‘Oh, Lord,’ she said, unable to hide her concern. ‘Would that be a wise course of action now? Just after being attacked in the underhand way you were?’
‘Absolutely. What could be better than inflicting the element of surprise when Stephen least expects it. When he is so confident of his claim on Kinnerton and on you, may I add, with impunity. Especially since he has the ear of the Earl of Hereford. Indeed, my cousin believes that no one would now stand in his way. But he is wrong.’
‘You will be careful?’ She tilted her head up at him and took in his handsome face, marred by his gnarly scars, and his dark brown eyes, intense and impassioned.
‘I’m no longer that petulant, impulsive and, yes, foolish boy. That boy has gone and gone for good.’
‘I rather liked him, Ralph. He was also kind, considerate and he cared about so many things that most men, frankly most lords, seldom do.’
His eyes locked on to hers, a curious sort of look in them. ‘Is that so?’
‘Yes,’ she murmured. ‘Tell me, Ralph. What happened to him?’
‘I’m afraid to say that he had to grow up.’
‘Well, that is a shame, since he did not need to alter as much as you might believe.’
She watched as the strain in his eyes eased. ‘For all that I have lost, at least I have found you again, Gwenllian ferch Hywel. Mayhap you are right. His hands wrapped around her waist, pulling her close, his damp tunic against her. ‘Mayhap all I need is right here, after all.’
His left hand, callused and rough, cradled her cheek, his thumb brushing against her lower lip, dragging back and forth. She heard him gasp softly as the tip of her tongue licked her lip. Just as he bent his head, tilting his head close to hers, a sudden splashing noise in the stream jolted her, making her take a step back.
She spun her head around to find young William Tallany splashing towards them in the shallow water of the stream, with Lady Isabel’s dog, Perdu, yapping as he followed him.
‘I was not actually alone here. There, you see...’ Ralph smirked as he waved his hand in their direction ‘...my protectors.’
‘Good day to you, William Tallany,’ she said, bending to pat Perdu.
‘Gwen! Good day to you.’ He beamed at her. ‘Were you about to kiss Ralph?’
‘Ah...well... I...’ Her gaze flicked to Ralph, who was covering his amusement behind his hand, then back to William who was staring up at her, waiting for her to respond. ‘No, I was not.’
‘Well it looked as though you were.’ William shrugged his little shoulders before picking up a stick for Perdu. ‘If you are going to kiss, I shall have to look away.’
Ralph shook his head. ‘Sharp as a lance is our William Tallany. Never misses a thing.’
She flushed and elbowed Ralph gently in the chest as he began to chuckle. ‘You’re not exactly helping,’ she muttered from the side of her mouth.
‘Allow me a moment with my young protector.’ He grinned before bending down to address William. ‘Now, young sir, I believe you should cease your impertinence in the presence of a lady.’ Ralph smiled, mussing up William’s hair.
‘What is “pertinence”?’
‘Being rude.’ Ralph nodded blandly. ‘You cannot gallivant about the woods, asking fair ladies impolite questions about kissing.’
‘I need to know, Ralph, in case I have to avert Perdu’s eyes.’ He scowled, covering his eyes with his hands. ‘Mama and Papa are always doing the kissing thing and it’s ’gusting!’
‘One day, you will think quite differently about that, my little friend. I assure you.’
Ralph brought himself to William’s level. ‘Besides, I cannot be kissing a lady who is soon to be entering a convent to take the veil.’
‘But Gwen’s too pretty to be a nun.’ William scratched his head. ‘And she did like to dress as a squire, although I suppose she has a dress on now.’
The young boy pointed at her attire.
‘Now, what did I say about being impertinent to a lady?’ Ralph admonished.
‘And it is true, William, I shall soon leave here and enter a convent. You won’t tell anyone, will you?’
‘Oh, no. Not more secrets. I cannot remember all of these secrets.’
‘I’m sure you can manage one more, my young sir.’
