by Jewel Adams
“That is a minor detail and you know it.”
“I can wed her before…”
“Before raping her? Is that your best plan, Peter? Because right now even I will have to prevent you from doing either.” Richard walked up and stood in the man’s face, “And so help me, if you have harmed that woman in any way, I will see your head on a post to greet Bern Randall.”
“I thought you hated that man.”
“Oh, I do, but when we meet in battle again, and we will, it won’t be over his woman.”
Peter shut his mouth when Richard spun on him again. “You better figure out a way to give her back and save my reputation in the process. I will give you one hour to think it through.” Richard stopped screaming at the man when his captain of guards summoned him.
“Yes, what is it?”
“Randall’s troops are outside the gate.”
“What? Here, now?” When his man nodded, Richard cursed them all. “Peter! Get your ass over here!” When the man came within arm’s length Richard grabbed him by the collar. “Guess who just arrived at MY gate?”
“How could he?”
“You tell me, he must have ridden them into the ground to get here this fast and I bet he is foaming at the mouth for a fight.”
“You can’t give me to him, you just can’t, Richard.”
“Right now, I see no other answer for the mess.”
Richard walked away and left the blubbering idiot where he landed. “Guard him, he isn’t sneaking away from this fight.”
* * * *
Amy paced with the confines of her room, even though it was larger than her own she swore the walls were swallowing her up. “What is going on?”
“Sometimes it is better not to have answers.”
“In this case I think I need them, Wynon.” Amy tried to smile at the girl who looked as nervous as she felt. Cleaned up and in a pretty gown the girl glowed. “You look beautiful, Wynon.”
The blush the young girl failed to hide made Amy laugh for the first time. “It is true you know, now you are my lady in waiting, so you will stay with me no matter what happens.”
“I wish I could believe such a fantasy.”
Amy reached over and squeezed the girl’s thin arm. “We will make it so.”
She didn’t have time to answer the question in the girl’s eyes when the door crashed against the wall.
Richard Barrington, the king’s own son strode into the room he declared as hers while in his care. Amy curtsied before him.
Richard took the lady’s hand as she rose, he could see why Peter would want her, but she belonged to only one man. Oh yes, she informed him of that the moment she arrived, pushed right pass Peter and just blurted it out and demanded protection, that of course he granted.
Now Richard looked at the worry creasing her brow and wonder how to save the mess brought to him. “It seems your Laird has arrived at my gate.” He caught the checked smile she almost gave into. “Yes, he is looking for a fight and I must say I can’t blame him.”
“May I speak, sire?” Amy held her breath, she, no, the whole castle probably heard him yelling at Humbolt.
“By all means, Lady Morgan.”
“It seems to me that the only recourse is to let me leave with him.”
“But dear Lady, the question still unanswered is will he leave?”
“If I could speak with him, I am sure he will leave. We do have our wedding waiting for us.”
“I am sorry this has spoiled your day, Lady Morgan.”
“It was not you that set ruin upon my castle and stole me out of my home.”
“True, but as you know Randall and I are not on speaking terms.”
Amy couldn’t help but smile, “Aye, but I am.”
Richard returned her smile and gave her a formal bow feeling the best he had in days. “I will let you go to him and do hope you can talk some sense into the man. You do know that I cannot give him Peter, even though I would treasure the day he stopped existing.”
“Mayhap, there is a war you could send the man to fight.” She saw the man’s eyes light up, he out and hugged her in his excitement.
“Please don’t think, Lady…”
“A spur of the moment lapse between friends.”
He nodded, “Wonderful, I will send an escort to you. I am sure Bern will be ecstatic to have you back before the sun goes down. And you may tell him that Peter will be pounding the sand of Jericho for the next couple years.”
Before he could escape Amy called to him. “Sire, I do have one small request. The girl Wynon, I want to take her back with me. It is a small price for the damage Humbolt has caused.”
“Then by all means she is yours.”
Richard kissed the back of her hand and smiled up at her, “If you ever tire of Randall, do look me up.”
Her laughter followed him down the stairs.
Amy turned feeling rather dizzy knowing that she read the man right and thankfully all would be over soon. She refused to listen to the warnings over what Bern knew of her existence. “Answers, I still need to face.”
CHAPTER 9
Bern raised his hand to still the men behind him as the gate started to lower. The army he expected to see on the other side never materialized. Instead, he saw Amy and another small girl waiting for the bridge to finally lower.
She saw him jump down off his mount before the bridge settled to the ground. Amy grabbed Wynon’s wrist and dragged her along beside her as she rushed to meet Bern.
His arms captured her and swung her around in circles above his head while his eyes feasted on her, looking for any sign of injury. She looked tired, but not hurt as he lowered her against him and captured her lips in a hungry and thankful kiss. Her own hands framed his jaw and held him to her, kissing him back in equal fervor.
“Oh Bern, I feared…”
“Hush love, it is over and you are with me that is all that counts.”
She smiled between the kisses he rained over her face, her fingers couldn’t get enough of touching him. “Just hold me, never let me go.”
“That tower is looking tempting, my sweet Amy.”
