The de Lohr Dynasty

by Le Veque, Kathryn

  Emilie shook her head. “Of course not,” she said. “That would be a terrible thing to say to you.”

  He cocked a dubious eyebrow. “That has never stopped you before.”

  Emilie struggled to appear properly contrite although it was all an act. “I know,” she said. “I have been very wicked to you in the past. I will try to be better.”

  He simply shook his head. “Lies,” he muttered. Then, he gestured towards the stall. “Go and see if there is anything that interests you. And keep your sister away from anything sharp or dangerous.”

  He was jesting with her. Emilie glanced at the stall but she was more concerned with their conversation than what her sister might, or might not, be buying to torment the men.

  “But you did not tell me where you met David de Lohr,” she said. “Where was it?”

  Brickley’s brow lifted. “Why so curious about de Lohr?”

  Emilie didn’t want to give herself away, especially not to Brickley. The man was sharp and she was fearful he might tell Lyle, who didn’t like the thought of his daughters having interest in any man, not even a knight like David de Lohr. Therefore, she tried to be casual in her reply.

  “Because the man saved my life,” she said. “I was simply curious to know something about him. Why so reluctant to tell me? Did you meet him in a place you had rather not discuss, Brick?”

  He frowned. “Like where, for instance?”

  Emilie lowered her voice. “Where you drinking terribly together?” she said. “Were there women involved?”

  He laughed. “Nay,” he shook his head. “I met David and his brother years ago at a tournament near Kenilworth. In fact, David was not yet a knight at the time, squiring for his brother. It was a very long time ago when Diana and I were newly married.”

  Diana had been Brickley’s wife, a lovely and willowy woman who had died of a cancer. It had been a very sad time for them all, as she had been a sweet woman, and Emilie was quite sure that Brickley wasn’t over the woman’s death in spite of what Nathalie had said. Sometimes six years wasn’t enough to ease the ache, which Emilie was sure of in Brickley’s case. He still pined for the wife he lost those years ago.

  “A tournament?” Emilie repeated, a glimmer in her eye. “Like the one today? Father is very excited for you to compete.”

  Brickley grinned as the subject shifted from David de Lohr to him. “I am too old to be competing but your father is insistent,” he said. “I suppose I have no choice.”

  “Are you not excited about it?”

  Brickley shrugged. “I suppose,” he said, looking over to the merchant’s stall again. “If you are going to look at the wares, you had better do it. Your father’s patience is not infinite.”

  Emilie lifted her shoulders, figuring that he was probably correct, so she turned to look at the first piece of goods hanging on the eaves of the merchant’s stall, a heavy brown woolen cloak with a rabbit lining, when she heard Brickley mutter.

  “Speak of the devil and he shall appear,” he said.

  He walked off. Emilie, not sure what he meant, turned to see what had his attention and she caught sight of three knights standing at an intersection several yards away. There was a knight with dark hair, a very tall knight with black hair, and then a shorter knight with cropped blond hair.

  She recognized that hair.

  Brickley was strolling in the direction of the three knights. De Lohr! Emilie thought. Unfortunately, he was far enough away so that she couldn’t get a good look at him, just as she couldn’t the night before in the darkness, but in spite of that, her gaze moved over the man; he was somewhat tall and he was very muscular. He was wearing a dark tunic and leather breeches, with big boots, and no mail or protection of any kind. She could, therefore, she the size of his arms and shoulders, which were quite broad. He was well-built, to be sure, and the blonde hair glistened in the sunlight. She felt like she was looking at a god of sorts; a pristine, blonde-haired avenging angel that had rescued her the night before.

  Emilie very much wanted to meet him but she couldn’t be so bold as to ask her father or even Brickley to introduce them. That would be very forward indeed. And she clearly couldn’t simply walk up to the man and introduce herself; that simply wasn’t done. So she had to think on a way to meet the illustrious David de Lohr without making her look bold or interested or eager. It would have to be natural. It would have to be by chance.

