Forever Knight: Thornton Brothers Time Travel (A Thornton Brothers Time Travel Romance Book 2) (18 page)

The woman smiled shyly at her, casting a glance toward Robert.

“Nay, lady. Lord Highworth is good to us.”

Ever since he claimed her as his wife at the inn, he’d thought about making her his forever. Connor would leave soon, and then Robert would invite his brothers to meet her. Then he would let her see for herself the others like her. The longer she stayed in his time, the longer he believed she was meant to be here by his side.

Henry’s wife had told him there had been a moment she could’ve gone back, but she made the choice to stay. Though Charlotte did not know if it would be the same for anyone else. Her sisters said the same.
 

Anna had told him something different. She had been taken to see her parents, who had passed on. So he wondered if the experience was different for each person. From what his brothers had told him, he wondered why anyone would want to stay when there were such wondrous sights and things in the future.

So each day he tried to do something nice for her. Tried to make up for his behavior. Show her he cared. They’d been trapped inside by the weather for almost a sen’night. Connor paced around the castle, spending so much time on the battlements that Robert was surprised he had not turned to snow. And spending so much time above, Robert could no longer keep his presence a secret. Elizabeth told him to tell everyone at the castle. They would keep his secret if he asked.
 

So he had gathered everyone in the great hall for a feast. Presented Connor as a loyal friend. And said that friends were friends, no matter the country of their birth. There were a few grumbles, but in the end they’d accepted the big man. Connor kept to himself, knowing not all were happy he was at Highworth.

Robert found him most nights in the solar, reading. Elizabeth was there too, with her nose buried in a book. Gavin guarded his lady, and Janet and Tom the cat kept her company. Every time she laughed at something Connor said, Robert wanted to plant his fist in the man’s face. And that was when he knew. He loved her. Had fallen the moment he woke to see emerald eyes.

“My last knightly deed was three years ago. John and his lady were imprisoned in the tower.” ’Twas unseasonably warm as Robert walked next to Elizabeth on the battlements. For once he had her to himself.
 

“Tell me the rest.” She pricked her finger with a needle. “Damn.” She stuffed the fabric in the pouch at her waist. “Don’t tell Janet. I’m hopeless.”

“Your secrets are safe with me, lady.” He took her finger in his mouth, tasting salt and copper as she turned a fetching shade of pink.

“John was rather infamous. We thought him dead for a long time. He had let us believe it, not wanting to bring further shame upon the family. But he had become the bandit of the wood. Preying on rich nobles and giving their gold and jewels to those who needed help. But then he was captured and thrown in the tower.”

“What happened?”

Her nose was pink as they stood looking out over the grounds. The weather had cleared, and it was the first time the sun had been out in days. She’d wanted to be outside to “take the air,” as she called it.

“A woman wanted revenge on John. She was the king’s mistress, then cast aside. Her husband blamed John.” He caught Elizabeth’s eye and held up his hands. “You think Radford was bad, he was nothing compared to Denby.”

They walked back and forth, nodding to the guard on duty. “Anna spoke with the king. She was able to gain a pardon for John. Of course, she thought he was dead at the time.”

“Wait. What?”

She had her arm tucked in his, and he could’ve walked forever with her next to him. He continued to tell her the tale. How happy his brother was with Anna.

“But then, about two years ago, I made a dreadful mistake.” Robert paused, unsure of how to go on. Caring what she would think of him. Worried she would think less of him. And she should, for what he had done.

She took his hand in hers and looked up at him. “I find it’s always better if you tell someone. I give you my word: I will not judge. You can tell me anything.”

Robert took a deep breath. “I was on the coast. Hunting and wagering.”

“Drinking and wenching.” She grinned at him. “I know how this goes.”

And she gave him what he needed, her acceptance, and it was enough for him to tell her the rest.

“One night I was deep in my cups. A minor noble asked about John. Or rather the bandit of the wood. Several of the men there had been relieved of gold and horses at my brother’s hands. John almost died,” he said quietly. He was about to go on when he looked at her. Her lips were a very pale pink, and he knew it was time to bring her inside.

“Let’s go into the solar, where the fire can warm you. I’ve let you remain outside far too long.”

She took a deep breath. “It’s so nice to be outside in the fresh air, but you’re right, I’m freezing. Let’s go inside.”

“It’s about time. I’m freezing my arse off,” Gavin said as he followed behind them. Elizabeth leaned over and hugged him. Robert knew it would only be another year at most before the boy no longer wanted to be mothered. But now he leaned into her touch as if he craved it.

“Go see the cook. We’re having tarts with supper. Tell him I said you could have one.”

Gavin ran past them, calling out over his shoulder, “I’m telling him you said two because you made me freeze.”

When they were settled in the solar, Robert saw her looking at him, waiting for him to continue the tale. He tried to stop pacing, but he was restless. Needed movement to think.

“Anna stood beside John and made a life with him. You will meet her, and I think you will enjoy talking with her.” He didn’t say more, wanting to finish the rest before he lost his nerve.

“Everyone was looking to me, and so I boasted. There was a woman.” He pressed his lips together, looking up at Elizabeth. But her face remained the same. He saw no censure in her gaze.
 

She nodded to him. “Go on. I’m listening. There’s always a woman, isn’t there?” He was about to protest when she said, “I’m only teasing. Tell me your story.”

“The night I…spent with the woman, she told me of the camp. And the keep where she and others now lived. The survivors the king’s men did not kill made their way to a small keep on the coast near Scotland. A few at a time were supposed to slip out, making their way back to Blackmoor, where John had promised sanctuary.”

