She wondered what her grandfather would say to her. There must be something about the betrothal that had caused him to send Sir Royce to fetch her if it hadn’t been her message. Perhaps he’d be able to explain her father’s words about her marriage being part of a “greater cause”. Or should she even mention her father’s strange comments? Could she trust her grandfather?
“He’s a good man, your grandfather.”
Alyna smiled, comforted. Mayhap the knight wasn’t much for conversation, but he’d said the right thing this time.
CHAPTER THREE
“Mugwort is said to protect against bad visions,
but in truth, I have seen no evidence of this.”
Lady Catherine’s Herbal Journal
Alyna opened her eyes and saw a stretch of pale blue sky between tall evergreens. A squirrel chattered above them as if annoyed by their presence. She looked around, confused as to why she’d woken up outside.
Then she remembered.
The frost-covered ground had seeped into her bones despite the pallet of furs Sir Royce had provided. The tip of her nose tingled from the cold. A glance to her side showed the knight slept an arm’s length away. Nicholas lay sound asleep between them covered with a fur, his warm form tucked against hers. A touch on his soft hair reassured her.
She barely remembered stopping for a rest. She’d been exhausted and not much help in getting Nicholas off the horse and settled for the night. Sir Royce had taken good care of them. The thought made her warm inside. Her captor was very considerate now that he had her where he wanted her.
The trees were too thick to allow her to see the sun, but a closer look at the delicate blue of the sky indicated it was early morning. She stretched and nearly groaned at her sore muscles. How could sitting on a horse cause every part of her body to hurt so? She glared at the steed where it stood nearby, but the large gray beast paid her no mind.
She had no idea where they were or which way was home. Nothing looked familiar. She prayed that Charles and Enid weren’t suffering at the hands of her father. With luck, she’d be able to send a message to them on the morrow.
Frustrated, she frowned at the man who’d foiled her plans and caused her this worry. His eyes remained closed, so she took the opportunity to study him. He lay on his side facing her on the hard ground, still in his chain mail, his head cradled on his bent arm. He was close enough that she could reach out and touch him if she wanted.
If she dared.
Her midsection did a long, slow roll at the temptation. Now that she could see him clearly in the light of day, she realized how attractive he was. He exuded strength and power even while he slept. His sandy brown hair was streaked from the sun and brushed the top of the mail that covered his broad shoulders. A scrape marred his cheek. She and Nicholas had certainly not made his task easy.
A few scars marked his face, but they did not detract from his appeal. His nose was straight, his brows a strong slash above his eyes, his expression serious even in sleep. Long, dark lashes, which many women would give an arm for, emphasized eyes the color of a gray winter sky.
Eyes that were open!
Heat filled her cheeks but she managed to hold his gaze. “Good day to you,” she whispered, surprised she could speak.
His slow perusal of her face did nothing to lessen that heat, especially when it lingered on her mouth. She licked her suddenly dry lips and swallowed. After what seemed an eternity, he caught her gaze again. “Sleep well?”
“That brief respite couldn’t even be called a nap.”
He got to his feet with a natural grace, showing none of the stiffness that plagued her. He stepped around Nicholas, leaned down, and offered his hand.
She pushed aside the fur and placed her hand in his, surprised at the heat of his palm. With little effort, he pulled her to her feet, and she brushed against him. Breathless and embarrassed, she dropped her gaze and tried to pull her hand from his, but he didn’t release it, leaving her no choice but to look up at him.
Those incredible gray eyes were warm and released a storm of butterflies in her stomach. The raw scrape on his face caught her attention. Without thinking, she reached up and touched it. “I’m sorry for this. Does it pain you?”
“Nay.” He smiled. “Luck was with me that you didn’t carry a larger basket.”
She returned his smile. “Indeed. I’m wicked with a bucket as well. And as you discovered, Nicholas is quite good with a stick.”
