The Knight's Forbidden Princess

by Carol Townend

  And then there was Lady Isabel. Leonor walked blindly towards the stairwell. She couldn’t come between a mother and son. Even with the best will in the world, if she were to marry Lord Rodrigo, his mother’s bitterness and rage would know no bounds. Diego’s death cast a long shadow.

  I shall never marry.

  Chapter Fifteen

  Rodrigo sat at the high table in his hall, a scroll in hand, another at his elbow. Inigo’s message was brief. Inigo and Princess Alba had arrived safely in Córdoba and Inigo had received his warning. Inigo agreed that the Sultan’s reach couldn’t extend as far as Córdoba, but none the less, he’d taken the precaution of increasing the guard on his town house. He promised to write again when there was more to report.

  Rodrigo set Inigo’s letter aside and glanced at the other scroll. Intended for Princess Leonor, it was written in Arabic, so there was no chance of Rodrigo understanding a word. Not that he would have dreamed of breaking the seal on anything addressed privately to Princess Leonor.

  Doubtless it concerned the sisters’ plans to find their mother’s family. Soon, the Princesses would be moving on with their lives. Rodrigo rolled his shoulders, the thought left him hollow.

  He glanced towards the passage that led to his estate office. Leonor was in there, dictating to his scribe. As soon as she emerged, he would give her Princess Alba’s letter. The hollow feeling intensified. Rodrigo drummed his fingers on the white cloth and took stock of his surroundings. Best not think about Leonor.

  Everything was in order in his hall. Brightly painted jugs and bowls were displayed on the side-tables; polished weaponry gleamed on the walls. Higher up, the painted roof beams were almost obscured by the banners of his household knights. Banners of every hue imaginable hung in rows along the walls—green, blue, gold, silver...

  Inevitably, Rodrigo’s gaze was drawn to the opposite wall where his standard was displayed—a black horse racing across a crimson field. It was most distinctive, and he’d always liked it. As he studied it, he was struck by an odd coincidence. Crimson was also the colour of the field on the Sultan’s standard.

  Why had he not remarked on it before? Had Leonor noticed him on the Salobreña quayside because of his crimson tunic?

  He was staring at one of the more faded banners thinking about how the longing he used to feel for Sancha had paled into insignificance before his desire for Leonor.

  Leonor. Dios mío, she was fast becoming an obsession. It wasn’t healthy. Leonor wouldn’t be with him for long, all she wanted was to meet her relatives. She’d scrambled on to his horse outside the Alhambra Palace with that one goal in mind.

  I don’t want her to leave.

  Impatient with himself, he shook his head. His wishes were unimportant. He must set them aside and help her. And pray that she would learn that caring for someone wasn’t the same as imprisoning them because what he really wanted...

  ‘My lord?’ The fragrance of orange blossom teased his senses, and all at once she was at his elbow, scroll in hand. ‘Here’s the letter for Sir Alfredo.’

  Rodrigo rose, took the letter and tucked it into his tunic. ‘Thank you, I leave for Baeza at first light tomorrow. I may be away a few days; should you need anything, please apply to Miguel or my castellan, Sir Sebastián.’

  Her eyebrows lifted. ‘Miguel doesn’t ride with you?’

  ‘I’m taking another squire, Joaquin, with me this time.’

  Leonor murmured something non-committal about not realising he had more than one squire, and Rodrigo gestured at the table. ‘We have news from Córdoba.’

  Her face lit up. ‘A letter from Alba!’

  ‘Aye. My lady, please sit while you read it.’

  Leonor sat beside him and cracked the seal. Rodrigo reseated himself.

  ‘They’re safe,’ she said with a sigh of relief.

  ‘So Lord Inigo told me.’

  She read on and then looked up. ‘I really need to see her. May I go tomorrow?’

  Rodrigo hesitated. ‘I’d prefer you to wait until I return from Baeza. You’ll have more to tell her then.’

  A pleat between her eyebrows, she clutched the letter to her breast. ‘You’re thinking about my father. You’re concerned for my safety. I understand, my lord, but I can’t wait. My sister and I have been too long apart as it is. Send someone else to Baeza and then you can come with me.’

