Last Knight: Thornton Brothers Time Travel (A Thornton Brothers Time Travel Romance Book 4)

by Cynthia Luhrs

  By the time the men appeared in the lists to practice, they were all jumping and laughing. Some men gaping, others cursing, and one went running, obviously to get the lord of the castle. Ashley ignored them and kept jumping. She hoped he would show up soon, because she thought she was going to have a heart attack. Whew, was she out of shape.

  “Bloody hell, what is the meaning of this foolishness?”

  Ashley turned to him. “Chrissy-poo, I’m showing the girls how to jump rope. Want to join us?”

  He blinked. “What is Chrissy-poo?”

  She smiled sweetly at him. “You are. Christian is Chrissy-poo. Isn’t it sweet?”

  Several of the men coughed and laughed. The grins disappeared when Christian scowled at them.

  “All of you will pay for laughing.”

  A few of the men paled. Christian whirled back around, a scowl on his face.

  “Nay, ’tis not sweet. ’Tis dreadful. The men needs train. You will move.”

  “No.” Ashley shook her head. “This is the most open space. We will be done soon. It’s very good exercise. Perhaps some of the men would like to try?”

  Bryce stepped forward, the yellow ribbon already grubby on his sword. Christian let loose a string of curses. Ashley was glad she wasn’t fluent in Norman French.

  “Cover your ears,” she said to the girls, their eyes huge.

  The guard stepped back, hanging his head.

  “Nay, none of the men will do this jump rope. Begone,” Christian thundered.

  “You shouldn’t swear so much in front of the girls.” She coiled the rope around her arm. “Girls, come along. We’ll find another place to practice. Let mean ole Chrissy-poo steal our fun.”

  As she turned away, Ashley bit her cheek to keep from laughing. She thought her plan was working. He looked incredibly annoyed with her.

  “Mistress, you shouldn’t vex him so. ’Tis not wise.”

  Ashley turned her most sugary smile on Quinn. “I’m going to make him wish he never laid eyes on me. By the time I’m done, he’ll wish he’d never fished me out of that river.”

  “Ah.”

  “Ah?” She arched a brow. “Ah what, Quinn?”

  The girls followed behind her, whispering to each other as they left the castle gates, crossed the bridge, and found a spot that wasn’t too muddy.

  Her guard looked wiser than his fifteen years. “You care for him, and as he is to wed another, you want him to despise you and send you away.” He looked at his feet. “It will not be as you wish.”

  “How do you know?”

  “I too wished someone to no longer care for me. It did not go as I wanted.”

  He looked so dejected that Ashley felt like the queen of the mean girls. She touched his cloak. “I’m sorry, Quinn.”

  “He cares for you. We all know ’tis so.”

  “I don’t want to talk about it anymore. Want to jump with us?”

  As Ashley showed Quinn how to jump, she thought about how she’d acted. Maybe one of his brothers would hire her to teach people to read? They’d be coming for the wedding and supposedly to tell her how she might go home. She’d find out about both. Then she’d decide. Should she stay or should she go?

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  Ashley had gotten used to waking up early. As long as it wasn’t storming, she went out for a morning walk, finding she wasn’t as bothered by the weather. It was still cold, but she welcomed the fresh air and the open space.

  It had snowed again last night. With all the greenery decorating the hall, it looked like a fairytale castle. Christmas in a real castle. It would be magical. How was it possible she’d been here almost two and a half months?

  The men would be out training today as well. They dressed warmer and went about their business, though everyone drank more warm wine. Her perfectly climate-controlled world seemed far away.

  It wasn’t like she could live off Christian’s hospitality forever. Especially once he was married. As she was trying to figure out what she might be able to do to make a living, someone interrupted her.

  “Mistress Ashley?”

  She brushed the snow off the sundial and turned to see the last person she’d ever expected. Christian’s fiancée.

  “Hello.”

  The girl was even paler, almost the color of the snow. Had she been ill?

  “I am Helen. Might we have speech?” The girl looked miserable.

  “Of course. Let’s go inside. I think we missed dinner, but Mrs. Smith will have saved us something.”

  Helen followed but didn’t speak. Okay, what did she want to talk about? Had she heard the steward calling Ashley the mistress? Ashley glanced back at Helen—nope, didn’t look like she was hiding a dagger.

  They stopped in the kitchens and Mrs. Smith said she’d send a tray.

  “Have you seen my classroom?”

  “What is a classroom?”

  “Come on, I’ll show you.” Ashley opened the door to the room. Christian had had another table and a few benches made, and someone had cut greenery and tied it to the window with a red ribbon.

  “Please, sit.”

  Helen looked around, taking everything in. A servant brought them food and wine.

  Ashley poured. “Drink. It’s warm.”

  “You are teaching the people to read and write?”

  “Yes, I think everyone should know how to read and write. Don’t you?”

  Helen looked startled, like no one had ever asked her opinion before.

  “My father taught me, but I think that was because he always wanted a son instead of a daughter. But none of the other girls I know can read or write.”

  She ate her stew, taking tiny bites, while Ashley practically shoveled it in. She was starving after being outside and jumping rope.

