Edwina grabbed John’s goblet and drank some mead. Wiping her mouth with her fingers, she bowed her head. “There’s a baron, Baron Welford. He’s rarely seen by anyone of the town and has little to do with commoners. Nor does our land prosper as well as the barony to the north of us. I’m not sure how that can help, John.”
“We’ll need to learn more about the other barony before we can form a plan,” he answered. “Sedgewick, are you willing to help? This is your chance to have your due against that pretty healer.”
Sedgewick grinned and nodded. “I am willing to do what I must.” Paying little attention to Edwina, he listened to the plan John Brewster devised.
Chapter Twenty-One
“Garrick!” Aisley cried out in her sleep, fighting Garrick’s attempt to hold her still. She’d become much stronger since her conversion and he had to use all his strength to keep her from hurting herself as she thrashed.
She settled briefly, then started tossing her head back and forth upon her pillow.
“Easy, Aisley, I’m here.” Stroking her hair, he tried to wake her.
She grumbled, “Nay, Garrick, I won’t let them harm you!”
Unable to let her dream continue, Garrick shook her in earnest. “Aisley, awaken now.”
“Garrick?” she mumbled, opening her eyes. “What is amiss?”
“You were having a troubled dream.”
“Forgive me for disturbing you.”
“You did nothing wrong. Come, look at me. Tell me about your dream.”
Aisley rose and faced him. Her eyes still shimmered with lingering fear.
“Well, I cannot explain it precisely. The dream was vague, as if something was threatening you, but I couldn’t ascertain what it was.” She lifted her chin as she revealed her dream, regaining her composure. “Garrick, I think my dreams were disturbed by something troubling you. I know you haven’t yet been asleep. We mated three times before settling down to sleep. You should be as tired as I. Again I ask, what is amiss?”
Though it was dark Garrick could see her clearly and knew she could see him likewise. Her instincts had grown over their first month and a half of marriage and he was proud to be mated to Aisley. It wasn’t unusual for her to find him anywhere in the manor house or his land and tenant farms and question him about something he’d been dealing with.
He didn’t like worrying her and wished he didn’t have to admit that something felt wrong. But as usual, she was right. He’d not been able to sleep. Each time he closed his eyes, he saw trouble for his brother. Colton was the youngest and was still learning to use his panthera’s skills.
“Garrick, you’re keeping something from me,” Aisley said. He felt her keen brown eyes on his face. “Wait, is it Colton?”
“I cannot be certain.”
“You’re worried about him. Please tell me how I can help you.” Proving she’d listened to his thoughts, she grasped his shoulders. “Can you speak with Colton as you do with me?”
“Only mates can speak mind-to-mind. Other Abcynians can sense when a blood relative is in danger or troubled.”
“Then you must go to him!”
“It was my intention come first light,” Garrick admitted.
“Mayhap you should leave right away,” she said.
“I’d like to, but it’s unwise.” Garrick would not make a move until he met with Brandon and planned.
“Am I to assume you’ll not rest through the night if you were to remain here until morn?” His wife smoothed her hands to his waist. Anchoring her arms about him, she rested her head on his shoulder.
“Sleep will elude me until I know Colton is safe.”
“Then we mustn’t wait ‘til morning to make a plan.”
“We, my love?”
“Aye, as your wife, I will not let you worry for your brother alone.” Rubbing her head against his shoulder, she attempted to comfort him.
Unbidden tears welled in his eyes and he swallowed hard. “You’ve no idea how much that means to me, Aisley.”
She made an attempt to lift her head and he snagged a lock of her hair to keep her still. “Your brothers are important to you, as they are to me, Garrick. How can I ignore Colton’s plight and be a good wife to you at the same time?”
Garrick gently turned her face so that he could see her better. “You are a good wife to me at all times. Do not rebuke yourself because I am worried.”
“And I am worried about you and Colton,” she said.