‘Maybe if you kiss her, she’ll change her mind,’ William whispered to Ralph.
Ralph stood back up, and pinned Gwen with his heated gaze. ‘Mayhap it might.’
Gwen flushed as she looked away, trying hard not to laugh. Oh, Lord, it was a mistake to come back to this peaceful spot. With all these confusing new feelings for Ralph, she felt anything but at peace.
* * *
‘Are you sure this is the course you wish to take?’
Ralph looked around the tent at each of the men who had stood shoulder to shoulder beside him. From Hugh de Villiers, William Geraint to his friend Thomas Lovent.
‘Yes.’ He nodded at each of them. ‘It’s time that I made an appearance as myself. Especially at this time when the Earls of Hereford and Chester are still in counsel with King Henry about the legitimacy of the mêlée à cheval and its aftermath.’
‘It is likely that the outcome of the mêlée would still stand, Ralph, despite everything Will and I have tried to put forth.’
‘And I thank you for it. All of you for everything you have done for me.’ He tried to swallow a knot that had formed in his throat. ‘I do not know how I can ever repay any of you, but know that you shall always have my fealty, until I draw my last breath.’
‘Well, let us hope that it shall not be too soon.’ Tom smirked, shaking his head. The solemnity in the tent suddenly lifted and became lighter.
‘Indeed.’
‘At least not until after this tournament officially ends.’
‘Of course.’
‘And I for one am happy to finally take my place as myself, the real Thomas Lovent.’
‘Not that you couldn’t at those hugely difficult moments such as attending the evening banquets.’ Will smirked.
‘Or basking in all that glory when Sir Thomas did exceedingly well.’ Hugh slapped Tom on the back.
‘Well, apart from those times and you are right, my lord. It has been exceedingly trying.’
The four men laughed before Will moved forward and clasped Ralph’s arm.
‘I hope you know that the reasons that I, for one, have given you my assistance have been more than gaining your fealty, my friend, although I would gladly have it. For one thing, my lady wife would have had my head if I refused to help you.’ He smirked. ‘But, no, in truth, the sense of injustice that you faced never sat well with me. Not after everything that happened to you, Ralph.’
‘Thank you, my lord. I don’t know what to say.’
‘There’s nothing to say.’ Hugh stepped forward. ‘Except that I feel the same as Will. This kingdom would do better with honourable, valiant men like you, Ralph. To that end, I would stand with you whatever happens.’
God, but Ralph felt the sudden rush of emotion. He was indeed a fortunate man to count these men as friends and allies.
‘Well, not for me,’ Tom drawled, folding his arms across his chest. ‘I am only in this for the coin.’
They all laughed again, the moment’s sincerity all but broken.
‘Naturally. What more is there in life other than coin?’ Will winked.
‘Apart from the love of a good woman.’ Hugh grinned.
‘I can drink to that.’
The two lords filled their mugs with more ale as Tom pulled Ralph to the side for a seemingly private discourse.
‘There is a surprise for you, my friend, but do not look so concerned. This is a good one. Very good.’ He flicked his head to the entrance of the tent. ‘Come.’
They took their leave, pulled their hoods ove
r their heads and walked around to the winding path that led to the area where the de Clancey cattle were stabled. It dawned on Ralph that this would be one of the last times that there would be the need for their subterfuge when venturing out. That was if, God willing, everything went to plan. Soon he would be standing beside his friend as himself—as Ralph de Kinnerton, the man he was destined to be, worthy to stand against anyone. And he could not have done it without his friends and, in particular, Gwen. Their belief in him and his strength of character determined the man he had now become.
‘What is this, Tom?’
‘Why don’t you go inside and find out?’
Ralph rushed forward, his heart pounding. ‘Is he here?’ Ralph turned, his face filled with relief. ‘Fortis?’
Tom leant against the wooden frame housing the horses. ‘Indeed.’
‘How?’ Ralph leant in, placing his head against the muzzle of his horse. ‘How in God’s name did you manage to get him back?’