His deep chuckle set her to trembling. What was it about this knight that stirred her so? Never before had she felt this aware of a man. But never before had she experienced this sort of turmoil. She’d been awake most of the night and was exhausted. Mayhap all these new feelings were simply a reaction to the situation and not the man. Somehow, the thought disappointed her.
“What is it?”
Embarrassed at how easily he read her thoughts, she shook her head. “Nothing.”
He reached out a finger and touched the spot between her brows. “Something worries you, my lady, else you wouldn’t wear this frown.” He cupped her chin and raised it so she had no choice but to meet his gaze again. “As I told you before, all will be well.”
Startled by the odd feelings his light touch evoked, Alyna stiffened, uncertain how to react. How easy it would be to lean on this man, to use some of the strength and confidence he exuded. His gray eyes softened and pulled at her. The scent she’d caught earlier filled her senses, a clean, masculine smell that held the outdoors and something uniquely his. She inhaled the appealing scent and her mind cleared of all but him.
He laid a hand along her cheek, his callused thumb moving back and forth, creating sensations she’d never felt before. As though to seal his promise, he lifted her hand to his lips and held it there for a moment, the heat of his mouth burning her skin. The warmth in those gray orbs kindled into a low-banked fire. Heat curled through her, lifting her worries. She could only wonder at what it would feel like to have those firm lips pressed to hers.
“We must go soon,” he advised her, then released her and moved to his horse.
Alyna stood immobile, stiff with surprise. Her hand tingled; her body was suffused with heat from the inside out. A glance at Nicholas assured her that he still slept. She shook her head, berating herself for forgetting for even a moment that this man had abducted her and forced her to leave behind so much of what she held dear. She couldn’t afford to trust him.
Royce turned around with chunks of bread and cheese in one hand and a skin filled with something to drink in the other. “I fear I can offer you but simple fare to break your fast.”
She put a hand on her stomach, not certain food would agree with the variety of emotions fluttering inside her. “That will more than suffice.”
Royce readied his steed, so Alyna woke Nicholas and coaxed him into eating a few bites with her. He was excited to ride the horse again. Alyna wished she could drum up some enthusiasm for the ride, but her sore legs demanded otherwise.
In less time than she’d hoped, she was back on the huge gray horse, her thighs aching in protest. She reminded herself that the quicker they got to her grandfather’s, the better.
Nicholas pointed to all the things that caught his eye from his new height atop the tall destrier. Though young, he was very intelligent and observant. To her knowledge, few children his age could carry on a conversation as he did.
Enid often laughed at the things Alyna attempted to teach Nicholas. She said he wouldn’t grasp the art of candlemaking or remember the proper spices to add to stuffed wood pigeons. But Alyna was determined to show him all she knew, which included everything involved in properly running a household. Nicholas was her son in every possible way, regardless of her father’s disapproval. She was an obedient daughter in all other areas, but she refused his demand to abandon Nicholas.
As she’d watched Nicholas grow and learn, she often thought of Myranda and was saddened to think of all the woman had missed. Though Alyna would neve
r admit to it, she also thought of Myranda’s prediction that he’d have special powers. He hadn’t wanted her to go visit Sarah, which made her wonder if he’d somehow known what was going to happen. And he’d left the gate and found her in the woods. The last few months he’d said and done surprising things that made her wonder.
The cool morning air soon warmed from the sun. The sky remained clear though clouds hung on the distant horizon. This was the farthest Alyna had ever been from home, but the scenery looked much like the rolling forested hills that surrounded Montvue, so did not hold her interest. She did her best to sit up straight, conscious of the knight behind her. But with a squirming four-year old in front of her, her tired body often sagged back against Royce. His mail was cool and permeated her cloak and clothing, reminding her to sit up straight again.
He placed his hands upon her waist, causing her to gasp in surprise. “I will not bite, my lady,” he said as he settled her back against him, then helped to resituate Nicholas. “I’m certain you’re weary and as that is my doing, the least I can do is provide something for you to lean upon.”
Somehow she knew he could do much worse than bite. With a deep breath, she tried to slow her pounding heart as the sway of the horse brought her closer to him.