He smiled then and bowed close enough to kiss her forehead. She was so soft and pretty that he didn’t want to let her go or be separated from her. Drawing in her scent, he wished he could press her back against the pillows and bury himself within her warm, welcoming sheath. Unfortunately, he knew he couldn’t, at least not until he spoke with Brandon.
“Garrick, allow me to aid you. Don’t you trust me to do what is right?”
“I trust you, love. If you’re willing to be patient, I’ll ask that you wait here in our chamber while I awaken Sir Brandon Mathews. You were right. I shouldn’t wait until dawn to strategize.”
“How can waiting here assist?”
“If I know you are in our chambers while strategizing with Sir Brandon, I won’t worry about you.”
“I can go nowhere that you’re unaware of,” she reminded.
“I’ll ask you to wait regardless.”
“As you wish,” she agreed, hugging him tight. “I shall pack a few things for you.”
Garrick didn’t want to let her go, but he had to. Not even trouble could keep him from wanting his wife.
“Go, I’ll summon Elethea and have her bring a bottle of wine. You’ll need sustenance before departing.”
“That would be good,” he agreed.
Distracted by his concerns for Colton, he climbed out of bed and marched to the far side of the room. Instead of summoning his chamberlain, he pulled hose, a gypon and boots from a chest and started to dress on his own.
Behind him, he heard movement and glanced over to see his wife climbing out of bed and heading to an armoire. “Here, you’ll need this,” she insisted, grabbing a dark blue cote-hardie and bringing it to him.
“Thank you,” he said, ready to take it from her. She shook her head once, then helped him finish dressing. Lifting to her toes, she nodded her approval and kissed his cheek.
“I love you, Aisley,” he murmured.
“As I love you,” she said in kind. “Now off you go, my lord. Return when you’re able so that I may know what you’ve decided.”
Wrapping his arms around her waist, he lifted her closes and kissed her soft lips, lightly rubbing his mouth back and forth across them. “I’ll come back to you soon,” he promised when he eased her back to her feet.
Aisley nodded, letting him know it was all right to leave. Reluctant to leave her at all, Garrick brushed her hair from her face before retreating to the door and walking into the hallway. He looked back once and smiled, still tempted to stay and knowing that when he returned to their chamber, he wouldn’t walk away without bedding her one more time.
* * * * *
The moment her husband closed the door, Aisley turned and rushed across the room to her clothing chest. Worried for Garrick and Colton, she selected a long chemise and tugged it over her head.
A bell and pulley had been rigged through a crevice in the wall and she yanked on the cord leading to Elethea’s chamber. Since the small room resided just above the master chambers, it wouldn’t take long for her lady’s maid to come.
A few moments later, she heard Elethea in the hallway. “Milady, are you unwell? You never beckon me during the night.”
Aisley opened the door and saw the maid rushing toward her. “I’m fine, Elethea. I need you to rush to the kitchens and fetch a pitcher of the Earl’s favorite wine.”
“The one that smells of cinnamon?” the maid asked.
“Aye,” Aisley replied.
Elethea inclined her head and rushed off to retrieve the wine.
Upon waking from a horrible dream, she feared their troubles were about to worsen. If Garrick was worried about Colton, he’d never be able to remain passively in Danford. Being his wife, Aisley would support him. If further trouble occurred, she’d handle it the best way she could.
Hearing Elethea’s soft footsteps a good distance from the chamber, Aisley knew the maid was returning. Refusing to look nervous, she drew to a halt and waited for Elethea to come into sight.
“I went as fast as I could, milady,” the maid insisted.
“Calm yourself,” Aisley soothed.
“Forgive me.”
“There’s nothing to forgive. Come in,” she invited when the maid reached the doorway. “You may place the pitcher on the table beside the bed.”
Elethea complied. “Would you need anything else?” she asked upon finishing the task.
“Nay, I’ll summon you if I need you again,” Aisley said.
