Welcome to Tuesday Tales, where you’ll find entertaining excerpts from a group of hard-working writers. Writing is our passion. You can enjoy stories and see works in progress unfold. The word prompt this week is anxious. I continue here with the adventurous medieval romance featuring the knight Nicholas Wycliffe. Make sure to visit all the talented authors of Tuesday Tales.
He positioned the satchel of rabbits across his shoulder, careful not to further aggravate the blasted wound. “Never fear. Let us make haste. I shall send a man after your runaway horse.”
She nodded, lifted her gown fractionally to walk unencumbered, and fell into step with him. “I would be obliged, Sir–.” She paused, allowing his introduction.
“Your pardon, milady. I am Nicholas of Wycliffe Hall, at your service.”
“I am Rose Beaumont, Sir Nicholas, and pleased to make your acquaintance. Wycliffe you say? I had no idea I was so off course.” She shot him an anxious look.
“You were heading in a different direction?”
“To Ainwick, where my aunt is abbess.” Her eyes flashed. “That horse with his wayward nature! If I must be off course, though, fate selected a pleasant spot. Wycliffe is an impressive holding.”
You know of it?”
“If childhood memory serves, I believe my father and I once received hospitality from the lord there—mayhap your father?”
“My father’s doors were ever open to travelers.”
She made a sweeping gesture that seemed to indicate her present plight. “And yours as well, it seems. I wonder if we met before in our younger years?”
“Mayhap, although my apprenticeship was with Lord Rothburg at Bellister. In any case, you are heartily welcome, Lady Rose, to any hospitality we can offer. Tis a sad circumstance the hall currently lacks the refinement it once had. The border wars have cost us much.”
There again was the concerned furrow between her tawny brows. “Your father is in attendance?”
A moment passed before he spoke. “Nay, my esteemed father breathed his last in the Holy Land.”
“Oh, I am terribly sorry.” She gave him a searching look. “And you were left to deal with the hostilities here at home. These have been difficult years.”
“Aye, tis indeed so. In fact…” Nicholas brought himself up short. Finding himself on the brink of speaking his mind to a total stranger, which might lay waste to his current plans, he tightened his lips. He had always been close-mouthed and circumspect with words. This lady made conversation seem all too easy. He regarded her out of the corner of his eye. He must be vigilant. If ever a woman was dangerous, it was she.
I hope you enjoyed the snippet based on the word prompt anxious. Thanks for stopping by. Read the other remarkable excerpts at Tuesday Tales.
Happy Reading!
Flossie Benton Rogers, Conjuring the Magic with Spirited Stories
All rights reserved, copyright @ 2021 Flossie Benton Rogers
Great scene. Now I want to know what he almost said. LOL
Thank you, Susanne!
That was superb, Flossie. And what a fantastic place to end this snippet.
Thank you, Mae!
Wonderful! Starts off as innocent banter and then veers to a possibly dangerous place. Who does he think she might be? And what was he going to say? The mystery of this is fantastic. As is the little nugget you dropped about them possibly been acquainted as children. Intriguing story, rich with depth and detail.
Thank you so much for the positive feedback!
Oh, he’s starting to have feelings for her. I love how easy it is for him to open up to her and how quickly he realizes that. Great job!
Thanks so much, Tricia.