Immortal Love

by Victoria Craven

  Eleanor felt hot and sticky. She couldn’t remember a warmer day in April. Three chambers had been scrubbed, their bedding aired out and new rushes placed on the floor. Her back and arms ached, and she was in desperate need of fresh air.

  Without thinking, she found herself heading toward the field where Dominick had been working earlier. Disappointed not to find him, she stopped in the cool shade of a nearby tree. She heard children screaming not too far away, and her heart leapt to her throat. Could they have fallen into the stream? She ran as fast as she could. When she reached the clearing, she stopped abruptly. Dominick was waist deep in water with one child hanging around his neck and one on each arm.

  He dragged them through the stream, making growling sounds with each step. Then with a great roar he tossed each one into the water. The children squealed with delight as he roared again, flexing his arms like a great giant. The children attacked again, climbing him like a ladder. Making a show of defeat he fell back into the stream, taking the young ones with him.

  Pressing her hands to her lips, Eleanor stifled a giggle. She had never expected this. Dominick liked children, and they liked him. They were not intimidated by his size or coal black eyes. At that moment he was one of them.

  As she watched their antics, Martha’s words came to mind. They are not all cut from the same cloth. Maybe she was right. Eleanor could never imagine her father showing children any kindness. Not even his own daughter.

  The little girl, who could not have been more than four years old, leaped toward Dominick and he caught her in mid-air. He declared playtime over when they started to tremble.

  “It’s time to get you warmed up before you catch your death from cold,” he said. He plucked the children one by one out of the water and set them on the bank. The two boys, Matthew to be five and Ethan, seven, were hardier, so Dominick took special care of the small girl named Abigail. He led her to the soft bank, wrapped her in his tunic and tied it around her shoulders. Then he picked up his little mummy and plopped her on his shoulders. To the boys’ delight, he picked them up too, placing one in each arm, carrying them like logs, while they giggled and laughed with each step.

  It was then he spotted Eleanor. She couldn’t help smiling at him. “I see you found some new friends.”

  “What, these creatures?” He bent his head to look at them. “They tried to drown me.” He flexed his arms, giving the two boys a squeeze, soliciting peals of laughter.

  Eleanor giggled, too. She felt light headed and relaxed as she walked with them through the gatehouse, Dominick still carrying the children.

  Ruth, the children’s mother, came running up to them. “My Lord, I’m so sorry. I hope they haven’t been a nuisance. They seem to have gotten away from me.”

  “They’ve been no trouble. As a matter of fact I would like to take them to the castle. I promised them a treat.”

  “O..Of course, my lord.” Ruth stammered. “I will be along later to pick them up.”

  Dominick gave the boys another squeeze, forcing them to laugh louder, as Ruth looked on in amazement. Eleanor gave her the same questioning look and followed them to the castle.

  Once inside, Dominick unloaded Ethan, Matthew, and Abigail in front of the hearth and ordered warm cider, fresh pastry and dry clothes. Once they were dressed, seated and consuming pastries and cider, Dominick disappeared to change his own wet clothes.

  Eleanor watched with amazement. There seemed to be no bottom to the young ones’ stomachs. It was good to see them eat with such vigor. Especially these children, she thought, who had lost their father during McPhearson’s siege.

  “I swear you boys grow bigger every time I see you. And Abigail, you’re turning into such a little lady.”

  Abigail got out of her seat and with her best effort curtsied politely, nearly toppling over.

  Eleanor reached out to steady her. “What good manners you have.” The boys, not to be out done, left their seats and bowed from the waist. The youngest boy, Matthew, took her hand and placed a wet kiss on the back of it. Eleanor laughed with delight. “I must tell your mother how impressed I am with your manners and behavior.”

  All three chimed in, “Thank you, my lady.”

  Eleanor tried her best sober face. “You’re very welcome.” She shooed them back to their seats. “Now finish your goodies before your mother gets here.” They obeyed without hesitation.

  “Did you save any for me?” Dominick’s voice boomed as he entered.