Elethea murmured something in reply, dashing back to the servants entrance and disappearing.
Garrick’s boots echoed from the corridor leading to the master chamber. He was returning in a hurry, she thought. He was allowing himself to be heard and Aisley hadn’t had the chance to prepare what he’d need for travel.
“Did you speak with Brandon?” she asked the moment Garrick closed the door.
“Aye, he’s to choose our guards and meet me in the courtyard.”
“What will happen then?”
“We’ll each take a dozen men and ride out as soon as we can gather our forces. I’m to go to Wolcott and Sir Brandon will go to Somerton. I’ll also send a messenger to Henry to see if he’s heard anything regarding Wolcott, Somerton or Danford.”
Aisley headed for his table and poured a chalice of sustenance.
“Here, drink some of this, Garrick,” she urged, her heartbeat sluggish with worry. Garrick came to her and accepted the wine. “Will you and Brandon separate?”
“We will. I’d send more riders to Lucien, but I don’t think they could reach him in time, nor do I wish to deplete Danford’s guards. You and Angelica need protection and I won’t be able to leave if I think there aren’t enough men guarding the two of you.”
Aisley knew Lucien would come if he could. She’d long since learned that Lucien and Catarina did not normally reside in the estate he managed near the Welsh border. Instead, they favored Africa, the Dark Continent.
“Lucien is a good man. He would aid you if you sent for him. I assume you’ll take Valiant.”
“Nay, I want him to stay here. He’s a full-blooded Abcynian. I need him to watch over you.”
“Garrick, do you think there’s to be a fight?”
“Until I reach Colton, I will proceed as I would in battle.”
“I’d hoped you’d say differently.” Truly nervous, she grabbed for the pitcher and a chalice.
“We cannot let ourselves think about anything beyond reaching Colton,” Garrick said. He’d placed his chalice aside and did the same with hers.
“Garrick…I wanted that.”
“You may drink it soon. I don’t mean to worry you so, Aisley,” he said, drawing her into arms. It was the one place Aisley knew all was well.
“Nay, it is I who should be strong at the moment. Your bravery and willingness to go into battle for your brother is admirable. I want to prove I can be just as brave.”
“There’s nothing wrong with worrying. Although I am wondering why you’re wearing this chemise,” he commented. “You know I like having you naked when we’re alone.”
Startled, Aisley pushed back as far as Garrick would allow. “Garrick! How can you think of such a thing when trouble is afoot?”
“Nothing can keep me from wanting you, Aisley. I was tempted to lay you down upon the bed before I left to speak with Brandon. I decided to wait so that I could be with you now,” he confessed.
Aisley heard his words, seeing the lines marring his face. She was certain Garrick wanted to do more than mate. He wanted to forget his troubles, albeit for a few moments, and he wanted to do so with her. That he would want to be with her even when he was concerned for his brother made her love him all the more.
“Aye, my love, you’ve sensed what I need,” he said.
“Wait, you must go to the courtyard. We haven’t the time.”
“Brandon will need time to select the right men. We can be together.”
“Are you certain?”
Garrick’s hand tucked beneath her chin and steadied her sudden trembling. “I cannot leave without having you one more time this night. I want to taste you, to feel you, to be buried so deep inside you that nothing else matters but the feel of your hot, tight sheath gripping me, urging me to completion. Be with me now, Aisley. Let me love you.”
How could she deny him? She wanted what he did, denying him meant disappointing them both.
“All right, I’ll remove—” Garrick silenced her when he grasped her chemise and tugged. The linen proved little barrier to his strong grip. “I guess we should hurry.”
“Forgive me. I need you now.”
“You’re still dressed.”
“Kiss me and let me worry about my clothes,” he invited instead of undressing.
“Gar—” With his name muffled behind the urgency of his kiss, Aisley wrapped herself about him and returned his passion.
