The Knight's Forbidden Princess

by Carol Townend

  Fear for his Princess had given Rodrigo a tightly clenched belly and an incessant pounding in his brain that had beat in time with the horses’ hoofs. Was she safe? What would her father do to her if she fell into his clutches? The entire ride had been a nightmare in which Rodrigo could think of little else.

  His eyes were gritty and his throat burned. Thirst. Longing. Fear. In truth, he couldn’t recall ever feeling such fear. His thoughts had been painful from the moment he and his knights had cantered away from Castle Álvarez.

  Leonor asked for my help and I refused her.

  She’d confided in him. She’d trusted him enough to tell him she wanted to get a message to Princess Constanza and what had he done? He’d lost his temper. In short, he’d behaved just like her father. As soon as Rodrigo had done it, he’d regretted it. And then he’d made matters worse, he’d decided they needed time to cool down.

  He’d underestimated the strength of the bond between the three sisters. He’d been blind, it was obvious Leonor ached to see Constanza as much as he ached to see Diego. Maybe Leonor’s hurt was greater. She’d been swift to confess that the Princesses had been everything to each other. In not listening, he’d failed her.

  I refused to help and this is the result.

  ‘Well done, men, you rode like demons,’ he murmured as they dismounted. ‘Sir Esteban, you’re with me. No torches.’ He gestured at the spangled heavens. ‘We can rely on the stars.’

  Sir Esteban nodded. ‘Understood.’

  ‘The rest of you, stay here. The danger signal is three long whistles. If you hear it, flee for your lives. Other than that, don’t move.’

  Rodrigo and Sir Esteban started up the gully. Black shapes reared up before them, trees with dark branches clawed at the stars. Night filled every crevice, the rocks looked grey.

  Rodrigo was wearing a leather gambeson and sweat prickled at the back of his neck; the night was warm. Unseen animals rustled in the undergrowth. Somewhere in the palace grounds a peacock shrieked. The sound knifed through him and the pain of Diego’s death was suddenly as fresh as though his brother had been killed only a few hours ago. Being near the palace had brought it all back. Rodrigo forced himself on.

  They were halfway up the gully when he saw her. A pale figure in the moonlight, she was standing alone on a rocky outcrop, staring at the palace wall. Her clothes looked out of place. In his mind Rodrigo had clothed her in her harem silks, yet here she was in a Spanish gown. She looked nothing like the mysterious woman he’d encountered in that stinking prison yard.

  Quietly, he moved towards her. She whirled about and her sharp, indrawn breath was loud in the dark. Starlight glistened on the moisture on her cheeks; she was crying. A knot formed in Rodrigo’s throat.

  ‘Rodrigo!’ Shooting a last, fearful look at the palace wall, she was at his side in a trice. Delicate fingers gripped his. ‘You shouldn’t be here. Come away.’

  He let her draw him behind a scrubby tree, wrong-footed by the realisation that she had finally—finally—dropped his title when addressing him.

  She called me Rodrigo.

  He paused to wipe a tear from her face and pulled himself together. ‘I might say the same of you. Why are you alone? Where in hell is Miguel?’

  She dashed away another tear. ‘Bless him, he’s checking the tower.’

  ‘What happened?’

  ‘It’s as quiet as the grave and there has only been the faintest of lights. No music.’ Her voice broke. ‘No movement.’

  He felt himself frown. ‘Constanza’s not there?’

  ‘I don’t know. We’ve been hiding, waiting for signs of life. I even sang.’

  He flinched. ‘That was foolish, not to mention incredibly dangerous. Your father banished you, think what will happen if you are caught.’

  She stared up at him, face grim in the moon glow. ‘I don’t care. I must get a message to her.’

  He drew her deeper into the scrub. ‘Come, we’re in sight of the guards on the walkway.’

  When she opened her mouth to object, he pulled her close, silencing her with a deep, thorough kiss. It was heaven to have her safe in his arms.

  She called me Rodrigo.

  It was a small step, yet it symbolised so much. Despite their disagreement, she’d spoken to him as one would to a trusted friend, to an equal. The distance between them was dissolving.

  Their kiss deepened and her lips warmed, softening to such an extent that when he finally drew back, he was breathless and so lost in longing it took a moment to remember where he was.

