Promised to the Crusader Read Free

need herbs for the kitchens. I go to the woods. Will it pleasure you to come with me?’
    ‘Yes, why not?’ Elaine was already wearing her cloak, for she had intended to walk in the grounds of the castle, but on such a pleasant autumn day it would be enjoyable to go further. ‘Shall we take Bertrand with us?’
    ‘Bertrand waits for me in the courtyard,’ Marion said. ‘He said that I should not go alone to the woods for he heard of a band of marauding bandits in the area. We have always been safe on your father’s land, but…’ She glancedover her shoulder. ‘Lord Howarth does not send out patrols as often as did your father, lady.’
    ‘My uncle believes that his name is sufficient to deter those who would come against him. His neighbours are on good terms with him and I think we must be safe enough—but I am happy to have Bertrand with us.’
    Bertrand had been courting her lady-in-waiting for some months now. He was a soft-spoken man, tall, strong and pleasant in manner, but somewhat diffident in the presence of ladies. Although he had shown some preference for Marion, he had not asked for her. It would be a good chance for the pair to spend a little time together. Elaine would wander a little ahead of them, giving them the opportunity to speak what was in their hearts if they so chose. If they should ask for her permission to wed, she would give it, but she hoped that Marion would not leave her service, for she loved her as a sister.
    She wished with all her heart that Zander had returned to England so that he might accompany them to the woods and a little smile touched her lips as she remembered all the times she’d walked in her father’s woods with the young knight before he’d left for the Holy Land.
    ‘You
know that I love you, Elaine? You knowthat I would not leave you if there were another way?’
    ‘Yes, I know.’
Elaine had smiled up into his grey eyes. He was so handsome with his proud noble features, his mouth soft and seductive, his brows fine and dark. Hair the colour of ebony had fallen across his brow and she’d reached up to brush it away.
‘Please promise to come back safely, Zander. I do not care if you bring riches
.
When I am eighteen my mother’s dower lands become mine. They are all we need to live in peace and happiness together.’
    Zander had reached for her, pulling her close to him. His mouth was sweet on hers as he kissed her lingeringly and with such tenderness that it brought tears to her eyes.
    ‘
Know that I shall never love another woman
,
Elaine. If I do not return for you, it will be because I lie dead in the Holy Land.’
    ‘No! You must not die, for I could not bear it
.
Must you go? I wish you would not. Seek honours at court and in time my father will relent.’
    ‘I must take the Cross and follow the king
.
Richard seeks to convert the heathen or drive them from God’s Holy City. Only when Jerusalem is ours may we consider our duty done
.
And then I shall avenge my father…’
    ‘Supposing you never manage to capture Jerusalem?’
    ‘If I feel the cause hopeless I shall return—but we are right. God is with us and we must prevail for we undertake His work.’
    ‘But you leave me behind and break my heart? How can you talk of love and hurt me so?’
    Elaine felt the tears on her cheeks. Zander had kissed her deeply with such tenderness that she had not doubted his love. His cause was just and she could not in all conscience have prevented him from leaving.
    She dashed her tears away. Her memories were precious and she treasured them. Zander had gone because he believed the king’s cause just and because it was the only way he could earn honours and return a rich knight. All her entreaties had not deterred him and so she’d watched him ride away. The years had been long since then and she had grieved for the love that might have been. While her father lived she had waited patiently, but now her soul cried out to the man she loved.
    ‘Where are you,