Escape the Woods

by Gabriella Catherine

  I looked out at the dancers and watched Merida again.

  Apparently, Kolton followed my gaze because he asked, “Is that your friend?”

  “Yes. She and her sweetheart.” I glanced up to see Kolton smiling, and I blushed.

  “Lady Scarlett,” he said gently. “Would you like to dance?”

  “I would.”

  He reached for my hand and held it as we walked over to the dance floor, where a dance was coming to an end.

  The musicians began playing a different tune, and as Sir Kolton began leading me in the romantic dance, I was lost in the rhythm and in his eyes. The dance was very beautiful, and as Kolton kept his eyes on mine, I noticed his dark blue sleeveless doublet made his eyes look even bluer. The way his tanned skin contrasted with the collar of his white shirt made me feel breathless. He was so masculine, yet he was gentle, and I felt at ease when I was with him. His eyes held depth and passion. And though I was feeling shy, I met his gaze and forced myself not to let my eyes stray from his.

  I wondered if Merida was watching us, like she was last time we danced. I quickly glanced off to the side, and I saw Derex standing within the crowd. His arms were crossed and a smirk was on his face as he watched me.

  Wonderful. Now he thinks he’s won our little debate.

  KOLTON

  I couldn’t believe I was dancing with the girl from the forest.

  I had been waiting for the day of the Midsummer’s Eve festival for what seemed like a long time, and now that it was finally here, Lady Scarlett looked even more beautiful than I’d remembered. It was all I could think about as I danced with her once again. She wore a pink dress, and her hair looked amazing — curls framing her breathtaking face. The way her dark hair contrasted with her fair skin, the blue in her wide eyes as she stared up at me…it was hard to take it all in.

  And she wasn’t just beautiful on the outside. I saw something in her that I hadn’t seen in any other girl before. The way she handled herself and her overall personality was intriguing. She was kind and innocent, but also brave and confident with the way she reacted to Sir Ekhart at Britta’s wedding. Who wouldn’t fall in love with her?

  As we danced, she stared up at me with large, innocent eyes, her dyed-pink lips slightly parted. She looked almost intimidated by me, though I couldn’t understand why. She hadn’t appeared intimidated by Ekhart. Why would she be afraid of me?

  She was so small, and her hands fit perfectly inside mine. One hand had a pink scar going across the palm, so I made sure to be gentle when I held it. Some men may have thought her too thin and unable to bear children well, but I thought her smallness made her more endearing.

  If I had it my way, the dance would have gone on all night. The music was perfect, Lady Scarlett was beautiful, and I didn’t want to let go of her hands. I had the whole dance memorized, so I didn’t have to worry about messing up the steps. And that only gave me more time to focus on her.

  ###

  All too soon, the dance ended.

  “Thank you for dancing with me,” Sir Kolton said in a low voice, leaning toward me because of the noise of the crowd.

  “Thank you for asking me to dance with you.” I felt a bit breathless, and I licked my lips.

  Was it my imagination, or did Sir Kolton blush slightly? Oh, no, now I was blushing! I could feel heat burning my cheeks.

  “Excuse me for a moment. I need to find my friend.” I turned and walked away, pressing the backs of my hands to my cheeks. Maybe I could say the reason they were so warm was because of the sun, but that wasn’t believable.

  I finally found Merida making conversation with Barrett and my brother. I walked to her and gently grabbed her arm.

  “Scarlett!” she said with delight. “I hope you’re having a wonderful time! I am. The music is marvelous, and the dances are heavenly.” She smiled at Barrett and Jack.

  “That is wonderful, Merida, but I need to talk with you.”

  She nodded, then turned back to the boys. “I will converse with you again later.” She gave them a little wave, and then walked away with me.

  “I’m blushing like a pathetic little girl,” I told her when we were out of earshot.

  Merida giggled. “Sir Kolton is looking at you like you are the most beautiful woman he’s ever seen, like he just can’t help but stare at you!”

  “Oh, Merida, don’t be ridiculous. Sir Kolton hardly knows me.”

  “He doesn’t have to know you to find you stimulating.”

