ancestors’ spirits.”
Alicen shrugged off the compliment. “Fortune was
with me.”
“Fortune and peerless skill.” He paused before adding
quietly, “Your pardon for bringing you such disquiet.”
Startled, she shook her head in refutation.
“Deny it not, lass. You and Jeremy barely abide each
other. Yet as I convalesce you must. I’d not willfully cause
you pain, but I fear we’re victims of fate.”
She dared not meet the duke’s eyes as she murmered,
“You may change my fate by rescinding your marriage
decree. As for the captain...” She gave a wry laugh. “I’ll
not pledge an end to our hostilities, but I’ll not search
him out to fight.”
Inwardly, she grimaced. Captain Blaine, for whatever
reason, had concealed Orrick’s identity. Now she owed
the knight a debt. Along with that knowledge came the
insight that, if she ever did seek him out, ’twould not be
for sake of argument.
***
Jeremy’s quick retreat had concealed emotions he
knew surged across his face. No kiss had ever kindled a
flame in him as had theirs of the previous night. And
experience with women told him Alicen had reacted in
kind. Ere she came to her senses. Yet her wish to see a
villain go free incensed him more than her retreat from
him. Did she still love Orrick, though he was a lunatic?
Alicen Kent vexed him, now for reasons far different
from his initial mistrust. Aye, she’d deceived them from
the first, but not to betray William. To protect a lover.
That thought brought amazing pain. Had Alicen and
Orrick been lovers? Jeremy didn’t want it to be so.
His common sense had fled, leaving him to wade
through endless streams of riddles without solutions. And
he could speak of this dilemma to no one.
In a black mood, he vowed to find respite from his
cares. Yet he could not justify riding to Sherford. By all
accounts, the citizens supported William, not Harold.
Lookouts watched every approach to Sherford and
Landeyda. The threat of spies discovering William’s
hideout still existed but had weakened considerably.
Jeremy’s immediate concern was now distancing
himself from Alicen. The rest of the day, he avoided her.
***
Alicen worked herself to near exhaustion to forget
Orrick’s attack and the contradictory man who’d held her
so intimately afterward. But weariness could not drive
from her mind the feel of Jeremy’s body. His mouth. His
blue gaze darkening as he lowered his lips to hers. She
smelled the wet wool of his tunic, heard his ragged
breathing. And felt her response.
She yearned to kiss him again.
No! He seeks only to wage war. I cannot desire such a
man. I swore an oath to never forsake my duty. He’ll catch
and hang Orrick.
Will he? Her mother’s voice filled her head. He could
have easily revealed your deceit to William.
Yes, and his reasons for not doing so escaped Alicen.
Think harder, daughter, and you’ll discover the
captain’s reasoning.
Alicen dismissed her mother’s words. She had other
things to worry about, not the least of which was a deep
fear of Orrick. He would have killed her had help not
arrived.
Then after...She wanted Jeremy’s caresses, wanted
to feel safe in his arms as she had last night and after her
fall. Sweet Jesu, how could a soldier make her feel such
exhilaration? Soldiers were fickle. They always left to
pursue glory in battle.
Her premonition on the night of Duke William’s arrival
had proven true. Soldiers—particularly Sir Jeremy
Blaine—had changed her life forever.
Ten
Nine days after Orrick’s assault, Alicen knew she’d
have to start creating chores to keep her mind off her
troubles.
“We’ll have to build shelves in the stable to store our
extra salves and medicaments,” she told Ned as they hung
the cottage’s linen to dry in the sun.
“Fish and a Naismith built shelves for you in the tack
room,” Ned reminded her.
“I’d forgotten.” In truth, she’d had other things to
occupy her thoughts.
She’d seen naught of Jeremy in nine days, and that,
she tried convincing herself, was good, as it kept her from
thinking about his kiss. She stifled a bitter laugh at her
own expense. She’d thought of little else but that! And
her growing desire for Jeremy. Knowing she could never
have his love, she worked until exhausted, seeking escape
from herself.
She soon had no more projects to distract her.
And unforseen dangers were about to engulf her.
***
Jeremy and Michael Taft raced a storm the last league
to Landeyda and had barely pounded into the courtyard
before the brunt of the wind-lashed rain fell. Taft grabbed
Charon’s reins, shouting that he’d care for both horses.
Jeremy roared his thanks into the wind, dismounted, and
struggled head down to reach safety in Alicen’s snug
cottage.
Although shutting the sturdy oak door muffled some
of the tempest’s fury, he could still hear the wind. The
room felt empty. He hung his sodden cloak on a nearby
peg before glancing around. His guess was correct; he
was alone.