  Eleanor looked up to see that he had changed into a plain black tunic and black breeches. His hair had been combed and tied at the nape of his neck, and he wore a silver circlet around his head. She tamped down the urge to stare. Quickly she glanced back at the children. “I think they have eaten it all, my lord.”

  “All of it! Well, we’ll see about that.” He picked up Abigail and swung her high over his head, eliciting great peals of laughter. Then he sat her on his lap in a chair near the hearth and began to tickle her unmercifully until she laughed so hard she was breathless. Ethan and Matthew ran to the chair to save their little sister, but Dominick quickly began to tickle them. Soon all three children were lying on the floor, giggling and exhausted. One by one he picked them up and placed them on his lap.

  Eleanor sat in amazement. Never would she have expected a man like Dominick to love children. As she observed them play, she watched him closely. Was this all an act for her benefit? His eyes were bright and his smile easy and genuine. No, she determined, this was no act. Besides, he hadn’t known she would come to the river to see him splashing like a giant adolescent.

  Abigail rested her small head on Dominick’s broad chest. The two boys studied his large hands, flattening their palms on his to compare. Ethan looked at Dominick in earnest. “Is it true, my lord, that you’re the fiercest warrior in the whole world?”

  “Not the fiercest, Ethan.” Dominick seemed uncomfortable by the question.

  “But Mama tells me you have never lost a battle.”

  “I have just run into good fortune.”

  “Mama says you’re the best. That is why you’re favored by the King.”

  “King William and I fought together in the Crusades. It was there we became friends.”

  “Will you show me how to be a knight and fight for the King?” Ethan’s eyes pleaded.

  “I want to learn too,” Matthew piped in.

  Not to be ignored, Abigail sat up and pulled Dominick’s face toward her. “Me too.”

  “Well, poppins, you have to grow up a bit first.” He shifted them in his lap. “Ethan and Matthew, you would have to start out as my pages first. Then after a few years you would become squires and learn all the rules of etiquette and chivalry. Eventually, you will learn how to fight.”

  “What about me?” Abigail whined.

  “You, my little princess, will become a lady in waiting, and wear beautiful gowns.” He tweaked her nose.

  Abigail wasn’t happy. “I want to learn how to use a sword.”

  “Pretty little girls like you are to be protected and cherished.”

  “Ugh, I hate dresses.”

  Dominick bellowed with laughter. Eleanor couldn’t suppress her own. He gave her a quick wink, and her heart leapt into her throat. What was this strange effect Dominick had on her? Soon Ruth came to the castle to collect her children. They began to protest, but one stern look from Dominick and the protest died instantly. He promised to see them soon. They each bowed and curtsied to Eleanor, then followed their mother away like little ducklings.

  Eleanor and Dominick sat in companionable silence near the hearth for some time, each lost in their own thoughts. Remembering she hadn’t washed off the grime from the day’s efforts, she rose. “I must prepare for the evening meal. I will be down shortly.”

  Dominick stood to stop her. “One moment.” Looking down he held her hand. “Does the ring I gave you fit your finger?”

  “I don’t know. I haven’t tried it yet.”

  Dominick reache
d behind her neck, gently moving her hair aside. His touch sent goose bumps along her arms. Unclasping the chain he removed the ring and placed it on her finger. There was no threat of it falling off.

  He smiled with satisfaction. “It’s good to see it now fits.”

  “With all the food we’ve had on the table for weeks there was little doubt I would fill out.” She pulled her hand away. “Let’s just hope I don’t turn into a sow.”

  Dominick smiled as he placed the gold chain back around her neck. “There is little chance of that. You were too thin when I arrived.”

  Her hand went to the chain. “I can’t keep this, it’s yours.”

  He tilted her chin back so their eyes could meet. “I like the idea that something of mine is close to your skin.” Bending down, he placed a feather-light kiss on her lips, then stepped back.

  It was as though lightning had struck her. She could feel the energy all the way down to her toes. It took her a moment to find her voice. She watched him briefly before speaking. “You’re a contradiction, Dominick.”

  He turned toward her. “How so?”

