Harlequin Historical July 2021--Box Set 2 of 2

by Madeline Martin

  What he had wanted, however, was a taste of her lips. Even the following day after their frank discussion alone in his tent, Ralph could not stop thinking about how much he craved Gwen...still...after all this time.

  What kind of a man was he to have such base thoughts about a woman he had only just re-established an old friendship with? Especially a woman who had declared that she wanted to take the veil. God’s breath, but none of it stopped Ralph from thinking about how he had almost kissed her and still longed to. Even though he was still baffled by the decisions she took six years ago and no closer to understanding how she believed she had protected him.

  It was a blessing that Tom had walked into the tent when he had, since an entanglement with Gwen was not something Ralph needed to delve into. Nor could he imagine that it would be welcomed by the lady herself after a little reflection.

  It had been wise of her to keep away—for his peace of mind and for hers. Ralph had not seen Gwen again properly, only snatched a glimpse in the hall during the evening feast. Yet he’d trailed her, when she was alone or with only her companion. He needed to make sure that she was safe and protected, especially from men like his cousin. He knew there was more to her association with Stephen and that whatever it was, was disagreeable and unpleasant.

  ‘I think that would be it for this morning.’ He nodded at Tom, who grabbed his sword from him. God, but the helmet felt heavy today.

  ‘Good, as I need to break my fast...oh, and Will said he had a surprise for you this afternoon.’

  ‘I can hardly wait,’ Ralph said wryly.

  ‘And neither can I, for it shall be something that would defy everything that...ah, hell’s teeth!’

  ‘What is it?’

  Tom flicked his head around, his eyes filled with unease. ‘Best keep that helmet on as your cousin is heading this way.’

  ‘What? Where?’ Ralph spun around, his heart beating furiously in his chest. ‘Pull your hood forward, damn it. Stephen believes that he’s about to parley with you, remember?

  ‘As if I could forget,’ Tom hissed, tugging it over and drooping his head low to hide his face.

  ‘Well, well, Thomas Lovent, just the fellow I wanted to see,’ Stephen le Gross sneered as he strolled over to them with one of his men in tow.

  Ralph inclined his head, when what he would rather do was knock the bastard to the ground after everything he had done. Especially since he had almost accosted Gwen in the darkness of the stairwell only just a few nights ago. God, but it still made his blood roar that a man would use such intimidation against a woman like Gwen in the way Stephen had.

  Ralph, however, kept his head with the metal helmet covering it, concealing his identity.

  ‘I came to give you a fair warning, Sir Thomas,’ his cousin spat. ‘I have been noticing the way you stalk after Lady Gwenllian ferch Hywel and I’m here to tell you that I want you to disengage from your pursuit. The lady is my betrothed or, rather, she soon will be and I don’t want you anywhere near her. I hope we understand each other?’

  Ralph inclined his head again, but just as Stephen turned to go, he bent low and swung his shield under him, catching his cousin’s ankle and making him hurtle to the ground. He should not have done it, as it only served to provoke the man. But the presumptuous way in which his reprehensible cousin had spoken about Gwen as if she were his property, as if she were truly his betrothed, well... Ralph just could not help himself.

  Stephen got up, his face puce with anger as Ralph, with Tom beside him, stepped forward. God, but he would never cower to this man.

  ‘God’s breath...’ his cousin barked, pointing the edge of his drawn dagger towards them. ‘I’ll let that go, but only this one time. Heed my warning, Lovent, and leave the lady alone.’

  He got to his feet and strode away in obvious fury at being made to look a fool. Even so, Stephen did not have to fall to the ground to accomplish that.

  Tom pulled his hood off his face. ‘There goes another to add to my ever-growing list of adversaries, chief among them Lady Gwenllian’s companion.’

  Ralph’s brows shot up. It was on Ralph’s mind to ask about the nature of the possible animosity that existed between Gwen’s pretty young friend Brida and Tom, but thought better of it. After all, it was not his business to pry into another man’s situation unless he was asked.