  I shook my head, but her comment only made my blush harder. “Outward appearance is not the only thing that matters.”

  “Well, it’s a good thing you have a kind heart. Sir Kolton will see that.”

  Cordel only thought me immature. If my own brother seemed to despise me, why would someone like Sir Kolton ever love me?

  Merida hugged me, as though she was reading my mind. “I love you. So does Jack, and even Cordel.”

  I squeezed her tighter, then pulled away. “Is your dress new?”

  She looked down at her cranberry-red kirtle, with its pale blue embroidery sleeves and black belt. “Yes, it is.”

  “It complements your eyes.”

  “Thank you! As does your dress.” She winked, then we parted.

  ###

  When I came back to the plaza, Sir Kolton was talking with one of his knights. He smiled when he saw me, and he stepped toward me.

  “Scarlett?”

  I turned to see Cordel walking through the crowd. Oh, no. He was angry, and Malachi was right behind him.

  “What are you doing? Why are you alone?” Cordel stepped close, staring at my face, his dark eyebrows drawn together.

  “Cordel, I–”

  “Why are you without Sir Malachi?”

  “I was with him; I just stepped away for a moment.”

  He turned to glare threateningly at my bodyguard, his fists clenched at his sides. “You had simple orders not to let her out of your sight. How hard is that?”

  Malachi’s eyes were wide, but he didn’t step back. He seemed to be searching for something to say.

  I grabbed Cordel’s arm. “Don’t blame him. It’s my fault. I left him.”

  “I asked her to dance, my lord.” Sir Kolton stepped forward, getting between Cordel and me. “If you must blame someone, blame me.”

  “Who are you?”

  “Sir Kolton Reinhart, my lord.” Kolton bowed.

  “This is a family matter,” said Cordel.

  “If it’s a family matter, leave Malachi out of it,” I said firmly.

  Cordel glared at me now. My face heated with embarrassment. Why did this have to happen in front of Sir Kolton?

  Jack showed up by my side. “What is this about, brother?”

  “Scarlett was left alone. Sir Malachi wasn’t with her.”

  “I had my eye on her. I told Sir Malachi I’d watch her. Clearly, she’s all right.” His lighthearted tone opposed Cordel’s seriousness.

  “Why don’t you head back to the castle?” Jack suggested. “Unless you plan on joining the celebration.”

  Silence stretched on. Malachi and Kolton still watched the scene.

  Finally, Cordel shook his head. “Don’t be senseless, Jack.” Then he looked at me. “Stay. With. Jack.”

  He walked away without another word to Malachi or to Kolton.

  Unclenching my jaw, I drew in a breath. Thankfully, I wasn’t about to cry. I was too angry at Cordel to cry.

  I tuned to Sir Kolton. “Well, now you’ve met my oldest brother.”

  “He seems pleasant.” Despite his jest, his expression was sincere, his tone gentle.

  “I’m sorry he treated you that way. Don’t take it personally. He doesn’t really like … people.”

  “It’s all right. Does he always speak to you like that?”

  I hesitated to answer, glancing at Jack.

  “More often than not,” Jack answered for me.

  “I’m sorry,” said Kolton. “You both seem like kind,
noble people. You don’t deserve to be treated that way.”

  Nobody deserved to be treated the way Cordel treated me.

  I made sure Malachi was all right and that his feelings weren’t hurt. Of course, even if they were, he wouldn’t tell me. But he had thick skin, and I assumed he was fine.

  “I’m going to talk to someone,” Jack said to me. “Just stay close.”

  I nodded, and he walked several yards away, over to a group of girls.

  Sir Kolton still stood beside me.

  “I’m sorry; my brothers are both very protective of their little sister.”

  “It’s all right,” he said, looking amused. We began walking side by side along the outskirts of the plaza, like we had at Britta’s wedding. “I’m the same way with my little sisters.”

  We talked and walked around together for a while after that, and I made sure I could see Jack at all times. The more Kolton and I talked, the more I discovered I truly did enjoy being with him. When the festival was nearly over, he asked me to dance the last dance with him. In the dim light from the tall torches that lit up the plaza, we danced to the slowest dance of the evening. His features were darker and more intense in the dim lighting. I felt safe with him when he touched my hands, my waist. His shoulders were broad and muscular, his strength obvious. His expression was penetrating, except when I looked into his eyes and he would smile gently.

