Hearts Across Time (The Knights of Berwyck: A Quest Through Time Novel ~ Books 1 & 2) (10 page)

He caught up to her, took her arm, and turned her around when she apparently had headed in the wrong direction. Was it her imagination, or did everything in the world seem to right itself with his touch. She rethought her earlier exclamation of wondering what on earth she was doing in the twelfth century. They strolled for only a few minutes before he halted their progress and pointed through the trees.

“Yer lady friends are just on the other side of the tree’s ahead. Ye shouldna’ have a problem finding them now, milady,” Tiernan said, dropping her arm. “Where is it you go?”

“Katherine seems to know the way to where we’re going. I only know we’re heading south to Warkworth.”

He flinched at her words. “Warkworth?” he repeated.

“Yes. Katherine is trying to find Riorden de Deveraux,” she replied curiously. “Do you know him?”

“Aye, I know him…more’s the pity,” he grumbled.

Tiernan’s tense, faraway look captured Emily’s full attention until he turned his gaze once more in her direction. His demeanor was now friendly again, so she gave no voice to the anger, seemingly simmering just below the surface, she saw in his stance but seconds before.

“What about you? Will I see you again?” she inquired, hoping this would not be the last time they would meet.

Tiernan began brushing the hair from her face. She held her breath in anticipation of…well…she didn’t have a clue, but she hoped he didn’t stop what he was doing. After several moments, during which she presumed he was trying to determine his next move, he reached out his hand and tipped up her chin. Looking into his eyes, she watched in fascination when he lowered his head, placing a soft kiss upon her lips. It was over all too soon. “Aye milady, ye shall see me again. Just remember to beware whilst ye travel these woods.”

“We’ll be careful, Tiernan.”

She watched as he fumbled beneath his cloak and pulled something from within its depths. He took her hand and placed several coins in her hand. As she was about to protest, he closed her fingers around the metal.

“Take them, for ’tis all the aid I can offer ye now,” he said, brooking no disobedience to his demands. “’Tis not much, but at least I shall know I have helped ye, however much I am able.”

“Thank you Tiernan, but you’ve already helped by sending men to watch over us.”

“I can offer you one more piece of advice, Lady Emily.”

“Oh? What’s that?”

“Ye stated ye and yer lady friends were headed south to Warkworth, but in truth yer going in the wrong direction.”

“No way,” she shouted out, thinking how her friends had prolonged her agony of being in the great outdoors. She stopped her tirade to look upon the confused medieval man before her. “Sorry,” she muttered and changed her tone to hopefully sound more contrite. “And just which direction are we headed in, may I ask?”

“Yer far to the north, I am afraid.”

“I’m not really sure what else to say to express my gratitude,” she said. Then he smiled that smile of his again, making her melt.

“I’m sure ye’ll think of something the next time we meet,” he said in amusement. “In the meantime, if ye continue to head north, ye’ll reach a village in a few days’ time, depending on how fast ye walk. ’Twill be closer to anything else ye’ll come upon, once yer headed in the right direction. Ye’ll find lodging there, and food. The coin should be more than enough for yer stay, and for yer next stop along your travels.”

She took her free hand and placed it upon his cheek, feeling the rough stubble of his beard gracing his face. He took her hand and placed a kiss upon its back then surprised her by leaning down again and kissing her forehead.

“We shall meet again,” he whispered and quickly left her, disappearing into the forest.

It was with a glad heart that Emily returned to her friends without any further thoughts of her original purpose of going into the woods. For the first time since they had arrived in the past, she felt lighthearted. With such a joyous feeling filling her soul, there was only one thing she could do to express such happiness. Emily began to sing.

R
iorden kicked
the
ashes from a recent fire with his boot. Then he stood motionless as he watched particles of ash float into the air and examined the remnants on the ground. The remains of some small animal, most likely a rabbit, told him much, along with the odd looking tread from someone’s footwear. He smiled. His lady was most resourceful. At least she was not starving.

Although she started out heading in the right direction, she was far off course of being anywhere near Warkworth. He had to admit, she was good at hiding and, mayhap, a little too good, considering he had lost her trail several times in the past two days. He had begun to doubt his tracking ability when they had come across the remnants of this fire. He only prayed she did not run into any miscreants or someone who would deal unfavorably with a poacher. He was determined to find her afore another day passed. He did not like to think of Katherine out in the woods alone, especially at night.

“Well?” Danior asked, clearly irritated.

“The women were here,” Riorden replied, directing a smirk towards Aiden, who still looked as if he doubted Riorden knew where his missing lady was heading. He kicked at the dirt to disguise the impressions of his lady’s futuristic footwear until they were completely erased from their campsite. “As for whom you seek, I cannot say.”