  Rodrigo hid a smile at her imperiousness. The habit of command, it seemed, was deeply ingrained. He shook his head. ‘That’s not possible, I need to go in person.’ If Leonor was truly planning to make her home with her relatives, he wanted to make sure she’d be welcome. He couldn’t leave her with simply anyone.

  ‘In that case, would you grant me an escort?’ Leonor asked. ‘Might Sir Sebastián accompany me?’

  Rodrigo thought quickly. A large escort marching through Córdoba would attract far too much attention. Questions might be asked, and until matters were resolved with Sir Alfredo, he’d prefer to keep quiet about Leonor’s presence in Castile. A small party of guards might serve, if she dressed simply. She’d be taken for a merchant’s daughter. Yes, that might work. ‘On one condition.’

  She leaned forward. ‘Anything.’

  ‘You must wear your plainest gown, and you must promise not to do anything that will draw the eye. You must obey Sir Sebastián’s orders.’

  ‘I swear.’

  Rodrigo didn’t like the idea of her travelling to Córdoba without him, but the joy on her face was its own reward. She reached for his hand, pressed it briefly against her forehead and kissed it.

  ‘Thank you, my lord, a thousand thanks.’

  Rodrigo couldn’t help it. He looked at her mouth. And found himself wondering if she would ever be able to contemplate marriage without fear that her husband would box her in.

  ‘Have you had any news of Inés, my lord?’

  ‘No, my men have not yet returned. I think it likely she has made her own way to Baeza. If she has, I will know soon enough.’

  * * *

  Leonor woke early. She was finally going to see Alba! There was much to talk about, good and bad. Her smile faded. Alba needed to know about their banishment. However, what mattered most was that they had escaped their father and their Spanish relatives had been found.

  Inés remained a problem, as there’d still been no sign of her. God willing, their duenna would find her way to Baeza and they would eventually be reunited. Constanza was also a worry. Was she locked in that tower alone? Leonor sighed. She still wasn’t sure why her youngest sister had chosen to stay behind.

  Ana was sleeping on a mattress beside her bed. ‘My lady, is anything amiss?’

  ‘I’m in a hurry.’ Leonor strode to the washbowl. ‘I’m visiting my sister today.’

  Ana knuckled sleep from her eyes and groaned. ‘It’s barely light, the larks are surely asleep.’

  ‘I can’t wait, I need to see her without delay.’ Dragging on her plainest gown, for Lord Rodrigo’s instructions regarding her attire made sense, Leonor turned her back and gestured for Ana to lace her up.

  Her spirits lifted as it occurred to her that in Córdoba, she could spend the entire day without running into Lady Isabel. Lord Rodrigo’s mother clearly loathed her.

  Would Lord Inigo permit her to stay as his guest until Count Rodrigo returned? It would be wonderful if he did.

  * * *

  Three days later, Rodrigo returned to Castle Álvarez. He was sticky, dusty and irritable after a hard ride from Baeza and he intended to visit the bathhouse before giving Leonor her news.

  His interview with her relatives had gone better than expected. Lady Juana’s nephew, Sir Alfredo, had been intrigued to learn that two of his aunt’s daughters had fled the Sultan’s care and might seek sanctuary at Baeza. Sir Alfredo had professed himself eager to meet them, even going so far to say that the P
rincesses need expect no prejudice under his roof. Sir Alfredo came across as straightforward and no-nonsense, and Rodrigo believed his assurances.

  Even better, when Rodrigo had hinted at the possibility of an alliance between his family and Sir Alfredo’s, the suggestion had been met with interest, even warmth.

  All in all, it had been a worthwhile journey, with one proviso. No one at Baeza had seen Inés, who seemed to have vanished from the face of the earth. That would certainly distress Leonor, and Rodrigo could only pray that her duenna had gone into hiding and would eventually emerge, safe and sound.

  Miguel was outside the forge, lobbing rusty horseshoes at a pin hammered into a board. Under the awning, a black mare was being shod. Miguel dropped the horseshoe and crossed the bailey as Joaquin took charge of the horses.

  ‘Well met, my lord.’

  ‘Miguel.’ Rodrigo smiled. ‘Is Lady Leonor in her chambers?’

  Miguel gave him a blank look. ‘Lady Leonor? No, my lord, I thought you knew. She went to Córdoba.’

  A chill ran down Rodrigo’s neck. ‘Yes, yes, but that was days ago, she can’t still be there.’

