Hearts Across Time (The Knights of Berwyck: A Quest Through Time Novel ~ Books 1 & 2) (23 page)

S
oft laughter erupted
from the couple, who sat on a bed of fur pelts facing one another. Flickering candles lit the interior of the tent, casting romantic shadows onto the canvas walls. Katherine leaned forward with a piece of fruit between her lips and watched her husband’s roughish grin in anticipation. He came closer and kissed her lips, stealing the juicy tidbit from her mouth. He slowly munched on his prize then offered her a drink of wine. She declined with an elegant shake of her head. She was already feeling dizzy from the heady brew she’d been consuming all night.

“This is camping at its finest, you know,” she declared, reaching for a piece of cheese and bread. She took a bite, hoping the bread would absorb the alcohol already in her stomach. Small wonder they generally watered down their wine in the twelfth century, or everyone would be walking around three sheets to the wind. “Do you always travel so lavishly?”

Riorden merely shrugged. “It depends. I only wished to see to your comfort this night, Kat. When ’tis for my personal enjoyment, I tend to partake in the finer accouterments available to me.”

“So, you don’t always journey with a tent and all these luxuries?”

He reached out and tucked a lock of her hair behind her ear. “Nay, my love, I do not. When in service to the king, one tends to grab what little gear one has, along with one’s sword, in order to answer his summons. I have spent many a night with nothing but my cloak to cover me and the cold ground beneath my tired backside.

Katherine thought on his words with worry until she finally raised her troubled eyes to gaze upon his handsome face. “Must you travel often…in service of the king, Riorden?”

“’Tis a hard question to answer, Kat. Afore taking over ownership of Warkworth, I have been a vassal to Dristan and made my home at Berwyck, answering to Dristan as captain of his guard,” he responded honestly, setting down his chalice and gathering his wife in his arms. “I have now inherited the responsibility of Warkworth, along with its people, and will answer directly to King Henry. ’Tis my duty as his knight, along with my oath of fealty, that I must answer his call when he should have need of me. You, too, shall have your place and duties, as Warkworth’s chatelaine.”

“But, I haven’t a clue how to run a castle, Riorden. I had a hard enough time keeping my tiny apartment tidy, with all my research scattered everywhere.” She observed his confused expression at her words before she continued. “My home was no more than four rooms, including the kitchen and bathroom…err…garderobe.”

“So small? Warkworth’s keep is much larger. But ’tis of no matter, Katherine, for I shall teach you what you must needs know.”

“What happens if you must leave me for weeks at a time unless I go with you? I don’t think I’d like court life very much with all its intrigues that I’ve read about in history books.”

“We shall figure out a solution when the matter arises. ’Tis my hope, since I am commanded to return home and manage the estate, that I shall be allowed to remain there and only travel occasionally in order to appease King Henry. That should suffice to ensure my loyalty to him and the crown.”

“Then I pray he’ll allow us to live out our lives in peace,” Katherine declared.

He leaned down and kissed her parted lips. It was almost as if he was trying to breathe new hope into her soul. “I have not even as yet ventured to my birthplace in many a year, my lady. There will be matters that must needs be resolved once we arrive,” he said glumly.

“You mean with Marguerite,” she whispered.

“Aye. She will not be pleasant. I wish there was some way to dispatch her without you ever having to lay eyes on her, but ’tis inevitable you shall meet.”

Katherine rose up on her knees and slowly caressed the planes of Riorden’s face. “Let’s worry about her another day, Riorden. Tonight is just for us.”

“Aye, you have that aright, my lovely wife,” he said, kissing her fully again. She sighed and was about to pull his robe from his shoulders when he broke off their kiss abruptly. “
Merde!
You have me so distracted, I almost forgot the gift I brought for you.”

She twirled her wedding band around her finger. “Surely, this is more than enough, Riorden. Truly, I love my ring and wouldn’t ask for anything more.”

“You will have to indulge me, my sweet,” he said, reaching behind him and bringing forward a square velvet jewelry case. “Since I intend to spoil you for the rest of your life, I might as well begin today.”

A giggle escaped her and she went to retrieve a fairly large sized box she had asked Amiria to have available here. “Then, I have something for you, as well. It’s not much, but was the only thing I could think of to give you that you might treasure. I wanted it to be specifically from me and not purchased with coin belonging to another, since I didn’t have any money of my own to spend.”

