Sir Bentley and Holbrook Court Read Free Page A

the Followers and let him die—you choose!”
    York's eyes burned with fury, and in that moment Bentley fully discerned how deep York's contention with the Followers lay.
    It was a moment that set his mind on a different course.

THE METTLE
OF A MAN
    Bentley stepped onto the terrace and sat on the decorative stone rail of his family's manor. He looked out over the entire southern half of Chessington—a breathtaking view. The setting sun glimmered off the Great Sea in the distance, its fiery colors reflecting the autumn splendor of the wooded areas that bounded the city. Bentley thought it all looked like some splendidly painted canvas. This was his favorite place to come and think.
    Although Bentley had many friends, he often preferred to be alone. Their infatuation with frivolous parties and girls mostly annoyed him. He often felt peculiar and wondered if any of his friends ever had thoughts like his—thoughts about purpose, adventure, truth, the King, and… this mysterious Stranger who seemed to be tearing the kingdom apart.
    He had always thought his destiny was to follow in his father's footsteps. Besides serving as a Noble Knight, Sir Barrington ran a prosperous trading business. His success as both a Noble Knight and an honest merchant had won him the respect of the entire city. Bentley was quickly learning his father's trade and had discovered that he too had a gift forturning opportunity into honest profit. But such success was far from Bentley's first priority—thanks to his parents’ hard work and example.
    Thirty years ago, Barrington had married Lady Deonne, a lovely young woman from another prominent Chessington family. But for years, in spite of all their wealth and social standing, life had withheld from them what they wanted most—children. Their deep love for each other hadn't seemed complete until Bentley was born. In time they had come to see his delayed arrival as a blessing, for they had watched many of Barrington's fellow knights allow the prestige and power of their position to ruin their sons’ and daughters’ potential. Barrington and Deonne were determined not to let that happen with Bentley. Raising a young man of integrity, unspoiled by affluence, had been their mutual goal. And while Bentley had occasionally chafed at their discipline, he now understood they had given him the gift of freedom—the freedom to be his own man.
    If he could just figure out where that freedom was taking him…
    “Have you ever wondered how something so beautiful could exist?” Lady Deonne's soft voice floated from the terrace doors behind him.
    Bentley stood and took a deep breath, as if to fill his mind and soul with the peace of the moment. “All the time,” he answered without taking his eyes from the serene cityscape.
    Lady Deonne walked up behind Bentley and put her arm around his waist. Bentley placed an arm around his mother. Her dark brown hair was slowly yielding to wisps of white. She had given Bentley his bright blue eyes and the gentle curls in his sandy hair. His square jaw and broad shoulders were gifts of his father.
    “You know, son, moments like these are most appreciated with a beautiful young lady beside you.”
    “That's fortunate.” Bentley smiled at his mother. “I have one right here.”
    Deonne laughed and gently jabbed his ribs. “You know what I mean. Lady Fione and I were talking the other day—”
    “Mother, I am not interested in Merivale.”
    “Don't you think she's beautiful?”
    “Of course, but I… I have other things to do. Besides, I don't think someone like her would be interested in me.”
    “Why in the kingdom not?” Deonne leaned away from Bentley to look into his eyes.
    “Because she's so… so… pretty.”
    Deonne laughed again and put her hand to her son's chin. “Have you looked in a glass lately, son?”
    Bentley shook his head. He walked to the corner of the terrace and lifted his foot onto a marble bench. The sun was nearly set, but the purple and