The Lady and the Falconer

by Laurel O'Donnell

  “We don’t know when he’ll return,” the woman answered.

  Logan took a step closer to the kennel, searching for the owners of the voices. They must be in the kennels beside the mews. A rendezvous, perhaps, he thought. Or a plot unfolding. Either way, it didn’t concern him.

  “I want Solace disposed of,” the woman said.

  Chapter Eleven

  Logan froze. He didn’t move, afraid the conspirators would hear him. Solace? he wondered silently, his heart missing a beat. Perhaps he hadn’t heard right.

  “And how do you suppose I go about it, my dear?” the man asked. “Poison?”

  “Too suspicious.”

  “Push her off a walkway?”

  “You might be seen.”

  There was a long, quiet moment in which Logan shifted his stance slightly, moving closer to the open window, easing himself into the shadows of the kennel. When the silence stretched, he thought they had moved on.

  But then the woman’s icy voice came to him. “No. Slit her throat. There’s a killer in the castle. Everyone will blame him.”

  A chill went through Logan’s body. Who was this woman? he wondered. And why did she hate Solace so much?

  “You are a genius,” the man cooed.

  Logan pressed himself against the kennels, tilting his head toward the window. But the voices didn’t continue. He heard the rustling of clothing, movement.

  Then, Logan realized they were heading out the door. He looked in the window to see two dogs sleeping on beds of straw, the room otherwise empty. His gaze was drawn to the door as it slowly swung closed. He whirled and raced around the corner of the building, bursting into the courtyard.

  The crowd in the courtyard was thick and buzzing with activity. Now that the rain had cleared, there was much to do. Silently Logan cursed. He scanned the courtyard, his gaze darting this way and that, searching desperately for the man and woman. A fat merchant met his gaze while strolling past him with a sack of grain. Another man crossed the yard with an arm full of arrows. A peasant herded his chickens by Logan. A woman shouted, drawing his attention to a spilled basin of water and laundry. Dozens of people hurried around him, busy with their various tasks. It was impossible to tell who the voices had belonged to.

  Logan cursed again. He had to protect Solace. He couldn’t let her be hurt. Not when she knew where his brother was. But how could he watch her every moment of every day? He would have to warn her.

  ***

  Solace descended the stairs slowly with a torch in one hand, a bowl in the other. The stairs were so dark she could not see her feet, let alone the steps descending into the murky blackness. When she reached the bottom, the small circle of light that engulfed her washed over the wooden door of the storage room. She reached for the handle and pushed the door open. The torchlight fell over crates and bags. Solace stepped into the room, moving toward the bags she knew held the salt. She placed the torch in the sconce on the wall and carefully opened the bag.

  A ball of fur rubbed against her leg, and she looked down. She was greeted by a loud caterwaul. Solace bent down to the cat and stroked her soft hair, murmuring, “Pudding. What are you doing in here?” She sighed slightly, scooping the cat into her arms. “How long have you been locked in here this time?” The cat’s soft rumble of contentment was her only answer. Solace grinned and rubbed her face against Pudding’s fur. “Oh, Pudding. If you’re not careful you’ll get trapped in here for too long.”

  “If I were a cat would you show me that kind of affection?”

  The voice startled her, and she almost dropped Pudding as she whirled. Logan lounged against the open doorway. His form seemed to fill the entrance. She couldn’t help but let her gaze roam over his strong physique.

  She hadn’t seen him for days. She was purposely avoiding him after being so humiliated. But now, seeing him standing there like some dark god, she felt her body come alive. Dangerously alive. She held Pudding tightly against her chest like a shield. Finally, she caught her breath enough to retort, “If you were a cat, I’d throw you to the dogs.” She turned her back to him, trying to hide her body’s response to his presence.

  She heard his soft rumble of laughter. “I don’t think you’d hurt any animal like that,” he said.

  He was suddenly standing behind her. She could feel him there, without even looking. Her body became warm and flushed, and she wanted him to touch her, even though he had cast her aside like an old blanket.