“We shall remedy that when we get ourselves home. May I?” he inquired, holding out the box to her.

At her nod, he opened the lid, and Katherine was afraid to even reach out and touch the necklace resting on a bed of dark blue silk. Diamonds sparkled in the candlelight, along with a green square cut emerald of considerable worth. She attempted to form some kind of response to express the loveliness of his gift, but found herself unable to utter anything more than a startled gasp.

Riorden laughed at her expression. “I see I have made my wife speechless, so I assume it meets with your approval?”

“It’s the most beautiful piece of jewelry I’ve ever seen, Riorden. It had to have cost a fortune.”

“Let me worry about its cost. I assure you, I can afford it, and more, as you shall learn. Come now, turn for me so I may clasp it about your neck.”

Katherine held up her hair and felt the warmth of his hands on her shoulders until the coolness of the gems came to rest on her chest. His lips caressed the back of her neck, causing her breath to catch and tingling goose bumps to race across her skin.

“You’re distracting me, my lord.”

“Aye.”

She leaned back into him and he reached forward, cupping her breasts in his hands. Her back arched, giving him further access, while a moan escaped her parted lips. She turned her head. It seemed an invitation as his mouth took possession of hers, leaving her gasping for air.

Opening her eyes, she stared into his own and marveled again at the richness of their color. He gave her a devilish grin that conveyed his desires until she came to her senses and remembered her present for him.

Gazing down, she saw how the emerald pendant was poised just above her cleavage, as if drawing attention to the creamy orbs beneath her robe. She turned forward to him with a smile and noticed how his disappeared. “Well? How does it look?”

“Beautiful,” he said huskily, “and the gems, as well.” He reached out and slid his fingers across the tops of her breasts. “You may end up only wearing this for me, I am afraid. Otherwise, I will not let you out of my sight, my dear.”

Katherine gave him a seductive look. “And should I wear anything else besides this necklace while I’m in your sight, by chance?”

“If I could, I would keep you in our bed and never let you leave.”

“What a horrible thought!”

“You would have nothing to complain about whilst you were there, Katherine, I assure you.”

Her laughter bubbled forth with a smile. “I have no doubt you’ll have me pregnant in no time, my lord, if we continue as we have tonight.”

He turned serious and placed his hand on her abdomen. “I look forward to having you carry my child within you.”

“You’ll make a wonderful father.”

“As you will a mother. Mayhap, we should practice making love to ensure we are doing it right.”

“Believe me, my lord, you are doing everything exactly right.”

“Are you sure? Nothing you would wish for me to change?” he teased.

“Not a thing.”

“We should still practice,” he said, reaching for her hand and bringing it to his lips.

She leaned forward and kissed him. “Thank you, Riorden, for the gift.”

“’Twas my pleasure.”

“Okay, you’re turn,” Katherine said excitedly, remembering her purpose, and waited to see his reaction to his present.

He weighed the box in his hands. “’Tis heavy.”

“Just open it, Riorden.”

He did, and she watched his face. Was it her imagination, or did his eyes mist up as he lifted the frame out of the box and saw what she had given him?

“You wrote this?” he asked in awe.

“Yes,” she whispered. “It’s from my heart to yours.”

He looked at her with eyes full of emotion. “I barely know what to say, my love. Will you read it to me, for I barely can see the words, I am so overcome by such a gift.”

“If you insist,” Katherine said softly and, at his nod, she began.

Silence filled the tent as Katherine finished and she raised her eyes to her husband. He only stared at her, as if he were searching deep inside her soul. Surely, he could see it was laid completely bare before him after such a reading, for she had poured out every emotion imaginable into her poem. It was the only gift she could give him, and she had wanted it to be perfect.

“I’m afraid it doesn’t rhyme. I was never good at that kind of poetry,” she said, slightly embarrassed when he remained silent. She continued on in a rush. “I wish I could have written the document myself, but I was making such a terrible mess of the parchment and had to ask Amiria to help me. It was the quill that was my downfall, you see, and somehow, I didn’t think it would be right to write with a modern day pen.”