Nicholas turned and looked at her, his brow lowered. “Quiet, Mama.”
Alyna was about to ask him what he meant when she felt Royce tense as he reined in the horse. She glanced at him to see what was wrong. He listened intently and scanned the forest ahead of them. She did the same, trying to see what had his attention for she hadn’t heard anything. The path before them rose up to a small ridge. The forest on either side was thick with budding oak trees and evergreens and held only a few shadows from the midday sun. Nothing moved that she could see.
The horse snorted, its ears twitching. Royce motioned her and Nicholas to be quiet and drew his sword. Though concerned, Alyna could think of no threat this man couldn’t handle.
With a gentle squeeze of his thighs, he urged the destrier forward. The horse seemed to know his master’s mind and slowly walked up the path to the crest of the ridge. Just before the top, the steed jerked its head and snorted yet again. Alyna felt Royce tense further and her concern grew.
A man on a horse stepped out on the path above them. The rider appeared to be a knight even larger than the one she rode with. To her surprise, she felt Royce relax.
“Miss me, did you?” he called out.
A sharp bark of laughter dispelled the rest of Alyna’s tension and increased her curiosity instead. “Miss you? Ha! The air is much fresher with you gone.”
Royce shook his head as he sheathed his sword and urged the horse forward. “All is well then?”
“’Tis now.”
“Lady Alyna, may I present Sir Hugh, a friend of mine, and another in the service of your grandfather.”
The large knight moved forward, as comfortable on his horse as Royce was. He must’ve had Danish ancestors as he had the fair coloring and hair of the Danes that had invaded the coasts of England so many years ago. His face was darkened from time spent outdoors and his bright blue eyes seemed to twinkle whether he smiled or not. A heavy, double-bladed axe was tied to his saddle, its menacing appearance making her wary.
“Sir Hugh,” she greeted him.
“My lady.” He bowed as best he could while mounted on a horse. “We’ve looked forward to your visit.” His gaze wandered curiously to Nicholas. “And who do we have here?”
“This is my son, Nicholas.” She put her hand on his shoulder. “Say hello to Sir Hugh.”
“Good day, Sir Hugh.” Nicholas tipped forward in his own version of a bow.
The large knight chuckled. “Good day to you, Nicholas.” He turned his horse to ride beside them. “You’re closer to home than I’d thought you’d be, Royce.”
Alyna turned back to look pointedly at Royce, her resentment at his unnecessary haste bubbling. “I believe a bit more time to fetch my servants wouldn’t have been out of order after all.”
Hugh raised a brow as he glanced at Royce. “Aye, well, Royce’s orders were to bring you to Northe Castle with all haste. He tends to take commands literally.” The big man gave her a broad smile that echoed his cheerful blue eyes. “We’re happy you’re with us. Your grandfather is most anxious to visit with you.”
“I look forward to seeing him as well.” Again, Alyna wondered what her grandfather had to say to her. How would he react when she told him she had no intention of returning to Montvue? She knew it was much to ask of a man she hardly knew even if he was her grandfather, but she had no choice. She would not marry Tegmont.
“The men await us up ahead. Kenneth is preparing a meal.”
“Kenneth? How many accompanied you?” Royce asked.
“You didn’t think I’d come all this way alone, did you?” Hugh looked astounded at the thought. “You never know who might be hiding in the forests waiting to accost an honest man.” He winked at Alyna. “Besides, I knew you’d need a hearty meal to improve your sour mood.”
Royce merely grunted in response. Alyna looked back to see a small smile on his face. “I must warn you, my lady, Hugh tends to think everyone’s mood is a direct result of the amount of food in their stomach. He’ll ply you with sustenance at every turn.”
“At the moment, I’d be happy to accept his offer. The meal you provided was less than palatable.”
Royce leaned over to whisper in Alyna’s ear. “God’s truth, I, too, look forward to Kenneth’s meal, but I refuse to confess that to Hugh. I’ll never hear the end of it.”
