Vengeance 03 - Believe In Me

by Lana Williams

  The moon had risen; its warm light a welcome sight as it traveled the night sky. Soon they took a well-worn narrow path that veered off the road toward the woods.

  The thatched roof of a small cottage came into view. They rode the horses around to the back where a small shelter stood.

  William dismounted and reached up to aid her.

  “I still can’t believe you dropped me,” she said as he set her on the ground. “That took years off my life.”

  “You frightened me when you announced you were staying with the bishop. That makes us even.”

  She bit her lip, uncertain how to respond. It was so tempting to tell him all of it, to lean on someone so strong and capable. But she didn’t want him to worry about her. There was still a chance she could convince him to return her to the bishop’s. He and Henry could leave Longsbury for good, put all this behind them, and live long, happy lives.

  Without her.

  William’s hands remained on her waist, his fingers warm through her kirtle. She couldn’t see his expression in the dark but felt the intensity of his regard.

  “I’ll see to the horses,” Henry said. “You can get settled inside.”

  Keeping his arm around her, William guided her to the front of the cottage. They walked slowly, unable to see much of anything.

  “Wait here,” he told her after they’d entered and shut the door behind them, enclosing them in the darkness. “I’ll start the fire.”

  The place smelled a bit musty, but the pleasant fragrance of dried herbs lingered in the air.

  Flames lit the area, revealing William kneeling in the center of the room before a fire on a raised hearth.

  “That was quick,” she said.

  “Henry and I found the place a few days ago and laid the fire then.” He remained crouched by the hearth, looking up at her, his brown eyes golden in the firelight.

  Her heart did a slow roll in her chest. Being with him now after she thought she might never see him again was overwhelming.

  He rose, his gaze steady on hers, and came forward to draw her closer to the fire. “’Tis warmer over here.”

  ’Tis warmer anywhere you are, she wanted to reply. Instead she drew a deep breath as she dropped his gaze, attempting to gather her thoughts so she could convince him to return her to the manor house.

  “Cristiana?” His whisper shivered through her, scattering the few arguments of which she’d thought.

  She had no choice but to look up at him again.

  And was lost.

  The heat in his gaze was far warmer than the fire. He released one of her hands to touch her cheek. Her heart felt as though it might beat its way out of her chest even as butterflies danced in her belly. Love swelled through her, filling her entire being.

  He bent toward her slowly, forcing her to close her eyes. With bated breath, she anticipated the press of his lips against hers.

  First came a kiss on her forehead, so sweet, so tender that it brought tears to her eyes. A kiss on one cheek, then the other, put a lump in her throat. Overwhelmed by the gentleness this powerful knight offered her, she opened her eyes.

  “I have many things to say to you,” William whispered as he linked his fingers with hers. His warm brown eyes held rings of gold and green that fascinated her.

  “And I to you. But kiss me first,” she demanded. She could deny herself no longer. She would seize this moment and let their problems wait.

  He smiled. “What am I to do with you?”

  “I’ve already told you.” She lifted up on her toes to meet him half way. “Kiss me.”

  His lips were firm yet tender. He angled his head, better fitting his mouth to hers. His hands grasped her waist to pull her closer. Desire crashed through her like an ocean wave upon the beach.

  She ran her hands along his broad shoulders, amazed at his strength. Her body pressed against his, sending wonderful sensations coursing through her.

  Everything about him felt so good, so right. Despite her worries about his safety and the future, she couldn’t resist sharing this moment with him. Circumstances had continually kept them apart, and now that she was in his arms again, she reveled in it.

  His tongue moved along the seam of her lips, seeking entrance as his thumbs drew circles on her hips. Heat gathered deep inside her. She parted her mouth to allow him entrance and was well rewarded for her efforts.

  All her worries dropped away as she fell under the spell of his kiss. Passion rose bright and strong within her, clearing her doubts.

  “Are you two as hungry as I am?”

  Cristiana jolted back at the sound of Henry’s voice just outside the door.

  William sighed, running a hand along her hair.

  “Am I interrupting?” Henry asked with a knowing smile as he stood in the open doorway.

  “Of course not,” Cristiana said. “Come in. You’re letting in the cold.”

  “I bought some meat pies earlier,” William said as he gestured toward the leather bag Henry carried.

  The three of them gathered around the rough wooden table while William unwrapped the warm venison-filled pies from a cloth.

  Henry produced a flask of ale he’d brought and Cristiana found some cups on a shelf and wiped them clean.

  “Didn’t think he’d drop you, did you?” Henry asked with a chuckle.

  She could only shudder at the memory then glared at William. “You scared me half to death.”

  He shrugged with a smile. “We were in a hurry. Besides, I had complete faith in Henry. I knew he’d catch you.”

  The men laughed and Cristiana couldn’t help but join them.

  Their conversation touched on a number of subjects as they ate, none of which related to their current situation. Cristiana’s tension melted away. To her surprise, she realized she was hungry despite eating supper earlier. This food tasted amazing. The elaborate meals at the bishop’s manor were nothing compared to this simple fare shared with friends.