  “Was there something you wanted?”

  Helen put down her spoon and burst into tears. “I do not want to marry him. You must help me.”

  Stunned, Ashley sat there for a moment trying to figure out what to say. As much as she didn’t want the wedding to go forward, she now knew how important it was for a woman to make a good match in these times, and Christian was as good as they came. He wanted to marry Helen, and so Ashley would do what she could to help, no matter how it shredded her heart to ribbons.

  “Why don’t you want to marry him?”

  Helen buried her face in her hands, sobbing. Ashley scooted the chair over closer and patted the girl’s hand.

  “It can’t be that bad. Why don’t I tell you why he’s a good man?”

  Helen looked up and wiped her eyes on her sleeve.

  “Lord Winterforth will listen to what you say. He will take care of you and look out for you. He is kind, and he’ll make you laugh.” This was payback for every mean thing she’d said or done, but Ashley took a deep breath and went on. “He’s very strong. Did you know, I fell into a river and would have drowned. He saved me, carried me, and wasn’t even breathing heavily. I know many men who couldn’t have done the same. And have you seen him with a blade? To watch him fight is like a dance.”

  Helen had quit crying and was watching Ashley, an inscrutable look on her face.

  “He’s smart, and he believes in family above all else.” Ashley took the girl’s hand. She was young—maybe sixteen?

  “And, of course, he’s a noble with a title. And from what I understand, he’s very wealthy.”

  “I know all this, lady. But I do not wish to wed him.”

  While Ashley had been trying to convince Helen, she had also been thinking about why she cared for Christian. How when she had talked about her job, he had asked questions, telling her that he knew she was successful and could run a household or army if she so desired. She knew he was the kind of man who would never hold her back. He might not always agree, but he’d support her and the choices she made.

  She had told him about modern weapons and destruction. Not only guns, but the terrible bombs that were to come. He had wondered how she could live in such a
time, and she had said the same to him, agreeing the weaponry of her time was capable of great destruction, but his time was more up close and personal with the violence. Though she thought her world was changing with all the awful things that had been happening lately. There seemed to be a new shooting every week on the news, to the point that she no longer watched, but figured if something really big happened, she’d hear about it.

  “Helen, is there someone else?”

  It was the only reason Ashley could think of why the girl would not marry him.

  Helen shook her head so fast that Ashley thought it would pop off. And she suspected there was a boy somewhere waiting for her.

  “I have heard what is said about him. I want children.”

  Ashley frowned. “You shouldn’t listen to gossip. I know it is not true. It was made up by someone who was jealous Christian would not wed her.” She refilled their cups. “And unless you have already had sex with a man and know yourself he cannot give you a child, then you would not know until you were married anyway, would you? And for that matter, it could be you that might not be able to give him a child.”

  Helen looked horrified. “Do not say such things.”

  Helen twisted the cup around in her hands back and forth. “I have not been truthful with you, lady.”

  Ashley gently took the cup so Helen would quit scraping it across the table.

  “I think, given what you were talking about, that you can call me Ashley. Now tell me what’s really going on.”

  Helen burst into tears again. It was a few moments before she could speak coherently. And when she choked out her story, Ashley sat there, frozen.

  “So you see, I cannot marry Lord Winterforth, for I love another.”

  “Does your father know?”

  Helen shook her head, fresh tears falling. “Nay, and he cannot. He promised my mother as she died that he would make a good match for me. I do not know what he will do if I tell him the truth. Can you help me? My father is arriving today.”

  And now Ashley was the one stuck. For she had been in a similar situation once before. Had been out with friends when she spotted the boyfriend of one of her friends. He was cheating on her friend, and when Ashley told her, she was the one who got blamed. To this day the girl hadn’t spoken to her again. She was afraid if she went to Christian and told him, he might react the same way. Because he was obviously extremely touchy about all the broken engagements, and she was afraid this one might put him over the edge.

  Helen was still looking at her, hope shining in her eyes. Ashley had to say something.

  “We’ll figure something out. Just give me a little bit of time.” She patted the girl’s hand

  She didn’t have a clue what it would be.

  Christian had been looking for his betrothed everywhere. She had not come down to supper, instead sending her chaperone to tell him she wasn’t feeling well. When he went to see how she was feeling, her chamber was empty. At the window, he saw a figure, the torches turning the pale hair to silver.

  She was going to the chapel. Mayhap she wanted to see the place they would begin their life together. Once he was outside, he hesitated at the chapel doors. Who was his betrothed speaking to?

  Christian slipped inside the door into the dimly lit building. He didn’t recognize the man as his betrothed embraced him. ’Twas clear she was in love.

  He sneezed, and the two jumped apart, guilty looks on their faces.

  “My lord, I must explain.” The boy bowed before him, holding out his hands.

  Helen put herself between Christian and the lad as if he would cut the boy down where he stood. Had he been in love with her, he would have. She clasped her hands together in front of her.

  “I was telling him goodbye. That I must obey my father and honor my mother’s wishes. Mistress Ashley says you are a good man and will not beat me.”

  She was weeping. He patted her on the back helpfully.

  “You love him?”

  “More than anything.”

