As she was stomping about, Anna lost her footing and fell into a huge mud puddle. As she struggled, the muck pulled at her clothes, pulling her deeper. Oh hell, she must be in a bog. She scrabbled for a branch to pull herself out. There wasn’t even a bush nearby. Her fingers touched mud but couldn’t find anything to pull herself out. Panic made her kick and scream, only making things worse.
Was she going to die out here all alone? The thought of drowning by mud made her feel dizzy.
“No! You will not faint. You will stay calm and figure out a way out of this.”
She screamed, hoping someone would hear her. Screamed until she was hoarse and could only manage a croak. As night fell, Anna was up to her waist in the bog. If someone didn’t find her within the next day or two, she would slowly sink until she drowned. No one would ever know what happened to her.
At least the madwoman had the wits to stay on the path. The moors could be dangerous to those unfamiliar with them. She was easy to track. John made good time on horseback. Why hadn’t the bloody woman stolen a horse? Likely it had not occurred to her, as she did not ride in her own time. Why would she leave without telling him?
Terrible thoughts filled his mind. Had Denby or one of his men promised her gold or a way to get back to her own time in return for betraying him?
He dismounted to examine her tracks. The king’s men were near, but he would not believe her capable of betrayal. She was too full of goodness. He snorted. Though she had taken the stable boys tunic and hose. And stolen a bit of his gold. Why hadn’t she taken the bag?
It looked as though she had taken only what she needed for her travels. He would’ve gladly given her all she asked. He stopped. John had been so consumed with his own problems he had not taken the time to understand what it must mean to be lost in time.
John had made the choice not to tell his brothers he was alive. Anna had a sick father who depended upon her to see to his well-being. Would he not have done the same in her situation?
He tracked her, aware of spending too much time with his own thoughts. Was it possible she’d heard him talking to Henry? He had been in a foul temper and did not mean what he said. He did not wish she had never come. Did not wish her to go.
Nay. He cared for her a great deal, in truth. The thought filled him with fear. Of what would happen if he lost her. If she stayed by his side when the king’s men came for him. For them both. ’Twas only a matter of time until they found him and took him back to answer for his crime all those years ago. Now he was known as John Thornton and the bandit, he had many more crimes to answer for.
Her tracks had taken her in a circle as she tried to avoid some of the more treacherous areas. She was being careful and missed some of the less-used paths that would have taken her in a more direct route through the moors. Did she realize she was not moving forward but in circles?
’Twas the middle of the third day when he saw something ahead. Sunlight turned the mud to gold. John thought his heart would cease beating.
“Anna!”
He heard nothing and tried again. “I’m coming, love. Hold fast.”
As he strained to listen, he swore he heard her voice, hoarse and feeble, carried on the wind to him.
“I’m drowning.”
John jumped from the horse as the final bit of stone around his heart crumbled to dust. She was trapped in a bog up to her breasts.
“I don’t want to die.”
“You will not die. I will not allow you to leave me.” John uncoiled the rope he had brought with him. “You must not thrash about. Take the rope and wrap it around your waist tightly.”
Her eyes were wild, her face pale. John would never forgive himself if he lost her.
“I’m so tired. I don’t think I can do it.”
“You must.”
Her hands shook as she took the rope and pulled it into the muck.
“I know ’tis hard, but do not struggle.” John took the other end and tied it to the saddle. He came back, kneeling at the edge.
“Try to lie back and let your body float upward.”
“The mud is too thick. It will not work.”
He looked into her eyes, willing her to see how much he cared.
“Slow your breathing. Look at me, Anna. Nowhere else. Look to me.” Once he saw she had calmed a bit, he said, “Do you know how to swim?”
“Of course. I grew up in Florida, on the beach.”
“Good. You must think of the bog as the ocean. Lie back and let it lift you up. It will take time, but it will work.”
He did not voice his worry. That he could not free her. He could not risk going back for help. There wasn’t enough time. If he left her much longer, the bog would take her. ’Twas an awful way to die.
The waiting was agony. John told her of his time in the wood. Anything to pass the time. Told her how he became the outlaw.
“…so when Robin died, I became the bandit of the wood. He had seen to it his reputation spread across the realm, and people were afraid to enter the wood.”
“All so he could provide a home for people?”
“That is why we took nobles for ransom and their gold. They have plenty to spare. People are hungry. They have been burned out of their villages, and they come to the woods seeking shelter.”
“Now that the king knows, will you have to pay for the crimes of being the bandit too?”
“Most likely. We shall worry about it when the time comes. My brothers are wealthy, and so are James and William. Together they are formidable. I did not want to accept their aid, but it appears I have no choice.”
He could see her body lifting. He would not wait any longer.
“I want you to hold on to the rope. Do not struggle.”
“I have faith in you.”
And with that simple declaration, all the reasons why he could not care for her drifted away like dust on the wind. He would love her for as long as he had left. And trust his brothers to protect her if the time came and he was sentenced to death.