  That was truly what these men were to her—her friends. She loved them both. They’d risked much to help her. In fact, they’d given up their livelihoods to protect her. She might be the one who did the healing, but William and Henry had helped to heal her heart. This was one of the first times she could remember feeling truly happy since her mother’s murder.

  What was she doing to repay them?

  Putting them in more danger.

  “What is it?” William asked, his concerned gaze studying her.

  “Thank you both for your worry for me, for risking so much for me. But now you must take me back.” She rose, determined to get her way this time.

  William stared at Cristiana, unable to believe what he’d heard. How could she say such a thing? Did she feel nothing for him? Was she so enamored with the bishop and all that life with him offered that she would choose Bishop Duval over him?

  Nay.

  He didn’t believe it. Not for a moment. With difficulty, he pushed back his hurt and anger. Something more was going on here and he was determined to get to the bottom of it.

  “Once again, I must ask you, why?”

  She bit her lip and her gaze dropped to the table. “I am much closer to finding my mother’s murderer. I can only continue searching if I stay with the bishop.”

  William glanced at Henry to see what he thought of her story. Something about it didn’t ring true.

  His friend sat on his stool with his back braced against the wall, devouring one of the pies. He appeared to be quite engrossed by the conversation as if he watched a troubadour who’d come to entertain him. William would have no help from that quarter.

  “I’m certain you’re able to make many inquiries from behind your locked chamber door,” William said, making no effort to hide his sarcasm.

  A flush of rose stole up her cheeks. “I am still able to speak with some of the servants.”

  “Truly?” He could tell she was hiding something. He need only push her a little harder to discover what it was.

&nbs
p; She reached for the small leather purse on her belt and withdrew a heavy gold ring. “This is the ring I told you about. The one my mother gave to Branwen the night she died and bid her to give it to me.”

  Henry sat forward to get a closer look as William examined the ring. “A crosier?” he asked.

  “Aye. This particular shepherd’s hook design matches the seal the bishop used on some correspondence I found in his desk drawer as well as the stone carving that was hung above the front door of the cathedral the other day.”

  “How did your mother come to have this?” William asked.

  “It seems she was in Longsbury right before her death. Branwen discovered a servant who told me she saw my mother and the bishop arguing the night before she left. The servant saw my mother take the ring from the bishop’s desk.”

  “So you’ve been able to determine that not only did the bishop know your mother, he spoke personally with her before her death,” William said. A sinking feeling grew in the pit of his stomach.

  “I also found a letter from her in the bishop’s desk.”

  “You searched his desk?” Henry asked, his shock at her actions matching William’s.

  “Do you realize the danger you were in?” William asked, astounded at the lengths she was willing to go in order to seek revenge.

  She explained how she’d managed the search, making his blood heat with anger. Then she shared the contents of the letter, adding with a shake of her head, “It seems they were...involved.”

  “Did you speak to the bishop about this?”

  “Aye, but it did no good. He still denied it then went on to say that the witness who’d come forward would never be believed over him.”

  Pushing aside his concern over the risk she’d taken, William stared at the ring as he sorted through all she’d learned. Then he looked at Cristiana. “You’re in even more danger than we’d suspected.”

  “William—”

  “The threats the bishop made toward Henry and I do not matter. We can protect ourselves.”

  “Indeed we can,” Henry added.

  “’Tis you we need to worry about.” Something in Cristiana’s expression made him pause. “What is it?”

  “Nothing, really. Nothing that matters.”

  “Cristiana?” His tone held a warning that he hoped she’d heed.

  With a shrug, she finally admitted, “He said if I didn’t cooperate, he’d declare me a witch.”

  “Christ,” Henry exclaimed as he rocked back on his stool.

  “It doesn’t matter,” Cristiana protested. “I’ll return to the manor house and explain to him that I will cooperate with his plan. No harm will come to either of you or me.”

  Touched that she’d sacrifice so much for him, he put his hand over hers. “Has it occurred to you that your mother made demands of the bishop that he wasn’t willing to give so he decided his only option was to have her killed? What will stop him from doing the same to you?”

  She swallowed hard. “I intend to try to find more witnesses so I can prove his guilt beyond a doubt.”

  “While you’re pretending to cooperate and healing others as he directs? Nay, Cristiana,” William said. “Do not underestimate his determination. If he thinks for even a moment that you’re standing in his way of making Longsbury Cathedral the largest and most important church in all of England, you’ll be eliminated.”

  “Nay. He needs me. He needs my ability to heal to help pay for the building. Already the chapter is limiting his funds. He won’t harm me.”

  “He had a grand plan to build it before you,” William reminded her. “Your arrival only allowed him to expand on it. He is a clever man and has other ways to raise money including the relic we delivered.”

  Cristiana said nothing as she shifted on the stool. While William knew she would take his words seriously, he also knew he hadn’t yet convinced her. His frustration was quickly turning to anger. How could she put herself in such danger?

  “Surely you can see that our only option is to return me to the manor. That will allow me to watch his activities and keep you and Henry safe.”

