When she was little she used to have her dad tell the story of meeting her mom. He always said her mother kept multiple men on a string before picking him. That the woman always picked the man, no matter how much the man wanted to think otherwise. Of course, her mom looked like a beauty queen, and still did thanks to an injection or laser here and there, while Jennifer, well, she had good skin and really thick hair. Seeing herself reflected in his eyes was when she honestly felt as beautiful as any movie star or beauty queen. When he looked at her, it was as if no one else existed.
They rode to the coast, a leisurely ride as she told him about painting the blacksmith while he worked.
“Truly? You find such things lovely?”
“Yes. Day-to-day life. The small moments. That’s what I like to capture.” She winked at him. “Don’t worry. I’m saving the best for last.”
Brom snorted. “Do not make him more vain than he already is, mistress.”
“Be silent, dolt.”
Alistair and two other men were with them. A few days ago, one of Edward’s men had found a scout from one of the clans on Thornton lands. Since then they’d been on high alert. Someone had been stirring up both clans, spreading rumors of Edward and his men capturing women and children. The women they supposedly ravished and the children they ate. How anyone could believe such nonsense astounded her, but apparently the storyteller was quite convincing.
It was the end of July, and Jennifer had been thinking of home, trying to decide what to do. On one hand, she wanted to go back and tell everyone what she’d seen, but on the other, she yearned to stay. Ever since Edward had taken care of her when she was so sick, she’d been falling for him. He’d found a way over the walls she’d erected. As time passed, she’d opened herself more and more, believing he was different. To stay here with someone who loved her? Her parents and brother had their own lives, and she had no one else who would really miss her. There had been rain but no terrible storms, so Jennifer hadn’t been forced to a decision, but it was only a matter of time. Would he ask her to stay? She peeked at him as they came to a stop. It was nice he wasn’t a ladies’ man, but when would the dratted man kiss her?
“We eat, then walk along the water.”
“Of course, my lord.”
He grinned at her, knowing when she called him “my lord,” he was being bossy.
“Eat, but beware.” The men settled on the ground as the horses grazed. Edward spread out a blanket for them and unpacked a feast.
Right on time, her stomach growled.
“You eat and eat yet you are not round,” he said. “Where does the food go?”
His eyes twinkled, so she knew he was teasing. “In my hollow leg.”
For a moment he looked stricken, then, seeing her face, he threw back his head and laughed. "’Tis a fine jest.”
“I don’t know, really. My mother is the same. We eat a lot but never gain weight. But I don’t talk about it. Women in my time are obsessed with how they look, and everyone wants to be skinny.” She cringed thinking of the mean girls she’d encountered over the years.
“Tell a woman you can eat whatever you want without gaining weight and they might burn you at the stake.” She laughed. “Not really, but they might if they thought they could get away with doing such a thing.”
Edward stroked his chin. “Women when wronged are as vicious as a cornered beast. Remember what happened to my brother John?”
“Exactly. So I keep quiet.”
“You are wise beyond your years.”
Chapter Twenty-Two
They ate until they were stuffed. The cherry tarts were Jennifer’s favorite. As she licked her fingers, she caught Edward watching her. He took her hand and licked a tiny bit of cherry off her pinky. She wanted to whimper. Normally clear green, his eyes had darkened to the color of winter spruce. Jennifer leaned forward.
A throat cleared, breaking the spell. Edward scowled at Brom, who merely arched a brow. Jennifer wanted to stamp her foot and scream. Damn him and his chivalry. The man had appointed himself or Alistair her chaperone, since she didn’t have one. It was beyond annoying.
Edward was grinning at her.
“What?”
“Come. We will walk along the water and I will woo you away from meddling old women.”
“You want to woo me?”
"’Tis what I have been doing.”
“Oh.”
He intertwined his fingers with hers as he led her down the path and they walked along the cove. The men stayed above, on guard. Jennifer sat on a rock and took off her boots and stockings. Holding up the dress, she waded into the delightful water.
“You have fetching ankles.” He was staring at her bare calves. Before, she’d worn shorts and tank tops and never thought twice about it. What would he think seeing her in a bikini? Being covered up all the time made any glimpse of skin tantalizing. When she’d catch him bare-chested after spending a morning in the lists, her mouth would go dry. He’d draw a bucket of water and throw it over his head, and she’d watch as the water ran down his muscles.
“Could we go for a swim?”
He seemed to go pale under his normally tan skin.
"’Tis too cold.”
“No, I dipped my toes in—it feels wonderful.”
But he didn’t move. She took another step, up to her knees.
“Nay, Jennifer. Come out of the water. ’Tis dangerous.”
“Don’t be silly…” But she saw how stiffly he stood, a look on his face she had never seen. Fear.
She came out of the water, taking his hands in hers. She said quietly, “Edward. What is wrong?”
This incredibly fierce and proud man trembled. When he looked at her, his face was stark.
“The water.”
“Here. Come with me.” She led him over to a low rock. He let her push him down without a word. The rock was small, he was huge, and so she sat next to him, almost in his lap.
“Tell me.”