  ‘She is, my lord. She went to visit her sister. She didn’t come back. As I understand it, she is Lord Inigo’s guest.’

  Rodrigo couldn’t seem to take in what Miguel was saying. ‘Lady Leonor has left the castle?’

  ‘Yes, my lord.’

  ‘Did she take her belongings with her?’

  Miguel gave a thoughtful frown. ‘I don’t think so, my lord.’

  The blood drummed in Rodrigo’s ears. Had she gone for good? Had he lost her already? He glanced up at the window of Leonor’s apartment. ‘Is Ana about?’

  ‘She’s in the tower apartment.’ Miguel’s eyes were full of understanding. ‘My lord, I expect Lady Leonor will soon be back.’

  Rodrigo grunted. ‘Attend me, if you please. After a bath and a change of clothing, I shall be needing a fresh horse.’

  ‘Yes, my lord.’

  * * *

  Rodrigo rode swiftly with Miguel to Inigo’s town house, although he was aching in every bone. He would have preferred to find Leonor waiting for him on his return. It wasn’t that he was concerned for her safety, as Inigo would be sure to guard her well. What bothered him was not knowing whether, when she’d left his castle, she’d been planning to return.

  Had his mother upset her? Leonor had mentioned speaking to her. He thought back to their meeting in the chapel. He’d asked if his mother had been courteous and all Leonor had said was that his mother had been wary. Wary.

  He swore under his breath. Leonor had temporised. His mother was many things, but wary was not one of them. What had she said to Leonor? He would have to make it clear to her that Leonor would always be welcome in his castle. Always.

  Ana had assured him that Leonor had taken only the gown she was wearing. That sounded promising, as if she intended to return. Most likely, her decision to stay in Córdoba had been made on impulse. Yes, she’d been so overjoyed to see her sister that she hadn’t wanted to leave again so soon. She’d bent Sir Sebastián to her will and convinced him to allow her to stay in Inigo’s town house. It was perfectly natural. Perfectly understandable.

  ‘Miguel, remind me to have words with Sir Sebastián.’

  ‘Yes, my lord.’

  Madre mía, Leonor was a tricky woman.

  So, here he was, riding to Inigo’s house as fast as he could with his guts in a tangle because a headstrong princess had taken it into her head to stay with her sister in Córdoba rather than return to his castle, to him.

  What were they talking about? Their journey to Baeza?

  * * *

  The sisters were walking around a sparkling fountain in the central courtyard of Lord Inigo’s town house, their arms about each other’s waists. They dressed in Spanish fashion, Leonor had borrowed one of her sister’s new gowns. It was fashioned from a marvellous rose-coloured damask that was every bit as sumptuous as the fabrics Lord Rodrigo had given her.

  ‘Lord Rodrigo is certain that Father banished you for ever?’ Alba asked, not for the first time. In the three days they’d been together the sisters had talked of little else.

  Leonor didn’t blame her. It was hard to accept. ‘Yes. As I said, Father has told his men that they are at liberty to punish me if I am caught in Al-Andalus. The letter didn’t mention you by name, though Father did say that he only has one daughter, Zorahaida.’

  ‘So I must accept that I too am banished.’ Alba sighed. ‘I can’t say I’m surprised, but what does surprise me is how upsetting it is.’

  Leonor smiled sadly. ‘I agree, I feel like an orphan. The only brightness in this is that we are reunited. And of course, there’s Lord Rodrigo, I’ve enjoyed coming to know him.’

  Alba gave her a thoughtful look. ‘You seem to understand him extraordinarily well.’

  Leonor fixed her gaze on the fountain. ‘He’s kind and unexpectedly patient.’ She turned to Alba. ‘Promise me you’ll never go home.’

  ‘I shan’t go back. I’m looking forward to meeting our Spanish family.’ Alba flushed. ‘Before that, however, there’s something I need to do.’

  Leonor lifted an eyebrow. ‘That sounds intriguing.’ When Alba didn’t continue, Leonor nudged her. ‘Well? You’ve whetted my curiosity. You can’t stop there.’

  ‘Ah, but I can. If I succeed... No, when I succeed, you’ll be the first to know.’ Alba lifted her shoulders in a careless shrug. ‘Rest assured, if I live to be a hundred, I will never set foot in Al-Andalus again.’