He drained the cup. “Like a child with a new sword, I boasted to all present. Being stupid enough to ignore that some in attendance had lost their pride. Would carry a grudge. One of them took the information to court.”

She took the cup from his hands, putting it on a small table. She tucked her arm in his. “Let’s walk down to the cellar and count the remaining casks of wine. I want to make sure there’s enough to get us through the rest of the winter.”

Down in the cellar, she shuddered. “Why do you have prison cells?”

“Sometimes they are needed. It is the way of the world. But I swear to you.” He went down on one knee. “I will never, as long as we live, lock you in a cell ever again.”

She took his hand and pulled him to his feet. “You better not. Because if you do, I’ll slit your throat while you sleep. Come.” Elizabeth pulled him deeper into the darkness. “Tell me the rest.”

“’Twas six months ago when I found out the cost of my boasting. Men, women, and children were slaughtered. All had gone to the woods looking for sanctuary, which John provided. And when the camp had fallen and the king’s men came, they found sanctuary again in the keep. Until I destroyed those who remained.” His voice caught, and for a few moments he couldn’t speak. Elizabeth did not pry; she simply waited until he was ready.

“They were hunted down. And at that hunting party six months ago, the man who had taken the information to court boasted of the outcome.” Robert remembered going cold upon hearing the news.

She stopped him and met his gaze. “Guilt is a terrible thing. I heard you and Featherton arguing. Is this why you have pushed your family away?”

“Connor was one reason.” He let out a sigh. “I did not want to see them. For I knew they would see the knowledge of the deeds in my eyes. How could I ever look John in the eye again after what I did? How could I tell him the people he kept safe for so long were dead because of me?”

She pulled him to her, enveloping him in a hug. Comforting and providing him with a place to land.
 

“You did the only thing you knew how—you pushed everyone away and lost yourself in debauchery. But you know…you have to tell John what you did. He will forgive you. I know he would understand how mistakes can take on a life of their own. You said yourself, he made a mistake that cost your family everything. He would understand better than anyone else the guilt you feel. Give him a chance.”

Elizabeth hit him on the arm. “Your behavior to me was beastly. Was this the other reason you pushed me away?”

He fidgeted. “Everyone betrays. I was not sure I could trust you not to tell others about Connor, and then later, I did not want you to know the death on my soul. If my family lost everything because of me, I could never forgive myself.”

She wrinkled up her nose. “That’s a terrible worldview. Sometimes people betray. Not all the time. Not telling your brothers about the risk isn’t fair to them. They deserve to know what could happen. You let one braggart cause so much trouble.”

“You don’t understand. How could you? Where you come from there are no more titles and lands. What would you have to lose?”

She stepped back and glared at him. “Just because we don’t have titles in America doesn’t mean I don’t understand. There is terrible heartbreak and pain in my country just as there is here. But at least I try to make the world a better place.”

With a curse, she poked him in the chest. “What have you done to earn your fortune or your title? I’ll tell you what. A big, fat nothing.”

As she turned to go, he pulled her back. “Wait. Before I met you, I was in darkness. Lost under a mountain of guilt. You are right—I do not understand your time, and I have done nothing with my title or gold.”

He looked into her eyes, willing her to understand him. “But I want to change. You make me yearn to be a better man.”

“How can I stay angry at you now?” She hugged him tight, and Robert knew he could never let her go. Could he risk her leaving if he told her about Anna and the others?

“I thought my time here would be an adventure. I should have known how different things would be. There’s a different kind of danger. Especially to women.” Elizabeth groaned as he took her foot, rubbing her toes.

“You did well with the dagger today.” He was having a dagger made for her hand, had provided an emerald for the hilt to match her eyes. The piece would be ready before the yule.
 

“My body would differ.” She sighed and wriggled her toes. “In my time, many women live by themselves. With no man to look out for them. Others marry. But the men do not go around carrying swords.” As she looked off into the distance, a sad look crossing her face, Robert opened his mouth to tell her about Anna and the others. That was until she spoke.
 

“But I like it here at Highworth. The countryside and the people.”

“And how about the Scots? Do you like the Scots?”
 

Robert pushed the leg of the chair and laughed when Connor fell over. “She does not like Scots; they mew like babes when they are ill.”

“A puny Englishman would have died from my injuries. Methinks she prefers me to you.”

He struck Connor in the mouth, and the Scot struck back with a fist to Robert’s nose. Then they ended up rolling around the floor exchanging blows until Connor turned pale.
 

“Honestly, you two are worse than a couple of boys.” Elizabeth rolled her eyes.

Robert stood, wiping the blood from his nose, and held out a hand to aid Connor.

“I have been ill. Do not think you bested me.”

Robert’s mouth twitched. “So you say. When you have recovered, old woman, we will meet in the lists.”

Connor snorted, turning his attention to Elizabeth. “What did you call Highworth?” He started to laugh, and Elizabeth glared at him.

“That was before.”

Robert pretended to be angry. “Before when?”

She made a face at him. “When you were a—what is it you say? Right, a dolt.”

He placed a hand to his chest. “The lady wounds me. What about my home?”

She squirmed and looked uncomfortable. Stuck her tongue out at Connor, who laughed. “It looks like a cake Bridezilla designed.”

He blinked at her. “Bridezilla?”

Connor roared with laughter. “She says a Bridezilla is a lass about to be married and is awful to all around her. I told her it sounds like most of the lasses I’ve known, even before they’re married.”

Robert’s mouth twitched. He pressed his lips together, but it was no use. He laughed along with Connor, and finally Elizabeth joined them.

“But does that mean you don’t care for my home?”

She touched his arm. “It’s very beautiful. I don’t know that I would’ve picked something so fancy, but it suits you perfectly.”