The Northern Knights Series (Boxed Set)

by Amber Dane

  The dogs followed the men’s scent so far then stopped and howled, barking. The trail ended at the curve in the road. They found nothing but a small encampment these men had dared set up near low lying bushes that as Darc approached, gave a partial good view of the inner bailey of his castle. He swept his eyes around the encampment. Rage filled him anew at how dangerously close these men had been to his home, to Caroline, Kelbie and he looked back at the castle.

  He now knew who had sent them.

  It was another sign. As he’d suspected with the murders and now that Cedric was dead his foe had come out to make his presence known with no mistake.

  William had been right.

  Raven was near.

  Darc turned his horse about and headed back toward the castle. Inside the knight’s quarters, he handed his squire his dagger and unfastened the brooch at his right shoulder holding his cloak in place.

  He had left the order for some of his men to remain and hold guard about the river. Tension and his rage brought a headache to the back of his skull. He needed to change his clothes and wash away the day’s filth, but first he would put his dogs away for the night.

  Caroline made her way quickly down the steps to the hall in search of Darc. But he was not there. Just a couple of servants by the hearth working at aromatic sachets and bending fresh rushes to be laid down, and a few guards sitting in another corner sharing tales with drinks.

  She walked over to the rooms across the hall, empty. She heard a sound. Laur had said he had returned, so where was he?

  Caroline opened the door at the end of the hall and stepped into the room.

  A chill slid over her and she stepped back with fear clawing its way up from her belly to form into a ball of a horrified scream. The small window slits shed little light in the room but she could still see the large shapes moving under one of the trestle tables in the corner.

  Out swaggered two of the largest dogs she'd ever seen.

  Their fur raised up on their backs as they eyed her, their growls filled the room as they circled her.

  Caroline thanked God Kelbie was not with her. She stood frozen, terrified to move at first. The dogs moved closer and were now gnashing their teeth at her ankles. Any sudden movement and they would rip her apart. She wanted to close her eyes, but was too afraid to do so. She did not look the large headed mastiffs in the eye.

  Sweat dripped down between her breasts as she tried to still her tremors.

  The darker and bigger one of the two bumped her with his hind quarters and she bit her lip to still her whimper. What was she going to do?

  She feared the dogs would attack if she did nothing just as she feared they would attack if she did something.

  Caroline sucked in a deep breath, her blood pounding in her ears and ever so slowly sank to her knees. The growls increased, louder and scared her more. Though one kept back, the one that had bumped her stopped his circling and with the slobber flinging from his mouth, gnashed wildly at her slippers that peeked out from her gown. Caroline squeezed her eyes shut and tucked her toes.

  They probably smelled her fear. She had to calm down.

  Breathing in and out in short breaths, she opened her eyes and lifted her hand slowly. The mastiff barked near her ear then backed up a step.

  The smaller one came over and sniffed her hand, sneezed and then barked once.

  The growling of the bigger one near her ear stopped.

  She chanced a glance at him. His wet nose sat high up on his large jowled face and he licked her palm. Caroline let out a shuddered sigh of relief. The dog whined, then put its head down. She gently scratched its ears with shaky fingers.

  When Darc entered the room he came to an abrupt halt. His heart lodged in terror in his throat at the sight before hm. He went to call out to them but Caroline’s laughter made him see there was no need.

  She turned and gave him a smile. ‘They are beautiful! What are their names?’ she rubbed both of their exposed bellies as the large beasts rolled with pleasure next to her on the floor yelping and tongues hanging out.

  Something in him shifted at the way her face glowed. His dogs took to none aside him and the guards who kept watch over them. Let alone women. Not that he'd done anything to make them dislike the fairer sex; they had been that way since they were pups. Seeing them now enjoying his wife's attention made him happy just as it made him angry.

  ‘Gamble and Faste.’ Darc commented.

  She asked him to point each one out. The tender smile that played on her plump lips made his anger vanish and was replaced by a thickening in his loins and he turned away with a heavy sigh.