  “Would you like a place to stay the night?” I asked Sir Kolton once the dance ended. Jack and I prepared to go back up to the castle. It was dark, late, and a coolness was beginning to sweep in. I didn’t want him riding back to Rhineland in the dark, nor did I feel it was necessary for him to pay for a room at an inn.

  “It’s all right,” Sir Kolton said, “I’m used to traveling at night.” He began speaking with one of his men, requesting his horse from the stables.

  Jack nudged my arm. “Ready to go?”

  My brother had told Malachi that he would walk me back to my chamber when the festival was over. But I didn’t want to leave until I’d convinced Kolton to stay.

  “Please, Sir Kolton, don’t travel back to Rhineland at this late hour.” I took a step toward him. “You won’t arrive until morning. And there is no need for you to rent a room when we have plenty of space.”

  “I am sure we can work something out,” said Jack. “You’re more than welcome to stay.”

  Sir Kolton looked to be thinking it through. “My father could use my help with work that must be done tomorrow, but I’m sure he can spare me for one day.”

  I smiled with relief.

  “Will Lord Erguston mind?”

  “He doesn’t have to know. And Jack and I won’t let him bother you.”

  Sir Kolton called to the man in armor who was walking toward the stables to retrieve his horse. “Leave my horse in his stable tonight. Please have a stable boy make sure he is brushed down and well fed for our journey home at dawn.” Then he gave the man some money so he and the other knights could rent a room at the inn.

  Jack, Kolton, and I fell into step with each other, heading toward the castle. My silk and lace dress wasn’t helping to keep me warm in the slightest. My entire collarbone was exposed, and the heart-shaped neckline of the dress was lower than most of my other dresses. The sleeves were made of white lace, and they sat slightly off my shoulders. The wind blew, and I shivered.

  Apparently, Sir Kolton noticed because he removed the black cloak hanging from his shoulders and gently wrapped it around me. “You look cold.”

  I smiled at him. “Thank you.”

  Jack eyed us as we continued toward the courtyard. Kolton’s cloak was warm around my shoulders, though it did drag on the ground behind me because it was meant to fit someone taller than I. It radiated his manly scent and heat from his body. As I tugged it tight around my shoulders and pulled it in front of my chest, I tried to suppress the smile that pulled at the corners of my mouth. The icy chill inside me melted, and I was filled with warmth.

  When we reached the courtyard, I turned to Sir Kolton. “I’m glad you chose to stay in Darrenberg tonight.”

  He nodded, giving me a half smile. “Thank you for offering me a place to stay.”

  Jack looked impatient with our chatter. He was probably thinking about getting some food.

  “Goodnight.” I began to remove his cloak from my shoulders.

  “Please, keep it. I wouldn’t want you to get cold on the way to your bedchamber.” His smile was almost teasing.

  I laughed a little. “Thank you, but that really isn’t necessary.”

  “Please, I have plenty of them.” He smiled reassuringly.

  True, he was wearing a full shirt that completely covered his shoulders and chest. He probably wasn’t cold with his long sleeves and doublet.

  “Thank you.” I wrapped it around my shoulders and felt instantly warm again. I noticed Kolton looking down at my hand, and I held my breath, wondering if he was thinking about kissing it.

  Jack cleared his throat. Loudly. Kolton glanced at him, then back at me. “Goodnight, Lady Scarlett.” He settled for a gentlemanly bow.

  “Goodnight.” I turned and walked up to my chamber.

  When I reached it, I lit a candle, then placed Kolton’s cloak on the end of my bed. Afterward, I stripped off my dress and put on a nightgown. When I finished and my hair was braided, I crawled into bed, exhausted. I lifted Kolton’s cloak to my face and breathed in deeply, feeling content.

  Was I as lovesick and starry-eyed as Derex thought I was? No, I wasn’t like Merida. I could dance with a man and have conversations with him without falling in love. I could even kiss a man and have no lasting emotions.