“Bloody Hell! How the devil could he have just disappeared into the forest with no trace? He did not have that much of a head start on us,” Danior complained loudly.

“Perchance, he had help. Mayhap, someone was waiting for him with horses,” Patrick proposed honestly. Everyone turned to look at the lad who had spoken out of turn. Obviously embarrassed that he had declared what was on his mind, Patrick clamped his mouth shut.

Riorden reached out to give his squire a reassuring pat. “Have no fear, Patrick. You are only trying to help,” he said firmly, trying to save face for the lad. “’Tis the very same assumption crossing everyone’s thoughts since we began this chase.”

“Considering the ladies are without horses, they seem to be making remarkable progress,” Gavin said, impressed, “even if they are headed in the wrong direction. I never met a lady who did not travel with at least a dozen attendants and rode in some fancy coach, though. Where did you say they were from, Riorden?”

“I do not recall saying anything about their origins,” Riorden proclaimed, evading the question posed by his brother.

“Why ever not, Riorden?” Danior asked as he continued his inspection of the ground, looking for clues.

“Aye, do not leave us guessing. Surely, where they hail is not such a big secret, or is it?” Aiden inquired offhandedly.

Patrick leaned over to his brother and tugged on his surcoat. “’Tis the ghostie come back from the dead, Aiden. I bet she brought her friends from the other side with her, too,” he said frantically.

Aiden looked over at Patrick with a look of dismay upon his visage. “Surely, you jest?”

“Nay, I saw her with my own eyes, brother,” Patrick whispered hoarsely whilst he crossed himself. “She is the ghostie he saw on the beach and on the battlements, I swear ’tis true!”

“How do you know of this?” Aiden questioned with furrowed brows.

“He sometimes talks when he sleeps,” Patrick answered quietly.

“Patrick!” Riorden roared, aghast his squire would divulge such information. “That is enough. You speak far too freely, nor will you besmirch the Lady Katherine’s good name.”

“Aye, my lord Riorden,” Patrick said humbly. “My apologies.”

“I never thought to hear you believe in ghosts, Riorden,” Gavin laughed riotously then gave his companions a nod in his brother’s direction. “I wonder what other secrets I can learn if I but listen closely enough whilst he slumbers.” Gavin nearly came unbalanced, overtaken by his own raucous laughter.

Riorden rolled his eyes heavenward and threw his brother a scathing look. Gavin took the hint and closed his mouth although a shadow of a smirk lingered upon his lips.
Younger brothers can be such a pain in the arse!

“If you do not mind, can we get back to the important matter of finding Cavanaugh?” Danior scoffed irritably. “I would so enjoy staying in the land of the living, if you would care to help me with such an insignificant endeavor.”

Riorden approached his horse and adjusted the straps on the saddle. Placing his foot in the stirrup, he easily swung his leg over the large animal and began donning his gloves. The others mounted their steeds, as well, and they made their way once more into the forest at a slow trot.

“We will continue north,” Riorden commented dryly. “Keep a close lookout for the ladies who, I assume, will be keeping close to the woods and not traveling on the open road. I hate the thought of them coming into contact with undesirables, or worse yet, a band of Irish rebels.”

Forever onward did they travel, or so it seemed to Riorden who was becoming overly anxious to meet up with Katherine. It appeared as if ’twas already late afternoon, and night was fast approaching. Truly, would it have been asking too much to be allowed more time with the lady, afore she was taken from his side? His random thoughts began to turn to ones of every imaginable horror she could encounter. If they were actually from the future, and he still had his doubts about such a farfetched idea, then they were most likely in more danger out in the elements than they could imagine.

Did not women of her time know how dangerous life could be without a protector by their side? Did they not realize their dress could be construed as that of a witch? He did not relish the thought of someone attempting to burn his beautiful lady at the stake, along with her friends, because they were thought to be heretics. Aye, these were most perilous times and, as such, she needed him near her side to keep her safe.

Pushing his horse to a faster pace, he and his comrades continued on their path until they heard voices and began to slow their mounts. Leaning towards caution, they watched from the tree line and espied only a small family of travelers in a small open glen. As their hearty laughter rang out, Riorden came to the obvious conclusion Katherine was not amongst those within the group. He was about to lead their group onward, staying his course to the trees, when the travelers’ conversation halted his progress, and he listened intently to their words.

“I ne’er ’eard me such lovely singing in me life, John,” the woman said happily. “I thought to meself, ‘surely, the angels had come down to earth to hear such a beautiful melody.’”

The man called John came up to the woman and put his arms around her, kissing her cheek. “Ye could sing just as fine, Mabel, if’n ye wanted to.”

The woman laughed loudly and slapped the man’s shoulder playfully. “Bah! Ye know I canna carry a tune ’usband.”