Alyna had to force herself to concentrate on Royce’s words. His breath stirred her hair and sent shivers down her back. She smiled, hoping he didn’t expect her to respond intelligently when he was so near.
Hugh led the way over the ridge, down the hill, and into a clearing below. A small group of men were gathered around a cooking fire and turned as one to watch their arrival.
It occurred to Alyna that she’d never been surrounded by this many men afore. Certainly not when she was the only female in sight. Uncertain as to what was expected of her, she gave them a small smile.
Hugh put her at ease with his introduction. “Our noble leader has rescued a lady, lads. Mind your tongues as we don’t want to offend her. And this other one is Sir Nicholas. Keep an eye on him because though he’s small, his sword arm is strong and steady.”
Nicholas beamed with pride as the men laughed in response. Hugh introduced each of them. They all seemed friendly enough and ranged in ages from one who was younger than Alyna to one with gray hair and lines upon his face.
Matthew, the youngest, blushed when he was introduced. He glanced at her for but a moment and mumbled a greeting. His shyness somehow eased her own.
Another, Sir Edward, unsettled her with his intense regard.
Royce noted the men’s interest in Lady Alyna and tamped down his ire. A beautiful woman like her in their midst was a rare occurrence. Of course they stared. He dismounted and lifted her off the horse, keeping his hands about her waist to steady her. “Sore, my lady?”
“Sore doesn’t quite describe the feeling in my legs. Or rather the lack of.”
“If you can bear it, the best thing to do is to walk to ease the stiffness.”
She nodded but seemed unconvinced. He released her to lower Nicholas to the ground. As quickly as possible, Royce moved away from the pair before he did something he’d regret. His time would be better spent on his plan of vengeance. That plan might involve Lady Alyna, and he could not afford to have any sort of feelings for the lady or her son.
“Well?”
Royce turned to find Hugh behind him, an expectant look on his face. “Well, what?” Royce asked as he gathered his horse’s reins and led it toward the small creek.
“How does it feel to hold a lady beyond compare in your arms?” He matched his stride to Royce’s.
Royce wondered what Hugh would say if he told him of the path of his desi
rous thoughts. He prudently decided not to. Nor would he tell him of the jolt he felt each time he touched her. He was not an impulsive man, but something about the lady made him wish he was.
Hugh was more brother than friend and one of the few who knew of Royce’s vow. He’d met Hugh when they were both newly knighted. They’d found they worked well together; their strengths and weaknesses complemented each other. Though Hugh was the elder, ’twas Royce who was the leader. He arranged to sell their services for a high premium for short periods of time as they traveled. They’d slowly built their reputation and could now name their price.
The years they’d spent in Normandy had been fruitful in many ways. He’d accumulated nearly enough wealth to rebuild what his uncle had used and destroyed from his family’s holding. But more importantly, he’d met Lord Blackwell. In him, Royce had found both an employer and a friend.
With the help of Blackwell and Hugh, he’d already put his plans for vengeance into motion. Soon his uncle would feel some of the pain Royce had felt ever since that night long ago when his uncle had betrayed his entire family.
In addition to that, he and Blackwell had gained valuable information regarding the group of barons that Tegmont was involved with who were disgruntled with King Henry.
Henry III had inherited the crown at the tender age of nine. The monarchy had been in the capable hands of regents, including William the Marshall, God rest his soul, until Henry reached five and twenty. During that time, all had been well. But after that, Henry had infuriated many barons by granting favors and appointments to foreigners rather than to the English nobility. Just over a score ago, a baronial revolt had erupted. Although Henry had restored order, he continued to surround himself with French nobility, including relatives of his wife, Eleanor of Provence and his own Poitevin half brothers, and therefore, the unrest continued.
While Royce could understand the unhappiness of the English barons with their king, England could not afford to be torn apart by civil war. That would make the country vulnerable to its enemies.
A VOW TO KEEP (The Vengeance Trilogy) Page 4