Riorden at last shook his head and took the frame, resting it on the small table next to their bedding. He pulled her into his lap and began caressing her hair away from her face while she looked up at him.

“
Ma cher
, you have made me a most humble and thankful man this day. Forever will I cherish this rare gift you have given me,” Riorden said, kissing her parted lips. “’Tis an offering of such value, I am unsure I am worthy. I speak not only of the beautiful words you have written, but of your proclamation of such undying love you have pledged this day.”

She placed her hand over his heart, and he covered her hand with his own. “I know you have promised the same to me, Riorden. No matter how long I must search, my soul shall always find yours until we meet again in the heavens above.”

“This is my vow to you, as well, my sweet Katherine. Forever and always will we be as one.”

Riorden began to kiss her again, as if to seal their fate, and Katherine gave in to the passionate spell he wove around them. No further words were necessary this night, or even into the early morning hours. Time had brought them together. Forever would they so remain.

T
he occupants
of
the elegantly appointed carriage could have cared less that every imaginable luxury had been prearranged to ensure they were comfortably settled. Nerves were stretched taut as the miles continued to roll by, bringing them closer to a destination they were not particularly looking forward to. Uncertainty loomed in the air, along with the unknown, making the silence between them almost unbearable.

The clip clopping of the horses’ hooves continued onward and kept a steady pace, much like the counting-off of ticks from the second hand of a clock. It wouldn’t be much longer before Bamburgh was in sight.

There hadn’t been enough room in the conveyance for all eight of their original party, and Riorden had no issue when Katherine stated she would ride inside with her friends. Juliana and Danior shared the seat with her, leaving Tiernan, Emily, and Brianna riding backwards.

Riorden had his own group riding with him, for Dristan had been reluctant to let them travel without a proper guard. Gavin naturally rode next to his brother and they happily conversed, catching up on the years since they last met. Aiden had volunteered to accompany them, as well, most likely to ensure Emily arrived safely or had not changed her mind about staying. Nathaniel, Drake, and Ulrick had also joined their group. Although Ulrick seemed almost hesitant to do so, given his last conversation with Riorden’s wife.

Danior and Tiernan remained aloof and ill at ease with good cause, considering they were hopefully traveling to the future, if all went according to plan. They’d made it perfectly clear they were uncomfortable with Katherine’s idea of how to gain access to the interior of Bamburgh. They’d ended up taking out their frustration on one another in the lists the day before. At least, that had been the story Katherine had been told upon their return to Berwyck. From the look of things, Danior, in particular, appeared as if he were ready to voice his displeasure...again. It was only Juliana’s hand, reaching out for his, that seemed to calm him.

The women could only stare at one another, as if impending doom was about to fall on top of their heads. In a way, this was true, so they took what time they had left to memorize each other’s features, knowing their paths may never cross again. Their eyes were bloodshot from the amount of tears they had shed. There was no amount of comfort they could receive or give to one another that would make the moment of their separation any more bearable. It was inevitable their friendship would be torn apart.

Katherine took her gaze from the scenery that couldn’t hold her interest and looked over to Juliana with a gloomy expression. “You have my phone to give to my mother?” Katherine asked, in a barely audible voice.

“Yes,” Juliana replied, her voice cracked with emotion. “It’s safely tucked away in my purse.”

“I don’t know why you don’t keep it with you, Katie,” Brianna stated solemnly. “I for one just wanted to hold on to something from the future.”

Emily nodded her head. “We could always record something for your mother on one of our phones to give her.”

Katherine only gave them a timid smile. “There’s no point in me keeping it. I made the video while with Riorden and at our leisure. I can only pray it will give my mother and brother some comfort, knowing I am happy with my decision to remain here in the past. Besides, Riorden wanted to listen to music on our night together, so I’m afraid I ran the battery down until it died. It’s only a useless piece of electronics until it can be recharged.”

“But you’re so close to your mother, Katie,” Juliana whispered. “She’ll be devastated.”

“She’ll understand…in time,” Katherine said tearfully. “You’ll watch over her, won’t you Jewels?”

Juliana reached over and took her hands. Her voice cracked with emotion. “You know I will.”

“Then that’s all I can ask of you.”

“You know we’d do anything for you, Katie,” Emily sniffled, trying her best not to cry.

