A Knight With Grace: Book 1 of the Assassin Knights Series by Laurel O'Donnell Page B

William?”
    “William doesn’t dine in the Great Hall,” Emily said.
    “Why?” Grace wondered.
    Emily frowned and sadness entered her eyes. “People can be cruel.”
    Grace nodded softly. Just like she was when she first met William. The immediate hatred and judgment she cast on him had come without thinking, without any effort to bring it forth. It was just there inside of her. She waited until Anna left the room before asking Emily, “Did he really do it? Did he really kill the archbishop?”
    Emily cupped her cheek. “That is something you will have to ask him.” She slowly dropped her hand in thought. “Perhaps he would dine with us if you asked him.”
    Grace stepped back, shaking her head vehemently. “I don’t know what I would do if someone was cruel to him.”
    Emily clasped her hands tightly. “Ask him.”

    Emily had promised to meet her at the evening meal. She had said she needed to prepare a few things, but Grace had a suspicion Emily only wanted to give Grace time alone with William. It was something Grace would not argue with her about. She enjoyed the moments she and William spent alone together. She moved into the corridor and walked across the hallway to William’s door. She lifted her hand to knock when she heard voices from inside.
    “Why? Why did ya kill him? Was he a bad man?” It was a young boy’s voice.
    “The king ordered it,” William answered.
    There was silence for a long moment. Then the boy said, “Me Mum says yer going ta burn in Hell.”
    “I am,” William said softly, confidently.
    His statement twisted Grace’s heart.
    “But ya did yer penance. Perhaps the Pope will forgive ya.”
    “There is no forgiveness for me. Let this be a lesson for you. God comes before king. In all things.”
    “Then how come ya killed the archbishop? Didn’t ya know --?”
    “I was greedy. I sought to gain the king’s favor.”
    “Ya still got your lands! So the king must not be mad at ya!”
    “A lot of good it will do me in Hell.”
    “Pray ta God. That’s what I do when I did something bad. He always forgives me. He’ll forgive ya too!”
    “Thank you, Luke. I will try that. Maybe someday I will be forgiven.”
    Grace knocked softly on the door, hating to disturb the conversation. William opened it. Grace was unprepared for the sight that greeted her. He had cleaned up. He wore black boots and leggings that fit his muscular legs tightly. His white tunic was open at the neck, giving a glimpse of his strong chest. He wore his sword belted around his waist. His dark hair hung in waves to his shoulders. His blue eyes fixed on her with appreciation.
    Realizing her mouth was open, she closed it and swallowed in a dry throat, all words lost. She couldn’t remember what she was going to say. Her heart did a strange little flip in her chest.
    He bowed slightly. “Lady Grace.” His hand rested lightly on a boy’s shoulder beside him.
    Instinctively, Grace curtsied. “Sir William.” Her knees almost weakened enough where she couldn’t stand, but she managed to rise.
    “Yer right,” the boy said in awe. “She is beautiful.”
    Grace glanced at the boy, who was maybe seven summers in age, at the dark hair hanging in his eyes, and then back at William. Shock flooded through her. Had he said she was beautiful?
    William took her hand and looked at the boy. “May I present the Lady Grace. This is Luke.”
    “Very nice to meet you, Luke.”
    Luke nodded, brushing his brown hair from his eyes. He looked back at William. “Remember, you promised.”
    William grinned and nodded agreement. “I remember. Go on, now. Make sure my dinner is ready.”
    Luke raced off down the hallway.
    “I’m intrigued. What did you promise him?”
    “That he could be my squire.”
    “Squire? He needs to be a page first!”
    “Aye.”
    Grace looked at William. “You won’t let him be your squire.”
    “I have no need of a squire.” He opened the door to allow her entrance to his room.