‘It is somewhat of a mystery.’ He heard his friend’s laughter.
‘How in heaven can I ever repay you, Tom?’
‘But it’s not I that you owe anything to, Ralph, but another.’
‘Will?’
‘No, not him either.’
‘Hugh, then.’ He sighed deeply.
Either way it would take much coin to repay him. And yet for all the coin in the land, Ralph had thankfully got his faithful horse back. That counted more than Ralph could say, after the disastrous last few days where he had almost perished. And losing Fortis had been the most arduous thing about the mêlée—the most difficult to accept. They had been through quite a lot together and now, just like that, as if by magic his horse had returned back to him. It was nothing short of being unexpected and so very welcome indeed.
‘No, Ralph. Wrong again. I would guess someone fair and not a man, if I were you.’ Tom smirked.
‘Gwenllian?’ Ralph’s eyes widened in surprise as Tom nodded. It could not be. ‘Hell’s teeth—Gwen? But how?’
Ralph looked at his friend with a look of bewilderment on his face. How on earth did she do it and without mentioning it to him earlier when he had seen her by the stream in the woods? It was unbelievable that she was able to do something as expensive as this. More and more questions tumbled in his head.
‘I have no idea, my friend, but mayhap the lady could enlighten you herself.’
‘I do not know what to say. I’m truly speechless!’
‘I believe the usual thanks should suffice, my friend.’ Tom chuckled.
‘Oh, I intend to.’ Ralph shook his head, as he ran his hand up and down Fortis’s muzzle one last time before heading out towards the castle.
Chapter Sixteen
Gwen walked down the narrow hall that led to the antechamber. She opened the wooden door and let herself into the empty chamber, placing the lit torch into the metal sconce. Before she had the opportunity to turn, someone had grabbed her from behind, covering her mouth with their hand, and pulled her across behind a wooden beam in the dark corner. Her heart began to pound in her chest as she tried to remain calm.
Oh, God, please let it not be him! Not Stephen.
‘I cannot believe that you would still choose to go anywhere alone, my lady.’
Ralph!
‘I am going to remove my hand very, very slowly, but I would appreciate it if you would not scream, Gwen.’ His low voice rumbled somewhere close behind her, tickling her neck.
His hand slowly left her mouth, leaving her inhaling deeply. ‘What do you think you’re doing, Ralph de Kinnerton?’ she hissed. ‘You scared me half to death!’
Gwen spun around and found herself looking at him with his finger to his lips, imploring her to talk quietly. She looked around in every direction before pulling the sleeve of his tunic and motioning for him to follow her to the chamber she shared with Brida in the furthest corner.
They scrambled inside, closing the wooden door hastily behind them.
‘Why are you wandering around the castle alone?’
She raised her eyebrows, slightly confused by his presence at this time of night. ‘May I remind you that this part of the castle keep has a guard and is not supposed to allow men anywhere near it. Especially ones who skulk around in dark corners, ready to pounce on young maids.’
‘You wound me!’ He gave her a look of mocked outrage. ‘I do not skulk, Lady Gwenllian. I was being careful not to alert anyone to my presence here. And it was just as well now that I have tested the security here, because I have to say that it is most inadequate.’
She stepped closer to him closing the space between them. ‘Is that so?’
‘Yes,’ Ralph whispered, his hands circling around her waist, pulling her closer. He dipped his head and breathed in her hair. ‘It should have been much, much harder for me to breach the keep, but I found it surprisingly easy to gain access.’
‘And now you are here and have managed to sneak into my chamber of all places at this ungodly hour.’ She looked up as she placed her hands on his chest. ‘I would like to enquire why?’
‘You really do ask too many questions, my lady.’ His lips quirked up as he pulled her closer to him.
‘I believe that this was the only question I have asked you. Why are you here, Ralph?’
‘To see you, of course.’ Even in the relative darkness of the chamber she could see the curl of his smile rise even higher. ‘Should I go? Am I intruding on your solitude?’
