NEVER IF NOT
NOW
A Midsummer
Knights Romance
by
MADELINE HUNTER
Never if Not Now
A Midsummer Knights Romance
Copyright ©2020 by Madeline Hunter
Published by Barrowburgh Press. This book is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. With the exception of short quotes for reviews, no part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, recording or otherwise, without the prior written permission of the author.
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. This novel is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination, or, if real, used fictitiously. Any resemblance to any person or persons, living or dead, events or locales is entirely coincidental.
ISBN: 978-0-9970802-0-9
Book Cover Design: Dar Albert of Wicked Smart Designs
Formatting: Nina Pierce of Seaside Publications
Editing: Quillfire Author Services
Never If Not Now
A Midsummer Knights Romance
A Midsummer Knights Romance:
A Tournament World of Chivalry, Intrigue, and Passion
Summer, 1193. England is in turmoil, and a great tournament is scheduled near the border of Scotland and England. The greatest knights and lords from England, Scotland, Ireland, and France have gathered to compete for a great prize. There will be celebrations and jousts and feasting. It will an exhibition of chivalry and warrior skills, a breeding ground for treason…and for love.
They call him The Devil’s Blade and say that the fires of hell burn in him when he wields his sword.
It might be midsummer when Zander arrives at the tournament, but there is winter in his soul. Battle-hardened and war-weary, he intends to amass spoils, win the champion’s prize, and find a wealthy wife. Then he discovers that Elinor of York has accompanied her father to the tourney. He desired her as a youth, and soon learns that he still does. But whatever he will ever have of her will have to be seized in secret, before the tournament ends.
Elinor was born a lady, but the last years have impoverished her. She now sews for coin, and takes care of her lame, aging father, a knight who blames Zander for his diminished fortunes and health. She should ignore the handsome knight whom she teased when they were young, but his magnetism draws her closer. He is not for her—he is her father’s enemy and she has no dowry. Yet he evokes sweet memories, deep emotions, and a heart-wrenching dilemma— Can she keep her father from issuing the challenge that will leave one of the men she loves dead?
~ Other books in the series ~
(The series does not have any designated reading order)
Forbidden Warrior by Kris Kennedy
An Irish warrior takes an arrogant heiress captive to ensure a debt is paid.
The Highlander's Lady Knight by Madeline Martin
She wants to save her honor. He wants to save his people. Can their love do both?
The Highlander's Dare by Eliza Knight
When a simple dare leads to the most enduring love…
The Highland Knight's Revenge by Lori Ann Bailey
A Scottish warrior wronged… An English woman on the verge of attaining freedom…
My Victorious Knight by Laurel O'Donnell
She desired only one kiss, but what she received was so much more!
An Outlaw's Honor by Terri Brisbin
When the only man she can trust is known for his dishonorable past, what could go wrong?
Contents
About Never if Not Now * Midsummer Knights Series
Chapter One * Chapter Two * Chapter Three * Chapter Four * Chapter Five * Chapter Six * Chapter Seven * Chapter Eight * Chapter Nine * Chapter Ten * Chapter Eleven * Chapter Twelve * Chapter Thirteen
Letter to the Readers * Meet the Author * Other Books by Madeline Hunter
Copyright
CHAPTER ONE
Zander surveyed the field from the battlements of Rose Citadel. The activity spread out below him might appear chaotic to many an eye, but he saw method amidst the chaos. Pavilions rose on poles, establishing encampments. Horses paced in a large paddock built of timbers. Pennants waved, announcing the identities of knights who had arrived for the tournament.
“There are quite a few late arrivals,” he said. “They missed the feast last night and today’s parade and early jousts. Word has it the road to York was almost impassible from last week’s rain.”
“I assumed the legalities would discourage some of them,” Lord Yves said. “Apparently not.”
“It is a fine way to spend midsummer. Warriors grow restless when the days are long and there are no battles to fight.”
“And no spoils to enjoy.”
That was the whole of it. The large prize for the tournament’s champion had drawn most of these knights. It was the main reason Zander had come. Since the law mostly rested with the lord of the manor, who was going to enforce the prohibition on tournaments if he was hosting the event?
“With such a horde descending, I will double the guard for the curfew in the town,” Lord Yves said. “Also to discourage brawls such as we had this morning.”
“It will protect the women, at least.”
One of Lord Yves’s dark eyebrows arched into a peak. “Are you suggesting the knights’ honor will not be enough protection?”
They both chuckled, since such niceties did not count for much when fighting raised men’s blood and ale dimmed their good sense.
Lord Yves’s attention kept turning to some encampments near the river. A circle of pavilions implied men gathered in some alliance. Zander had called Lord Yves to the wall specifically to witness the placement of those tents.
“They may just be old comrades in arms,” Lord Yves said.
“Or conspirators making use of your tournament to gather for plotting treason.”
“Fitzwarryn sent you to keep an eye on things, no doubt. His time on the northern marches makes him too cautious. His letter to me in late spring urging me to cancel this tournament was presumptuous.”
“He intended no insult. He merely sought to suggest that a gathering such as this can turn dangerous fast. Factions may decide to make this a little war of sorts, to engender support for their preferred royal brother.” Zander pointed to that circle. “If those are Prince John’s men, anyone with sympathies to him will seek