“Hmm, right now, I’d probably enjoy the safety it affords, but I’d rather be at your side, dear man of my heart.”
He stilled over her words and smiled into her questioning gaze. “Ye do love me then?”
“Are men so blind, I have loved you since I woke in your arms that first morning in the meadow.”
Her laughter sang out as he lifted her in his arms and deposited her on his horse. “Do not move Amy, my love.” He turned than came back and looked up at her. “And who would the waif belong to?”
Amy leaned down and whispered to Bern, “Her name is Wynon and she saved my life and virtue, we owe her a new life.”
“So, she be Humbolt’s cast off.”
Amy halted Bern’s leave and smiled into his angry glare, “Nay my love, she is my lady in waiting and I think your Captain ought to take charge of her for now and keep her safe.”
Bern thought he would burst over the wink she gave him when she looked over at Craig.
He looked back at Amy and knew she meant every word she said. He relented and called Craig over and placed the small girl with large eyes in his care, much to the man’s speechless amazement.
Speaking of Humbolt brought out his anger, he wanted Amy out of harm’s way before any fighting broke out.
She could well imagine where his attention went when she felt him bolt up behind her. He stopped from turning the mount when he saw Richard up on the battlement. Amy needed to speak with Bern, but she wanted to do it in private. Her hands covered his as she leaned back against him. “Can we ride a bit and talk?”
His lips kissed her neck before his warm breath teased her ear. “For you I would ride to the sea and back, Amy.”
Bern called out orders for the men to retreat and left Craig to ready the camp outside Richard’s walls for the night. “Make him sweat.”
Amy
could feel the tension in the man holding her and prayed she could make him understand.
* * * *
“NO! That bastard took you from your home, killed my men and attacked your castle.”
“He also killed the Captain, I know this Bern. But, I did promise Richard that we would leave.”
“Ye do not speak for me, Amy Bonner.”
“Morgan, at least for a while, please Bern.” She paced one way and he another. “You are being stubborn. Richard didn’t want any of this, Humbolt brought me here and Richard, who I know is your enemy and you are his, has protected me from that creep since I first arrived.”
Bern took hold of her arm to stop her pacing and pulled her to him. “Did he now?”
She looked up to him. “Yes, he truly did. If it hadn’t been for Richard I don’t think I would be here now.”
His thumb pressed against her trembling lip to stop it, “I worried for ye, Amy, your night terrors came to life.”
The palm of her hand covered his mouth, “Shh, it is over now. I wasn’t hurt thanks to Wynon’s drugs and taking my place, and Richard’s refusal to be part of Peter’s act against you.”
“It is difficult for me to believe he would not want to fight me.”
She smiled up at him, “Oh he does want that, but not this way. And those are his exact words.”
Bern grew thoughtful for a minute. “We will leave. He has given ye back to me and for that I will not war against him.”
Amy stood on her tiptoes to kiss him for relenting. They kissed for a long time, before they breathlessly broke it off.
“Besides, we have a wedding waiting for us.”
“Yes we do my Lord Randall.”
“I’ll send word to Richard that we will be leaving in the morning. Do ye mind if I ask him to make it four years of service out in the desert? The creep deserves the heat.”
She laughed that he used her word for Humbolt. “Not at all. I imagine he will love your suggestion.”
CHAPTER 10
The days since their return to the castle were filled with preparation for the wedding. If Amy ever wondered over the elaborate feasts painted by masters of years gone by, she now realized they were all true. Silver dominated the platters filled with everything from pheasants to small creatures she refused to ask about. Huge troughs of fruits and vegetables, surrounded the roasted deer and boars Bern’s men hunted down.
She turned in a circle taking in all the scents and beauty of the tables that would soon fill with the dignitaries that arrived during their absence and since their return. Yet, Amy felt herself drawn to the keep and tables set up for her people. Such a feast, with so many dishes brought from each home to add to the bounty.
Amy sensed Bern behind her before his arms encircled her waist.
“Are ye happy, Amy?”
She turned with his embrace, “I have never been this happy.”
“Do ye think ye ought to be getting dressed then, everyone is waiting for us.”
“Oh! I need time, Bern…”
“Aye, that ye do.” His laughter followed her flight up the back steps to her room. He did not envy all the preparations the ladies had waiting for her. “Ye be a special lady, my love.”
That she cared for each detail of the feast and activities the day held did not escape his awareness. Mistress Tilly ranted about being at her wits end with the Lady, fearing she would wear herself out. Bern decided not to interfere, knowing how much it meant to Amy to have it all perfect.
The happiness inside the woman that shined out for the whole world to see warmed his heart.
“Ye look pleased with ye self, Bern.”
“Aye, Craig.” Bern looked over at his friend. “Seems to be catching.”
Craig’s brow rose in question then he smiled. “Aye, caught good I fear.”
“She’s a wee wisp of a girl, Craig.”
“She is all woman, Bern, and strong in ways we would never understand.”
“Then all is well?” Bern did not want to force the waif Wynon on his best friend, though the man never objected to the care placed in his hands.
