A Lady's Charade (Medieval Romance Novel) (29 page)

Chloe sighed, her lashes sweeping downward as she stared at the floor. “I insisted on picking flowers by Hadrian’s Wall. My parents told me not to, that several…Englishmen had been seen stalking beyond the castle grounds. They were fearful of an imminent attack. But the prettiest blue and purple flowers grew by the wall and I wanted them so very badly to make a ringlet for my hair. The English took the opportunity to attack then. Jon saved me, but he was cut down in the end.”

“How old were you?”

“I was thirteen.”

“Just a baby. It wasn’t your fault Chloe. Your brother saved your life, and I bet if you could ask him now, he would say he’d do it again. The English would have found a way to attack even if you weren’t at Hadrian’s Wall. They would have taken back South Hearth no matter what. The castle is a border stronghold. Whoever holds it, holds the power.”

Chloe searched Alexander’s face. He truly meant what he said. And it dawned on her then, it wasn’t her fault. They knew the attack was imminent. Her brother would have done anything to protect her and he did. He fought until his last breath was taken, a true warrior.

Alexander took her hand in his, kissing it lightly and led her outside. Only his horse was there and he hoisted her up onto it, and then easily slid into the saddle behind her, placing his strong arm around her waist, and caressing her side lovingly with his hand. She leaned back against him, let her head fall to the side, and held his arm tight against her with her own arms. How comfortable this was, sitting with him, she felt that her body molded perfectly to his. She was shocked to realize how much she trusted this man. He gently nudged Hero forward. Nothing like the last time she’d ridden on the same horse with him. This time he was gentle, loving.

They ignored the villagers that watched as they passed by.

Their ride into the fields was smooth. Alexander bade his stallion to go at a gentle gallop. They didn’t speak, but their bodies together, the way that they clutched each other, said more than words.

They came to a stop in a clearing and Alexander dismounted, lifting her gently down and let her body slide against his as he did. Despite her fear, she reveled in the sensation of his hard body against hers, and turned her head up to him, hoping that he would kiss her. She didn’t have to wait long. He leaned down to her and let his lips brush gently against hers, warm and soft, before pulling away. She felt the loss of his lips on hers acutely. Chloe leaned into his tall frame, her arms wrapping around his neck.

“Kiss me again, my lord.”

“Your wish is my command,” he whispered, kissing her lightly.

Chloe leaned up on her tiptoes, pressing against him, to deepen the kiss. Although raw desire had assaulted her body when they had first kissed in the woods, and again in the water, now it was different. The feelings that were coursing through her were intense, made more so, knowing that he loved her.

The hair on her scalp and the back of her neck rose on end, the expanse of her skin was covered in gooseflesh, and a warm tingle grew in her belly. Lord Hardwyck’s hand lifted to gently hold her face as he pressed his lips more firmly to hers. She parted her lips as his tongue swept in to take what she offered. A thrill of excitement lurched through her, making Chloe yearn for more of the wonderful feelings kissing could bring.

As their mouths slanted again and again, Lord Hardwyck wrapped his arms around her waist and lifted Chloe gently off her feet. She tightened her hold on him and completely surrendered. Never before would she have dreamed of this. She couldnf tht imagine her life without Lord Hardwyck in it. In just a few short months, he’d so entrenched himself in her mind and heart, that were he to deny himself to her, she wasn’t sure life was worth living.

When Chloe let out a low moan of pleasure Lord Hardwyck roughly broke the kiss, his breathing ragged. She gazed at him, her eyes feeling cloudy, dazed. He had taken all of her senses away. She’d forgotten where she was and had only been living in the kiss.

“We must stop before it goes further,” Alexander whispered. “I don’t trust myself not to lose control.”

He caressed the side of her face with his hand. She didn’t want it to stop, she hungered for him with an urgency she’d never felt before. If they were to go as far as they had before, she would let him finish, let him sink deeply into her body.

He set her gently back on the ground and took her hand, grabbing a satchel he had on the back of his horse and walked with her to a soft patch of grass below an oak tree. Her heart did a little skip. He walked slightly ahead of her, leading the way. She admired the way his muscles flexed beneath his clothes. He was dressed in his usual long hose and a soft wool tunic of silver and black, in a diamond shaped pattern. The fabric, looked to be quite warm and easily showed off the muscles of his arms. She adored his dress, and dreamed of the day that she could get out of her cheap commoner’s clothes and match him just as wonderfully in beautifully made attire.

He opened his satchel and laid down a wool blanket and a jug of wine. He motioned for her to sit, and she did.

Handing her the jug of wine, she gladly took a sip before giving it back to him. Alexander took a long swallow and then laid down on the blanket, his arms folded beneath his head. He looked so relaxed, so calm.

“I do love this land. What a pity it would be if we had to leave.” He let out a long sigh.

Chloe bit her lip. She didn’t want them to have to leave either. She’d grown to love Hardwyck and the people, and more especially…Alexander. He said
we
. Then she realized the rest of what he’d said. He was willing to give up so much for her, but was she willing to let him do that?

Chloe took a long sigh as she gazed at Alexander. His eyes met hers, and locked. Chloe wished that the moment would never end.

“Alexander I…” she started but couldn’t finish. How could she tell him they shouldn’t be together if it meant he would have to give up everything he cherished?

He rolled to his side, lifting up on his elbow, and rested his head in his hand. He took her hand in his.

“So many secrets Chloe. Have I not made it clear that I love you, and that I am willing to give up all for you? I don’t even know much about you, and yet I swear I would die for you.” With his gaze he willed her to look up at him. Something in his eyes made her feel comfortable. Suddenly she was not afraid anymore. She knew that she trusted him, and she believed all that he had told her.

