Journey in Time (Knights in Time) (28 page)

She reiterated the facts, employing those nervous hands to emphasize and express. Admiration filled Alex. Her summation aimed not just at the Royal Judge but for all her would-be detractors and critics. It was a court of a different nature than she trained for, but his beautiful barrister held her own.
 

She finished her closing argument and curtsied before the king. Dankworth had no opportunity to explain or deny before the prince ordered him taken away.

A long silence followed as the two Edwards, king and prince, whispered. Shakira, who hadn’t been dismissed, remained a few yards from the throne. Her eyes widened into saucers when the guards brought Dankworth back. Hands pinned to her sides, she clutched the wool of her surcoat and shot a terrified, deer in the crosshairs, glance at Alex.

The prince nodded once to John Holland. The steward came forth to receive hushed instructions. After a moment, Holland stood at attention and announced the decision.

“Thomas Dankworth, you have been found guilty of perjury, violating the king's trust, and criminal intent against a subject under his direct protection. Your manor and all movable property are hereby forfeit to the crown. You're remanded to the Tower where you'll remain while the charge of treason is considered."

The king left the hall, no apology, no words of regret to Shakira for forcing her to go with Dankworth.

Alex rushed to her and offered a supportive arm while his lips brushed her temple. Surrounded by Basil, Simon, and Stephen, her relieved expression turned to alert as Prince Edward approached the raucous group.

He greeted the men and kissed her hand. "Lady Shakira, the king offers you the property of your choice from Dankworth’s assets. Whatever you desire, I will see it delivered prior to your departure?"

"Nothing, I want nothing of his."

"You are certain?"

"Yes. I thank the king for his generosity but wish nothing from Dankworth."

"As you wish." The prince bowed and turned to leave.

"Wait."

Edward pivoted smoothly to face her again. "Yes, milady?"

"I would like his grey stallion."

"It is done."

Shakira smiled at Alex. "The poor animal suffered a brutal existence and deserves the fine treatment of your stable. Do you mind?"

Alex shook his head.

***

The prince sent several bottles of wine to Alex. Two were vanquished with remarkable speed, even for his friends. Shakira alone downed two goblets before he was halfway finished with his first. The rapid consumption didn't seem to faze her.

When the others left, Alex told her they'd leave the following morning, unless she wanted something special from the London purveyors. If so, he’d delay their departure until the day after.

He'd never known a female to shun a shopping opportunity or to pack with such alacrity.

Chapter Thirty-Three

     
To Shakira, the faster they got away from king and court the better. She tried to convince Alex she’d be fine traveling at a quicker pace. He wouldn’t hear of it. He worried about aggravating her injuries and insisted on a slower speed. They plodded along at a snail’s pace to everyone else’s annoyance. The normally three day journey from London to Elysian Fields stretched to five.

"I've never been so grateful to see a place in my life. There's only one place I'd be happier to see," Shakira said.

Fatigue from their ride home vaporized as the high Keep of Elysian Fields came into view. She refrained from galloping ahead like a madwoman. It wouldn't do for the lord's mistress to go flying into the bailey but her anxiety was catchy. Eclipse danced in anticipation as their party exited the surrounding woods. A fine mist blew out his nose as he snorted, dropped his head, and broke into an extended canter.

When they crossed the drawbridge, she slowed him to a trot and drew the hood of her cloak up to shield her still discolored face. Inside the bailey, while servants gathered around Alex, she pulled Stephen aside.

“Please keep the circumstances of my captivity confidential. If anyone asks, simply say I was robbed.” If people knew the details they’d assume she was violated, an intolerable prospect for her. Stephen said he understood and would relay her wishes to Simon and Jared.

The handsome knight was set upon by several flirty young ladies as he walked to the barracks. Stephen possessed a fine sense of humor, a quick mind, and strong a code of ethics. She watched the bubbly females with amusement and appreciation. They knew a good catch when they saw one.

"What did you and Stephen have your heads together over?" Alex rubbed his dripping hair with a length of clean cloth. He’d stuck his head in the water of the horse trough alongside a thirsty Thor.

"I asked him not to mention what happened with Dankworth and to ask the same of Simon,” she said, smoothing his hair. "You have cow licks. Why'd you stick your head in the trough anyway?"

"My head gets hot and sticky under my helm. It itches to death after awhile and the cool water feels great." He threw the wet cloth to Jared and slipped her hand through his elbow. "Shall we go upstairs and discuss our wedding?"

"I wasn't sure if we were still on. You haven't mentioned it since the day you proposed," she said, scared he changed his mind. Understandable if he did. She’d been shitty to him, punishing him for saying,
it’s not like we’re really married.
 