“Aye, all is well. She has family here today, I will be asking her brother for her hand.”
Bern turned and hugged Craig in pleasure. “‘Tis wonderful news, my friend.”
“Ye tell your lady she was right, Wynon is the girl for me.”
Bern didn’t ask what that meant, he would learn soon enough.
Craig left him to join Wynon with her family. Bern could see how much better the girl looked since being here. Amy was right, she deserved a new life and one with Craig would be blessed.
“They are the perfect solution.” For the last couple days Bern worried over Amy’s reaction to leaving this place and going to his home. The problem Bern faced was who to put in charge of Morgan castle and the lands. “Craig and Wynon, they will both give this place the care it has always received.”
Amy would agree with Bern on this move now that the proper replacements were found.
Bern headed to his room to get dressed with a smile on his face.
* * * *
“Where is he?”
“Not to worry, your Laird will be here. I have never seen a man so in love.”
Amy smiled at Mistress Tilly’s declaration. “Yes, I do love him.”
The mistress didn’t hide her pleasure over Amy’s words. “The perfect marriage.”
As Amy stood in the hall and waited for the flutes to start playing, she thought over her last months. She took the time to close her eyes and say a thank you to the power that brought her here to Bern.
The music began and Amy’s eyelids jumped open. She clutched the flowers in her hand and began to walk out into the sunlight. With so many people at the castle Bern thought it would be better to hold the ceremony outside. Amy couldn’t have planned it better.
Bern sucked in his breath over the picture she made, “Pure beauty…” The white velvet gown with gold braiding brought out the color in her long braid. Tiny white flowers were woven in and out of the thick weave. A small crown of flowers graced her head, but the happiness that shined in her gaze for him is what captured Bern’s heart.
Amy placed her hand in his large one never breaking eye contact with Bern. When the priest began to speak they turned and faced him.
The vows meant the world to Bern, he took both her hands in his and faced her as he recited them to her. Amy’s smile seemed to keep getting larger with each word he spoke. He could see the tear ready to break over those dark lashes and he reached up and captured it on his finger. “Tears sweet lady?”
“Of happiness dear husband.”
All the people began to cheer as they were declared husband and wife.
The kiss that Bern and Amy fell into seemed to take them above it all and neither wanted to release the other until people began talking to them. Bern’s hold never released her from his side and Amy cherished every second beside him.
The festivities soon took over everyone’s attention. Amy and Bern sat with the dignitaries until most were in their cups. They left and went out to be with the people. Craig and Wynon joined them for a fun filled evening.
Bern caught her to him as they joined the dance, “Shall we go, Amy?”
He held his breath as her thick eyelashes slowly rose to look up at him. “I would love to.”
He scooped her up in his arms and headed for their wedding suite amid the cheers and well wishers. Once within the castle walls they slowly left the revelry behind. Amy tucked her head up under his chin and sighed. “Are ye tired then?”
Her head came back and her soft laughter earned his smile. “Absolutely, not. I did not even drink any wine, did you?”
“And spoil our wedding night? Nay, not a drop dear Amy, not a drop.”
She pulled herself up so that she was only an inch from his face. Her breath fanned his lips. “I love you, Bern Randall, with all my heart and soul.”
Her lips closed over his and she ran her
tongue across his teeth. “Mmm you taste good, my husband.”
“Ye best not tease until we get to the room or I may take you right here, my wife.”
“Here, there, I want you anywhere, the meadow is nice as well.” All their movement stopped and she looked up at Bern. The look on his face earned her smile and nod of approval, sending him back down the stairs as she kissed his bold neck and her tongue ran over his ear before she sucked his ear lobe.
“Pure torture, Amy that is what you are doing to me.”
“Then I suggest you hurry.”
“Ach! I married a vixen!” His laughter was silenced by her lips as he entered the stables. “Shall we take the Squire?”
“He’ll be wild and untamed for not being ridden.” She held his gaze with each word.
“Aye, just like his mistress.” Bern held her and kissed her, devouring the softness of her lips and mouth. He let her feet slide to the hay covered floor, refusing to release her, not yet--he wanted so much more.
Amy weaved back and forth from the sudden release of his arms.
“Stay put while I get the horse.”
She saluted him and didn’t move even when the Squire’s large head rubbed against her chest. “Hey fella, we haven’t ridden for a long time.”
“Up ye go.” Bern looked up at her, her lips were swollen from his kiss and the braid was coming lose, he couldn’t remember seeing anything so beautiful.
She smiled at him, “You are a handsome rouge, Bern Randall.”
He vaulted up behind her, giving her time to tuck her backside up against his erection. Bern cleared his throat when she pressed back further, “Are ye settled.”
Amy looked back at him, the tip of her tongue licked her lips. “Aye.”
He groaned as he moved the stallion out of the stables bringing a smile to her face. That he wanted her and she him added to her pleasure. They skirted the crowds and once outside he gave the Squire his head. The air did little to cool her ardor.
The meadow looked beautiful. Bern slipped to the ground and reached up for Amy. His strong arms held her and turned in a circle with her up in the air.
“Do you see the beauty, Amy, my love?”