“In spite of what you may think, I mean you no harm. I had no intention of seeing you out on the street.”
“And yet here I am.”
“And here I offer to rectify my mistake. In my arrogance I wished to show you the error of your ways, and I hope to make amends for my misdeeds.”
“A noble knight wishing to prove his worth to a common thief? Well there be a tale I have never heard before. And yet I was thieving. Do you not feel the outcome was what I deserved?”
The man directed his horse along a wider street and recognition sparked. They were not far from the centre of the settlement, where the richer townsfolk lived. “You are no common thief, Ellise, that is very clear.”
Ellise thrust her chin up. First the knight wanted to play her punisher, and now he played her rescuer. What an odd man he was. “Mayhap I am a criminal of great cunning and my every move is an act. Mayhap I had expected you, the brave dashing knight, to come to my rescue so I could rob you blind.”
With her face turned forward, she felt the rumble of his chuckle against her back. Deep and oddly seductive. For some unknown reason, she suspected he did not laugh much.
“A cunning criminal would not be on the verge of tears at being caught. I have been around many dishonest folk and your reaction was no act.”
“There were no tears.”
Mayhap there were, but Ellise would not admit to that. Tears never helped, something she learned long ago. The knight did not respond and the tension in her chest loosened. If he’d started questioning the circumstances that had turned her to crime, the tears may well have flowed again and she did not want that. An acute ache throbbed in her breast as she thought of her son and she forced the memories aside.
The horse followed the edge of the town square and the knight directed it under a stone archway and into the courtyard of The Rose and Crown stables. Ellise peered up at the large, two storey inn. Its white-washed walls and timbers were clean and well-maintained, and there were no drunken patrons lounging in the doorway or being sick in the streets.
Dismounting, the knight offered her his hand and aided her down. The large hand over her own made her throat constrict and she thanked God for her dark complexion that hid the heat in her cheeks. Ellise winced as she put weight on her ankle and her companion’s brow furrowed in concern.
“Does it cause you much pain?”
“Nay…” She hissed as she tried again. “Aye, a little,” she admitted.
“Give me but a moment.” He pressed her hand into the saddle of his mount, urged her to lean against the cool leather and marched into the shadows of the stables.
Ellise took a moment to admire his walk. Strong and proud, there was no doubting his knightly heritage. She recognised that kind of walk. One that spoke of discipline, confidence, and righteousness. As he came back out, a stable-hand followed, rubbing at his eyes and giving a yawn as he eyed Ellise with a bashful grin.
She longed to fold her arms over her chest and glare at the knight as he returned to her side, but she still needed the support of the horse. Arm easing behind her back, he coaxed her away and encouraged her to put her weight on him.
“I do not even know your name,” she announced as the realisation struck her.
He laughed as he led her toward the inn door, his wide torso providing the support she needed. And more. His muscular arm propping her up sent tingles racing through her body.
“My name is James Deveraux.”
“James, whatever are you doing with me?”
His lips tightened as she pulled lightly against his hold. “I am seeing to it that you rest that ankle and have somewhere to sleep for the night.”
“You cannot want me to stay here, surely? They will throw me out.”
“Not if you are my guest.”
“Your guest? You know they will consider me your… your whore.”
James shrugged and Ellise shook her head. Either the man meant to have her as his whore or he cared little for his reputation. The term stung Ellise but she’d been called worse and would bear the scrutiny with indifference. She doubted he expected her to warm his bed, even if she sensed a spark of interest directed her way from him. The man clearly lived and breathed the chivalric code.
“Well on your head be it. I shall take no blame when your repute is well and truly tarnished.”
“Ack, ‘twould do my repute no harm to be seen with a bonny lass. Many a noble man takes a woman to bed with him upon visiting The Rose and Crown, just as long as ‘tis done quietly.”
Ellise attempted to ignore the flurry of delight his words caused and forced a serious expression on her face. “Not you though, I’d wager.”
