grip, and went under again.
    The old woman surfaced. “My foot is stuck.” She gasped and went under again, splashing and flailing.
    Henry leaned forward as far as possible without falling in. He grasped her hand in his and felt the wet skin slip free. This time the water held her longer. He swore.
    She surfaced, coughing. “I cannot break free. Leave me before the water claims you as well.”
    “Damnation. Do not give up.” Henry removed his weapons, tunic, and boots. Bare-chested, he dove into the water, one knife in hand, and came up sputtering. “Bloody hell, that’s cold.”
    With a few strokes he reached the woman, pulling her upward. She was shivering and her lips were blue. Henry dove under. The water was clear. He could see her foot trapped in the tree, her skirts caught on branches. Henry cut through the heavy fabric. Running out of breath, he surfaced, pulling her up again.
    “Once more.”
    He went under again to free her foot. As he surfaced, Henry pulled her close. “Put your arms around my neck.” With her on his back, he swam to shore. The bank was muddy as Henry pulled her out of the water.  
    “You are safe now.” With a muttered curse, he lay there, looking up at the sky, panting. He had to quit eating so much and lazing about his hall. He was running to fat.
    When he recovered his breath, Henry sat up. “How did you fall in?”
    “Thank ye for saving me.” The woman had long silver hair braided down her back. With a grace that belied her age, she rolled to her feet, the purple cloak sodden and dripping. Her dress and cloak were ragged around the edges.
    He winced. “My apologies for your dress.”
    She looked down and wriggled her toes. “No matter. In my youth, I would have rewarded you with a kiss.”
    As he watched, she pulled off brush and unearthed a basket and shoes. Something about her made Henry uneasy. He managed a weak smile.
    “I was out foraging for herbs. I heard a voice and a man struck me. He believed me dead, tossed me into the water.” Her hand went to her neck as if seeking something.
    “Did you lose something, mistress?”
    “My purse and my necklace. A verra powerful piece. The necklace is blessed and brings the wearer great fortune and luck.”
    “It doesn’t seem to have brought you much luck on this day. Perchance it isn’t working?”
    The woman laughed, a tinkling sound like rain on armor filling the air. “Mayhap, young lord.”
    Henry looked around. “You are not far from the haunted wood. ’Tis known for a group of outlawed bandits. They live in the dark wood, venturing forth to prey on travelers and hold nobles and knights for ransom. ’Tis rumored they are led by a man who was once a rich and powerful knight. No one knows who he is.”
    She smiled. “I have nothing to fear from them.”
    Henry rolled his eyes. “Where’s your guard?”
    “I require no guard. The one who harmed me will pay.” She eyed him as if waiting to see what he would say.
    While he gathered up his clothing and re-sheathed his sword, Henry thought about what the woman said. A man who would ill use a woman so was no better than the lowest of men. He had a duty to see her where she needed to go.
    He bowed. “Henry Thornton at your service. May I escort you to your destination, madam?”
    “Aye, I knew by your handsome face and lovely hair I was rescued by one of the Thornton brothers. I think the most handsome of all the Thornton brothers, Lord Ravenskirk.” The old woman beamed at him and took his arm.
    Henry grinned as he lifted the woman up onto the horse. “You flatter me, madam. We should reach the inn by nightfall. My men will be waiting for me there.”
    They rode in companionable silence. As the sun sank low in the sky, she spoke.
    “You will experience great upheaval in your life, Lord Ravenskirk.”
    “Please, call me Henry.” He resisted the urge to snort. As one of five brothers, he was