  There was truth in the rumor that Emilie Hampton was the most clever and devious out of all the Hampton sisters. She was quite cunning when she wanted to be. She drew on that particular trait at the moment, trying to come up with a plausible but proper way of meeting David de Lohr before the man moved on and she never had the chance to meet him.

  She watched as Brickley approached the three knights, obviously speaking to them, and she watched as David extended a warm hand to Brickley as if quite happy to see the man. Emilie knew for a fact that Brickley would speak to the men a few moments before returning to their party because he didn’t like to leave them without his oversight for any length of time. He was very conscientious that way. Therefore, she had to act fast. As she labored to think of something believable, her gaze fell on the dogs in the rear of the carriage.

  Elise had left the carriage with Spitting Lillibet at her side and the two of them were looking over the merchant’s wares as the dogs sat in the carriage and gaze forlornly on their mistress. They were insulted that they’d been left in the carriage when everyone else climbed out. Passing a casual glance at Elise and Lillibet, she meandered over to the rear of the carriage where the dogs were very happy to see her.

  Their names were Cid and Roland, courtesy of Lyle, who was himself an educated man, and named the big black beasts after mythical heroes. Cid was slightly bigger than Roland, with a head the size of a cow, but both dogs were from the same litter, both as black as coal, and both were loyal companions and great protection for the three Hampton women. In fact, the dogs were much the reason that Nathalie and Elise hadn’t been taken the night before when Emilie had been abducted. Emilie had been too close to the door of the carriage and had been an easy target whilst the other two sisters, and the dogs, had been further away.

  But they were actually very affectionate dogs and they loved Brickley a great deal. Smart as they were, all Emilie had to do was open the carriage door, speak Brickley’s name a couple of times, and the dogs ran off for the man.

  Pretending they had just escaped, Emilie followed.

  CHAPTER THREE

  All he could see was teeth.

  Well, teeth and drool. David realized he was looking into the mouths of two very big black dogs who were running at him, eagerly crossing the avenue, barreling down on him like a couple of runaway horses.

  Damnation, those are big dogs!

  David’s first thought was to leap onto the roof that was just to his left, an overhang of eaves of a business. It was over his head, but in a panic, he could pull himself to safety from the great snarling beasts. He certain didn’t want to end up fighting off those two monsters. He wasn’t entirely sure he could win.

  “Brick!”

  A high-pitched female cry suddenly filled the air and Brickley, who had his back to the dogs, suddenly turned around to see the mutts bearing down on him. Unlike a sane man, who would have run, Brickley charged the dogs and grabbed their collars, strips of leather around their necks, in an attempt to control them.

  A woman was running up behind the dogs but David and Edward and Brentford weren’t paying any attention to her; they were watching Brickley with concern, wondering if they should run away or go help the man, as Brickley wrestled with the dogs who were clearly trying to eat his face off. Or, perhaps they were only trying to lick him. In either case, very big pink tongues were on Brickley’s cheeks and the man sputtered in disgust.

  “Vile brutes!” Brickley said as he struggled to control the dogs. “How did you get free?”

  As Brickley scolded the dogs and David debat
ed whether or not to heave himself up onto the nearest roof, Emilie’s train of thought was quite different. Rushing up on the heels of the dogs, she was looking at the handsome de Lohr brother and trying to pretend like she wasn’t. Poor Brickley was getting a bath, and not in a good way, as happy tongues assaulted him, but she wasn’t much concerned with Brickley. She was more concerned in having David de Lohr notice her. She presented her best flustered appearance.

  “I am sorry, Brick,” she said, feigning breathlessness as she tried to pull the dogs off her father’s commander. “They jumped out of the wagon and ran off!”

  Brickley still had Cid, the bigger dog, who was up on his hind legs, so tall that he was nearly eye to eye with Brickley. The dog was happily licking at him.

  “They were sitting quite calmly in the wagon when I last saw them,” Brickley pointed out to Emilie, who had managed to subdue Roland. “What happened?”

  Emilie shrugged as Roland sat beside her obediently. “I do not know,” she said. “Mayhap they saw something that attracted them because, quite suddenly, they were running off.”

