Suzanne Robinson (39 page)

“Here,” Oriel said.

Blade went speechless as she bent down, lifted her skirts, and pulled a tiny pouch from where it was tied to one of her garters. She dug inside the pouch and retrieved a brooch. Set with garnets and pearls, it was made in the form of the letter R. She held it out to Jack Midnight.

“What are you doing?” he asked, snatching the jewel from her.

“I’m saving you a great deal of bother and most likely a few lives as well.” She snatched the brooch back and handed it to Jack Midnight. “There, now you go away, and don’t come back. If you do, I won’t interfere with what Blade will surely do to you.”

Midnight glanced from the brooch to her, then at Blade. Blade scowled at him, which seemed to give him great pleasure. Midnight laughed and patted his cheek. Blade jerked his face out of reach.

“Get you gone, Midnight, before I regain my senses and make you eat that brooch.”

“And I love you, my treasure.” Midnight signaled to his men, who faded into the darkness. “Fare you well, my gem. I entrust you to the keeping of this lady. She tests and taunts you even more unmercifully than I did, which will give me great comfort. Do tell our friend Christian of my great sorrow at not being able to bid him farewell.”

He watched Midnight follow his men into the darkness. Staring at the place where he vanished, Blade wondered if the highwayman would keep his word. Oriel tugged at his hand.

“What of George and Robert?”

“I sent men to find them. They should be at the castle by now.”

He looked down at her, noting the tousled curls that always made her look like a wanton fairy. She was weary. He could see faint purple smudges under her eyes. He stopped himself from picking her up. Instead, he looked over her head at René, who handed him his sword. Releasing her hand, he took it and found his belt. Fastening his scabbard in place, he sheathed his sword while René brought their horses. René mounted, and before Oriel could protest, he swept her up in his arms and handed her to the man.

“Blade?”

“I will lead the way. I left a party of men not far off.”

Mounting, he guided his horse away from her, not daring to glance her way.

“Blade Fitzstephen, you come back here.”

“I will give you shelter for tonight. Then you and your cousins must leave.”

He expected a challenge from her, When he got none, he risked a glance over his shoulder and saw her whispering with René. The sight of those two deliberating caused him much unease. What did they have to say to each other? No matter. He’d decided what was best, and he would continue to act upon that decision. Oriel Richmond would come to understand that his will ruled, and not hers.

After finding his men, he led the party back to La Roche, where he managed to evade Oriel by having her conducted to her cousins, who descended upon her with agitation and relief. He retreated to his own chambers, leaving the settling of his guests to René and his steward. As he’d told her, both George and Robert had been found, along with their men, and were waiting for Oriel.

He went to bed determined not to think of how her body had felt wrapped around his as he climbed out of that tree. He didn’t, but he dreamed of her body
wrapped around his as they made love. He got little sleep.

Dawn found him sitting up in bed trying to think of a way to avoid bidding Oriel farewell this morning. He would order René to make some excuse for him and ride to one of his manors in the next valley. Throwing on his riding clothes, he descended to the hall, intent on grabbing bread and meat from the kitchen to take with him.

He ran down the winding stairs only to halt at the bottom, for his way was blocked by five of the biggest men he’d ever seen. Evidently the Almighty had decided not to spare himself when he made them, for each seemed to have received the height and bulk of three men. They all gazed at him with oxlike placidity.

“Who are you, and what do you in my hall?”

Two of them moved, and Oriel stepped between them.

“Good morrow, my lord. They’re mine.”

“Oriel, what have you done?”

She turned to point at the first man. “This is Hal. Next to him is—is—now, don’t tell me. I memorized your names. This is, um, Edmund, then Bevis and James, and the last is Martin, um, Martin Holydean. They’re brothers.” She clasped her hands in front of her and beamed at him. “I hired them and told them to meet me here. They’re my new guards, my very own.”

He eyed them. They seemed rooted to their posts. He stepped aside, and one moved in front of him. He scowled at Oriel.

“What mean you by this, you devilish little badger?”

She latched onto his arm and pulled him with her to a window seat well away from the giant Holydeans. She sat down and grinned at him. Puzzled, he leaned on the wall next to her.

“These Holydeans, they will protect you on your way home?”

She arranged a fold of her skirt, studying it for a moment before glancing up at him archly. “No, Blade, they’re my answer to your fears.”

“You make no sense.”

“You said you were afraid you would hurt me.” She indicated the five men who were staring at them from their post at the stairs. “This is my answer. You can’t.”

He stared at her. She looked back at him and smiled.

“It’s right mad you are,” he said at last.

She clasped her hands in her lap. “Hit me.”

“I will not!”

“But you said you would.”

“In anger, no other way. And you must think me addlepated if you think these Holydeans make any difference. God’s blood. If we married, I would own them as well as you, and send them away.”

“And then?”

“And then,” he stopped and pondered. “And then some day I might …”

“Hit me?”

He couldn’t say the words, so he nodded. She startled him by jumping to her feet with a curse.

“Very well, suppose you did this thing which is so against your nature. Suppose you hit me. Then, Blade Fitzstephen, I can promise you this. You would hit me only once.”

“How so? I could hurt you badly.”

“Then, sirrah, you had better not sleep.”

Never had a woman threatened him. He had never heard of a woman threatening any man in such a manner. Mayhap it was her learning that had made her so bold. Hot spikes of temper jabbed at him.

“You insolent wench, you hired these ruffians to threaten me.”

She rose and planted herself in front of him, smiling as if she’d been invited to court. “I have indeed.”

Furious, he shouted at her. “I won’t be cozened by a
fey changeling of a girl. God’s blood. I rule here, not you, and I’ll not be threatened.”