  ‘I am exceedingly sorry to put you in this position, Tom,’ he muttered.

  ‘Think nothing of it.’ He slapped him on his back. ‘What I’d like to know is how the hell you are even related to someone so execrable?’

  Ralph sighed, shaking his head. ‘I have no idea, my friend.’

  ‘He’s dangerous. More so now that he has his eyes on me. I’ll do my best to distract him, but you must take care, Ralph. He cannot know that you’re alive. Not until it suits your interest or, rather, all of our interests.’

  ‘I know, especially as it also puts Gwen in danger if he knew.

  ‘Exactly.’

  ‘I thank you, Tom.’ Ralph watched Stephen le Gros’s retreating form before turning to his friend. ‘But by God, the day of reckoning with that bastard cannot come soon enough.’

  * * *

  Gwen once again found that she was meandering to the practice area reserved for the de Clancey knights, as she walked beside Brida.

  ‘Is there a particular reason we are walking in this direction?’ her friend teased.

  ‘Only because I promised young William Tallany that I would visit and I thought to further my acquaintance with Isabel de Clancey.’

  ‘No other reason?’

  Gwen ignored that. She had initially kept away, after the near disaster in Ralph’s tent when he had almost kissed her. Although, if she were honest with herself, she had yearned for his touch. But that kind of honesty served no one and only led to further heartache. Indeed, the life she had once coveted was no longer possible for Gwen, despite any renewed feelings she might have for Ralph. What she had done six years ago to ensure his safety from his cousin in the aftermath of his father’s death had sealed her future. For good. And nothing could ever change that.

  Still, the moment in the tent did allow for the first proper discourse between them in a very long time. Gwen had been in earnest when she had told him that she believed in him.

  Gwen wanted to know how Ralph was progressing, while pushing away other ridiculous notions about the man, which would serve no one.

  They were greeted warmly by Eleanor Tallany, her young son and Isabel de Clancey. William rushed forward towards her and grabbed her hand.

  ‘Good morrow, Gwen!’

  ‘And to you, William Tallany. Come, allow me to introduce you, your mother and Lady Isabel to my friend, Brida.’

  The small boy bowed. ‘And you are wearing a dress.’

  ‘Indeed.’ Gwen chuckled as his mother shook her head at him.

  ‘I’m happy to make your acquaintance, young sir, and you, my ladies.’ Brida smiled at William, before inclining her head at Eleanor Tallany and Isabel de Clancey, who returned the courtesy.

  ‘Welcome, Gwen, Brida. We are, as you can see, taking great interest in one particular combat.’ Isabel smiled warmly.

  ‘Yes, our friend, Ral—’

  ‘William!’ his mother admonished. ‘Do not forget what we have spoken about.’

  ‘Oh, yes, whose name we cannot speak,’ he whispered behind his hand. ‘He is doing really well.’

  He pointed to the clearing, where many knights were engaged in hand-to-hand combat. And then she saw Ralph tower over a man while Lord de Clancey, Hugh, Lord Tallany and a hooded figure she assumed to be Sir Thomas, looked on, in obvious approval. She felt a fluttering in her stomach whenever Ralph happened to be in her periphery. She swallowed, trying to douse this unwanted awareness that confused and troubled her. She could not have those old feelings for Ralph resurfacing once m
ore. That part of her life was over, with another awaiting her, if she could just bide her time. It was imperative for Gwen to not lose sight of that.

  ‘You’re right, William. I can see that he’s doing very well.’

  That did not, however, mean that Gwen could not be his friend. She hoped with all her heart that Ralph would find success in these endeavours to reclaim his birthright.

  ‘He needs to tilt the sword a little higher if he wants the blade to have a bigger impact across the body.’ Eleanor Tallany seemed more engrossed in the combat than any woman of Gwen’s acquaintance.

  ‘As you can see, Eleanor is far more at home here than in the bower chamber of any castle.’

  ‘Absolutely, I have better things to do than stitch or weave a cloth.’ She chuckled before turning back to the clearing. ‘That’s it! Swipe the sword faster to his right, Ral—’

  ‘Mother, don’t forget the secret,’ William Tallany said cheekily.