He slowly urged the horse forward. The rope tightened and he heard the sounds of the bog trying to hold on to Anna. He urged the horse forward, and with a great sucking sound she was free.
John removed the rope from her. “Do not ever scare me like that again.”
He crushed her to him, heedless of the mud and smell. Lowered his lips to hers. Her lips were soft as the softest silk. Warm. The rest of her was cold. She made a sound in the back of her throat. Her arms came around his neck. Her lips parted and he lost himself in the taste of her. The feel of her against him. When they broke apart, she was breathing heavily, her voice shaking.
“I’m warm now.”
He threw back his head and laughed. Gave thanks he’d found her in time.
“Let’s go home.”
Chapter Twenty-Five
John led her to a nearby stream, turning his back while she removed the garments.
“I think I’m going to be brown forever.”
“In time the color will fade from your skin. There is a woman at the castle who has herbs you can add to the bath to remove the coloring.”
He heard splashing. John had to strain to hear the words.
“I’m getting dressed. Don’t look.”
He heard a rustling noise and kept his eyes averted, though he was most curious.
As she fell asleep that night, Anna cried and moaned in her sleep. John stroked her hair, comforting her as he would a spooked horse.
He was unused to spending so much time with a woman. So many years he’d visited a wench to satisfy his needs but never wanted to have speech with them. Never cared what they thought. With Anna, he wanted to know every thought she had.
The next morning, she was quiet, sitting stiffly in the saddle in front of him. The entire day she said less than a handful of words.
Would she not speak the entire way back to Blackmoor? Most women would have babbled incessantly. John never had to work to get a woman to talk. Anna said not a word.
/>
On the third day of travel, John decided he’d had enough of her silence. They sat by the fire.
“I know you do not care for wine, but you must not take a chill after being in the bog for so long.”
She wrinkled her nose but drank it anyway. They ate a simple meal. She had two more cups of wine and still she did not speak.
Anna dropped the cup to the ground. “I’m going to the ladies’ room. I’ll be back in a few minutes.”
“Ladies’ room?”
She made a face at him. “You know.”
He was perplexed for a moment then laughed. Seeing the displeasure on her face, he shut his mouth with a snap. He held out his hands in front of him.
“I meant no offense.”
John heard her stomping through the brush. If the king’s men had been near, they would have heard her. She swayed a bit as she came to a stop in front of him. Anna leaned down and poked him in the chest.
“I heard what you said to Henry.” She wobbled so he pulled her down beside him, afraid she would fall over. She slapped his hand away. “Don’t touch me. You said you didn’t care if I stayed or went back to my own time. That you are tired of me being your responsibility.” She belched. “You don’t want me here. So why are you taking me back? I would’ve made it to London eventually.”
“You would? Walking in circles? Would that be before or after you drowned in the bog?”
“Don’t be mean to me. I don’t know why I even care. Someone as sexy and good-looking as you would never look twice at an ugly duckling like me. It was silly for me to hope you might like me for who I am, not what I look like.”
He was stunned. She cared for him? “I should not have said what I did to my brother. I was an arse.” He pulled her onto his lap. “It was fear. The king’s men will come, I worry what will happen to you.” He stroked her hair. “You rescued me from the tower. The moment I saw you, I thought you were a fairy come to take me away. Anna. I do want you here. I would give all I possess to have someone such as you.”
He kissed her hair, mumbling words of love.
“You are kind and thoughtful. Your skin like fine ivory. The many colors in your hair remind me of the countryside. How can you not see how beautiful you are?”
She sniffed. “You don’t mean it. You’re only saying it because you feel like a big jerk.”
Jerk. Charlotte called his brother such a word. He knew ’twas not flattering.
“I have been too wrapped up in my own cares. I do know what it’s like to be separated from those you love.”
He held up a hand. “I know mine was by choice and yours is not. I do have some understanding of what you feel.”
“You’re only saying these things because you want me to come back without making a fuss. But don’t you see? After what Charlotte told me, I have to believe there is a small chance I can go back. And I must try. If I can’t get back then at least I will know I have done everything in my power to try. But if I don’t try…”
She looked up at him her green eyes full of tears. “I cannot live with myself if I don’t try.”
“You have my word. Once we get back, I’ll send word to my brothers letting them know where we are going, I will take you back to the tower.”
She started to protest, and John said, “I do not delay on purpose. But we must have a fresh horse and pack provisions. My brothers needs know so if anything happens to me, they will know to come for you.”
“Oh. That’s very kind. I won’t forget all you’ve done for me.”
Seeing the pain in her eyes, her need to go home, John made a choice. He would not tell her he was in love with her. He would think of her instead of himself. And he would let her go. Though he would remember her all of his days.
As they rode through the gates of Blackmoor, John saw a commotion in the courtyard.
“’Tis time you are back.”
