Armored Hearts by Melissa Turner Lee Page B

leave.
    “Would ye like me to have Thompton bring up yer chair so you can get to yer package?”
    “No, I can manage. Please close the door as you leave.”
    Sarah nodded and curtsied before withdrawing.
    The moment the door clicked shut, Gareth flew to the bed and lifted the lid of the crate. He pushed away packing straw to reveal a long sword. Gareth lifted the flat blade with an edge on both sides and inspected it. It was a Scottish claymore. The hilt was ornate, with the wooden handle carved to look like vines intertwined together. There was something familiar to Gareth about the look of the vines but he couldn’t think of what they reminded him.
    Another knock came from his door.
    Gareth sat on his bed, still holding and inspecting the sword. “Yes?”
    Tabitha stuck her head around the door. “Can we come in?”
    Before he could give an answer, she and Jessamine rushed into his room. Tabitha’s blue eyes grew large as she took in the claymore. “Where did you get that?”
    Jessamine eyed the sword from top to bottom. “It’s beautiful.”
    Mr. Strong, he thought. But without a return address, Gareth couldn’t be certain. Instead, he shook his head as he lifted it, still inspecting the blade. “I’m not sure where it came from. Sarah said it just arrived for me.”
    Tabitha held out a big, floppy, floral hat. “We are off to my bonnet club. Should Lord Pensees or Mr. Keller ask, tell them we will not be late for dinner.”
    He frowned. “Yes, I will tell them.”
    Tabitha turned to go but Jessamine stepped closer, placing her hand on the hilt. “The vines are beautiful. I wonder if the Flying Knight wields a sword as grand as this.”
    Her hand brushed against Gareth’s. He glanced over at her, taking in her knowing smile, one that made him question all she might know about him. Again he inhaled her scent. She was too close. It took all he had not to fly off the bed to the other side of the room and cower in a corner. He wasn’t accustomed to such an onrush feelings. Their newness made them more difficult to suppress. He would have to practice.
    Jessamine smiled, and her large, brown eyes peered into his. “I look forward to dinner tonight with you and your family.”
    With a nod, she walked out the door. Tabitha shut it behind them.
    ***
    Jessamine leaned against the wall once in the hall. Her heart pounded in her ears. It was him; she knew it. The eyes were the same and held the same intensity she remembered.
    “Jessie, are you all right?” Tabitha made her way to where Jessamine had propped herself and placed her hand on Jessamine’s forehead. “You seem unwell.”
    Jessamine took a deep breath and then let it out. “I’m fine. Just excited. It’s finally going to happen. My father has spoken with Lord Pensees. It has all being arranged. I’m so glad you had this emergency bonnet club meeting called or I should have paced the floor of my room in anticipation.”
    “We need to hurry. Mrs. Collins has just found out about a rally organized for suffragettes, by Emmeline Pankhurst. She is a member of one of our sister bonnet clubs. We are making banners and printing pamphlets today.”
    Jessamine grabbed her friend’s shoulder. “Women are asking for the vote? How exciting. We don’t even have that in America. Let’s go.”
    ***
    After knocking, Tabitha entered Gareth’s room around the same time she always did. Her blue, silk skirts rustled as she made her way to him. Gareth knew little of fashion, but it was obvious the dress was not with the current style. It had probably been made over at least three times now by Sarah and looked worn.
    His loyal confidant. She had come to stand lookout for him, so he could fly downstairs to his chair before dinner. He no longer allowed a male servant to carry him back and forth.
    “Lord Gerald wishes you join him in his study before dinner.”
    Gareth frowned. “Does it not bother you to call him that?”
    Tabitha plopped down into the wingchair.