Bride for a Knight. Margaret Moore

feel any delight in her father’s death, however the man’s behaved.”

      “N-no, of course not. I didn’t mean to imply... Forgive me,” Sir Melvin stammered.

      “I have taken no offense,” Roland answered as his wife and Lady Viola finally appeared.

      He saw at once that Mavis didn’t appear any more rested. She was still too pale, with dark circles under her eyes.

      Perhaps Lady Viola was as talkative as her husband and he would have done better to continue on until they found an inn or abbey willing to take them, no matter how desperate he’d been to find a night’s lodging.

      Unfortunately, it was too late now.

      The men rose as the ladies joined them on the dais at the high table, Mavis to Sir Melvin’s right, Lady Viola on his left. Lady Viola was plain, but far from ugly, and when she smiled indulgently at her husband, Roland could believe theirs was indeed a love match, as surprising as he would have found it when he first arrived.

      “Your son is a lovely child,” Mavis said as the servants began to serve a thick ham pottage in trenchers, with fresh-made bread and unexpectedly good wine. “You are very blessed.”

      “Yes, very blessed and fortunate,” Sir Melvin agreed with proud complacency. “I’m after a dozen children at least. The more, the better, I always say. I suppose you’ll be wanting sons soon, my lord. Nothing against daughters, for where would we be without them, but a son first, eh?”

      Roland didn’t risk even a glance at Mavis before he replied. “I hope to have many children.”

      “Then you’re in agreement with your wife,” Lady Viola noted, and he felt a surge of pleasure and relief. “As she says, children are our comfort and security.”

      Comfort—as if he’d been harsh and cruel.

      Security—as if he couldn’t keep her safe.

      Did Mavis think him incapable of the most basic duties belonging to a husband and a father? Did she believe that he would be as negligent as his own, or hers?

      To be sure, his father had been cruel, capricious, selfish and demanding, always pitting one son against the other in a never-ending competition, but that only made Roland more determined to be a better father, if God blessed him with children.

      “I look forward to fatherhood,” he said firmly, and then he added, because he was certain it would be true, “I’m sure my lady will be an excellent mother.”