He dismounted and lifted Anna off the horse. John turned to his eldest brother.
“’Tis good to see you, Edward.” Was all he got out before Edward’s fist met his face.
John struck back. As he and his brother exchanged blows, he heard Robert’s voice.
“’Tis too early to brawl.” Robert yawned.
Men watched, calling out helpful suggestions and insults.
“This is silly.”
“Aye, lady. Men will be boys no matter how old they are.”
She rolled her eyes. “Whatever.”
Edward spat blood onto the ground. “Seems I am arrived just in time. The roof looks likely to fall on your heads.”
“I am sorry I did not tell you I was alive.”
Edward clapped him on the shoulder. “I know you thought you were keeping all of us safe. I have missed you, John.”
“And I you.” John cleared his throat, willing the feelings to go away.
“What news do you bring?”
Edward looked askance at Anna, who was sitting on the other side of him.
“Say what you will. I have told her the tale.”
Edward raised his brows. “All you know about him and still you enjoy his company, lady?”
Anna leaned forward across John and looked at Edward, a saucy grin on her face.
“All of you Thorntons are so handsome I find I quite lose my head whenever I’m around you.”
Edward grinned. “Careful, this one here may actually lose his.”
Anna looked horrified for a moment until she realized they were teasing. If you couldn’t make fun of something, what was the point of living?
“So what are you going to do to help him?”
“I quite like her.”
“I’m growing old, Edward.”
Edward rolled his eyes. “’Tis not welcome news. The king is only seventeen. Denby has his ear and his wife is young. Denby parades her in front of the king hoping he will make her his mistress.”
“What about Letitia?”
“Have you not heard? Letitia died three years ago from fever. Denby married again a month later.”
“Then why does he come for me? Why does he care?”
Edward shook his head. “He cared not for his wife. They couldn’t stand each other. But he is a prideful man and seeks to strike back at you.”
His brother was much as John remembered. Full of energy and unable to sit still. When he was thinking, he had to pace. All the Thorntons did.
“What do we do?”
“Denby is on a diplomatic mission. While he is gone, I will seek an audience with the king. Try to reason with him.” Edward scratched at his chin. “And offer him gold.”
Chapter Twenty-Six
Anna had now met all of John’s brothers except Christian. If things could be different…if she didn’t have to get back to her father, she could be happy here. She was surprised at how quickly she’d adapted to living without modern-day conveniences.
While she still thought longingly of hot showers, flipping the switch for power, ice cream, pizza, movies, and modern-day transportation, she had grown used to life here. And really, what was the use of complaining? It wasn’t like she could change anything.
Each one of his brothers was as breathtakingly handsome as the other. And they all were charming and kind. She wondered what Charlotte was doing. It felt good to have made a friend. Not just a friend, a sister. Charlotte assured her Lucy and Melinda were just as delightful. That they would welcome her with open arms. To have three friends would be more than she had in her life in Florida. Working all the time, she said no to most invitations. After a while, people stopped asking. It had taken Anna a long time to notice the invitations stopped. By the time she did, it was too late to do anything about it. Only Hattie remained.
She couldn’t even have a pet. Working so much wouldn’t be fair to an animal. When she was little, she had a dog and a cat. It would have been comforting to come home to a furry baby. Sometimes she talked to herself when there was no one else around. At least if she talked to a dog or cat, people wouldn’t think
she was crazy.
She snorted.
“Is something amiss, mistress?”
“What?” Anna stretched. “No. I was just thinking.” She looked at the fabric in her hands. Her flower looked more like an abstract squiggle. The young girl teaching her to embroider…hers looked like something in a museum.
The girl frowned. “Mayhap if we try…”
“No. It’s hopeless, but thank you for trying to show me. Run along. I’m going to pull weeds.”
In a perfect world, her dad would be healthy and she would bring him to the past with her. He’d like it here. The fresh air and people. Too bad life rarely worked out the way you thought it should.
Like John. She wanted to believe he found her attractive, like he’d said he did, that he saw her for the person she was inside, but it was hard. She wasn’t being hard on herself; she’d seen how men coming into the diner hit on the other waitresses. No one ever hit on her. And if they did, it seemed like a token gesture. To think someone like him could find someone like her interesting and pretty turned her world upside down. She firmly believed actions spoke louder than words. So she would watch him and decide.
In the morning, Anna woke to the sound of men’s voices. The mason and his men were hard at work. She felt useless. She could sew, but only with a machine. And yesterday she’d found out she was dreadful at hand stitching. Anna didn’t even cook. She ate at the diner on the weekends, and during the week usually grabbed a frozen meal and threw it in the microwave. Pressed for time, she never found the time to cook a meal from scratch.
Everything in her life seemed to move faster and faster, and she always felt like she was falling behind. The couple of times she’d tried to help in the kitchen, she caused more trouble than she’d helped.
Darkest Knight Page 10