His gaze went to the water. “When I was a lad, fostering with a lord my sire knew, we took a journey by ship. There was a great storm. The mast broke, water came rushing in, and the ship sank. Men were in the water, sailors, mostly, so they could swim. There were others, knights who could not, and they drowned.”
His hands were cold, and he was gripping her so tightly that she thought he might break the bones in her hand.
“You’re crushing me.”
“Apologies.” He loosened his grip but did not let go, as if she were his personal life raft.
“Then what happened?”
“I saw dark forms in the water. A huge gray fish with many teeth ate a horse, and then the beast came back and ate my lord as he was clinging to pieces of the wreckage.”
Jennifer stroked his hands over and over, pressing her leg against his. He whispered, “The dark fishes ate many of the men, ripping them to pieces as I watched. I do not know why the fates spared me that day. Ever since, I do not care for the water.”
“I’m so very sorry. I can’t imagine what it must have been like to survive such a terrible thing.”
Edward took a lock of her hair and twisted it through his fingers.
“You believe me about the beasts in the water?”
“They’re called sharks. And from what you described, it sounds like a great white shark among the other sharks.”
“You have seen such fish?” The color was slowly returning to his face as interest took over.
“Yes. I have seen them in the sea and in a place called an aquarium. It’s a building where people pay to go to see different kinds of animals and fish from all over the world.”
“And yet you swim?”
She nodded. “I do. The chances of being…attacked or eaten by a shark are something crazy, like one in almost four million. Whereas a person in my time has a one in five chance of dying from heart disease.”
“Truly?”
Jennifer nodded. “I swear.”
“This heart disease. I
have heard Lucy and her sisters talk of disease. What happens to kill a person?”
“When a person’s heart stops working suddenly or…well, let’s say there are many things that can happen to a heart, but what I’m saying is, sharks are scary, especially after what you went through.” She kissed the knuckle he had smashed during swordplay the day before. “If I had been in a shipwreck and seen people eaten by sharks, I doubt I’d ever get in the water again. Why don’t we go back?”
“Nay. You wish to swim. We will go in the water.” He swallowed a few times and eyed the calm water as if any moment a great white shark would leap out and eat them, but he straightened his spine and nodded at her.
Somehow she knew she needed to lighten the mood, take his mind off the horrific memory.
“I’m going in. Join me whenever you’re ready.” She took a step toward the water.
He swallowed. “In your dress?”
“No, in my chemise.” And before he could say another word, she’d dropped her belt and pulled the dress and under-tunic over her head.
The man looked absolutely scandalized. Then his look turned predatory. He took off his tunic and boots and, clad only in his hose, lifted her in his arms and waded into the water.
Jennifer couldn’t imagine the inner strength it took Edward to get in the water.
“Bloody hell, you should have kept the dress on.” He eased her into the water. They were up to their chest. His eyes went to her chest and stayed there a moment. He swore under his breath before turning and scanning the area.
“This way.” He moved until they were sheltered by rocks. He went under and came up slicking his hair back. They swam for a while, and he pulled her against a flat rock. Jennifer could feel the change in the air. As she watched, his hand came out of the water, and he ran his thumb across her lips.
“So beautiful.”
She kissed his thumb as he went still. In a flash, he’d pressed her against the rock, pinning her in place with his arms, the wet chemise the only thing separating them. Edward tilted his head down, capturing his mouth and she leaned in to him, twining her arms around his neck, feeling the tenseness of his muscles beneath her skin. His lips were firm as he nudged her mouth open with his tongue, caressing, tasting. She made a sound deep in her throat and pulled him to her, running her hands down the bare skin of his back as his mouth melted against hers.
Chapter Twenty-Three
The ache in her back made Jennifer stretch to work out the kinks. With a critical eye, she stood back from the painting. Over the past week, she’d done a bunch of sketches. The workers in the kitchen were always moving around, and no one had time to sit still for her, so she worked quickly, getting the sketches down so she could paint from them later. Now, she wiped her nose and put a touch of red in the fire on the hearth.
Alistair had become her personal guard and chaperone, and followed her everywhere. Though when she spent a lot of time in one place working on a painting, he drifted a bit away, close enough to hear her yell, but she knew it must be boring to watch her all day.
A woman with a baby came into the kitchen, looking around. She saw Jennifer and stopped. “The guard at the gate told me to wait here.”
Jennifer wiped her hands on a cloth and took a step closer. “Your baby is beautiful.”
The woman smiled, showing a few missing teeth. “Aye, he’s a bonnie lad.”
She was Scottish. What was a Scot doing here? With the rising tensions, Jennifer was shocked to see the woman standing in the kitchens as if she had every right to be there.
The woman wasn’t really more than a girl, now Jennifer got a good look at her. She saw the woman eyeing the bread.
“Would you like some bread? You must be hungry after your journey.”
The woman shook her head, but Jennifer knew the hungry look well. So she pushed the loaf to the woman, along with a small jar of cherry preserves.
“Go ahead. I’ve had three slices already. The cherry preserves are fantastic.”
“Yer not from here.”
“No. I’m from far away.”
The woman accepted the statement and put the baby on the table while she ate.