Vague disappointment at receiving no welcome
nagged his heart, but he realized the horrid weather had
most likely driven everyone to their beds. Still, the illusion
of having someone to come home to had been nice. A
cheery fire beckoned, yet he didn’t wish to enjoy it alone.
And this wasn’t his home. He had none.
Calling himself a fool for wanting what wasn’t, he
shook off his weary melancholy and went to report to
William.
When he left the infirmary a little later, he was just in
time to intercept Alicen, dressed for travel, readying to
leave.
“Where are you going?” He tried to hide his concern,
but didn’t quite manage as he stepped up beside her.
Startled, she spun on her heel to face him. “Out,” she
retorted, mutiny in her eyes.
He moved to block her departure. “Need I remark that
you’ve been sorely abused of late, and a storm is raging
outside?”
She yanked the hood of her cloak up over her
chaperon. “I’m neither blind nor deaf, Captain. But the
weather isn’t my concern. Get out of my way.”
“Why such haste to rush into this hellish night?”
“I’ll not waste time or breath explaining.” She tried to
push past him. He refused to move.
He frowned. She looked pale, from pain or fear he
couldn’t tell. “Don’t be foolish, woman. ’Tis folly to go
abroad on such a night.”
“Then stay here where ’tis safe and dry!” She ducked
past him, then shot him a withering look when he braced
; his arm against the door to hold it shut.
“You could be injured again.” He saw her chin lift
and sighed in resignation. “What is wrong? No signal bell
can be heard through the wind.”
“’Tis none of your concern,” she snapped, pushing
his arm away from the portal.
“Aye, it is,” he returned silkily as he again barred the
door with his body. “William has charged me with your
safety.”
Her shiver at his words, the vulnerable look in her
eyes, told him she was not as indifferent to his nearness
as she protested. And he was certainly not indifferent to
hers. However, when she raised artless eyes to his, he
lost the novel sensation of having gained some
understanding of her. Wariness smothered his fleeting
insight when she smiled sweetly.
“Very well, Captain. The duke’s enemies meet in the
forest this eventide. I go to reveal his secrets to them.”
With an oath, Jeremy grabbed her firmly by the
shoulders to prevent her turning away. “Christ’s guts,
woman, what’s wrong?”
Glaring, she remained silent.
His hands loosened and slid slowly down her arms.
He felt her body lurch beneath his touch, saw the building
wrath in her eyes. He stopped his caress to await her
reaction.
Alicen sniffed haughtily. “I’ve no need of your help in
this instance.”
“Just as I wasn’t needed after your fall? Or a se’nnight
ago in the stable?” Jeremy cocked a dark brow.
The wretch would flaunt her follies now, Alicen
thought hotly. In truth, until tonight he’d not mentioned
her nearly disastrous tumble from Hercules. And he’d
stayed particularly aloof since Orrick’s attack...Since their
kiss.
Unlike the overbearing cad he’d been upon his arrival,
Jeremy was now subdued. Had she known naught of their
mutual dislike, she’d think he felt guilty for causing her
troubles, and especially for kissing her so ardently. She
swallowed hard, then gave herself a mental shake. ’Twas
no time to try understanding Jeremy Blaine’s mind. Who
would ever have that much leisure?
Perhaps the truth would persuade him to let her go.
“I’m needed, Captain,” she said with quiet assurance.
“A birthing.”
Jeremy’s expression stiffened, but the light was too
poor for her to read his eyes.
“You’ve had another portent?” he asked a bit hoarsely.
She eyed him warily, answered softly, “In a manner
of speaking. I know Liza’s near her time, and I’m certain
things aren’t as they should be.”
“She chose a poor time to drop her get.” Jeremy
glanced over his shoulder at the window just as a
particularly violent crack of thunder shook the ground
nearby.
Alicen jumped at the sound, then silently quelled her
anxiety. If Blaine saw her fright, he’d never allow her to
leave. She had to go now, while she still had some
semblance of courage to sustain her.
“Sir Jeremy, please,” she began, appalled at the
quaver in her voice. “I must go. Let me by.”
He studied her intently, then seemed to relent. “You’re
not going alone.”
She ground her teeth at his stubbornness. “I’ve no
wish to burden anyone, especially on a night like this.”
“You’re not going alone,” Jeremy repeated as he
crossed his arms and leaned back against the door.
“Sir Jeremy is correct, Mistress. You’ll not travel into
this night unescorted.”
Alicen turned to see William standing in the infirmary
door, a blanket wrapped securely around him.
She gasped, then started toward him. “My lord duke!
You should be abed.”
“Not until you accept my captain’s aid.”
She halted, her gaze cutting quickly from one man to
the other. Knowing she had no choice, she swallowed
her ire and said tartly, “As you wish, my lord. I thought
to expose only myself to the storm’s hazards, but I’ll suffer
an escort.”
