A Knight in Central Park(65)

Chapter Eighteen



A hero is a man who is afraid to run away.

—English Proverb

It was well past morning by the time Alexandra swept through the narrow hall of the inn, heading for Sir Joe’s bedchamber. The children were in the dining hall breaking their fast with the other patrons.

Last night she’d shared a room with the girls. She told Garrett he could sleep in Sir Joe’s chamber, but her brother refused, sleeping near the hearth instead. If only she could get Garrett to open up to her, but every time she tried to talk to him, he withdrew. She had been glad to find him playing chess with a young man who seemed a bit of a know-it-all, but charming just the same. He’d certainly caught Susan’s eye, which is why Alexandra had hurried the girls to bed, telling them they would need their sleep for the long journey ahead.

Alexandra entered Sir Joe’s room, careful not to drop the tray as she pushed the door open with her hip. She set the tray on a high table, then went to the window and opened the curtains, letting the morning sun brighten the room. Her gaze fell to where Sir Joe lay on the high bed. She was glad to see that he was alone.

The sheet swept over his legs, leaving much of him exposed. He was everything she ever envisioned a man should be: strong and muscular, but not as brawny as a woodcutter. Well bronzed after their long trek. He did not look to be the scholarly type. Upon moving closer, she saw the peaceful expression on his face. When she reached out to adjust the sheet, his hand clamped over her wrist.

She gasped.

“Spying on me again?”

“Nay, I was only making sure you were well.”

He let go of her hand and swept a hand across his swollen jaw.

“Does it hurt?” she asked.

“Not much. For the first time in days I don’t feel a painful throbbing in my mouth. My headache is finally gone, too. Something smells very good,” he said, turning toward the tray on the nightstand. “An omelet?”

“Nay.” Alexandra retrieved the tray from the table and brought it to him.

“Breakfast in bed? You’re too good to me,” he said as he fluffed the misshapen pillows behind him so he could sit upright and take the tray from her. A single flower was displayed within a pewter vase. “What do we have here?” He took a whiff, his nose wrinkling.

She smiled. “’Tis a gillyflower.”

“No kidding? A flower that smells...” He took another whiff. “Nothing like a flower at all.”

“It possesses the scent of cloves.”

“Very nice,” he said, but she could see he had no liking for the flower and was simply being polite. “Lady Gowan, the innkeeper, was nice enough to pick it for you.” With that said, she headed for the door.

“Don’t leave,” he blurted. “Stay and talk for awhile.”

She wrung her hands.

“Come on,” he urged, “keep me company while I eat.”

She brought a stool to the side of the bed, then proceeded to watch him devour his eggs, then take a bite of mutton.

“This is good...delicious.”

“Lady Gowan is a good cook and a very nice woman. The children and I have enjoyed our stay thus far.”

He smiled, took another bite.

“What would you like to talk about?” she asked.

He chewed while he thought about it. Then he pointed his spoon her way. “Tell me more about yourself. Anything at all. Whatever pops into your head.”

“I’ve told you all there is to know.”

He shook his head, then swallowed. “You’ve told me about your life growing up. But what about your hopes and dreams?”

Her brow wrinkled in puzzlement.

“What is it you want out of life“ he asked before taking another mouthful.

She laughed. “I dare say...I have no idea.”

“Come on, you’re not trying hard enough. What makes you tick?”

“I have never taken the time to ponder such things. Verily, I know not.”

Joe finished off the mutton. “Any woman who can look at a cloud and see a lion must have dreams.”

“Do most people from your time ponder such things?”

He took a sip of ale. “Yes they do. And I am going to help you out by telling you who I think you are. Maybe that will help to get you started.”

“All right,” she said, curious.

He pushed the tray aside. “You’re beautiful. That’s a no-brainer.”