  Brickley put his hand on Cid’s head and pushed the dog down by the snout. “Smelly, slobbering beasts,” he muttered, getting a good grip on Cid’s collar. “I will have dog stew for supper tonight!”

  Emilie grinned, mostly because Brickley loved the dogs and he was being rather dramatic about his irritation. But her attention inevitably moved to David, who was standing a few feet away with the two dark-haired knights. David’s focus was on Brickley, some relief in his expression that the man had the big dogs under control, and Emilie was mildly incensed that his focus was not on her. Hers was certain on him.

  Emboldened, she spoke.

  “You are the knight who came to my rescue last night,” she said to David without a proper introduction. “My father told me that it was you. Forgive me for running from you and not thanking you at the time.”

  David, who had indeed been watching Brickley in case the big dog in his grasp tried to escape, heard the soft female voice. It took him a moment to realize she was speaking to him. His focus then shifted from Brickley to the exquisite creature holding on to one of the charging dogs, who was now sitting politely beside her.

  In fact, David was a bit surprised that he hadn’t really noticed the woman until now, for she was clearly a sight to see. He hadn’t realized who she was until she mentioned the events of the previous night, for it had been very dark and she had been dressed quite differently. But now, in the light of day, he was somewhat astonished, and pleased, to realize that this was Lord Hampton’s Emilie.

  His focus shifted to her, for good.

  Emilie….

  “My lady,” he bowed his head politely. “My sincere apologies. I did not recognize you in the daylight and without the context of you trying to scale a wardrobe.”

  He said it with humor and Emilie grinned, flashing the big dimple in her right cheek. She gazed into that handsome face of sky-blue eyes, tanned skin, and square jaw, her heart fluttering just a bit more as the full impact of David de Lohr settled upon her. She was not disappointed in what she saw, the face of a seasoned warrior who also happened to be exceedingly attractive. Her eyes were still on David as if unable to look away as she spoke to Brickley.

  “Will you introduce us, Brick?” she asked. “It is rude of me to speak to a man I’ve not yet been introduced to.”

  Brickley was forcing Cid to sit beside him, annoyed at the disobedient dog. “David, this is Lady Emilie Hampton,” he said, not particularly paying attention to the fact that David and Emilie were staring openly at each other. “You were kind enough to save her from disaster last night and we both owe you our thanks. My lady, meet your savior and my friend, Sir David de Lohr.”

  David was riveted to the doll-like face before him. Such a sweet, sweet face with the most beautiful brown eyes he’d ever seen. Emilie’s dimpled smile grew when Brickley formally introduced them and she dipped into a practiced curtsy.

  “My lord,” she said. “It is an honor to finally meet you.”

  David couldn’t seem to stop staring at her. He couldn’t explain it, but there was something magnetic about the woman, something sweet and warm, a beauty that radiated forth that he’d never seen before. All he knew was that she had his attention.

  “The honor is mine, my lady,” he said. “It is unfortunate that we became acquainted last night under horrific circumstances. I trust you suffered no ill effects?”

  Emilie shook her head. “I did not,” she said. “Although I am sure were it not for you, the story would be much different this morning.”

  David simply smiled, modestly, realizing he was very close to blushing. Jesus, when did I become the blushing type? Feeling somewhat flustered in the face of her glorious smile and praise, he turned to look at Edward and Brentford, who were looking at him with some amusement. Evidently, his thoughts about the lovely lady weren’t something he’d been able to conceal from the look of humor on his friends’ faces. They knew exactly what he was thinking.

  Damnation!

  “May I introduce Sir Edward de Wolfe and Sir Brentford le Bec,” he said, trying to take the focus off of him because he was feeling flustered and chagrinned. “Brentford was also of service to your father last night while Edward hid somewhere in fear.”

  Brentford and Brickley laughed at Edward’s expense, who merely rolled his eyes and shook his head in annoyance. Emilie, sensing the jest, nodded politely to both knights.