  “The legendary warrior, the merciless knight—loves children.”

  “The ruthless warrior you see before you is made only of myth. I gave mercy to those who deserved it, and those who did not should not have expected it.” He turned back toward the fire. “When my battalion was ambushed in Istanbul, I was thrown into prison. I watched good men die at the hands of men who showed no mercy. I don’t wish to be placed on the same level as those devils.” He steepled his fingers in front of his chin. “People have forgotten that it was my brother who resurrected me from that hell. His battalions laid that city to the ground. They literally tore it down stone by stone, killing every guard in that prison.”

  There was no mistaking the pain in his eyes. Instinctively she wanted to comfort him, but she remained still. “Story tellers confused my survival with Randolf’s victory.”

  Eleanor spoke softly. “Until then, and after your rescue, had you been defeated?”

  He didn’t look up at her. “No.” She waited for a moment, and then he turned toward her. “I will never allow myself to be at the mercy of any man again.”

  She looked down at her hands. “Then you should understand how I feel.”

  He gazed steadily in to her eyes for a moment, then reached out and covered both her hands in his. “I do Eleanor. I very much do.”

  Chapter Ten

  Dominick sat near the hearth during the preparation for the evening meal. Men and women began filtering into the great hall, but he was not yet ready to join them. His thoughts turned to Eleanor. Surprisingly, she didn’t start when he kissed her. Hope rose in his heart. She seemed to be gentling toward him.

  Erik sat next to him. “You seem to be lost in your thoughts.”

  “Just pondering a few things.”

  “Such as?”

  Dominick couldn’t keep the grin from spreading across his face.

  Erik waved him off. “Never mind. I don’t want to know.”

  “No. It’s not what you think.” Dominick paused for a moment. “Eleanor seems to be feeling more at ease with me.”

  “Ah. So she’s discovering you’re not an ogre after all?”

  “Perhaps. I have made every effort to change her way of thinking, but there are still many barriers.”

  “I’m sure that is the result of the siege.”

  Dominick nodded. “It’s that and much more.”

  “I have heard that her father was, shall we say, weak in character,” Erik said.

  Dominick snorted. “The man was Satan. He promised Eleanor’s hand in marriage to McPhearson.”

  Erik gave an enlightened nod. “Ah, so we have more than just a border war. McPhearson was a jilted groom. That explains the ferocity of the siege. From what I have heard of him, he doesn’t take rejection well.”

  “If he couldn’t have Godwin or Eleanor, he would level it and kill all the occupants inside, including her.”

  “That would explain the deserted village. The siege must have taken its toll.”

  “Exactly. With any luck we will rebuild Godwin and ward off any attack he may attempt.”

  “It was good that you had enough forethought to bring your own tradesmen.”

  “As soon as I saw the castle’s condition, I sent word to William about its state. He sent most of them.”

  Erik smiled. “It must be nice to be a friend of the King.”

  Dominick smiled back. “It has its advantages.”

  Suddenly the hall became very quiet. Dominick followed the gazes of those who gathered for the evening meal, and his eyes fixed on the vision before him. She was dressed in an emerald green gown, with gold embroidery. Even from a distance the deep jade gown drew attention to her eyes. A sheer scarf that was held I place by a gold circlet. The scarf shimmered as she moved through the hall. His heart pounded with excitement.

  Dominick looked back at Erik who gave him an appreciative smile. As Eleanor floated down the stairs, he found himself drawn to her and moved to meet her at the bottom step.

  He pulled her hand to his lips. “You look exquisite, my lady.”

  Blushing, she smiled shyly, “Thank you, my lord.”

  Eleanor was truly a vision. He admired her gown. “I will have to make a point of finding more fabric in shades of green, for it makes your eyes sparkle like emeralds.”

  She smiled at his compliment. Dominick loved the way her soft pink lips stretched across straight white teeth. He took a deep breath to push away the besotted adolescent that had taken him over, but not too far, for he wanted to enjoy the moment.

  Seating her at his side, he couldn’t look away.