“Do you have family here?”
The woman looked up, chewing. When she swallowed, she said, “Nay, I’ve come for his lordship.”
Interesting. While she pondered the girl, Jennifer fetched her a cup of ale.
“I have heard of Lord Somerforth’s odd lady. Some say you are a faerie.”
Taken aback, Jennifer sat down across from the woman.
“No. I’m not.”
The woman shrugged. “Others say you bewitched him.” She chuckled. “He’s a braw man. I’d fight for him to warm my bed.”
Well, what did she say to that?
The woman told Jennifer of how she and the babe would have died without Edward’s help. What she said next had Jennifer almost knocking her cup over.
“Wait. Who is the traitor?”
“I dunno. Only that they are here in the castle and meet with kin to the Armstrong to plot to kill Lord Somerforth. I came to warn him, and my debt to him is repaid.”
A commotion prevented Jennifer from asking the hundred questions in her head. Especially if this traitor could be the man with the scar or the redheaded kitchen girl. She’d bring it up to Edward when the Scottish woman told him what she knew.
Men carried a man into the kitchen, and it was like someone had prodded an anthill with a stick. People everywhere. They laid the man on the table and Jennifer almost gagged. He had a horrible gash down his thigh and was moaning in pain.
It was one of the men Edward had ridden out with that morning.
“Where’s Edward?”
One of the men looked up. “He is well, lady.”
She let out a sigh of relief.
“Is the healer on the way?”
“Aye, lady.”
Then she’d get out of the way. Jennifer packed up her supplies and easel, and in the commotion forgot about the woman and baby. When she turned around, they were gone.
Alistair had fashioned a strap so she could carry the easel and satchel holding her box and supplies over one shoulder. She lumbered out of the kitchen and heard voices coming from an alcove near the great hall. Later, she would think back and know it was something about the tone of his voice that stopped her in her tracks.
A couple embraced, the woman kissing the man as if she were drowning. There was a bundle on the woman’s back. A baby. When they broke apart, Jennifer thrust her fist in her mouth to keep from crying out. It was the Scottish woman and Edward.
Chapter Twenty-Four
Edward firmly pushed the Johnston woman away as he wiped his mouth. One of the men had told him of her arrival, and when he went to find her, she threw herself at him, kissing him before he knew what was happening. He wanted no other. Only Jennifer. He had spoken with the blacksmith. The man did fine work, and would fashion a wedding band with a rare stone. It cost him dearly, but ’twas worth the gold. The pale blue diamond was the same color as her eyes.
“I thank you for telling me of the traitor.” He looked her in the eyes. “If the Johnston will not find you a husband, I will find you an Englishman who will care for you and the babe. But hear me well: I am promised to another.”
She reached out to touch his face, and he took her hand, stopping her.
“You are not betrothed,” she said. “I would have heard.”
“Nay, not yet, but soon.”
“The beautiful woman with hair like night. Some say she has bewitched you.”
“She holds my heart. I will not dishonor her.” He stepped around the woman. “You owed me no debt, but I am grateful for the information.”
The woman didn’t meet his gaze. “Aye. I will not come again. The Johnston has a cousin I will accept as husband. Farewell, Lord Somerforth.”
“I will send one of my men to see you safely home.”
She pulled her hood up. “Nay, I travel alone. �
��Tis safer.”
“There is a traitor at Somerforth. The Johnston woman confirmed it.”
“I have not found out who.” Brom watched a wagon leaving the castle. “What of Maude? Her mother was a Scot.”
“She has been here her whole life. It cannot be.” Edward frowned. “Watch her to be sure.”
One of the guards called out, “Riders approach.”
A handful of men on horseback galloped into the bailey. He would recognize his brother anywhere.
“Christian. You should have stayed at Winterforth.”
His youngest brother dismounted. “Why haven’t you visited? Poor Henry. Charlotte is expecting another babe and is in a terrible temper. We received word of your future girl. All the women are in a foul humor since you forbade them to travel to Somerforth.”
Embracing his brother, Edward wiped dust from his eye. “There are nefarious schemes afoot. A traitor at Somerforth.”
“And your future girl, Mistress Jennifer.” Christian looked around. “Where is she?” He touched Edward’s sleeve. “Bloody hell, what happened?”
"’Tis naught but a scratch. We were attacked out riding. Johnstons.” He clapped Christian on the back. “The lists or a drink?”
Christian paled. “Drink. Then I would meet your woman so I can tell all. Charlotte threatened to chop my head off if I do not tell her everything. Women.” He threw up his hands.
“Have you lost another betrothed?”
His brother did not answer as they went inside the hall.
Jennifer spent the afternoon in the rose garden pouting. The man was so busy with his Scottish girlfriend he hadn’t even noticed she was missing. As the hours passed, she wallowed and thought of home.
In Baltimore, the city had gotten to her. No matter how many times she went to the harbor to look at the water, it wasn’t enough. The crime and ugliness made her want to go to the mountains, paint, and be a hermit.
First Knight: Thornton Brothers Time Travel (A Thornton Brothers Time Travel Romance Book 3) Page 9