  Gwen suppressed the urge to laugh as she watched Hugh de Villiers saunter back towards them. He picked up his son and swung him about before kissing his wife.

  ‘Causing trouble again?’ he asked quietly, making Gwen wonder whether he was addressing his wife or his mischievous son.

  William shook his head. ‘This is Gwen, Papa.’

  ‘Ah, Lady Gwenllian.’ Lord Tallany turned in her direction and smiled. ‘I’m happy to make your acquaintance.’

  ‘The pleasure is all mine, my lord.’ She curtsied, along with Brida.

  ‘You ladies must both join us for a short repast before we resume the training. Ralph will need every bit of strength for what we have planned for him.’

  Just then the rest of the training came to a halt as, one by one, the men made their way back, but Ralph stayed back a moment longer. Gwen could swear that he stood watching her from beneath his helmet, but not before he tipped his head in her direction and made his way towards her.

  ‘Good day to you both.’ He seemed so large, looming over them in all his armour.

  Brida glanced between them with a small smile before shuffling away to talk to the other ladies.

  ‘That was most impressive, Ralph.’

  ‘Thank you. What are you doing here, my lady?’

  ‘Would you prefer us to leave?’

  ‘Of course not, but I believe that your arrival has become a source of intrigue here.’ He tilted his head, still encased in metal, towards where his friends stood. Gwen followed the direction and saw that their small party had stopped whatever they had been doing and observing them, as though they were some sort of epiphany.

  ‘Come.’ Ralph touched her elbow, guiding her away from prying eyes. ‘Tell me, Gwen, is it Stephen again? Has anything happened? Is anything amiss?’

  She smiled. ‘Everything is well, I thank you. I’m grateful for your concern, as I am also for...the fact you seemed to be following me, sir.’ She had sensed his presence on more than one occasion when she happened to be on her own or with only Brida for company.

  ‘Ah, you were not supposed to know.’ His lips twisted into a reticent smile.

  ‘I didn’t until you confirmed it presently.’ Her eyes darted around for a moment before she addressed him again. ‘I did not mean to intrude, Ralph, but only to see how you were faring.’

  ‘Quite well as it happens. I’ve apparently got a surprise ready for me after the repast.’

  She laughed, ‘So I hear.’

  ‘Will you stay and watch?’

  Gwen had not intended to stay too long. It would not be too prudent to spend too much time with Ralph, when it would make her wish for things that she could no longer have.

  She met his eyes and realised that, despite Ralph’s insouciant manner, they also held a certain solicitation. He wanted her to watch.

  ‘Yes.’ She nodded, hesitantly. ‘I would be happy to.’

  ‘Good.’ He bowed. ‘Until later, my lady.’

  * * *

  This challenge was the greatest test that Ralph had had so far. It would also be his last until the mêlée à pied on the morrow. The unpredictability of the combat was one that made Ralph realise that he couldn’t leave anything to chance...but then that did not mean he knew what William de Clancey had in mind to test his mettle.

  Ralph quickly glanced at the clearing and noticed wryly the sight of the women standing on the periphery watching the spectacle. Even from where he stood, he could see Gwen chatting with the others. Her demeanour might have been a little reserved, but then Ralph had felt the same embarrassment she had in the interest they had induced from the others around them.

  It had not been a good idea to give rise to any further speculation regarding the two of them, but Ralph had been glad that Gwen had come here, nevertheless. He was surprised to learn that he liked having her there. Her support meant a great deal more than it should. It gave him a sense of calm that he had not experienced in many years.

  ‘Are we ready?’ Ralph looked from beneath his helmet at Thomas, his opponent, and drew his sword out of its scabbard.

  ‘I am, but are you?’

  Ralph smirked as they began to clash their swords against each other, their movements agile and lithe. The two friends were evenly matched, being of a similar height and weight, but Ralph’s tenacity was winning through.

  ‘Not bad at all, Ralph. I can see you are tilting your sword in the manner Will showed us.’