  ‘How long have you had them? For barks so loud ‘tis a wonder I’ve never heard them before.’

  Darc told her about their unpredictable temperament with others. She looked surprised for a moment then she said. ‘I must say I was quite frightened upon first sight. But looking at them now, ‘tis hard to believe that they are mean tempered. They seem friendly enough.’

  His anger returned and he snapped. ‘Looks can be deceiving, wife. They are not toys. I did not first think they were playing with you.’ And that was the truth. Darc blew out a breath of air. He’d been scared when he’d walked in. Angry at himself for being careless in leaving them loose. How might they have behaved if she’d had Kelbie with her? Anything could have happened. He might have walked in to find them tearing her apart.

  ‘What are you doing here?’ he asked with a grunt.

  ‘I came looking for you. I wished to speak with you.’

  He nodded and then snapped his fingers to the side. Both mastiffs lifted their large heads and whined.

  Only the bigger one, Gamble, loped over to his side. Darc stiffened, then relaxed. Maybe he had misjudged them. They had not taken to Adelay or his men. He snapped his fingers again; Faste sat his rump down next to her and did not budge. He barked.

  Darc, astonished, could not help but crack a crooked smile. ‘Well…damn.’

  As if they understood, both dogs barked again and Gamble left his side to return to hers and both mastiffs placed their paws in her lap.

  Caroline looked up at Darc with a smile and a shrug of her shoulders. His blue eyes sparkled with laughter, the corners crinkled with fine wrinkles and she caught her breath at how handsome he looked to her in that moment.

  He shook his head and scratched his beard. ‘A little affection from a beauty and they become turncoats.’ She joined him in laughter. Darc continued, asking, ‘Would you like to come with me whilst I pen them up for the eve?’

  Caroline smiled. ‘I would like that very much.’

  He held his hand out to her and she took it, rising to her feet. She let out an excited breath at the connection. She was hungry for him.

  Faste licked their clasped hands.

  Darc chuckled and gave him a hearty rub on top of his head. ‘I think they like it too.’

  Caroline walked next to him and the dogs flanked them on either side.

  CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR

  Darc set down his chalice of wine and gave Caroline a hard look as she went on. Had he known this is what she had wished to discuss, he would have refused to grant her audience.

  He stood across the room watching her as she stood before him her hands clasped. ‘Many years I spent in that tower with little more than one or two days out to see another person to talk to outside of Nesta. When Halvard was gone from us for days committing his crimes or God knows what, ‘twas the only time I got out. I was not welcomed with open arms by most of his people, but it did not stop me from helping wherever I could. I did not think I accomplished much of aught until Mildred spoke of the few that took notice or benefited. That is not why I did what I did. I just wanted what he’d stolen from the peasants returned.’

  Darc lifted a brow. ‘Ah and you took the blame for it as well in trying to help the villagers too?’

  ‘Twas more of a statement than question. Caroline nodded. ‘Aye, he beat me. But my bruises were naught compared to t
he lives ruined or lost because of that sadistic man’s depravity and greed. What harm is there in me visiting the families of the slain and the others?’

  ‘I cannot allow it. I will not bend on this, wife.’

  ‘I understand your concern but the guards are everywhere. Their presence alone is assurance enough, is it not? I mean, they are your men. Well-trained. Naught should go awry. I will not venture out of their sight, I give you my word. I know the danger. But I will not spend my days locked away. I had enough of that under Halvard.’

  He stared at her for so long, those deep blue eyes looking from her to the floor ere he scratched at the fine hairs on his chin. Then he shook his head and headed for the door. At the arch he turned back to her. ‘I will not risk it. My order stands, stay away from the village.’

  Caroline’s mouth dropped open in outrage as she stared at the empty archway. ‘Twas too late for that now. She had thought to tell him of her visits had he but agreed to lessen his heavy order. Since he had not, he left her little choice but to continue her them in secret.

