The Warrior's Reward Read Free

she said loudly for the benefit of the guards.
    “My thanks, how thoughtful of you.”
    Rosamunde ushered her in and shut the door behind her. Sara placed the jug of ale down on the large chest of drawers and hastily slipped off her cloak. With fair hair and a similar build, Rosamunde felt sure she could pass for Sara under the cloak.
    Slipping on the mantle, Rosamunde lifted the hood as far over her head as she could. “What do you think? Shall the guards know ‘tis me?”
    Bella groaned. “My lady, what are you up to?”
    “I’m going to join in the revelry. I cannot stand a moment longer trapped in this keep.”
    She paced across the room and pushed open the creaky window. The scent of roasted meats drifted into the room. Torches cast their golden glow about the lands in front of her father’s keep, like little fireflies lighting the night. Fires dotted the hills and the red and white tents billowed in the evening breeze. She smiled as a bawdy song drifted up to greet her. She imagined the men and women dancing, drinking, eating.
    Excitement.
    She just had to join in.
    When she pushed away from the cold stone, she saw Sara had settled on the canopied bed and grinned up at them. Rosamunde had spoken with the maid after supper and though Sara had been more than happy to help, Rosamunde also offered her several coins. After all, if her father found out, they would all be in trouble. Though she was confident she could talk him out of any drastic action or else she would not have asked Sara.
    “You’re mad, my lady.”
    “Mayhap.” She tugged the mantle around her head once more. “Are you to join me, Bella?”
    “I could hardly let you go on your own now, could I?”
    Anticipation whirled in her belly when she snatched her purse and tucked it around the girdle of her gown. She, Lady Rosamunde de Lacy, was going to escape the castle for one night and dance and sing and... well, who knew what else? She was hoping for many things.
    Heart fluttering in her chest, she motioned for Belle to go first and clasped her mantle around her. The lady-in-waiting opened the door and they slipped out.
    Rosamunde waited for a shout of recognition. Tensed as they strode quickly past the two guards. A cough from behind her nearly made her jump clean from the cloak but no heavy footsteps or rattling swords followed. Now they simply needed to escape down the outer staircase and avoid anyone else. Her father would be in his solar and many of the household would be abed. They could slip back in and no one would be any the wiser.
    And she would have her little adventure.
    Skirts in hand, they made their way down the steps. Stars twinkled overhead, the night as clear as the day had been. Fresh, cool air filled her chest and she couldn’t help but grin to herself. When they made it to the bottom of the stone steps, her heart had almost stopped pounding so heavily.
    “Come on. Before we see anyone we know,” she said, slipping her arm through Bella’s.
    “If your father—”
    “Oh hush, he will never find out.”
    Arm in arm, they made their way down the short embankment of the castle toward the tents. The two sennights the tournament had been on had been utter torture. To see all the bold knights and the villagers enjoying themselves so close by and she, trapped in her castle like a prisoner, only able to watch from her window... But no longer. The boldness of that knight today had inspired her. If he could be so brave as to approach her whilst she was at her father’s side, she could find the courage to enjoy one night of revelry. Whatever memories she made tonight would carry her through whatever the years brought.
    More summers trapped behind the stone of her father’s keep, most likely. It didn’t look as though he would ever say aye to a suitor or allow her a little more freedom. It was so unfair.
    Flaming torches held in iron stakes that were in turn stuck into the ground led the way past the pavilion tents which housed most