"You’ve been so quiet, I thought you preoccupied with the trial. I didn't think you wanted to be distracted by talk of marriage plans."

Shakira stared in both relief and disbelief. Relieved she didn’t have to explain her bad mood in London and astonished by his deduction. "With all the women you've dated, how is it the only knowledge you've acquired is carnal?" she asked, amusing herself by putting him on the defensive.

"What? What did I say that's wrong?"

"Alex, there isn't a woman alive who doesn’t want to talk about her wedding plans, no matter what else is going with her."

"How was I to know?"

"My point exactly."

"Women. Let's go upstairs and work out the details."

Really married
or not, Shakira beamed as they entered the Keep.

***

Their chamber hadn't had a fire since they left, and Richard didn't have advance word of their arrival to start one. Shakira sat on the bed wrapped in her cloak and the velvet counterpane. In spite of the layers of material, she shivered fitfully in the damp and unseasonably cold October weather.
 

Alex got the fire going in minutes. "Is there anything special you’d like for the ceremony? Remember time is short. The affair can't be elaborate." He continued to poke the logs until yellow and orange flames flared.

"I have several gowns I haven't worn. I'm sure one will suit. I’d like to use Eclipse and carry a bouquet, even if it’s only wildflowers."

"I'm sure we can muster up some chrysanthemums and asters."

She unlaced and toed her short boots off and shed the quilt and cloak. She moved a chair in front of the fire and stretched her legs so her feet were only inches away. "When is the wedding, you never said?"
 

"Day after tomorrow, nice and quick. I’m taking no chances, in case the king gets a wild hair up his bum and orders me to delay the marriage.” Alex dragged his chair to the fire and settled her feet in his lap, rubbing them between his warm hands. “What did you plan to do with Eclipse?"

"I don’t have anything specific in mind yet. He's so magnificent with his shiny black coat and—ooh," she squealed. "You deliberately tickled my foot."

"I'll find a use for Eclipse," he said behind a mischievous smile.

His hands slid along the back of her calves, their touch as light as silk. He pulled her chair closer. Those magic hands moved further up and his fingers danced an erotic tattoo behind her knees. They continued to circle and swirl as he pushed her skirts out of the way and trailed his lips from her knee to her thigh. Shakira gripped the side of the chair and spread her legs wider in invitation.

"What do you think darling, should I order us a bath?" His breath warmed her cool skin.
 

She bounded from the chair and straddled him. One hand held his head steady as her marauding lips sought every bit of exposed flesh from brow to collar. The other hand fumbled but ultimately succeeded in undoing the drawstring of his hose. "I take it you want to postpone the bath."

"You talk too much Mr. Lancaster."

Chapter Thirty-Four

“I don’t see why you’re in such a tizzy about this,” Alex said. He’d have thought after their pleasant romp in bed and a hot bath she’d be pretty mellow. Guessed wrong there.

"When were you going to tell me your sister was coming?"

He’d sent a rider to his sister’s with the invitation before they left London. "What difference does it make?" Alex asked as Shakira crossed back and forth in front of him. "I wish you’d sit down. I feel like a Wimbledon judge."

 
"When are they due?"

 
"Midday tomorrow. Why are you upset?"

She stopped pacing and brought her hands within inches of his throat and threatened him with strangulation. "Could you be denser? It's your family and I want to make a good impression. I could’ve worked on menus while we rode home, if I’d had some advance notice."

"Everything will be fine. Richard’s handling the details." Alex snatched a handful of skirt and reeled Shakira in. "Don't worry, she'll adore you. Madeline’s been trying to marry me off for ages."

"Does she know what I am to you?"

"I doubt she's heard. Her husband, Hugh, has a small barony in Somerset. Neither goes to court often so gossip takes awhile to reach them. Regardless, my sister will be happy for me. She's not like those vipers at court."

"Good, that makes me feel better."

“Oh, there'll be one other guest I forgot to mention."

Her grey eyes sharpened into raptorish slits. "Let me guess, the King of Prussia, or the Archbishop of Canterbury, perhaps?"

"Such sauce." He hooked a chair with his foot and brought it over. "Sit."

She plopped down. "Who?"

"Basil."

"Ooh, that reminds me," she said with sudden animation and perched on the edge of her seat. "I meant to ask you about him days ago. Jeez, there I was, beaten to a pulp, and who do I see but Miranda's husband. I thought I was delusional. Why didn’t you warn me about the strong resemblance between him and Ian?"

"Once we saw our new selves, we didn’t dwell on each other’s looks afterward. That would fall into the realm of poofs."

"Warning me about the similarity in their looks is not gay.”

"You knew not to call Basil Ian, that’s the important part.

"Back to the guest list, what about the rest of your family?"