  A week later Caroline tried to convince herself that she did not miss his face. Darc had not come to her chamber nor had he asked her to his since their disagreement.

  Today, she thought to make a step in his direction to repair the rift between them. She was weary of the upset. And she was tired of lying to herself that she did not miss him.

  Kelbie had taken note of it and though Darc kept up with the time he spent with him, he still ignored her. When she appeared, he hastily made an exit. ‘Twas not good and it only worsened the ache in her heart.

  However, today was not to be as she soon discovered when she came below stairs in search of him.

  He and a score of men had left only moments before. Since he refused to share much with her she was left to wonder once more where he’d gone off to yet again. Disheartened, she turned her attention to the duties of the castle for the day and by early eventide Caroline headed for the village.

  She visited the cottages and thrust herself into seeing to what was needed. Things were starting to look better and better everywhere she looked.

  She had made fast friends with many, but a few lingering ones from Castle Halvard yet remained wary. But Caroline did not mind. ‘Twas expected. In time she believed that too would change.

  It pleased her enough to overhear that these people respected and admired her husband.

  Hearing all the good things about him made her miss him even more. His handsome face, those full lips, fine stubble and that dark hair…his nearness and those thick arms wrapping around her. And the thickness of him inside her, deep inside her. Caroline was not aware that she hugged herself at her thoughts as she walked away from the cottages.

  Was this love these feelings that drove her mad throughout her day? Caroline sighed heavily, overwrought and feeling that her feet were as heavy as her heart. She walked on.

  A quiet voice cut into her thoughts. Caroline turned to see a short woman, cloth headdress askew looking at her, a questioning look upon her dirt smudged face.

  ‘My lady?’

  ‘Aye,’ Caroline answered.

  The woman flushed and looked down. Caroline followed her gaze and gasped, then laughed. She had been so lost in her thoughts she’d walked too close to the pigs pen and the bottom of her gown and slippers were covered and smudged in their leavings. The woman hurried to assist her out of the dung.

  ‘’Tis fine.’ Caroline said. She would soon be back at the castle and would see to it there. But the pleasant woman insisted on helping her.

  ‘At least let me assist you with your slippers, my lady.’

  Caroline thought to persist more, but a group had gathered and the expectant looks on their faces made her nod. She followed the woman to her cottage. There, out front was a small group of peasants seeing to a small cut on one of the field hands arm. Caroline took a seat on an offered stool.

  As she went to rise, her slippers clean and a bit damp now, she felt a tug at her skirt. She saw a guard approach and she waved him off when she looked down to see the round face of the boy she had seen before.

  She smiled at him. His mouth opened and he asked her, ‘Can you bring the boy with you the next time, my lady?’

  He asked his question again before she found her voice. She bent down till her face was almost level with his and replied ‘Oh, but of course. Your name, young man.’

  The young boy’s chest swelled with pride and he told her, ‘I am called Cal.’

  Caroline held her hand out and watched him wipe his soiled one on his clothing before he took hers.

  She gave his a hearty shake and said, ‘Nice to meet you Cal. You must forgive me, I still have quite a few homes here I need to visit. Which home is yours?’

  ‘That one, my lady.’ He dropped her hand and pointed a long arm to a nice sized hut about five huts back which sat off at a distance away from the others.

  A grey-haired rotund woman stood in the doorway watching them for a second before she headed their way in a huff. Her gait hurried and what looked like to Caroline, a disgruntled expression upon her face.

  ‘Is that your mother, Cal?’ Caroline asked though one could tell the woman looked a bit old to be.

  ‘My Mama’s dead. ‘Tis my grandmamma.’

  Sadness laced the boys tone and Caroline gave him a long look. He was no longer looking at her but at the woman barreling down on them.

  ‘My lady.’ The older woman muttered when she reached them and gave the boy a hard nod in the direction of the hut. The others around them had gone quiet.