  “What are you doing down here?” he asked, reaching around her to flick the bowl she had rested on the bag of salt.

  “Getting salt,” she responded instantly, but her hands refused to do anything but hold Pudding. “What are you doing here?” She felt his hot gaze on the back of her head.

  “I want to warn you,” he whispered.

  “Warn me?” she wondered, trying to keep the breathlessness from her voice. “Against what?”

  “You shouldn’t be alone. Not ever.”

  He must surely be speaking about himself as the threat. One touch, one kiss and she was doomed. As it was now, all she could think of was the way his lips had touched hers, the way he had held her tightly to himself. Pudding’s head nuzzled her chin, seeking more attention, but her mind was occupied by Logan.

  “You’re in danger.”

  It was as if he poured a bucket of cold water over her. The words mocked her. You shouldn’t be here alone. She whirled and stepped away from him. Her bottom bumped up against the bag of salt behind her. “You already told me that and quite adequately proved why,” she snapped. “I don’t need any more of your lessons.” Holding Pudding tightly against her pounding, furious heart, she pushed by him and stormed toward the stairs.

  Suddenly he stepped in front of her, blocking her way with a wall of solid flesh. “I’m not here to teach you a lesson. Just to warn you. Someone wants to kill you.”

  “Kill me?” she asked, startled. “But who?”

  “I overheard a man and a woman talking. I didn’t see who they were.”

  “That’s ridiculous. I don’t have any enemies,” she snapped. In the torchlight, she watched his eyes narrow.

  “I suppose it’s one of your closest friends who is laying siege to the castle,” Logan quipped.

  His sarcasm irritated her further. “No enemy can breech the walls of this castle,” Solace retorted.

  “You know better than that, Solace,” Logan whispered. “That’s why you’re so frightened.”

  “I’m not frightened!”

  “Then why are you trembling?”

  Only then did Solace realize she was shivering. But she also knew it had nothing to do with being frightened, or with the cold. She was quiet for a long moment, trying to calm her trembling. “Do you think it was one of Barclay’s men?” Solace wondered. “The murderer?”

  Logan stepped back, into the shadows. “I don’t know,” he answered. “But I don’t see why he would want you dead. You pose no threat to him.”

  Solace’s pride was pricked. “I’m heir to this castle,” she said in defense.

  “But your father is still alive and so is your stepmother. You’re third in line.”

  Solace’s brow furrowed. “I don’t know who would want me dead,” she admitted.

  “Until we can find out who it was, you’ll have to take precautions. Don’t take this lightly. They meant business, whoever it was,” Logan said. “I’ll stay with you until you’re done getting the salt, but –”

  “You don’t have to watch over me like a child,” she said.

  “Not like a child, Solace,” he said patiently. “Like a woman whose life is in danger.”

  Danger? she thought, a scowl shadowing her brow. The thought seemed too ridiculous. But Logan said he had overheard two people. Why should she doubt him? Suddenly, a tremor of apprehension shot through her. If someone was trying to kill her, what could she do? She couldn’t expect Logan to trail her all day. Suddenly, an idea came to her. Maybe there was something Logan could do
. She tried to see his face, but could not. The shadows hid him too well. “Do you know how to use that sword?” she wondered.

  There was a long moment of silence, and he shifted his weight slightly. “Yes.”

  She nervously wet her lips with her tongue. “Will you teach me how to defend myself?” When he didn’t answer, she continued quickly, “I can’t expect someone to be with me at all times. And I might be safer... well, I might be better off if I knew just enough to protect myself. It might be –”

  His finger touched her lips in a motion to still them. “I’ll teach you,” he agreed.

  The feel of his finger against her lips sent a quivering charge through her. He seemed to keep it there a second longer than need be before he pulled away from her. “Collect your salt,” he said. “And I’ll meet you.”

  “Tonight?” she asked, strangely anxious.

  “You would train under the moonlight, alone with a stranger?” he wondered.