“Aye, well, I do not make a habit of paying women to join me in my bed, I’ll admit that much.”
And other women? She urgently wanted him to deny the presence of any other women in his life, even knowing she had no right to such knowledge. A man like James likely had a wife or was surely betrothed.
The pain in her ankle all but forgotten, she found herself faced with a steep set of wooden stairs as James led her past the main hall. The inn smelled of herbs and ale and jovial laughter rang out. Here the candles were wax and no smoky atmosphere or unwelcome smells swirled about the air. Ellise had practically forgotten what the finer side of life looked like. Did her son still enjoy that kind of life?
Even with the support of James, her first step up sent a shaft of pain through her ankle and she released an unbidden cry. With a muttered curse, he yanked her into his arms and carried her easily up the steps. The moment ended too quickly when he placed her down, and Ellise fought the need to pout in disappointment. No man had ever taken her in his arms before. She had to admit to liking it.
Arm slung around her once more, he eased her along the balcony and into one of the end rooms. Laid out across the entire end of the building, James’ lodgings were clearly superior. She peeked sideways at him. She had thought him just a knight but mayhap he was a lord.
He led her past a large bed, the red drapes concealing most of it and helped her onto a long carved bench under the window. Ellise sank gratefully onto the padded cushions and observed as James removed his sword and laid it carefully across a writing desk in one corner before shrugging out of his armour and hooking it over the back of a chair.
James sent a glance her way but Ellise couldn’t make out his expression in the candlelight. It was too quiet. Her usually bold tongue refused to work and her chest felt clogged as he stalked across to stand in front of her. She traced the cut of his chausses, up to his loose shirt and let her gaze linger on the glimpses of tanned flesh at the collar. He swallowed and she found herself doing the same as she watched the cords in his neck move. Finally she braved a peek into his eyes. No man should be blessed with such beautiful eyes.
That green gaze roamed over her before settling on her ankle and he scowled. “You should raise your leg, lass. Prop it up on the bench.”
The sudden order snapped her out of her haze. Inching her skirts higher, she studied her bare ankle. Red and swollen, the sight made her grimace. But it was her filthy leather shoes that really caused her to cringe. She could hardly put them up on the chair.
“Mayhap I should have a maidservant attend to you.” James clasped his hands behind his back and rocked briefly on his heels.
Ellise tilted her lips. “I think they will not attend a woman like me.”
“They would if I asked it.”
So sure of his own power. Ellise shook her head. “Mayhap. But I should not like it. I can attend to myself. Pray, is there somewhere I can wash? I wish not to soil the finery here and alas, I have been out all day and the dust clings.”
“Aye, of course. Have you a change of clothes? Or something you can sleep in?”
A rush of heat flooded her body. Foolish woman that she was, the reality of sharing a room with the handsome knight was only just sinking in. Thank goodness she had lost all worries of propriety long ago. She no longer cared
for her reputation, for the good it had done her. Repute meant little on the streets of Northumbria’s towns.
James continued to watch her and Ellise offered an apologetic smile. “I-I have a spare chemise in my apron but naught else.”
He nodded thoughtfully as if weighing up their options before pointing at a set of curtains at the other end of the room. “There is a washbowl and cloths there. I will see if I cannot beg a gown or robe from one of the serving girls when I request some food.”
“I thank you, James.” Ellise realised by now there was no use in arguing with him. Too used to getting his own way, she decided. With a commanding manner like his, everyone likely bent to his will. And his angel-like looks probably did no harm either. She imagined the serving girls falling over themselves to help him. She made to stand and he came speedily to her side but she brushed him off. “I am no cripple and I have no wish to have you aid me in washing.” She bit back a laugh as he jumped back at her words. He likely felt the lack of propriety far more than she did.
Ellise hobbled behind the curtain, stealing a peek at his concerned expression before drawing them closed. Poor knight. He looked thoroughly overwhelmed by her presence.