  William rose to pace the room, his anger growing at her stubbornness. “Certainly. And when he sends you one person after another to heal, weakening you each day until you’re flat on your back in bed yet again, you’ll at least be comforted by the knowledge that we’re safe.”

  “Indeed I will, but I can—” Cristiana began.

  Henry put his hand on hers. “If I were you, I’d stop talking,” he whispered. “You don’t want to see William angry.”

  William shook his head in exasperation at the pair of them. Cristiana took Henry’s warning to heart as she remained silent for several moments.

  But not nearly long enough.

  “I only—” she began.

  William leaned down, his hands on the table to bend over her. “Do. Not. Speak. Not when you refuse to see sense.”

  Her eyes went wide and she wisely held her tongue.

  He moved away to pace the small area, trying to decide the best way out of this impossible situation. A part of him had hoped that he and Henry could simply take Cristiana away, perhaps stay with Nicholas and Elizabeth for a time. They were little more than a day’s ride from here. They could remain at Staverton long enough for events to calm down and none of them would be in danger.

  Yet he knew that was not enough.

  The bishop wanted Cristiana for her healing skills and the money and power he could gain by using her, but if he determined she knew too much, he would get rid of her.

  That risk was not acceptable to William.

  “Since you’ve confronted him, he already knows of your suspicions,” Henry said.

  William nodded. “That leaves us no choice but to reveal Bishop Duval for the true person he is.”

  “Nay,” Cristiana protested. “That’s far too dangerous.”

  William ignored Cristiana and spoke to Henry. “He’ll soon realize we have Cristiana and want her back.”

  “To use her or silence her.” Henry shook his head.

  “How can we convince anyone that the bishop is anything less than he appears?” Cristiana asked. “’Tis impossible. Not unless I can link him with my mother’s death. Let me return to the manor house.”

  “Nay. I will not put you at risk. We will think of another way.” As he looked at Cristiana, he realized he would do anything for this woman, even if it meant risking his life.

  He loved her. With every part of him—mind and body.

  Protecting her was his first and only goal. He could not lose her. While he realized he had little to offer her, he knew he loved her. That his life was not worth living without her.

  Once this was over and they were safe, he would worry about the future. He would find a place for them to live out their days. Somewhere that he could keep her safe, where no one would attempt to use her for her gift.

  Now he need only convince her that she loved him too. That together, they could eliminate the bishop’s threats.

  But how?

  CHAPTER TWENTY

  Cristiana awoke in an instant the next morn, completely aware of where she was and who lay beside her on the narrow bed.

  And smiled.

  She’d insisted that William share the bed with her, after all, they’d shared a tent for several nights on their journey to Longsbury. But when the moment had come for them both to climb onto the bed, her stomach had fluttered like a new bride. All she’d been able to think of was their heated kiss. She’d expected to spend the night wide awake, listening to every movement William made, but she’d never slept better. She felt refreshed for the first time in a long while.

  William’s arm held her tight, heavy across her waist. His clothed body was warm pressed against hers. His soft even breathing brought her comfort.

  Longing filled her, deep and sharp.

  This was what their life could be like, she realized, her heart taking flight. Waking together, sharing kisses when they w
ished, eating side by side. The urge to forget the bishop and all his wrongdoings was so tempting. They could travel to a foreign land where he couldn’t reach them. No one would know of her ability. No one would search for them.

  A small cottage much like this one would do quite well, she thought as she gazed around the simple room awash with the warm glow of dawn. William had told her last night that a healer had lived here, which explained the herbal fragrance that permeated the air. Henry slept by the fire, snoring softly from his pallet of furs.

  She closed her eyes, allowing the vivid image to fill her mind of what their life might look like. Love bloomed so strong in her heart.

  Surely that was more important than vengeance.

  Yet a niggling of doubt tugged at her. Her mother deserved justice. How could her soul ever be at peace if her murder went unsolved and unpunished?

  “How can you change from joy to worry so quickly?” William whispered as he rose onto his elbow to look at her.

  His words tickled her ear, making her smile once again.

  His gaze caught on something over her shoulder and she heard Henry rise and stretch.

  “I’ll go find something to break our fast. It might be some time before I return,” he said with a smile and a waggle of his brows before shutting the door behind him, leaving them alone.

  “Now tell me what you’re pondering so early in the morn,” William said.

  “I was thinking of how lovely it would be to put all of our troubles behind us.”

  She paused before she said too much, suddenly uncertain.

  Though her feelings for William ran as deep as the sea, she didn’t know how he felt about her. Perhaps he had no interest in spending a fortnight with her let alone a lifetime.

  “Tempting, is it not?” he asked. “Revealing the bishop’s treachery will not be easy. Chances are no one will believe us.”

  She bit her lip, trying to hide her disappointment. For a moment, she’d hoped he would tell her he loved her and they should forget all of it and spend the rest of their days together.

  “Cristiana?”

  She shifted onto her back to look at him, the seriousness of his tone drawing her curiosity. His lashes cast shadows over his eyes, hiding his thoughts from her.