“Mayhap the captain should go alone,” the duke
countered.
“There’s sense in that,” Jeremy agreed, giving her a
pointed stare. “You tire easily of late. I can discover for
you the knowledge you seek.”
“Nay,” Alicen replied with quiet force. “Liza needs me.
know it.” To end the debate, she adjusted her cloak
more tightly around her and turned to Jeremy. “Are you
ready, then, Captain?”
“Aye,” he murmured, shaking his head at her lingering
anger. He leaned away from the door.
Alicen darted out, racing for the stable. The wind tore
at her chaperon, rain quickly soaked her hose, but this
discomfited her not at all. Her certainty of Liza’s peril
built to urgency, and she silently berated the men for
delaying her. Jeremy ran hard on her heels and had
Charon ready even before she finished with Hercules. He
led his mount from the stall and approached her.
“Keep to your bed,” he stated quietly. “I’ll discover if
you’re needed.”
She pursed her lips, then replied, “I am. I’ll not stay
behind.”
“Stubborn wench,” he accused with little rancor.
“Aye, sir. I am that.”
“This shire’s citizens are fortunate to have such a
dauntless champion.”
Alicen was uncertain she’d clearly heard Jeremy’s
comment, coming as it did as he led Charon away. She
stood staring for a moment, shocked he might have
complimented her, equally shocked that his words thrilled
her. Then, scolding herself for engaging in fanciful
thoughts about a man who was purposely unnerving,
she led Hercules to the stable door.
They both mounted, bending into the wind to travel
as quickly as possible.
They were halfway to their destination when the
storm’s fury mounted even higher.
“Dismount,” Jeremy shouted to be heard. He wiped
water from his eyes with a leather-gloved hand. “We’ll
have to lead the horses.”
Alicen hated to concede the wisdom of his suggestion,
but realized they couldn’t ride safely any farther. She
could barely see the road. Sliding to the ground, she
strained to peer through the driving rain.
Jeremy contemplated their mad quest as they
stumbled along toward Sherford. He thought to turn back,
but he knew the stubborn woman at his elbow would
concede the field only if tied across her saddle. And he
could never do that and escape unscathed.
Inexplicably concerned, particularly since Alicen’s
recent mishaps, he had remained aloof in hopes of dulling
his perplexing desire. But he’d lost only sleep. Even now,
with a storm battering them, he felt his body quicken at
her nearness. He was glad to be alone with her, though it
meant escorting her into this torrent.
The gusting wind threw a curtain of
water in their
faces, forcing them to stop and protect their eyes with
their sodden cloaks. By stepping in front of Alicen and
turning his back to the blast, Jeremy shielded her from
the brunt of it. The sudden partial calm brought her head
up, and she tipped forward from the lack of resistance.
He caught her by the waist to steady her, drawing
her near. Through her cloak he felt her rapid breathing
and shaking limbs.
“You’re trembling.”
“’Tis cold,” she ground out between her teeth. And
you’re far too close. “’Tis little wonder I tremble.”
He smiled, seeming to take no offense, holding her
tighter until she gently disengaged herself from the warm
press of his body. She tingled where he’d touched her,
and a moment passed before she could release her pent
up breath. Gaze unwavering on his face, she quirked a
brow at him. He shrugged, then turned away as the wind
lessened somewhat.
They had struggled another half league when the
storm began to subside, and the wind died enough that
they could remount. They galloped to the edge of the forest
north of Sherford, stopping at a small hut which stood in
view of the town.
The door opened a handsbreadth at Alicen’s rap. A
single candle in a gnarled hand illuminated an old
woman’s wrinkled face. Seeing the healer, she opened
the door wide, then placed the candle on a small table.
Turning slowly under the burden of time, she seized
Alicen’s hands in hers.
“Good eventide, Rhea,” Alicen said with little irony.
“I knew you’d come.” The old woman smiled. “Praise
God the storm abated.”
Alicen suppressed a shudder. “How fares Liza?”
The young woman lay on a rough-hewn bed by the
far wall, her distended belly indicating the advanced
stages of pregnancy.
“Her trial began at dusk.” Rheumy eyes peered into
the shadows behind Alicen. The midwife’s look flicked to
Alicen, then she cocked her head toward Jeremy. “A rather
old apprentice.”
“Rhea, may I present Jeremy Downe. He’s assisting
me while Ned’s arm heals.” Alicen grinned at his disgusted
grunt.
Rhea’s thin lips pulled up into a smile. “Then he’s
skilled at delivering babes?”
He’s doubtless more skilled at creating them, Alicen
thought a bit maliciously. She kept her counsel, however,
Carroll, Laurie - War Of Hearts.txt Page 15