She couldn’t keep the enthusiasm out of her voice. “Yes, I would like that very much.”
“Then we shall be off.”
Her body reacted when his hands circled her waist and boosted her into White Wind’s saddle. It took a moment to steady her heartbeat.
Gracefully, he mounted Aries, and with a wave of his hand said, “Lead the way.”
Guiding him out the west gate past the fields and through the grassy meadow that bordered the ocean cliffs, she realized Dominick had been right, she hadn’t forgotten how to ride. Her heart raced when she brought White Wind to a full gallop. The thrill of the ride rose as the wind rushed past her face and she felt reckless and carefree.
Soon she came to a path that led to the shoreline. The Arabian carefully picked her way down to the soft sandy beach.
She looked out over the horizon. The sun sparkled along the waves. The gentle breeze was a balm to her soul. . This must be what heaven looks like, she thought.
Dominick pulled up beside her. “You ride very well.”
“She’s a very good horse.” Eleanor was still caught up in the beauty that surrounded her. “I haven’t been here since I was a little girl. I had forgotten how beautiful this place is.”
“Why has it been so long?”
“When my father was alive, he didn’t care that the castle was falling down around us. Then McPhearson’s siege locked the entire village inside the gates.”
“We must make a point of coming here frequently.” He dismounted.
“I would love that.”
He reached up and helped her down then handed her a blanket while he grabbed the basket of food. She laid the blanket on the soft sand, laughing as she awkwardly plopped herself down onto it. She handed Dominick some bread and cold meat while he opened the skin of wine and poured it into cups. Seagulls screeched and hovered above them, begging for crumbs. Waves crawled up the sandy shore, frothing when they could reach no further.
Eleanor sipped her wine thoughtfully. Hardships were the only thing she had expected at Godwin, but the burden of her home was lifting off her shoulders.
“How did you get word to the king when McPhearson had Godwin under siege?”
Startled out of her reverie. His question brought her back to memories of McPhearson’s siege. Sadness swept in. “We were able to get a man out.”
“By the look on your face, I sense there is more to this.”
“He was murdered before we could get him back inside the gate.”
“A brave man,” Dominick said, looking out at the ocean.
“He was Ruth’s husband.”
“Such bravery should be rewarded. I will see that his family is cared for.”
“I’m sure it will be appreciated. Just having a man to guide her sons would put her mind at ease.”
“It will be done.”
Eleanor reached out and touched his hand. “Thank you.”
She took a deep breath of the salty air, bringing her back to the beauty that surrounded them. Leaning back on her elbows, she watched a seagull glide on the wind currents and marveled at its freedom. Her heart filled near to bursting with the joy of it.
Dominick stretched out beside her. His legs went well past the edge of the blanket. He took in his surrounding, basking in the warm sun. Eleanor felt enough at ease to lie down on the blanket next to him. The two of them stared up at the blue ceiling, watching white billowy clouds go by. Eleanor couldn’t remember a time when she felt so good.
“Tell me about yourself, Dominick,” she said breaking the companionable silence.
“There is little to tell.”
She rolled over on her side propping her head on her hand. “That can’t be true. You’re a friend of the King, his closest vassal. Please don’t be offended when I ask this, but how does the bastard son of a noble accomplish such a thing?”
“I’m not offended.” He took a deep breath. “Many are jealous of my relationship with the King, so they often make a point of reminding me of my unworthy status. I am beyond being offended.” He turned to faced her fully. “Does the circumstance of my birth bother you?”
“No, not all. I have seen earls and dukes behave abominably. Nobility should not be a right of birth, but a right of character.”
“I’m afraid you’re among a very few who think that way.” He picked at a crumb on the blanket. “As you know, when Randolf and I were old enough we set out to make our fortune. We’d trained all our lives in the art of war. There were no lands to inherit and no gold in our pockets, so we sold our swords to the highest bidder. Our fighting skills soon became sought after.