Katherine looked around at these women who were most dear to her. “Just be happy, my friends and always keep in mind you, too, have been given a rare and special gift. Forever remember…love transcends time itself. Somehow, I have the feeling our paths may just cross again.”

“At least Katie and I will have each other, just as you and Juliana will,” Brianna added brightly, giving them hope.

Tiernan leaned over and gave Emily a kiss on the cheek. “I am most grateful to have found my Emily, but am still concerned on how I shall provide for ye in this future of yers.”

Emily laughed and reached down beneath her feet for her purse. Digging around in the bottom, her face lit up when she finally showed him the handful of coins he had given her in the forest. “We’ll live on these,” she declared triumphantly.

Tiernan laughed. “Em…have ye lost yer senses, lass? Those willna last us but a se’nnight, if that.”

The women laughed.

“What is so amusing, Juliana? I am just as mystified for my predicament, since I am no better off than he is,” Danior asked with a frown, “and I will not have my wife become some washerwoman to support her husband.”

Katherine squeezed Danior’s arm. “Have no fear, gentlemen. The coins you possess may not seem like much here, but they’re worth a small fortune where you’re going. They are in mint condition, and, trust me when I tell you, the right buyer will pay a great deal for even one of those pieces.”

“Yer future must be wealthy then to pay so much for a bit o’ coin,” Tiernan said and watched as Emily put away their future.

Danior nodded, but still seemed puzzled. “Coin shall only go so far. I will need to do something to bring in more wealth. I am not one to just sit idly by, doing nothing day after day.”

“Aye! I will also go mad without something to occupy me,” Tiernan joined in and, for once, the two men seemed to have a common bond.

“Well, you’re both fantastic with a sword, you could teach the techniques of that,” Brianna suggested. “Or, you might try lecturing on medieval studies. You do have firsthand knowledge of the time period, not that anyone would know such information, other than us.”

Danior laughed aloud. “Someone will pay us to speak of such things? They must be daft.”

Katherine smiled, thinking of how these men would see their time period. “Get a hold of Simon when you return to present day Bamburgh, ladies. I have the feeling he’ll know exactly how he can help you.”

“You think so, Katie?” Emily asked, somewhat hesitantly.

“I have the feeling he’s looking for us even as we speak and will most likely be able to solve the issues of passports, identification, and even a buyer for some of those coins, if he’s not interested himself. I wouldn’t be surprised if he bought the whole lot.”

“We’ll find him,” Juliana promised.

The carriage began to slow, and Katherine saw the walls of Bamburgh rising up in the distance. “We’re almost there,” she whispered softly, and took her two friends by their hands.

“Oh God, I can barely stand it, knowing Em and I will never see you both again,” Juliana cried out.

“Never? I think fate will be in our favor, someday,” Brianna answered as she waved out the window to Gavin when he passed by.

Emily squeezed her friend’s hand. “Of course it will. I can’t go through the rest of my life not calling Katie a pansy now and then, can I? How could I do that, if we never see each other again?”

“By the way,” Katherine said with a smirk towards Brianna, who winked at her, knowing her thoughts. “Brie and I, or maybe I should say our significant others, have added to your wealth. I’m sure you’ll find it enough to ensure you live comfortably for the rest of your lives.”

“That was very generous of them,” Juliana answered breathlessly.

“Purely selfish reasons on our part, I assure you. Who knows...maybe someday you’ll both decide to buy a castle somewhere here in England, knowing that, perhaps, Brie and I rode over the same land as you now own.”

“I like that idea,” Emily ventured to say.

“Sounds like you thought of everything, Katie,” Juliana said, managing a meager smile.

Katherine leaned forward and placed a kiss on both Juliana and Emily’s cheeks. “Anything for the cause, my dearest sisters…anything for the cause.”

R
iorden swept
the inner bailey with a practiced eye as the carriage carrying his wife rolled in behind his small procession. The king’s guards took notice of his entourage, but since he wore the colors of Warkworth and carried its standard, he was not questioned as to his business with the king. He was an Earl, after all. He might as well take advantage of the privilege the title afforded him.

Dismounting Beast, he motioned with his hand, and lads from the stables quickly came to lead the horses towards shelter. He waved away another, who made his way in the direction of the carriage to open its door.

