An Oath Taken by Diana Cosby Page A

The father having died within his dungeon, if his son passed as well, ’twould prove difficult—if not impossible—to reestablish any fragment of an alliance with the bordering Scots.
    â€œSir Nicholas,” one of his knights called.
    Nicholas halted as his man approached. “What is it?”
    The knight gestured toward the far side of the courtyard. “If you have not found your squire, he is in the stable.”
    He glanced toward the newly constructed building. The disappointment he’d experienced at waking to find his squire gone from his chamber resurfaced. After the shared confessions between them last night, and learning a slice of Thomas’s past, he’d believed they had reached a crossroads of sort. To awaken and discover Thomas gone without a word was a slap to his pride.
    â€œMy thanks.” Frustrated he’d not read Thomas better, Nicholas strode toward the building. Had the similarities between their youths clouded his normally keen judgment, leading him to make decisions with his heart instead of his mind? The shortcomings in this instance could very well be his—a hard fact to consider or accept.
    Straw crunched under his feet as he entered the stable and the scent of hay and horses greeted him. A gelding whinnied, another snorted and pawed the earth. Near the back, he caught sight of Thomas grooming a steed.
    At his approach, Thomas glanced over, paused midstroke. Shimmers of early morning light flickered over his face, illuminating the apprehension in his eyes.
    Doubts toppled over frustration as Nicholas neared. Had anything truly changed between them? What had he expected, a day of setting an example and Thomas would understand that he was a man of his word, someone he could trust?
    Tension knotted in the back of his neck. Yes, ’twould seem he had. Who better than he knew the true meaning of having someone care for you enough to take the time to make a difference? And how dare he become secure in this arena and believe he could walk into this lad’s life and ease his high-strung emotions with meager effort. Hadn’t he experienced firsthand the torrent of emotions one could feel, the pain, the angst, and the long years of work involved to overcome the challenges faced?
    And he’d been fortunate. Through it all his uncle’s strength and love helped to keep him focused as to his true reason. Shame washed through him. Yes, he was indeed a fool to expect so much so soon from a lad who believed him to be his enemy.
    Humbled, Nicholas drew in a deep breath, focused on the positive progress made. However much the lad seemed to deny the fact, a bond existed between them, a connection he would nurture.
    He halted before Thomas. The lad shuffled uncomfortably, bringing Nicholas back to his purpose. Whatever his emotional oversight, it didn’t forgive his squire for vanishing from his chamber this morning without a word. A fact the lad would learn now.
    He stepped closer.
    Thomas’s breath caught, his eyes darted toward the exit, but to his credit he held.
    â€œWhy did you leave the chamber this morning without my knowledge?”
    The lad’s fingers tightened on the curry. “I—I . . . I had much on my mind and I couldna sleep.”
    â€œYour place is to serve me, not traipse about on a whim. If you needed to talk, you only had to wake me.”
    A flush stained his face. “I am sorry.”
    Though his squire’s eyes portrayed sincerity, Nicholas pressed on. The lad must fully understand the consequences his irresponsible actions could yield. He took another step bringing him inside the stall and a pace away from his squire. Close enough to see the flecks of gold shimmering in the emerald depths, to be caught by their secrets, secrets Thomas seemed bound and determined not to share. “If you cannot perform your duties as your position requires, you will be released.”
    Thomas’s face paled.
    Nicholas