  ‘I’m glad.’ Leonor took in a breath to brace herself. ‘I thought the same. At first.’

  ‘What are you saying?’

  ‘I need to return home, and before you object, it will be the briefest of visits.’

  Alba’s mouth fell open. ‘What? You can’t warn me not to go home because Father has banished us only to announce that you’re going back yourself. The heat must have addled your brain.’ She searched Leonor’s face and her expression clouded. ‘So help me, you’re serious. Why?’

  ‘Constanza. We can’t abandon her, and if anyone goes back, it must be me. It’s my fault we were separated.’

  ‘Leonor, it’s not your fault.’ Alba’s eyes were sad. ‘Constanza’s always been timid, we were deluding ourselves to think that she would come with us.’

  ‘Aye, she hates confrontation. I’ve been thinking about this a lot the last few days and believe I know why she didn’t come with us. As much as Father terrifies her, she’s more afraid of the unknown.’

  ‘I can’t blame her for that,’ Alba said. ‘I was nervous myself.’

  Leonor frowned at the fountain. ‘Constanza needs to know life is waiting for her outside the palace walls. She needs to know Mamá’s family has been found. Then, when she’s ready, she can follow us. She will be free.’ Leonor clutched Alba’s hand. ‘I have to tell her. Outside Al-Andalus, Constanza will be safe. Father won’t follow her beyond the boundaries, so there’ll be no more living in fear.’

  Alba shook her head. ‘It’s far too dangerous. Moreover, it won’t work. Constanza had her chance and made her choice, it’s too late for her.’

  ‘I can’t accept that. What will her life be like? We did everything together. She will surely be miserable on her own. Alba, the three of us belong together.’

  Alba gave her an odd look. ‘Do we?’

  Leonor couldn’t believe her ears. ‘Until we ran away, we were inseparable. It’s not right that we have our freedom while Constanza still moulders in that tower.’

  Alba opened her mouth to respond when a disturbance drew their attention to an arched doorway leading off from the courtyard.

  The door swung wide and Lord Rodrigo stepped through it, spurs chinking on the stone flags. A slight sheen of sweat on his forehead told Leonor he’d been riding hard. Face
set, eyes belligerent—something had clearly angered him—his gaze homed in on her.

  ‘Lady Leonor, why are you still here?’

  Leonor lifted her chin. ‘As you see, my lord, I am visiting my sister. Lord Rodrigo, may I present Princess Alba?’

  Lord Rodrigo gave Alba a cursory glance. His bow was so brief it bordered on rude. ‘Delighted, Lady Alba, I’m sure.’ He transferred his attention back to Leonor. ‘Were you planning to ever return to Castle Álvarez?’

  ‘Naturally, my lord, I—’ Leonor broke off, blinking in shock. ‘You can tell us apart!’

  ‘Don’t be ridiculous.’ Rodrigo ran his hand through his hair. ‘Of course I can.’

  Alba stepped forward, she had watched this exchange with great interest. ‘Lord Rodrigo, what my sister is trying to say is that most people cannot.’

  Lord Rodrigo snorted. ‘Clearly, most people are blind.’ Imperiously, he held out his hand. ‘Come, Lady Leonor, I have news from your family in Baeza.’

  Leonor shot Alba an apologetic look—really, the Count was behaving very oddly. She permitted him to take her hand and willed herself to ignore the way her heart leapt at his touch. ‘News of our Spanish family?’ She nodded pointedly at Alba. ‘Then I am sure my sister would also like to hear what you have to say.’

  * * *

  The instant Rodrigo’s fingers closed over Leonor’s, the tension that had been driving him since he’d returned to Castle Álvarez and found her absent simply melted away. Leonor hadn’t walked out of his life, she was still here, talking to her sister.

  The Princesses were remarkably alike. Two pairs of beautiful dark eyes were gazing at him through luxuriant eyelashes. Both sisters had glossy black hair and slender, feminine bodies. Princess Alba’s delicate form was almost as tempting as Leonor’s. Almost. There the similarities ended.

  Leonor’s eyes were surely livelier and she was slightly taller. As Rodrigo bowed over her hand, he inhaled surreptitiously. Leonor. That sensual, womanly scent was as unique as Leonor herself. He could tell them apart at a thousand paces. Was this love?