  “No,” she answered. “Alone with you.”

  ***

  Solace’s words flattered Logan. She trusted him enough to be alone with him. And yet, she was foolhardy to trust him at all. She didn’t know him. She had no clue that he was the one who had killed the dungeon guard. She had no knowledge of what he was planning. What would she think if she knew? he wondered. What would she think about giving him her trust then?

  Even though they had agreed to meet behind the mews after the meal, Logan realized Solace would be coming to him in the dark. That was too much temptation for fate to overlook, too much chance for a murderer to be lurking in the shadows. He had learned long ago to take matters into his own hands, not to wait on fate. She was too cruel too often. So, after his meal, Logan placed himself in an obvious position, lounging against the wall just outside the Great Hall.

  He turned expectantly at the soft tread of footsteps, but felt only disappointment at the sight of Beth approaching from down the hallway. Her face was lit with a sly smile, her eyes lidded with coyness. Logan gritted his teeth as he bowed slightly.

  Her grin was annoying. “Looking for me, Logan?” she wondered.

  “Alas, no,” Logan answered, charmingly. “But had I known you would be up at this late hour, I would have been.”

  She smiled, batting her lashes at him. “Then you’re here to meet with someone else? I’m disappointed.”

  “You’re also betrothed.” Logan found himself thankful for that fact.

  She ran a hand along the length of his arm. “One night of passion does not break a betrothal.”

  “Unless he finds out.”

  “And who will tell him?”

  “Not I, certainly,” Logan admitted. “But there are many eyes and ears in a castle, m’lady.”

  “We will be discreet,” she said, smiling seductively.

  He felt about as aroused as a dead rat. He raised his eyes suddenly to glance over Beth’s shoulder and caught a movement in the shadows. He saw Solace staring at him with the largest eyes he had ever seen. He saw hurt in them, confusion and pain, before she bowed her head and turned away.

  The thought of bedding Beth vanished before the disappointment he had caused Solace. “Excuse me,” he said to Beth, dismissing her completely, and moved after Solace. He easily caught up with her in the hallway, grabbing her arm gently. “Solace,” he murmured. “I was waiting for you.”

  She looked up at him through thick lashes. “And you found my sister. I understand. If Beth –”

  Logan took her hand in his and gently raised it to his lips. “Beth found me. I was waiting for you.” He stared hard at her, his eyes shining like silver. They moved over her face like a caress, touching her eyes, her nose, her lips. “Shall we?” he wondered.

  Solace stared at him dubiously. How could she doubt her beauty, Logan wondered. How could she believe he would willingly pick Beth over her? He had seen hundreds like Beth. All fawning about him as if he were a new pup, a prize or even a servant. But never had they looked on him as an equal. Only the peasants had gazed at him as a prospective husband. Logan wondered fleetingly if Solace even knew what she wanted of him. He could show her, take the time to teach her the ways of lovemaking... if he wasn’t looking for Peter.

  Solace cast a glance over her shoulder as if she expected to find Beth watching, but no one was there, just the empty corridor.

  Finally, Logan gently tucked Solace’s small hand in the crook of his arm and urged her on with one of his most devastating grins.

  It worked. She started forward almost immediately, a shy smile lurking at the corners of her lips.

  Logan led her back to the mews. As they entered the falcon training grounds, Logan explained, “The first and most important thing is to scream and kick and do everything you can to get away.”

  Solace nodded like an obedient student.

  “The problem comes when you are caught off guard. So, you have to try to anticipate the unexpected. Notice who is around you, friend and foe alike. Your enemies might be posing as friends. We don’t know yet. But let’s say you’re caught off guard. Your best bet is to try to knee a man between his legs as hard as you can and run. Understand?”

  Solace nodded.

  “Let’s try something. Come here.” When she moved in front of him, he turned her around so her back was to him. “Say your attacker approaches from behind.” He grabbed her around the neck, not too tightly, not too loosely. He couldn’t help but notice how smooth her skin was. Her hair brushed his arm. It was as soft as velvet. “What would you do?” he asked, drawing her close against his body.

