The Right Knight

By Barbara Bettis

After her father dies, Annis of Roxley fears King John will award her home to one of his pet mercenaries. Still, she’s unprepared for the knight who arrives carrying John’s order: Wed the new lord or become the king’s ward. If the new lord is anything like his disheveled representative, she’s better off –elsewhere.

Rushing to claim the castle John’s finally granted him, Sir Hugh reaches Roxley looking so unkempt, Annis takes him for a servant. Before he can reveal his identity, she disappears with her cousin. Hugh knows John rejected the cousin’s claim to Roxley.

Will the knight defy royal decree and force Annis to marry? Not if Hugh can help it.

• Language: Unknown
• Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
• Release date: Dec 18, 2023
• ISBN: 9781509251902

Barbara Bettis

Award-winning author Barbara Bettis can't recall a time she didn't love adventures of daring heroes and plucky heroines. She lives in Missouri, where by day she's a mild-mannered English teacher at a local college, and by night she's an intrepid plotter of her own tales featuring heroines to die for--and heroes to live for.

Book preview

No. Annis of Roxley crossed her arms and stood her ground.

Her ground happened to be directly in the path of an armed and armored knight, towering above her on his mount.

I will not wed your master. Nor will I agree to become the ward of King John.

The knight pushed down his mail coif and glowered from the back of his monstrous bay gelding. Lady, by order of the king, you have no choice—it’s either one or the other.

Annis blew out a breath from between narrowed lips. The knight raised both dark eyebrows, which intensified his scowl.

We shall see, she answered. Her stomach hitched at the expression in the man’s deep gray eyes. He looked entirely too determined. But she refused to show the uncertainty that had set her ears to ringing.

She held out a hand. Leave the writ with me. I will study it. You may return to your camp while I decide.

I think not. He spurred the gelding forward, tucking away the packet containing the king’s decree. Step aside, lady, or you’ll come to harm.

She didn’t flinch. His bravado didn’t frighten her.

Much.

Praise

Barbara’s awards include BookBuyersBest Top Pick;

Amazon International Best Seller-Medieval Historical Romance; Finalist-The Vivian®.

The Lady of the Forest— "…a medieval love story at

its best!…love her style of writing." Books and Benches

The action starts on page one and the pace keeps up until the end. Readers…will be clamoring for the next installment. InD’Tale Magazine

Silverhawk— …a real pleasure… This engrossing tale…is one I will keep on my shelves to visit again. I highly recommend this moving story. Romantic Historical Reviews

A Winter Knight— "…characters leap off the page. The

setting is described so well I could feel the warmth of

the fire and the coolness of the snow as it falls…the

slow-burning romance…makes this a five-star read." N.N. Light Review

The Right Knight

by

Barbara Bettis

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales, is entirely coincidental.

The Right Knight

COPYRIGHT © 2023 by Barbara Huddleston

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission of the author or The Wild Rose Press, Inc. except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles or reviews.

Contact Information: [e-mail]

Cover Art by The Wild Rose Press, Inc.

The Wild Rose Press, Inc.

PO Box 708

Adams Basin, NY 14410-0708

Visit us at www.thewildrosepress.com

Publishing History

First Edition, 2023

Digital ISBN 978-1-5092-5190-2

Previously published in-Feisty Heroines Romance anthology

Published in the United States of America

Dedication

To my wonderful writing pals Claudia, Lisa, and Linda; my fellow HEA critters Ana, Dawn, Karen, Maggie, and Tessy; the Fab Two Jennifer and Jenn! And a special thanks to my wonderful editor, the patient and tireless Nicole. You are all Wonder Women.

Chapter One

Nottinghamshire

April 1212

No. Annis of Roxley crossed her arms and stood her ground.

Her ground happened to be directly in the path of an armed and armored knight towering above her on his mount.

I will not wed your master. Nor will I agree to become the ward of King John.

The knight pushed down his mail coif and glowered from the back of his monstrous bay gelding. Lady, by order of the king, you have no choice—it’s either one or the other.

Annis blew out a breath from between narrowed lips. The knight raised both dark eyebrows, which intensified his scowl.

We shall see, she answered. Her stomach hitched at the expression in the man’s deep gray eyes. He looked entirely too determined. But she refused to show the uncertainty that had set her ears to ringing.

She held out a hand. Leave the writ with me. I will study it. You may return to your camp while I decide.

I think not. He spurred the gelding forward, tucking away the packet containing the king’s decree. Step aside, lady, or you’ll come to harm.

She didn’t flinch. His bravado didn’t frighten her.

Much.

This so-called command must be a fake. Must it not?

But her father had warned her to be prepared. That King John would likely award the holding to a strong lord who would provide John with sorely needed support in these trying times.

Marriage to the interloper would be necessary. She couldn’t leave her home and her people. But harboring a secret hope, soon after her father died she’d offered to remit a hefty fee for the privilege of holding Roxley alone. If the king refused, surely he’d send a message; he’d tell her, wouldn’t he?

But this rude warrior seemed terribly certain. Terribly confident.

A wave of unease made her heartbeat skip.

She started at a shrill whistle that brought several other mounted men galloping to the horseman’s side.

Mother Mary, have patience! Old Gerald had neglected to close the gate. Why hadn’t she noticed? Now what?

She gestured to several of her garrison, bringing them in to surround the unwanted visitors while Gerald finally recalled his duty. Too late. The one gate that had been ajar began to creak closed, only to be forced wider by even more soldiers.

Annis’ earlier uncertainty now burst into anger. How dare this ragged, dirty knight invade her home. She didn’t for one snap of her fingers believe he carried a message from the king, looking as he did. No matter what proof he claimed to possess.

Yet she feared her denial came from stubbornness. The man before her showed no doubt of his authority. His lord must have sent him ahead to secure the castle. How maddening. The new lord of Roxley didn’t care enough to claim the castle himself.

The knight rose in his stirrups, paused to survey the bailey, then swung down and tossed the reins to a nearby lad, one of several gathered to gape at the newcomers.

Sir Martin, he shouted. "Attendez."

Just behind him, another chainmail-shrouded soldier dismounted and strode forward.

Annis refused to give in to the anger, inhaling a long breath as she fought for composure. She ought to have known her calm existence couldn’t last, but she thought she’d have more time to formulate a plan.

How had King John made a decision so quickly? Papa had been gone less than a month.

True he had been ill since Martinmas, his strength ebbing with each cough. She’d mourned him long before he’d bid her a hoarse and whispered last good-bye. He’d had plenty of time to caution her what to expect when he died.

Marriage.