  Christian looked to the boy. “And you?”

  “Aye, my lord. She is my life.”

  “My father knows I am in love with Caleb,” she said. “He wants to be a carpenter—he makes beautiful furniture. But my father would not hear it, as he promised my mother he would make a good match for me. I miss my mother every day, but she would have wished for me to be happy, as she and my father were.” Her shoulders slumped, and her pale face had red spots all over it. “But I will send him away and marry you if you wish it.”

  Christian rolled his eyes, wishing Ashley were here. She would know what to say. Why had she told Helen to marry him? Did she not care for him? He had fallen in love with her. He knew it when she was sick on his boots.

  Christian sighed and frowned at the boy. “What would you do to care for and protect Helen?”

  “I was apprenticed to a carpenter, but his cousin came and he no longer had a place for me. I will labor the rest of my life to take care of Helen.”

  “He makes such pretty chairs and tables.” Helen took Christian’s arm, smiling at the boy she loved. “Please do not make me wed you. I would not be happy.”

  Christian had only spoken to her twice since she had arrived. He thought her meek and quiet, but this girl, she had a will of her own, and he admired her for it. She reminded him of a certain woman with golden hair that was doing her best to vex him. Christian would not let her. And now he could make her his.

  He held out a hand to Caleb, who took it as if worried Christian would chop it off.

  “You make beds, too?”

  Caleb nodded. “Aye.”

  “And you love her, will take care of her? Protect her with your body?”

  Caleb nodded again, looking at Helen with love. “I will, my lord.”

  Christian made a decision. “Then say the words and I shall stand as your witness.”

  Helen wept.

  “Cease.”

  She sniffed, wiping her nose on her sleeve.

  “Do you, Helen, come to be with Caleb of your own free will?”

  “I do.”

  Christian turned to the boy.

  “And you, Caleb, do you come to Helen of your own free will?”

  “I do.”

  “Then let you be joined together. Be happy and care for one another for all of your days.” He looked to Caleb. “Do you have a ring?”

  The boy reached in a pouch at his waist and came out with a plain silver band.

  “Place it on her hand and let this ring bind you together for all time.”

  Christian clapped his hands together, happy for them both. “Caleb, kiss your bride. I stand here as witness, and will tell your father the deed is done.”

  The door banged open, and Helen’s father ran toward them, wringing his hands. “Tell me ’tis not so? You dare to bring him here?”

  Christian turned to the girl’s sire.

  “They are married. I stood as witness.” The man raised his arm to hit his daughter, and Christian stepped in between them.

  “I will see the boy set up to apprentice as a carpenter. I will send him to Nicholas Spencer, a cousin on my mother’s side. They will be well cared for with Nicholas.”

  He took the pouch from his waist and looked inside, fingering the coin. Christian dumped a portion of it in Caleb’s hand.

  “Caleb, for you and your new bride.”

  The rest he gave to the girl’s father. “Be happy for them. Go home or go with them.”

  The father looked to Helen. “How could you do this? I promised your mother.”

  She hugged her father, weeping endless tears. “But Father, she would have wished me to find love, as you did. I care not for a title. I only want to be with Caleb.”

  He patted her on the back. “Then let it be so. For I will not have discord between us.”

  “But you could come with us. Lord Winterforth said so.”

  The father looked to Christian, who nodded. “I will put it in the letter to Nicholas
.”

  “I can never repay your kindness.”

  “Go and be happy. ’Tis all I ask.” Christian strode from the chapel happier than he had been since his betrothed had arrived. Now he must find Ashley. For he had much wooing to make up for, and he must woo her before he wed her.

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  Ashley woke to the sound of the gates opening. She jumped out of bed, the stone cold on her feet as she looked out the window. A figure rode out—it must be Christian going on one of his nighttime rides. In the light of the torches she could make out he was dressed in all black. Even the horse was black. It hit her. He was the man in the hooded cloak, playing Robin Hood. It had to be.

  Pulling the dress on, she swore. It was difficult, but she thought the dress wouldn’t fall off. Quinn had gone to bed, and the guard replacing him had fallen asleep. Not making a sound, she stepped over him and ran down the stairs. At the stables, one of the boys was yawning.

  “I’m going with Lord Winterforth.”

  “He rides alone, mistress.”

  “Not tonight he doesn’t.”

  The boy yawned again but did as she asked. Ashley was a little unsure. Usually Christian was with her when she went riding. She leaned over and stroked the horse’s silky gray ears.

  “We need to find Christian. We can do this together.”

  She rode out of the courtyard, and when she got to the gate, the guard stopped her.

  “’Tis late, my lady.”

  “I find I need to ride tonight. Open the gates.”

  The guard hesitated, and Ashley smiled sweetly at him. “Lord Winterforth knows I’m coming.”

  The guard nodded, blushing in the light from the torch. Great, he probably thought they were going to some secret rendezvous. Let him think what he wanted—she was more concerned with finding out what Christian was up to.

  She was grateful the moon cast enough light for her to see the way. Her eyes quickly adjusted as she followed the path. As she rode into the village, she saw his horse, so she stopped and waited, watching. He went to the door of the home, opened it, and put something inside.