She stared at his handsome face. How had it come to be that they were together? How with so much confusion and turmoil they still ended up together and
in love
was quite a miracle.

“Alexander, I love you so much, and I trust you.” She grabbed hold of his hands as she said this and buried her head in his chest. He stroked the back of her head with his huge hand. He lifted her face to his and tenderly kissed her on each cheek, before laying a sweet soft kiss on her lips.

“Tell me who you are, love. Tell me. I love you and I want to know who loves me back.” As he said these words, he kissed all the parts on her face.

The time had come to tell him all. No longer could she hide behind the mask, the charade. He deserved that much and more.

She took his face in her hands and stared into his eyes. Although he already knew her name, her family, it still felt like she was confessing so much to him. She wanted him to look into her eyes as she said it, she wanted him to see all the love that she had for him. Would he forgive her for deceiving him for so long?

“Alexander, I am Lady Chloe Fergusson, just as you said,” she spoke very quietly. “I am so sorry.” Tears began sneaking into her eyes. The tears spilled out, and she tried to shove against his chest.

He grabbed her hands and pressed them back against his chest.

“Look at me,” he demanded. His voice was strained. When she looked up, she saw that his face was filled with emotion. She didn’t see any hate in his eyes and she was surprised. “You do not need to apologize to me. I knew who you were. It changes not how I feel about you. Now we can shout it to the world. We are meant to be together.” His hand gently slid up and down her arm, soothing her nerves. “Tell me everything.”

“I remembered seeing you at South Hearth Castle when you brought me here to Hardwyck, but it was all too much for me to put together. The night you came to the castle, I saw you out the window. Saw your men. I was frightened, confused. My lady’s maid, Nicola,” her voice broke and tears streamed down her face. When Alexander opened his mouth to console him, she stopped him. She had to keep going—felt like she would be relieved of a great burden if she told him everything. “She took me through a secret passage to a cottage in the woods, where we were to wait for my parents. But they didn’t come. We set out on foot and we were attacked by a lord.” She started to shake and Alexander held her tight. She relayed the rest of what happened up until the moment he’d found her. He looked at her, eyes wide as he gulped in the information she was telling him. Not once did he look away, and the tender loving caress of his gaze did not change. She continued, “I had no idea my father had taken South Hearth back by force until I returned from France and instead of going to Fergusson lands we went to the border.”

Chloe couldn’t believe how easy it was to reveal everything to him and his easy acceptance. A great weight had lifted from her shoulders.

“Oh, my dear, Chloe. So much you have been through. We will find the lord who attacked you. He will pay dearly for his heinous crimes.” Alexander kissed her on the forehead, her cheeks and her lips. “I knew it was you. I saw you in the window of your castle looking down on me and I prayed that it was you. I shall plan a trip to see King Henry. He must know all, and know that I still wish to marry you. I have always been loyal to him, I have no doubt that he will approve of our marriage.”

“But what if he should deny you? I could not live with myself if I knew you’d given up everything for me.”

“Let me be the one to make that decision. Living with you, having you, loving you is worth more than a castle, titles and land. What kind of a man would I be if I chose a holding over the woman I yearn to be with? The woman I love.” His voice was strong, so reassuring. Chloe nearly leapt with joy, but instead she threw her arms around him and kissed him soundly on the mouth.

“And my parents? What of my family?”

“We tracked them to the border of Scotland. But my scouts tell me they keep crossing over, scouting the area. They are planning a siege. Most likely they will take back South Hearth soon.”

“They will come for me when they find out I’m here.”

He nodded. “’Tis possible that they keep returning to England to search for you.”

“I don’t want to leave you.” And just like that she realized it. Perhaps it was fate that had kept her from penning a note to her family. Destiny that had kept her lips sealed from blurting the truth to Anne and seeking assistance. Whatever force was at work behind her motivation, she was glad for it.

“And I you,” he said, still holding her, he kissed her this time not with the fervor that he had before, but this time it was more meaningful. There was more love in his kiss, it was so tender, so all consuming, she nearly melted in his arms. She returned his tender kiss, letting all of her love for him come through her lips. He gently teased her lips apart with his teeth, his tongue searching for hers. He kissed her slowly, his mouth covering hers with gentle possession.

“You are mine, always,” he breathed into her mouth.

Chapter Seventeen

The entire village of Hardwyck was in an uproar. But it was an uproar of jubilation. Their mighty Dragon had found his lady, and she was a lady they all loved and respected.

The staff of the keep hurried about preparing for Alexander’s trip to see the king. Although he’d given them a week’s time to prepare, it still left much to be done.

Alexander had sent a messenger to see his father to let him know what his intentions were and that he had found his bride. He made sure the messenger would explain that his bride knew nothing of the treachery her parents exacted. His father was not a very forgiving man, and he did not want to risk his anger at Chloe.

Lady Anne arranged for a dressmaker to arrive. Chloe’s transformation from servant to lady took place and she was indeed a vision. Precisely the vision he had scene from afar, when he first spotted her at South Hearth. The beautifully fashioned fabric brought out her perfect form, her brilliant eyes and her creamy skin. Not that Alexander had any problem seeing those fascinating qualities before, but somehow with her being able to be herself, a new glow emanated from Chloe.

Alexander spent the two days prior to his departure with Chloe, coming to her early in the morning for a ride about the grounds. They would walk hand in hand in her gardens as she taught him what each of the flowers and herbs were and what their use was.

In the evenings Chloe would sing for him, and he always melted at the sound of her voice. He had never known that he could be so emotional.
I am becoming a wimpy, mushy old sot,
he thought to himself often. So often, that he would have to exert his manliness by leaving her for a few hours to beat the hell out of his men with their training.