“No need. I shall see to my wife and her ladies myself,” Riorden commanded as he let down the stair. “See you to a second chamber for my wife’s attendants. She will want them close at hand, if she has need of them during the night.”

“As you wish, my lord,” the young squire answered respectfully then scurried off to see to the rooms.

Riorden’s men surrounded the carriage, waiting for the women to alight. He opened the door, and the delicate hand of his wife was held forth. He took it gently into his own as he helped her down from the step, and she carefully held her dress so she did not trip.

She dipped down into a deep curtsey afore him, once she was on solid ground. “My lord,” she said meekly. When she stood again, she looked at him through lowered lashes.

“Wife,” he said loud enough for those nearby to hear. “I hope you have managed well enough during our journey.”

“Aye, husband, but I am most weary. Perchance, my ladies and I may rest afore we sup this eve?”

Riorden tucked her hand in the crook of his arm. “Arrangements are already being secured, my dear. Shall we?” he asked, pointing towards the main entrance of the keep.

“Of course,” she answered and looked over her shoulder. “Come, ladies.”

Riorden suppressed a grin as five cloaked women exited the carriage. None seemingly noticed two were more heavily built than the other three who were delicately framed. To the casual observer, the women were just taller than the others and none could see their features. Their hoods over their heads concealed all, and their cloaks hid their garb, with the exception of the hem of their gowns peeking through their capes as they walked. For all intended purposes, there was nothing out of the ordinary about the women, who were elegantly dressed, following their lady.

“’Tis most embarrassing,” Danior quietly complained.

“Shh!” Juliana whispered, with a quick glance around them. “Do you want to be heard?”

The door to the keep was opened for them by a richly appointed servant wearing the king’s colors. As Riorden’s eyes adjusted to the darker interior, he saw the Great Hall was filled to capacity with elegantly dressed courtiers. Noblemen and women quickly cast their gaze at those who entered, and Riorden had to firmly take Katherine’s elbow to steady her step when she faltered, ever so slightly.

“Easy now, my love,” Riorden whispered softly.

“There’s so many of them, Riorden,” she said frantically in a hushed tone, “and they’re all staring at us.”

“’Tis not every day I bring a wife to court, Kat. Besides, we need not have speech with any of them, my sweet. Just remember, we but have to make it to the other side of the room without our ruse being discovered.”

“That’s what I’m afraid of,” she muttered.

He watched her gaze take in the women who began to step forward and noticed one, in particular, who cast a menacing glare at Katherine, as if she wished she could take his wife’s place at his side. It did not go unnoticed by Katherine, who appeared to make a point of glaring directly at the woman as they passed her. If anything, the woman’s look only seemed to deepen in its intensity.

“Are they all so grasping and eager to stab one another in the back in order to gain a title or more wealth?” Katherine asked under her breath.

Riorden brought her hand up to his lips and kissed its back. There was a collective sigh from some of the women who had witnessed such openly displayed affection. They continued forward afore he spoke quietly for her hearing alone. “What? People do not wish for the same in your time, my love?”

She gave him an annoyed sideways look and then rolled her eyes, causing laughter to rumble in his chest. “It seems different here, somehow, if that makes sense,” she said softly as she remained cautious of those who continued to gawk at them.

He shrugged his shoulders. “People are people no matter the time, Kat. There shall always be those who will do all in their power to take what is not rightfully theirs. Sometimes, the cost is more than most can bear.”

Katherine did not reply and perhaps no further words were needed. Riorden felt her nervousness radiate from the forced smile she plastered on her lovely face. Her friends were in no better shape and clearly were not used to playing their part in the intrigue they must resort to in order to save the lives of two men.

Several acquaintances hailed Riorden from across the crowded room, and yet he only gave the briefest of nods and continued his way through the hall. He was thankful His Majesty was not sitting in the chair placed on a raised dais. He was not sure if he was as yet ready to have his ears scorched from the wrath of an angry king. He would think about his part in the deception to King Henry another day and beg forgiveness from God above. If the king found out of his role in Danior and Tiernan’s escape, that is, if Katherine’s plan actually were to work, he knew his head would be hacked off and rotting in the hot sun come the morn. ’Twas not a pleasant thought he cared to consider today or any other day in his near future.