“Mama, can we follow the ladies so we’s can ’ear more of their pretty ballads?” a young girl of perhaps ten and two asked sweetly.

“I wanna go’s too!” a tiny tot of mayhap six chimed in as he jumped up and down excitedly.

“Now children, we canna be bothering them ladies more’n we did now. We should be thankful we were able to listen as long as we could,” their father replied, much to the children’s disappointment.

The young girl got a dreamy expression on her face whilst swaying back and forth, as if she still heard the women singing. “I ne’er ’eard such beautiful words, Papa. Lady Katherine called them love songs. She must be a great songstress to compose such nice melodies.”

The boy puffed up full of himself as he corrected his sister. “Lady Katherine dinnae write them silly. She said so ’erself. Who’s Barbara Celine, Mama?”

Mabel thought hard on her son’s words and only shook her head. “I dinnae know for sure, Peter. I dinnae recall that was the name she used, though I may be wrong. Those sure were a different kind of ballad, weren’t they John? I ne’er heard music such as their’s afore.”

“I wished they could have stayed longer,” the youthful girl sighed. “I could ’ave listened to their voices all day long and ne’er tire of ’earing them.”

“Ye ’eard the ladies, Mary,” her father chimed in. “Lady Katherine said they mustna tarry as they ’ad to catch up with her lord. At least we sent them off with a fine meal. Ye did well by serving them, Mabel. Ye could tell they was most grateful for the victuals.”

“Do ye think so, John?” Mabel asked hesitantly. “’Twas such a simple meal, I wasna sure it be to their liking.”

“Aye they was ’appy to trade their gift of song for a bite or two of yer stew, although they ate most sparingly. I think they dinnae want to take food from the mouths of the children,” John said praising his wife.

When Riorden had heard enough of their conversation, he made a clicking noise to urge his horse forward and made his way into the meadow. Upon seeing the group entering the glen, the father stood quickly and moved to protect his family. With a wave of Riorden’s hand, the man relaxed his stance yet urged his family to drop to their knees upon espying a knight of the realm. Riorden took in the people who had last seen his lady and bid them rise then dismounted from his steed.

Taking a coin of some worth, he handed it to the older woman. “Accept this, with my thanks, for your care of my lady and her friends. Your kindness is most appreciated.”

“’Tis very generous, milord,” John replied on behalf of his wife.

“She was well?” Riorden asked.

“Aye, milord,” Mabel replied. “Lady Katherine and her lady friends repaid us fer the meal by entertaining us with their love of song. ’Twas most beautiful to listen to them sing.”

Riorden could only hope to have such a chance as to hear their voices lifted to the heavens in song. “I am sure she was most appreciative for the meal.”

Mary stepped forward hesitantly. “Ye are Lord Riorden de Deveraux that Lady Katherine spoke of?”

Riorden gave the girl a small smile. “Indeed, I am.”

Mary gave a dreamy sigh and broke into a radiant smile. “Lady Katherine spoke of ye most favorably, milord. It must be wonderful to have someone love ye as much as she loves ye.”

“Mary, that’s enough. Ye’ll embarrass Lord de Deveraux,” John chastised.

“Aye, father,” Mary said softly then went to stand behind her mother.

“She means no offense, milord,” Mabel answered quickly.

Riorden waved his hand, dismissing the matter. “When did you last see my lady?”

“Must be at least two hours passed, milord,” John replied, pointing to the path at the other end of the glen. “They continued on in that direction.”

“Again, my thanks,” Riorden said gratefully. “If you are ever in need, I shall be heading to my home at Warkworth soon. Do you know of the place?”

“Nay, milord,” John said.

“’Tis south on the seaside. If you and your family are in need of a location to live, I am sure I can find you space in the village for lodging. You have some kind of skill I presume?”

“I been a masonry most me life and would be most thankful to find a new ’ome for me and the family,” John replied humbly.

Riorden nodded. “Then make your way to Warkworth, and I shall find accommodations for you in gratitude for your service to the Lady Katherine.”

“Bless ye, milord, and our thanks,” Mabel said, taking his hand as she knelt on her knees before him once more.

Riorden took his reins from Patrick, who had been holding his steed, and vaulted up into the saddle. They once more took up the trail of his lady. As they left the family, Riorden could still hear the daughter chattering on whilst she gushed over the handsome knight Lady Katherine had fallen in love with.

Thoughts of Katherine and how she would soon be within his reach caused his pulse to quicken, knowing she was close. Her words to the family had humbled him. Kicking his horse into a gallop, he began to lessen the distance between them. Katherine would have been most pleased to see the smile gracing his face, for it was filled with love and, if properly nurtured, would last them until the end of time.