Carroll, Laurie - War Of Hearts.txt

by War Of Hearts. txt (lit)

  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,