~***~
James scraped a hand through his hair and backed away from the curtains as the rustle of clothing resounded in the quiet room. Damn, what was he doing? Indeed, a noble man sharing their room with a whore was no unusual thing. But Ellise was no whore and he made no habit of sharing his room with strange women.
And Ellise was strange. Or certainly uncommon. In spite of her circumstances, she retained her droll wit. He found it ridiculously charming. Aye, she was no common thief. A criminal through circumstance rather than choice, and he felt guilty for forcing her out onto the street. He didn’t know what to do with her after this night, but he would help her. It was not in his nature to ignore those who needed aid and he desperately wanted to help Ellise.
Water splashed. He cursed the curtains that were so thick and then cursed himself for such thoughts. When had he ever let lust get the better of him? Never. A flash of something through the tiniest gap in the fabric caught his attention and he watched closely as he held his breath.
Aye, the briefest glimpse of dark smooth skin. God’s blood, but he disgusted himself. Turning away, he escaped the room, slammed the door shut and exhaled slowly. This eve would prove to be a long one.
He went in search of a maidservant and managed to persuade her to donate one of her gowns in return for a goodly amount of coin. It was no fine garment, but was in a better state than that awful thing of Ellise’s. The woman deserved a great deal more. Beauty such as hers belonged in fine fabrics, and in superior surroundings. With her cultured tongue, Ellise would have no problem fitting in with nobility. In fact, part of him wondered if she had not spent time with the higher ranks of society, but Ellise was not pretentious or overly-modest like many women he knew. With the exception of the Thornewall lords’ wives. Both were kindly women, but neither would consent to being alone with a strange man. Ellise was indeed a puzzle.
She remained hidden behind the curtain when he returned, gown over one arm and a platter of fruit and bread in the other. “Ellise?”
“Aye?”
“I have a gown…”
An arm thrust out from between the curtains and James shook his head. He’d half-expected her to leap out from behind them and accost him with words once more. Half-hoped too, if he was honest. Draping the gown across her arm, he retreated to the chair in front of the writing desk and picked at the chopped apple whilst sneaking glances at the hangings.
Ellise swept aside the thick fabric with a flourish just as James popped some apple into his mouth and he sucked in a breath. The fruit wedged in his throat, making him cough. Ellise’s eyes flew wide, and she hobbled to his side and slapped his back. Hard.
“Enough!” he said, holding up a hand and giving a final cough. “For a slender lass, you are astonishingly strong.”
“Forgive me.” She attempted to look contrite, but he could see the mirth in her eyes. “Are you well?”
“Aye, aye, well enough. Sit, woman, before you strain that ankle any further.”
With one last concerned glance at him, she retreated to the bench and drew her legs up onto it, spreading herself out comfortably. Taking a moment to recover, James shifted on his chair and considered his next move. He needed to take a look at her ankle, he concluded. But he didn’t trust himself. It was not that the gown was particularly spectacular. Its simple dark blue colour and cut were more suited to a peasant girl than nobility, but it was that it displayed Ellise’s figure fully. And what a figure it was. A hint of cleavage greeted his gaze just above the line of her chemise, and the tight cut of the garment followed her gently curving waist to her hips. With her legs propped up, he was afforded a glimpse of slender calves as she repositioned her skirts and looked at him expectantly.
“Well, what do we do now? Shall we sit in silence all evening?”
James resisted the groan threatening to force its way out of his throat and came to his feet. Women really were baffling creatures. With several decisive steps, he forced himself to sit next to her, the scent of soap and herbs lingering. She had washed her hair too, a few damp strands still stuck to her face and her skin glowed, now free from grime.
“Now I shall look at your ankle. If you have done lasting damage then you shall need to see a physician.”
“I cannot afford a physician!”
James raised one brow and ignored her as he eased her foot into his lap. She squeaked but he ignored that, too, and wrapped a hand around her ankle.