  ‘It apparently works remarkably well for knights who wield their weaponry in their left hand.’

  ‘To good effect it would seem.’

  ‘Indeed.’ Ralph adjusted the angle of his sword as he lunged forward and struck against Tom’s sword.

  ‘Impressive, but enough of this.’ Tom plunged his sword in the ground in front of him and tilted his head. ‘I believe it’s time to make things a little more interesting.’

  ‘Is that so?’

  ‘Yes, we need to make this more of a challenge.’

  ‘Oh, and how do you intend to that?’ Ralph said in between taking in big gulps of breath.

  ‘Look around you, my friend.’

  Ralph spun on his heel and saw Hugh behind him and to his left Will, who grinned and gave him a mock salute.

  ‘All of you?’

  ‘Indeed.’

  ‘At the same time?’

  ‘I’m afraid so.’ Will smirked. ‘But never fear, we shall go easy on you.’

  How in heaven’s name was Ralph supposed to fight his friend, an exceptional warrior in his own right, and two of the most notorious knights in Christendom, whose fighting skills were the stuff of legend?

  ‘Now remember what we talked about, Ralph. You have every necessary skill.’ Hugh thumped his chest. ‘However, you must feel it here.’

  ‘And you have to use your intuition.’ Will nodded.

  Ralph was circled by the three men and, one by one, they each lunged forward in attack, making contact with his sword as he used a deflective strike back. Round and round they prowled, as each attack came at him with greater vigour and speed. Ralph turned quickly, knowing he had to change the formation for his own advantage, so that he wasn’t the one constantly being attacked. He pushed on his heel and stepped back expediently and found the three men now in a single line.

  This was a little better than the feeling of being hunted, but only slightly better than being surrounded by all of them.

  ‘Not bad, Ralph.’

  ‘Could still do with a little more refinement in your movement,’ retorted Hugh.

  ‘And the manner in which you swing your sword.’

  ‘That’s it. Much better.’

  Hugh lunged forward with such force, taking Ralph by surprise, that he had to take a few steps back just to hold his position.

  ‘Ah, I’d say that the contest begins in earnest, now.’

  ‘Hardly fai
r,’ Ralph stammered.

  ‘Surely you can take on all of us?’

  ‘Not by choice, I grant you. That would be madness.’ He turned around to defend himself against Hugh’s attack.

  ‘Come now, you are much better than you think.’

  ‘I would say that he is. Only he does not know it yet,’ Tom bellowed over the sound of clashing of metal.

  ‘Ah, that would be a shame.’ Will shook his head. ‘Since it would beg the question whether he is good enough to protect his fair maiden?’

  ‘I am not certain.’ Tom grimaced.

  ‘No, indeed there are many here who would imagine that they are Lady Gwenllian’s protectors.’

  Ralph continued to defend each powerful strike coming quickly at him, as well as ignoring everything that was being said. It was not an easy task.

  ‘She is after all a very beautiful lady. I have heard her described by many a knight here.’ Tom smirked as he came at him on his weakest side.

  He turned and struck out, his breathing becoming laboured.

  ‘Would she even welcome such a thing from Ralph de Kinnerton?’

  Ralph sensed the blood roar in his veins. But he couldn’t allow his anger to overwhelm his senses. He had to block these words from penetrating into his head.

  ‘Only the saints would know, but mayhap the fair lady would prefer another knight’s protection.’

  The surge of unfettered violence suddenly swept through him as he lunged at William over and over, pushing him back. His voice and the words he had uttered had crawled into Ralph’s head, obliterating any rational thought.

  ‘After all, Ralph de Kinnerton couldn’t manage to protect her properly before. How well could he do so now?’

  Ralph spun around and lashed out, not knowing who it was that he was fighting, only that he was battling everyone. The whole damn world and everyone who had done him wrong. The clamour in his head was so intense that he could hardly see. Beads of sweat tricked down his face and mingled with the rising mist of anger that seemed to make him hurtle out of control. No, he would not allow it.