  Although, I couldn’t say for sure if that was true because I had never been kissed, except on the hand. It wasn’t appropriate for a duke’s daughter to go around kissing men she wasn’t planning on marrying. Merida and Britta had already kissed several men because their titles allowed them to do that.

  But not me. Men had kissed me on the hand, but that was all. Even if I wasn’t of nobility, I think my brothers would beat a man if they witnessed us kissing in public. Jack always said, “No lad will ever be good enough for our Little Scarlett.”

  But despite his teasing, I knew Jack wanted me to be happy, and he wanted me to marry someday.

  My heart sunk as I remembered the way Cordel had treated Kolton earlier in the village. The way he treated me and Jack in front of him. I prayed Cordel would never find out I invited him to stay the night. Kolton saved my life, so he should be nothing but kind and grateful toward him.

  I nestled underneath the cloak and closed my eyes. Content, I began to fall asleep. But I shouldn’t have felt content. I shouldn’t have been sleeping with Kolton’s cloak. He’d leave at dawn, and I wasn’t sure when I’d see him again. Right now, he was only a couple bedchambers away from mine, but by tomorrow night he’d be all the way in Rhineland.

  CHAPTER 22

  Early the next morning, I crept down to the kitchen. Three male cooks were preparing food for breakfast, and they offered me some as soon as they saw me. I was feeling unusually hungry this morning, probably after all the dancing the night before, so I took several pastries, rolls, blueberries, and cheese and carried the plate of sweet-smelling food out of the kitchen and back through the empty Hall. I opened the door leading to the narrow corridor, but just as I did, someone came through, and we bumped into each other, causing me to drop my plate and all its contents onto the floor.

  “Lady Scarlett!” I looked up to see Sir Kolton, dressed in a black long-sleeve leather doublet, his eyes wide with concern.

  “Oh, Kolton, I didn’t see you.” My face heated. I thought he’d have left by now.

  “Forgive me, my lady,” he said. “The fault is mine. I’m terribly sorry.” He bent and began picking up the food I dropped, placing it all back on the plate.

  “It’s all right,” I said gently.

  He rose, still holding the plate in one hand, and smiled sheepishly
. “Well, good morning.”

  “Good morning.”

  “How did you sleep?”

  “Well, thank you. Are you leaving for Rhineland now?”

  He was wearing tall black boots and black hose, and he looked quite handsome in them.

  “Yes,” he replied. “I want to get home as soon as possible.” But then he corrected himself. “Trust me, I’ve enjoyed staying in Darrenberg with you and your brother, but I know my family must be wondering where I am. I hate to think of them worrying about me.”

  “I understand.” Then I bit my lip. “My brother, Cordel, didn’t see you last night, did he? Does he know you stayed the night?”

  Kolton shook his head. “I never saw him.”

  Not surprising.

  “I’m sorry for the way he treated you yesterday. That wasn’t necessary.”

  “It’s all right. As I said before, I’m very protective of my little sisters too.”

  “Yes, but I’m sure you’re not a scoundrel about it.”

  He grinned. “My sisters may call me that from time to time.”

  We smiled at each other for a moment, then Kolton cleared his throat. “Well, I should go.” He glanced around the Hall, as though realizing it was empty and us being alone was improper.

  “When will I see you again?” I asked.

  “I pray it will be soon.” He smiled, but there was loneliness in his eyes.

  The door to the Hall opened again, and Father entered.

  “Your Grace.” Kolton bowed.

  Father looked surprised as he stared at us.

  “Father,” I said, “may I introduce Sir Kolton Reinhart, the son of—”

  “Valdemar Reinhart?” Father interrupted.

  Puzzled, I nodded slowly. “He is the man who rescued me from that bear. I’m sure you remember him.”

  Father nodded. “Of course. Sir Kolton, your father and I have been acquainted with each other for a long time.”

  “I was not aware,” said Kolton. “Well, I was just about to set off for Rhineland. I had planned on leaving last night, but your son and daughter were very kind and offered me a place to stay.” Then he quickly added, “In a chamber near Lord Jack.”