“King William had visited a tournament we were competing in. When it was over, he recruited us to fight in the Crusades. We didn’t give it much thought. To us it was another adventure. We didn’t realize it would be such a bloodbath.
“One time William was surrounded by the enemy and would have lost his life had I not been close enough to intervene. He remembers those loyal to him. After that we fought together side by side in many other battles. In situations of life and death, a bond builds between people, something that can never be broken or shared with others.”
Eleanor remembered the scars that webbed across his back and didn’t want to bring up of that painful time. She needed to turn the tide of their conversation.
A memory from her childhood made her smile. “Would you like to see something wonderful?” she asked.
She watched his brows furrowed in the quick change of subject. Then a grin spread across his face. “I would love to see something wonderful,” he said wiggling his eyebrows.
Pushing at his chest, she knocked him back. “Is that all you think of?”
“When you’re around me Eleanor, yes I do.”
“Ugh,” she groaned, shaking her head in mock despair as she stood. “Let’s go before I become ill with your banter.”
Eleanor removed her slippers and stockings and walked barefoot at the edge of the surf. The cool water made her feet tingle, but the sensation was invigorating.
She stopped in front of a rock wall that had roots and vines growing down its side. Pulling back the vines, she stepped in, holding them open for Dominick. As soon as her eyes adjusted to the dim light, she looked around the gargantuan cavern that had been her childhood playground.
“How ever did you find this place?” he asked in awe.
“When I was a child, my mother brought me here. She said it was where she played when she a little girl. We brought torches and stuck them in the crevices of the wall. We danced and she told me stories, and we would pretend that this was our own special castle.
Dominick looked around. “I can see where this would be a special place for a child”
“It’s the one time I remember being happy with my mother. It was the only place she smiled.” Remembering her mother this way filled Eleanor with a longing for the past. She didn’t realize tears had sprung into her eyes until they fell onto her cheeks. She wasn’t sure which emotion to feel, happiness, or sadness. At that moment it was both.
Dominick’s hand caressed her face while his thumb brushed away the tears. He bent down to lightly caress her lips with his. The sweetness of the act touched her heart.
“I have no idea why I’m crying, this is the happiest place of my childhood.
“Perhaps you grieve for happiness lost.”
“Or the lost possibilities of future happiness.” She shook her head. “Whatever the case may be, my tears are wasted on such thoughts.”
Dominick moved closer. “Maybe it’s time to develop new memories in Here” His hand moved to the back of her neck, pulling her toward him slowly.
Eleanor understood his meaning. She had no desire to resist him. His mouth came down on hers, softly at first, but as her arms came around his neck the kiss deepened, igniting a fire in her chest. Something close to hunger spurred her on, and she pulled Dominick’s head down further. Her greedy lips opened, wanting more of the taste of him. Their ton
gues dueled, thrusting back and forth.
With lips still joined, Dominick unclasped the broach of her mantle and pushed it off her shoulders, then pulled her in tighter. Eleanor reveled in the warmth of his body. He was filling her with a need she didn’t understand. In the circle of his arms, engulfed her with passion her body moved in closer.
Her fingers pressed against his chest, feeling his rapid heartbeat. Each thump against her palms fanned the embers of her own desire. The kiss turned frantic. Dominick’s hands moved to the base of her spine, spanning its width. She could feel his rock hard manhood pressed against her stomach as he pulled her tighter in his embrace. A memory stirred inside her mind, and she pushed away to keep it from surfacing.
Holding her tightly with one arm, Dominick let his free hand roam her body. Starting at her hip, he stroked her rib cage. His mouth broke away from hers to plant soft, succulent kisses on her neck and shoulder.
Eleanor was drunk with heady passion. Bending her head she begged for more. Her arms circled his waist, pulling him firmly to her.
Dominick’s hand roamed over Eleanor’s body. Cupping her breast he kneaded its soft curves. The memory she had kept at bay now exploded forward and cold fear washed over her.