  ‘Leonor, I should have told you this before—I’ll help get a message to your sister.’

  In the starlight, her face seemed to shine. ‘You will? How?’

  ‘Mind that you are to obey me. One argument and we head straight back to Castle Álvarez.’

  She shot him a look from under her eyelashes and gave a jerky nod. ‘There won’t be any arguments.’

  He squeezed her hand and grinned. ‘Excellent. After we find Miguel, we’ll go to the Vermillion Towers, I need to speak to the overseer.’

  Leonor dug in her heels. ‘Rodrigo, no! He’ll have you in chains in a trice.’

  ‘I doubt that.’

  She called me Rodrigo again.

  He pulled her back into his arms and smiled into her eyes. Eyes that were filled with anxiety—for him as well as for her sister. ‘Leonor, you can’t have forgotten your promise already. Trust me.’

  ‘I don’t want you walking into danger on my account.’

  She twisted around, peering into the dark. Clearly, she believed an attack was likely, if not imminent. His spirits lifted. She didn’t want him hurt.

  ‘Leonor, I give you my word, no one will be in any danger.’ Lightly, he kissed her cheek. ‘The overseer at the Vermillion Towers is susceptible to bribes, though I suspect you know that already.’

  ‘Aye, I remember how Inés paid him to let you and your comrades rest beneath our tower.’

  ‘Exactly.’ Rodrigo tapped the purse on his belt. ‘I’ve brought enough gold to ensure he can build a new life elsewhere.’

  ‘You’re going to bribe him this time?’

  He kissed her nose. ‘Aye. He will see Constanza gets your message. Leonor, you must agree. I will not permit you to remain here a moment longer.’

  Her sigh melted into the night. ‘Very well. After we’ve spoken to the overseer, we will return to Castle Álvarez.’

  He blinked, he hadn’t expected so swift a capitulation.

  She noticed his surprise and shrugged. ‘I don’t want Father to get hold of you or Miguel.’

  Heart warm, Rodrigo leaned in and kissed her again. On the mouth. This time he lingered for as long as he dared. It was impossible not to. ‘You’re a treasure; you know that? So, we return to the castle, there to await your sister’s reply.’

  She scuffed the ground with her boot. ‘I foresee a couple of drawbacks.’

  ‘Oh?’

  ‘What if we never hear from Constanza?’

  He cupped her face with his palm. ‘We will.’

  ‘And if we don’t?’

  He lifted his shoulders. ‘We’ll think again. On my honour, I swear we’ll get a message to your sister, even if it means learning to fly to get into the palace gardens.’

  She gave a slight smile. ‘Thank you.’

  He raised an eyebrow. ‘And the other drawback?’

  ‘What’s to stop the overseer simply taking your money and walking away?’

  ‘We give him half the gold now, and half after you hear from Princess Constanza.’

  Another silence was followed by a quiet sigh. Leonor leaned her head briefly against his chest. When she lifted it, she was smiling. ‘Your plan has promise. The overseer has to have contacts in the palace if Inés found a way to bribe him.’

  ‘You app
rove?’

  ‘I do, thank you.’

  ‘In that case...hush, what was that?’ Rodrigo focused on the top of the palace wall where, briefly, a light had gleamed.

  ‘The guard,’ Leonor hissed, pulling urgently at his hand. ‘Come away.’

  Rodrigo set his jaw. ‘This way.’

  ‘What about Miguel?’

  ‘Miguel can look after himself.’ Rodrigo knew it sounded harsh, but Miguel knew the risks and he must have known Rodrigo would never have agreed to him bringing Leonor anywhere near the palace. Sultan Tariq must not be permitted to get his hands on Leonor. Her safety was paramount. Only when Leonor was safe, would Rodrigo approach the overseer at the Vermillion Towers.

  Brambles snatched at his clothes as they navigated their way down the crevasse.

  The peacock’s shrieks followed them down the gully.

  Castle Álvarez, several nights later

  Hushed voices pulled Leonor from sleep. It was pitch dark. Bedcovers rustled and the latch on her bedchamber door gave a soft click. Across the chamber, a soft light wavered and a tall figure—Rodrigo—turned to face the bed. He was carrying a glass lantern and there was no sign of Ana, he must have dismissed her.