Ever the warrior, he claimed her lips, sparking her Abcynian instincts. By means unbeknownst to her, Garrick tossed his cote-hardie behind him, loosened his hose from his gypon and shoved his hose to his knees. Dragging her closer to him, he aligned their bodies, his fully erect manhood poking her hipbone.
“God’s teeth, woman, you feel so good,” he praised, shuddered against her. Loving him more and more, she shifted her hips and a wave of heat sliced through her womb. Wanting him with the ferocity of a panthera pardus female, she climbed his great height and wrapped her legs about his waist.
“Hold on a moment. I need to—”
“Hush, Garrick, I know what you need.”
Since their wedding night, Garrick had been the aggressor when they’d joined. Tonight she wanted to take him, to give him pleasure and take away his worries for just a little while. Lifting as much as possible, she fit his shaft between her thighs and plummeted, taking him all the way to the hilt with a triumphant gasp.
“Aisley, if you stop now, I’ll go mad!” Garrick shouted. When he shifted to assist, she stilled his hands at her waist and arched backward.
“Worry not, my lord. This is for you.” Refusing to grant him quarter, she lifted and plunged, taking him with leopard-like skill. Instinctively, she rocked her hips, grinding and rubbing her body against him with all her strength. It was so wonderful to love him in such a way, and she knew she was giving him all that he needed and more.
Garrick’s sawing roar met her cries of joy. She wanted to revel in her right to be his lover, but she couldn’t control her building release. With each downward plunge, she took him so deeply it felt as though he touched her heart.
“Garrick, I’m not going to last much longer.”
“Find your pleasure, my love. I’m with you,” he murmured. Bending his head to her shoulder, he bit hard, holding her still as he thrust.
Together they crested, their cries echoing mind-to-mind as Aisley found purchase with a deep-seated bite and poured her essence into him.
Still impaled, Aisley returned to her senses. A shuffle beyond their chamber brought her head away from Garrick’s chest. “Someone’s coming.”
“I hear them,” Garrick replied, carefully lifting her from him. “You are a generous lover, Aisley Forrester. I shall carry this memory with me as I go.”
Lowered to the floor, Aisley scowled and grasped Garrick’s chin. “Do not speak as if this is our last memory.”
“That was not my intention,” he assured. “I will always come back to you, little one, never doubt that. For now, you must get dressed.” He kissed her quick and let her go.
Aisley selected a new chemise and a simple houppelande. Before she was properly dressed, Garrick had fastened his hose and breeches, straightened his gypon and donned his cote-hardie. In his big hand he held a cloak suitable for traveling at night. The weather had become chillier and he would need the warmth.
A knock sounded the servant’s arrival. “Milord, Sir Brandon Mathews bids you to come to the courtyard.”
“I’ll be there momentarily,” Garrick called out.
Halfway across the room, Aisley turned to her mate. “Do not delay further, Garrick. Go to Brandon. I shall pack a small bag for you and join you outside.”
Garrick’s harsh expression softened. “You needn’t follow, little one. Give the bag to a servant.”
Incensed, Aisley snarled, punching her fists against her waist. “I’ll not remain here. Pray do not ask me. I must know what is to happen next.”
“Come when you’re ready.”
“I shall,” she said as he turned away.
* * * * *
Garrick hated knowing he’d have to leave his mate, but he had little choice. The longer he remained in Danford, the stronger his concern for Colton became.
Approaching the courtyard, he was relieved to find it alive with activity. The garrison had been alerted. Some were preparing for the task of securing Danford. Others were mounting their palfreys for journey. Likewise, Valiant had brought Garrick’s favored destrier and weapons. Several hackneys were reined nearby, each pulling wagons filled with armor and supplies.
If there was to be a battle, Garrick and his men were ready. For the first time in his four hundred and fifty years, he wished he could talk with his brothers as he could with Aisley. Even if he could, the distance between Danford and Wolcott would interfere and knowing it would take several days to reach Colton seemed a daunting task.
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