She tried to pull away, but Dominick was still in the grip of passion.
“I can’t do this,” she said softly. Then with a hard push against his chest, she cried, “I can’t do this!”
Dominick finally let her go. His breathing was rapid and harsh, but he made no move toward her. His fists clenched at his sides.
When it seemed he had composed himself, he spoke softly. “It’s McPhearson that you see.”
A sharp dagger of pain stabbed at her chest. No longer could she look into his eyes, and covered her face with her hands.
Angrily he pulled them away. “Look at me, Eleanor. Is it a rapist you see before you, or your husband?”
As hard as she tried, she could not answer. Her mouth gaped open with efforts to explain. It was too late when he turned and left the cavern. She finally croaked out, “Dominick, I’m sorry.”
Her pitiful apology fell on deaf ears, for he never turned around. Feeling abandoned and alone, she picked up her mantle and followed Dominick outside, where she found him gathering the remains of their meal. Silently she folded the blanket and strapped it on her saddle. He quickly helped her mount her horse, touching her as briefly as possible, and then both of them rode back in tense silence.
Upon entering Godwin, Dominick helped Eleanor only enough to dismount her horse then handed the reins to the stable hands. He bid her a slight farewell then walked off, disappearing around the east wall of the castle.
“Dominick, I’m sorry,” she whispered to herself.
Feeling abandoned and sick about what had happened in the cave, she couldn’t explain her reaction to Dominick’s touch. Licking her lips she remembered the warmth and passion of Dominick’s kiss, how it ignited a fire in her she never knew existed. She wanted more, but how would she ever get past the horror of McPhearson’s attack? How could she put away the revulsion that twisted in her gut every time she remembered it? Even after all this time, shame burned her face with the memories of his hands clawing at her flesh.
She closed her eyes, throwing her head back. Dominick didn’t deserve to pay for what McPhearson had done, she thought, yet he was, and she didn’t know how to change that.
Looking into the horizon she realized that the once glorious day was now shadowing with dusk. Her good mood had been shattered and there was little chance of recapturing it. Resigned, she walked toward the kitchen entrance to help with the preparations of the evening meal. She no longer wanted to spend any time alone.
For the first time in his life, Dominick felt defeated. He thought he had been winning her trust, but after today’s fiasco, he wasn’t sure he ever would. How could he fight what couldn’t be seen? Eleanor had more than just the burden of her abusive father’s memory, she also carried the memory of McPhearson’s attack. To reach intimacy with her, he would have to scale the nearly insurmountable wall of fear that surrounded her.
Staring at the fire in the hearth, he took a long draw of his ale. For a brief moment he thought to take the woman and be damned with the vow, but as soon as the thought entered his mind he dismissed it. He was no rutting animal like McPhearson. Besides he wanted more from Eleanor than just mating. He could satisfy his lust with any maid in Godwin. It was important to him that Eleanor wanted him in their marriage bed.
Someday he would like to see his own children playing in the courtyard. As things stood between them at the moment his dreams would never come to fruition.
“Would you care for more ale, my lord?”
So deep in thought he hadn’t heard Zenon walk up behind him, Dominick jumped, instinctively grasping the hilt of his dagger. Realizing it was his servant, he blew out his breath. “No, I’m fine.”
“Would you care for anything else?”
“No thank you. You can retire for the night.”
Zenon bowed slightly. “Good night then, sir.” He stepped away.
“Zenon?”
The man stopped in his tracks. “Yes, my lord?”
“How close did McPhearson get to violating Lady Eleanor?”
He watched Zenon’s jaw clench and his eyes close. With the man’s physical response, Dominick’s chest tightened.
“All but entering her, my lord,” Zenon croaked.
Dominick’s own jaw tightened, and he gripped his mug tightly as he stared into the fire. “Thank you for saving her, Zenon.”
“It’s not for you to thank me, my lord. She may not be my child by blood, but I love her as my own, And like any child of my own, I will protect her 'til my death.” Dominick nodded thoughtfully. “Will that be all, sir?”