  Leonor let out a breath and sat up. ‘What are you doing? You shouldn’t be in here.’

  Smiling, Rodrigo set the lantern on a nearby coffer and came to stand at the bedside. He was wearing a long blue tunic, belted loosely at the waist. His hair was ruffled. It occurred to her that he’d been roused from sleep.

  ‘Relax. Leonor, much as I might wish it, I haven’t come to seduce you. A messenger has arrived. And before you ask, it’s too soon to hear from Constanza.’

  Leonor felt herself sag. ‘Oh.’

  ‘I feel confident we shall hear from her before long.’

  Leonor nodded. She hadn’t seen much of Rodrigo in the last few days. After racing down that crevasse near the Princess’s tower, he’d handed Leonor into the care of his men, giving orders that they get her back to Castle Álvarez with all speed. He’d found Miguel, and he’d spoken to the overseer at the Vermillion Towers.

  Constanza’s message should have reached her by now.

  It is too soon to hear from her.

  Determined to hide her disappointment, Leonor flicked her braid over her shoulder. ‘Who would wake you at this hour? It must be well past midnight.’

  ‘Sir Alfredo has sent an envoy from Baeza. Leonor, Inés has reached your family, your duenna is safe.’

  Inés was safe? The relief was so overwhelming, at first all Leonor could do was stare. Reaching for Rodrigo’s hand, she gave it a slight tug and he sank on to the edge of the mattress.

  ‘God be praised. Is there other news? Was she hurt? When did she get there?’

  Dark eyes held hers and Rodrigo’s thumb moved gently against her palm. Gold threads glinted in his tunic. ‘She’s well, if somewhat exhausted. I believe she reached Baeza at about the same time I was chasing back to Granada to find you. I shall have to recall the men I sent to search for her now she is safely home.’

  His hand shifted and slid a little way up her arm before releasing her. A caress. Leonor frowned, she was shamefully aware that she liked it. When his smile didn’t waver, her cheeks grew warm. She had a strong sense that his every movement was deliberate. He wanted her to crave his touch.

  Slowly, he reached for her braid, pulled it back over her shoulder and fingered the ribbon. His eyes were shielded.

  ‘I’d dearly like to see Inés,’ Leonor said slowly. ‘But I can’t leave here until I hear from Constanza.’

  ‘I thought you might say that.’ He cleared his throat and toyed with the ribbon. ‘So I’ve taken the liberty of inviting Inés here.’ His gaze lifted. ‘My knights shall escort her after she has taken a few days to recover.’ Leaning in, he kissed her cheek, lingering to nuzzle her ear and neck. Leonor’s heart skipped a beat.

  ‘Thank you, my lord, that is most considerate of you.’

  He pulled back. His smile was so tender, Leonor’s eyelids prickled and her chest ached.

  ‘Leonor?’ The smile vanished. ‘What’s this? Tears?’

  She nodded, heart too full for words.

  ‘Why?’

  She swallowed hard. ‘I...I don’t know.’

  ‘You’re happy for Inés, no doubt.’

  She nodded. ‘Aye, though it’s not just that. You.’ She sniffed. ‘Me.’ Another sniff. ‘Rodrigo, my thoughts are in knots, and I don’t know what to think.’

  ‘Come here, my love.’ Shifting, he pulled her into his arms.

  The relief, the joy was too much. Leonor stiffened and he shook his head.

  ‘Don’t do that, sweet.’ His voice was a balm. It was so soothing. It was also dark, exciting and sinful. His voice was everything. He stroked her hair. ‘You don’t fear me.’

  ‘No.’ Her voice was little more than a whisper.

  Leonor worried at her lower lip—wondering if, in the half-light, Rodrigo could read her. She didn’t fear him—she loved him. And love, as she knew to her cost, was dangerous. Love was deadly. It could turn to hate, just as it had done with her father. A part of her would always love her father, she couldn’t help it. Yet another part hated him. She hated the way Sultan Tariq ruled his daughters. Charm and gifts when everything was going his way, and the iron fist the instant he was thwarted. He ruled his kingdom in the same way. She hated that too.