‘Nothing like that. I just wanted to understand the urgency in seeing me now. Could it not wait until the morrow, sir?’
His hand moved up and down her spine, leaving in its wake a shudder that she had difficulty suppressing. Ralph dipped his head, his warm breath merging with hers. All she had to do was tilt her head a little and their lips would touch. She licked them instead.
‘No, I fear I could not wait to see you.’ His left hand had now made its way around to her face, stroking and caressing her skin. ‘Do you know that you must have the softest skin, Gwen?’ He ran his fingers through her hair, wrapping a flaxen tendril around his fingers.
‘I am not sure I can understand the haste in breaching this area of the keep with such urgency, just to pontificate on the softness of my skin.’
He lifted her head a fraction higher, his fingers beneath her chin. ‘A man likes to revere such things.’
Gwen smiled despite herself. ‘Really, Sir Ralph, you make little sense. What would you do, I wonder, if Brida were to walk in right now and find you here?’
His unwavering gaze awakened a sensation that unfurled itself in the pit of her stomach, making her far more aware of every tingling sensation.
‘I would bid her a good evening,’ he smiled. ‘Where is the ever-faithful Brida, anyway?’
‘She offered to stay and assist with one of the ladies here, Lady Matilde, all night. In fact, I am just returning from attending to her as well.’
Ralph pulled away, the mirth in his eyes replaced with a look of concern ‘I hope all is well with the lady?’
She nodded pulling away. ‘Nothing but a malady of the heart, I believe.’
‘I see.’ He sighed. ‘Well, the lady is fortunate to have friends who comfort her in her, ah, difficult moment.’
‘While there is sadly no cure for her misery, she is young and would eventually overcome her affliction.’
It took a moment for Gwen to realise what she had just said. Ralph released her and he frowned.
‘Is that...is that what happened to you?’
‘I...well.’ Gwen looked up to find Ralph studying her intently. She dropped her gaze back to her hands.
She had tried so hard to overcome her own heartache over the man standing opposite her and yet the truth was that she had never quite managed to do it. Her feelings for Ralph, even after everything that had happened between the
m, had never really changed, no matter how hard she tried. He still made her heart soar, even though she had tried to forget about him and everything they had once shared.
Gwen cleared her throat and swallowed uncomfortably. ‘We were not talking about me.’
Ralph dragged his fingers through his hair and gave her an eloquent look.
‘No.’ He flashed her a quick smile. ‘Although it is because of you and what you have done that I came here to see you tonight.’
‘So not for the softness of my skin?’
He smirked. ‘Lovely and fair as your skin may be, I had to come tonight to express my eternal gratitude for returning Fortis to me.’
‘Ah.’ She raised her eyebrows. ‘So, you have found out about that already.’
‘I’m speechless, Gwen. I cannot believe that you did this for me.’
‘Could you not?’ She reached up and caressed his face, just as he had done moments ago. ‘What are friends for, after all?’
His hand covered hers, turning it over, and he planted a kiss on her palm, without taking his eyes off her. ‘Mayhap a little more than what friends usually do, my lady.’
She shrugged. ‘Yes, but mayhap I am just more of a generous friend than I realised.’
Would it ever be possible to be just friends with Ralph? There could be no future between them and yet she could not stop thinking about the man. She could not stop caring and, God help her, longing for him. Even though it was hopeless for her to allow anything more to develop between them.
‘Your generosity is not in question here.’ His arms came around her waist again, anchoring her to him. ‘What I need to know is why you did it.’
‘Quite simply, you needed him back and I managed to facilitate that.’
‘As easy as that?’ He shook his head. ‘Horses are expensive, Gwen.’
‘I am aware of that. But I wanted to get him back, knowing how valuable and important he is to you.’
She had to stop herself from adding that there was very little she would not do for him.
He kissed the tender skin of her wrist. ‘I am in your debt, my lady.’
The Return of Her Lost Knight Page 17