“Yes, thank you.”
Zenon stepped out of the hall, and Dominick went back to staring into the fire. He envisioned the time when he came face to face with McPhearson. Castrating the villain would be the first order of business, if he could resist killing him on sight.
Chapter Eighteen
Eleanor had tossed and turned most of the night. Dominick didn’t come to the evening meal, nor did he come to their chambers at the end of the night.
Her mind couldn’t rest. She jumped at every sound, thinking, even hoping it was Dominick, but to her disappointment he never came.
Memories of the cave came flooding back. Dominick’s warm lips on hers. Her passion rode on the currents of desire. Then the painful memories came crashing down on her like a cold wave from the ocean, drowning her in fear.
“Damn you, McPhearson!” She struck her mattress with her fist.
More than anything she wanted to escape from her past. She thought she could put all of the pain behind her and build a new life. But that was not to be. She was still trapped by the bricks and mortar of fear.
The next morning anger sent her into action. Quickly she dressed, throwing a light mantle over her shoulders. Storming out of the castle, she ran to the stables. She needed to expend some energy, and she’d had her fill of cleaning and gardening. Not waiting for a stable hand, she saddled White Wind and rode out of the bailey at a full gallop.
Eleanor rode through fields and meadows to the forest, where she slowed White Wind to a quiet walk. Eleanor immersed herself in the sounds of the woodland creatures. Birds singing their spring song lightened the weight of her heart. Lifting her head to the sweet sound, she examined the new leaves sprouting from their tiny buds. Sunlight peeked through the branches, forming a lacy pattern on the ground. White Wind’s hooves made soft crackling sounds on the crisp dry leaves beneath her.
It eased the tension in her body. Her mind cleared, she would not allow any memories to intrude on that moment. Riding through the woods she took in its vast beauty. Like a child she explored it as a new world. She hadn’t been this far from the castle before. Excitement encouraged her to move on. Never had she experienced this kind of freedom. Nothing
was demanded of her. She could go wherever her whim took her.
Imagining herself a great explorer, she discovered new hills and streams. A euphoric giggle bubbled up inside her as she watched the antics of two squirrels at play. In the distance she spotted a doe and her fawn eating the new grass. Lightly she tugged on the reins of her horse so as to not frighten the deer away. She sat there for some time watching them chewing on the green foliage. Suddenly the doe picked up her head, twitching her ears. In the next moment she and her fawn bounded over brush and fallen trees, disappearing into the forest.
Eleanor wondered what had frightened them away. White Wind bobbed her head and stamped her hoof in agitation. Out of the corner of her eye, Eleanor spotted two men on horseback charging toward her.
“Go! Girl go!” She and White Wind bounded deeper into the forest, with the two riders coming fast behind her.
Eleanor leaned forward, giving White Wind her head. The mare jumped gracefully over fallen trees and bushes. The two assailants’ horses were no match for White Wind’s speed. Quickly she pulled away from them, even as Eleanor realized they were heading away from Godwin. She had to circle back.
Looking back she saw that she had gained considerable ground. Her heart pounded furiously, but not from fear. Only anger brewed in her chest. These were McPhearson’s men. That man had the audacity to send his men so close to Godwin. If they thought her to be easy prey, she was going to make them think differently.
Knowing she couldn’t outrun them forever, she looked for a place to hide.
Directing White Wind to some brush she realized the Arabian’s snow white coat would give them away. Her heart leapt with joy when her horse understood her encouragement to lie down behind the bushes. The horse bent down on its hindquarters and tucked its front legs under. She quickly covered them both in her brown mantle, hoping to blend in with the surrounding leaves.
“Good girl,” she whispered in the horse’s ear.
She froze when a twig snapped close by.
“Where did she go?” one voice shouted.
“She can’t be far. I’ll move ahead. You keep looking in this area.”
Immortal Love Page 15