  For a long moment, she did nothing. Her small hands instinctively came up to grip his arm. Finally, she whispered, “I...I would fight and try to scream.”

  “I don’t want to hurt you, but let’s say he tightens his grip and you can’t scream.” Her hair smelled faintly of roses. He moved his nose closer to her hair to smell the fragrance. He felt her lean back against him slightly, barely noticeably, but close enough that he could feel the length of her against him. His hold on her tightened. His body instantly responded to holding her. Lord, how he wanted her.

  One of her hands caressed his arm. He felt the movement even through his tunic. The things he could teach her!

  “I... I don’t know,” she whispered.

  She would die, he thought. And, strangely, it angered him. “You’re lucky this man doesn’t have a dagger or you would be dead already. Let’s say he wants something else.” He bent his head to kiss her neck, just behind her ear, and she gasped in surprise. He turned her face to his, claiming her lips in one hungry move. He kissed her with control, with expertise, trying desperately to keep control of his emotions, to teach her.

  But she wasn’t reacting like a woman trapped by a rapist. She was reacting like a woman who wanted to be ravished. She groaned slightly, and without removing his lips from hers, Logan encouraged, “What do you do?”

  No response. He pulled back to see that her eyes were still closed, her face tilted up towards his, her lips waiting. Logan took the invitation, easily parting her lips with his and thrusting his tongue inside. He reached down to cup her breast, squeezing, feeling the hard nipple beneath her dress. She groaned and thrust her chest into his hand.

  Logan could hardly control himself. He ran a palm over her nipple, gently caressing the roundness of her breast. Her mouth tasted like honey; her lips were so soft, so willing! He wanted to taste the rest of her, to let his hands claim her as his own. He ran a hand down her flat stomach, toward the area he knew she wanted him to touch. He felt her thrust her hips and his manhood throbbed against his leggings. “You like this, don’t you?” he murmured in her ear. He felt her nod. “Good,” he whispered. “Then when the rapist comes to claim you, you don’t have to fight. Just enjoy.”

  She stiffened immediately and he was sorry he had been so cold to her. He wanted to touch her, feel her passion. Instead, he prepared for her reaction. She would struggle or try to elbow him. Logan was caught totally off guard whe
n she stomped down on his foot. Hard.

  He released her, trying to hide the excruciating pain flaring in his foot.

  Solace whirled and stormed away.

  “Good!” Logan called out after her. “That’s exactly what you should have done in the first place.”

  But she didn’t stop. He watched her until she turned the corner, heading toward the keep. He had gone too far. He knew it then and he knew it now. He shook his head. She had been in his arms, so close. And she’d smelled so damn good, felt so soft. He wanted more of her. God help him, but he wanted all of her.

  ***

  Graham grinned as he watched Solace storm into the darkness of the night. For an instant, he envisioned going after her. Instead, he reached inside his leggings and stroked himself.

  Chapter Twelve

  Baron Edwin Barclay glared up at Castle Fulton, cursing for the thousandth time. His long blond hair was tossed about by the wind, the wild strands forming a loose halo around his head, his pleasant features and strong form giving him the appearance of a saint. He narrowed his eyes, staring up at Fulton’s tall towers and gatehouse. He cursed again.

  “M’lord!” a rider called as he halted his steed beside Baron Barclay’s white warhorse. “There is no sign of the drawbridge being lowered. I’m afraid we’ve failed.”

  Barclay’s hand was swift and his fist was powerful as he struck the man, sending him rolling off his horse to the ground. “He has failed. He must have been discovered and killed. But I will not fail. I will take Castle Fulton and make Farindale grovel before me.”

  The man wiped the blood from the corner of his lip and stood. “Yes, m’lord.”

  Barclay ignored him, his cold blue eyes focused on Castle Fulton. “You will fall,” he promised, his burning eyes looking more like those of a demon than of a saint.