  Cal turned back to Caroline with a nod and bid her farewell before he walked off toward the hut. His grandmother gave a well-executed curtsy and Caroline found it too perfect. The hairs on the back of her neck stood at attention as the woman turned to follow after the boy, Caroline called out. ‘Your name, madam.’

  The woman turned, all color drained from her round face and she voiced at once, ‘‘Tis Agnes, my lady. Pardon me that my boy was pestering you.’

  Caroline narrowed her gaze on the woman. ‘He was not.’

  ‘Is there aught else, my lady?’

  Caroline studied the nervous woman. The woman refused to meet her gaze. She wanted to question her further. Then noticing that all were watching she felt this was not the time. She said firmly, ‘That will be all, Agnes.’

  ‘Thank you, my lady.’ The woman muttered and hurried away in the direction the little boy had gone. The guards looked at Caroline, awaiting her order and she shook her head and turned to thank the woman who had cleaned her slippers and headed back toward the castle.

  Her mind turning over her run in with the older woman. Something did not sit well in her gut over it and Caroline made a promise to herself that she would discover more about this strange woman and her grandchild Cal.

  The clang of steel from the smithy’s hut broke through the calm of the early dawn before the cock crowed and Darc entered the hut to see his blacksmith and a young apprentice banging out fire-hot and glowing red-orange steel for new weapons.

  Darc inspected the weapons forged and cooled standing in the corner. Satisfied, he stepped out of the hut and walked toward the practice field.

  Crossing a short path near the curtained wall, something odd among the throng of peasants gathered down below in the village drew his attention and had him turn his head to watch the crowd of activity. After a moment an oath exploded from his lips and he turned full circle to get a better view.

  Damn defiant and lying woman!

  Darc stalked his way past his men and headed in that direction.

  Caroline knew something was wrong from the expressions on the faces around her. She knew before she turned around to look over her shoulder why for that odd feeling only her husband stirred within her arced up her spine.

  She turned to see him headed directly for her, his handsome face set in a dark scowl. She rushed away from the group of villagers as hastily as she could. If he was going to yell
, she did not wish for all to hear. And from the look on his face, Caroline did not think he would care if they had an audience.

  When he was in front of her the deep breath of his sigh bathed her face and stirred the hairs on her brow. She looked up at him with what she hoped was a look of innocence. It failed.

  ‘Wife!’

  His voice boomed and Caroline cringed feeling her cheeks burn. She need not turn to know many had heard that deep bellow. ‘Must you be so loud? I am right in front of you!’ Now she was shouting. She tilted her head and said calmly to the affronted expression now on his face. ‘I can explain. If you would kindly join me in private. Inside, mayhap.’ She waited to see if he got her meaning. When he planted his large fists on his lean hips, she blew out her own hot breath of air.

  ‘Nay. You openly defy me. We openly talk of it right here.’ He growled in a low voice.

  Caroline attempted to close her mouth twice before sputtering. ‘Nay! You left me little choice but to defy you. I had wished to tell you, but you stormed out before I had a chance to speak it. Oh, I will not do this here.’

  She marched around him and she thought he would stop her, but he did not. She heard him stomping behind her, his long strides right on her heels and Caroline picked up her pace for fear he would catch her gown with his big feet.

  They were only just inside the castle doors afore he exploded. Caroline rounded on him and just stared. ‘Twas the most animated emotion she had seen from the man outside of when they were intimate. And she found it amusing and heartwarming. Though anger blazed in his eyes, ‘twas the genuine concern in his tone that warmed her heart.

  How dare she look at him like that when he was yelling at her? Darc fumed. And how dare she smile at him when she had outright defied him?

  Darc slowed his tirade and asked her. ‘What do you find so amusing, wife?’

  She tried to stop smiling by pulling in her bottom lip and his eyes followed as her pink tongue darted out when she failed. ‘I-I…’Tis naught. I am sorry for defying you, husband.’