  Finally she turned to him. “Dominick, please stop gawking. You’re making me uncomfortable.”

  “I apologize, but it has been many years since I have seen such beauty.”

  Her cheeks blushed brighter. “Hold your tongue. I’m not worthy of such a compliment.”

  “If only your eyes could behold what I see.”

  The conversation was temporarily interrupted when food was placed before them. They fell into a companionable silence while they ate.

  A goblet of wine sat in front of him. He paid it little attention until he saw Eleanor glancing repeatedly at it. “It’s only wine, Eleanor.”

  She seemed to contemplate for a moment. “May I taste it?”

  Surprised, he placed the cup before her. “Take a small sip. It’s an acquired taste at first.”

  She wrinkled her nose at smelling the goblet’s contents. Hesitating, she looked down into the dark burgundy liquid and slowly brought the cup to her mouth.

  An icy chill ran down Dominick’s spine just as the apparition of Eleanor’s mother appeared before him. The wine is poison. She vanished.

  His reaction was swift. As Eleanor was about to bring the wine to her lips, he slapped the goblet out of her hands.

  She jumped out of her seat, eyes flashing with hatred and fear. “You bastard!” Her hand came back and slapped him hard across the face.

  Dominick grabbed her arm, halting her escape. Her other hand came around in another assault, but he quickly had her pinned.

  “Eleanor, it’s not what you think.”

  Gritting her teeth, she struggled against him. “It’s exactly what I think. You’re no better than—”

  “God’s blood!” someone shouted.

  A murmur moved about the hall as all eyes fixed on the table.

  Dominick looked down to see where the goblet spilled over. The linen tablecloth had been eaten through and the wood burned away by the caustic substance.

  His fury bubbled from his chest. “Close the portcullis and drawbridge!” He turned to Randolf. “Make sure every gate is locked. No one leaves.”

  Randolf left immediately.

  One of the guards came running forward. Dominick grabbed his shoulder. “Take men with you to the kitchen, and bring the people to me.” The guard ran off to
do his bidding.

  He turned back toward Eleanor. Her disbelieving gaze was fixed on the table. Moving on instinct, he picked her up and swiftly carried her to their chamber. Once inside, he lowered her to the floor. Eyes wide with fear, she said nothing.

  “Lock this chamber door and don’t open it until I return.”

  Once in the hallway, he paused long enough to hear the bolt fall into place. Fiery hot fury flowed through his veins, and darkness fell on his heart.

  Eleanor stood in the middle of her chamber, staring at the door. Her heart pounded furiously. The vision of the acid eating away at the table played over and over in her mind.

  Poison. She couldn’t believe someone had tried to poison her. Then realization dawned. The poison hadn’t been intended for her. Her legs began to buckle, but she managed to stagger to a chair. Icy rivers of fear ran through her, making her teeth chatter. Suddenly the room felt very cold. Taking her sable cloak from the back of the chair, she wrapped herself tightly, but couldn’t warm the chill of terror that settled in her bones.

  As she rocked back and forth, the realization of how close she had come to death overwhelmed her. She ran every moment in her mind that led up to that moment when Dominick had slapped the wine out of her hand. Instantly she stopped, and her mind froze. Clearly he knew someone had tried to kill him. But who? As soon as she asked the question she knew the answer. McPhearson. The man would stop at nothing to take Godwin.

  A knock on the door made Eleanor jump.

  “Sweetheart, it’s me.” It was Martha.

  Quickly, Eleanor unbolted the door, and flew into her arms. “Oh Martha, what’s happening?”

  Softly, her maid patted her back, quietly reassuring her. “There, there, my dear, everything will be all right.”

  “How can anything be all right? Someone tried to kill us. It’s not safe here.” Like a buoy in a storm, she held Martha tighter as she had so many times before in her chaotic life. “I’m not sure I will ever feel safe.”

  Martha led Eleanor back to her chair. She wrapped the mantle tighter around her then went to the hearth and began building a fire. “His lordship is turning the castle upside down looking for the person responsible for this. His brother and Lord Erik have dogs sniffing around in the village.”