  Undoubtedly, this was why the love she felt for Rodrigo didn’t feel pure. Tainted by her past, it brought new terrors. Rodrigo de Córdoba could hurt her. He had taught her to love him, and if he discovered it, he would have more of a hold over her than her father had ever had.

  Love was dangerous.

  ‘Fear is not what you feel for me,’ he said, voice soft and confident.

  Her heart lurched. He knows.

  He went on stroking her hair. ‘When we first met, you were, I believe, blinded by your experience with your father.’ His voice deepened. ‘And I, for my sins, didn’t understand. I didn’t take you at your word when you told me of your life at the palace—the restrictions, the loss of your ponies, being locked in that tower. I thought your father must surely adore you.’

  Rodrigo manoeuvred himself on to the bed and Leonor found herself lying against him, head pillowed on a strong shoulder, hand against his chest. And he was no longer merely stroking her hair, at some point in their conversation he had untied the ribbon and unravelled it. He was trailing her unbound tresses through his fingers, eyes half-narrowed as he watched her.

  It was most enjoyable.

  With a quiet sigh, Leonor allowed her body to relax against his. She wasn’t sure what he would do next, and her will to resist him was weakening. Oddly, her fears were fading. Rodrigo was large and strong and the feel of his body against hers was a blessing, she would enjoy it whilst she could.

  ‘We were both blind,’ she said, sliding her hand across his chest. The need to push her fingers into his hair was a deep ache, the most pleasurable of longings.

  ‘Leonor, my lovely Leonor.’

  He stroked her waist; his hand was warm and sensual and very tempting. Certain he was about to kiss her, she closed her eyes and angled her mouth to his.

  Nothing happened. She opened her eyes to find dark eyes smiling into hers.

  ‘Leonor, my love, will you do me the honour of marrying me?’

  Leonor stared. His expression was open and honest and full of hope. ‘Marry you? We can’t marry!’

  He nuzzled her cheek. ‘Yes, we can. I care for you more than any woman alive.’ He pulled back, eyes soft. ‘You entranced me from the beginning, although I didn’t realise quite how much you meant to me until you stole my squire and ran back with him to your father’s palace. I was utterly sick with fear for you. Leonor, I’ll protect you all my days. I’ll never hurt you. Put m
e out of my misery and say you’ll marry me.’

  Leonor’s heart squeezed. She cared for him too, and not just because by following her back to her father’s palace he’d proved he’d walk on hot coals for her sake. She loved his steadiness. That unwavering sense of honour. He would care for her, although... Slowly, she shook her head. ‘My lord, you do me great honour, but I can’t marry you.’

  ‘Can’t? Why not?’

  She huffed out a breath. ‘You know very well why not.’

  ‘No, I don’t.’

  His gaze held hers. It was calm and oddly confident. He looked as though nothing stood between them, when in reality...

  ‘Rodrigo, if we married, Lady Isabel would never forgive you.’

  He grimaced. ‘We’ll win her round.’

  ‘Will we? Every time she sees me she’ll be reminded of Diego’s death.’ Other objections swirled to the surface. Rodrigo deserved a woman with a pure heart. Hers was tainted by her fears. Marriage was a cage and he deserved better than to be locked inside it with a woman like her. Rodrigo was kind and honourable; he likely felt sorry for her because her father had banished her. He was offering out of duty and chivalry. He hadn’t said he loved her.

  ‘We come from different worlds.’ Her voice cracked. ‘I’m not the woman for you.’

  Dark eyebrows snapped together even as his fingers continued weaving their way through her hair. Stroking it, fanning it out over her shoulder. ‘I disagree. And I hereby give you fair warning. I’ve changed my mind about not seducing you. Leonor, with your permission, I should like to try an experiment.’

  ‘Oh?’

  ‘I hope to persuade you that we belong together.’ Eyes darkening with what she knew was desire, he cleared his throat and that large warrior’s body moved against hers. At her indrawn breath, he gave a rueful smile. ‘You’re afraid of me physically?’

  ‘No.’

  His smile brightened and he shifted more purposefully. ‘Then I’m going to kiss you.’

  They came together and their lips met in a kiss that melted all objections. Rodrigo’s scent—the soap he had used, the scent of the man himself—filled her nostrils. His hair slipped softly through her fingers and his groan mingled with hers.