  “It is an honor to meet you both,” she said. “And surely, Sir David, you do not mean to say that Sir Edward is a coward, do you? Why, I do not believe such a thing. He looks quite brave to me.”

  Edward was grinning by now. “You have my gratitude, my lady,” he said gallantly. “David often likes to tell stories that are not true. I am pleased that you have the insight to know this.”

  David looked at his friends, feeling the giddy urge to laugh. He had no idea why, but with Emilie smiling so openly, she was making his heart do strange things. He was usually quite controlled around women, indifferent to them even, but Lady Emilie seemed to have brought something out in him he wasn’t aware he possessed – giddiness. Jesus Christ, I am giddy!

  “Edward is also a silver-tongued devil, so do not listen to a word he says,” David said in answer to Edward’s insult. “But I am pleased to hear that you did not suffer any ill effects after last night. Your father seemed to be determined to leave Windsor because of it, in fact; I am happy to see that he is still here this morning.”

  Emilie pointed to Brickley. “My father remained so that Brick can compete in the games and bring great honor to the House of Hampton,” she said, her eyes twinkling with mirth at Brickley. “He seems to think he is too old for such things.”

  Brentford, standing closest to Brickley, clapped the man on the shoulder. “Is this true, old man?” he asked. “You cannot be more than fifty or sixty years of age. That is not too old to complete.”

  Brickley gave the man an intolerant look. “I have seen forty-one summers,” he said. “I can still beat you in the field, joust, game, or street any day of the week, le Bec. Do not test me.”

  Everyone laughed, even Brentford. Edward, in fact, put up his hands as if to surrender. “That is an excellent attitude, de Dere,” he said. “Considering the way these games may go today, you will need that confidence. In fact, we were just heading over to the encampment to see how many of Richard’s supporters have remained. Rumor has it this morning that several have already left.”

  The humor seemed to fade from the conversation. “Do we know how many?” Brickley asked.

  David shook his head, answering before Edward could. “We were going to discover the answer to that question, as my brother will want to know,” he said. “You are welcome to join us.”

  Brickley shook his head. “Unfortunately, I cannot,” he said. “I am escorting Lord Hampton and his daughters to the lists. Mayhap when they are settled, I will come and find you. I…
.”

  He suddenly stopped, his eyes narrowing as he gazed up the avenue from the direction he had come. The other knights, seeing his change of focus, turned to see what had him so interested but Emilie wasn’t concerned in the least; she was still looking at David, trying to figure out what more she could do or say to continue speaking with the man. She had already thrown the dogs at the man, which had garnered her an introduction, but now there had to be something more to keep the conversation going. She knew he had duties to attend to but that didn’t seem to override her own wants at the moment. She did so want to speak with him.

  But that all changed in a swift moment.

  “The prince,” David suddenly hissed. Quickly, he looked at Brickley. “You said that all of Lord Hamptons daughters are with you?”

  Brickley nodded, knowing what David was going to say before he said it. Reaching out, he took the dog from Emilie’s grasp. “Quickly, my lady,” he said, already moving with the dogs in each hand. “Back to the carriage.”

  David shook his head, moving towards Emilie swiftly and reaching out to take her elbow. “Nay,” he said. “He has already seen her. Give her to me. Return to your party and make sure the other daughters are swiftly hidden. Edward, go with him and help conceal the daughters. Brentford, remain here and throw the prince off of our trail. I do not want him to send his men to follow when he sees us disburse.”

  The men had their orders and began to move. David had a natural air of command about him and men trusted him, willing to obey. Even so, the sense of urgency in the air was tangible as the group disbursed. Emilie found herself in David’s grasp as he pulled her along the avenue, disappearing into an alleyway behind a row of merchant stalls. One minute, she had been staring at the man dreamily and in the next, he was pulling her along. Lifting up her cranberry-colored skirts so they wouldn’t drag in the mud, Emilie skipped after him, gladly and willingly going with the man. They wound their way through a walkway off the alley, moving into an alcove between a couple of structures that had a small bench and an overgrown vine.