“So small,” he murmured and then cursed himself for letting the words slip. Even with her injury, her ankle seemed so tiny and fragile. So very unlike the woman herself. A hiss escaped her as he manipulated her ankle and he offered her an apologetic smile. “‘Tis not broken. Just a sprain.”
“That I know.”
“You need to keep it raised.”
“Aye, that I know too.”
“Is there aught you do not know?”
“I know naught of you. Tell me, brave knight, what do you do? Are you a mercenary? Do you fight other men’s wars?”
She tilted her head to consider him and James caught himself studying the gentle arch of her neck. Ack, but he could hardly remember the last time he’d taken part in a conversation with a woman. In truth, he had little occasion to. Looking after Thornewall took much time and if he was not in the keep, he was at his manor house seeing to his lands and people. Women, in his experience, wanted protection or pleasure.
And certainly not conversation.
James shook his head. “Nay, I am no mercenary. I am a captain. My lord’s demesne lies near the border.”
“So you do fight another men’s wars.”
“Nay, for they are my own, too. I hold land not ten miles from the main village.”
“Ah. And have you a wife there? And babes?”
Lord, would the lass never cease? “Nay, no wife. No babes.”
“But you are what? Seven and twenty?”
“Nine and twenty.”
“Yet you are handsome and powerful. Mayhap you have not found a woman who can see past your scowl. Or mayhap you are a demanding man and no woman can satisfy you.”
Her lips turned up, prompting his own to follow suit. “Mayhap they do not like my unchivalrous ways. Mayhap I am simply a rogue and no woman can tame me.”
“Nay, that is not it. You hold chivalry in high esteem, any fool can see that, or else you would not have come to my aid.”
“Aye, Ellise, alas you have the measure of me. I fear the perfect lady may just have passed me by and I am destined to grow old and grey alone.”
“Now I see it. You seek perfection. Therein lies your problem. No woman is perfect. And a man is even less so. An imperfect man seeking a perfect woman. Ha, ‘twill never happen. You would be wise to look more closely at the women around you. ‘Tis the imperfections th
at make a soul beautiful.”
James realised he was still stroking her ankle and he carefully released it but she kept it in his lap. Shifting his attention away from her leg, he considered her. “You are very wise, Ellise, for someone so young.”
Ellise straightened at this, allowed her chin to tilt up. “Mamá taught me well. I would not have survived as long as I have done on my own without the skills with which I’ve been blessed. I thank God every day for more wit than that of my enemies.”
“You speak as though you have many enemies.”
“A woman alone always has enemies.”
“You have been alone long?”
She paused, seeming unsure how to answer. “Aye, since I was five and ten. I am three and twenty now.”
“And you have no husband? No babes?”
“I have no one,” she agreed softly.
A convoluted mix of relief and sorrow rolled through him. Aye, his attraction to her grew by the second and at least no angry husband would be upon him but he saw a heavy wash of sadness in her gaze, even as she tried to mask it.
“A woman like you should not be alone, Ellise.” His voice came out low and husky, as her dark gaze connected with his. James suspected he’d just given away his desire for her and knew he should retreat from that disturbing gaze of hers.
The tip of her tongue licked briefly across her bottom lip and she rested her hands on his forearms, the touch sending heat down to his groin. “I do not have to be,” she said quietly, glancing at his arms before bringing her gaze back up to his. “Not for this night.”
CHAPTER TWO
Sheets rustled as she tossed and Ellise threw an arm over her face with a huff. The dawn would be upon them before long and still she had not slept. Well, mayhap she had not been lying there that long, but it felt like an eternity. The gentle male rasps of breath coming from the corner did nothing to ease her into dreamland.
The heavy curtains blocked out most of the night light from the room but Ellise could just make out the shadowy figure of James, slumped in the chair by the desk. Her cheeks heated when she recalled his gentle rebuff as he announced that it was late and she needed rest. Maldito! He did desire her, she was sure of it. So why would the man turn her down?
Borderland Betrayal Page 2