“But I love you.” Her eyes rounded with bewilderment and she tried to touch his arm.

He yanked it out of her reach. “I don’t care. Do you hear me? I don’t care.” His anger was so great he didn’t pause when tears began to roll down her cheeks. “I’ve important matters that need my attention. I expect you to be gone when I return. If you are not, I’ll throw you out of the castle myself.”

He hurled himself out of the hall and across the ward. He didn’t stop until he reached the stables. Shouting at the grooms, he nurtured his wrath until his horse was saddled. She’d dragged his fears into the open, and somehow, the exposure had curdled his entrails. No woman was going to strip him naked like that. He urged his horse into motion as if a hoard of demons were after him instead of one tearful young woman.

Oriel watched Blade race out of the hall, her vision blurred by tears. He hadn’t understood her at all, and now he hated her. She ran after him, pausing in the doorway to watch him hurtle across the bailey, dodging men at arms and servants. Then she frowned. He was angry with her. The only reason he could be angry with her was because he loved her. He ran from her because he couldn’t run from himself.

With that thought, she sprang out of the hall after him. He’d gained the outer ward and disappeared by the time she emerged from the bailey, and she lost time searching for him in the barracks, the smithy, and the mews. She came out of the mews in time to see him mount his horse. Launching herself after him, she raced for the gate house.

He hadn’t seen her. His horse was trotting slowly, gathering speed for a canter, when she drew alongside. She saw the gate house ahead. If he gained it before her, she would be left behind. Desperate, she burst ahead of
Blade and dashed in front of him. As she did, the horse sped up, and she felt a great weight thrown against her shoulder. She cried out at the massive jolt, and flew backward. Hitting the ground, she fell on her back, and her head bounced off the packed earth of the outer ward.

The blow flung all perception from her body except pain. She tried to lift her head, but it fell back. It seemed as if she were fading, like light at sunset. She heard Blade calling her from a great distance. He must have ridden to the next valley, and was shouting at her from there.

Her next awareness came slowly. Her head throbbed and had swollen to thrice its accustomed size. Her bones seemed to be sore, and she couldn’t open her eyes. She tried to move a hand, and found it still attached to her arm. Moaning, she put one of them to her head. It was smaller than she’d guessed. Something was weighing her other hand down. She ventured to lift an eyelid, and saw Blade’s dark head resting on her hand. She was lying on the bed in the chamber she’d slept in last night.

“Mmmm.”

His head shot up, and she could see terror recede from his eyes.

“Oriel?” He squeezed her hand, and she protested. He kissed it.
“Chère
, can you hear me?”

“Mmmm.” She moved her head and winced.

“Don’t,” he said. “I’ve sent for an apothecary.
Sacré Dieu
, why did you run in front of my horse?” He put her hand against his cheek and stared into her half-opened eyes. “God’s blood, I thought you were dead. I forbid you ever to take such a risk again.
Chère
, you can’t keep endangering yourself so. I won’t allow it.”

She wet her lips and whispered so that he was forced to lean close. “Your fault.”

“What?”

“You ran away. Coward.”

She tried to sit up, and he helped her, supporting her in his arms. Leaning her aching head on his shoulder, she gasped as a sharp pain stabbed at her temple. The strength seemed to leak from her body, and she fell heavily against him. He cursed and gently returned her to the pillows, keeping his arms around her. When she opened her eyes again, he was looking down at her in helpless fury.

“Oriel Richmond, the moment you’re out of my sight, you try to get yourself killed. I vow I’ll not live a month if you don’t cease this madness.”

“I only wanted to show you—”

He put a finger against her lips. “I know. God’s blood, in the last hour you’ve taught me a lesson, though not the one you intended. When my horse hit you, and you flew into the air and hit the ground like an egg thrown by a catapult, I thought the fear would kill me. I was trying not to hurt you and did so anyway.”

“I wasn’t finished.” She rubbed her temple and gazed up at him, hoping the pain wouldn’t increase before she could tell him what she needed to tell him. “I could go away, if you hurt me. I have my jewels and my inheritance. I will keep them.” She clutched his hand. “Don’t you see? I have a power of my own, a will of my own, ungoverned by you, and thus I can prevent your treating me unfairly. Though I will make you a wager that you’ll never do these terrible things you fear.”

“Hush,
chère
.” Blade lowered his head, then faced her again. “You must let me speak now.” He took a deep breath and continued. “I have been thinking, since I nearly killed you just now, and realized that if I don’t keep you with me, I won’t be able to protect you from yourself. Now, don’t get angry. It isn’t good for you in your state. By my troth,
chère
, I don’t think I can live knowing you’ll continue to cast yourself into peril this way. If I could be sure you wouldn’t stir from your
uncle’s library, I might be content. I don’t suppose you would care to promise not to get yourself into trouble?”

She shook her head and waited without breathing. He looked at her without smiling for long moments, meeting her gaze and searching it as if pondering a great mystery. Then, slowly, his lips curled, his eyes brightened to shining silver, and he gave a sigh of relief.

“Thank God,” he said.

“I don’t understand.”

“I think,
chère
, that the only way I can be certain of your safety is to keep you near me, and the only way to do that is to make you my own. Will you allow me to become your lord?”

Irritated, she poked him with her elbow. “God’s toes, why think you I’ve engaged in all these machinations?”

He spoke to her softly. “Now,
chère
, if I’m to be your husband, you must give me deference.”

“My head hurts.”

Laughing, he kissed her lightly and rose. “I’ll see if they’ve found the apothecary.”

He left, but returned with the apothecary, who gave her herb tea and ordered her to rest. The tea soothed the ache in her head, and she fell asleep with Blade holding her hand. She woke to find the setting sun casting golden light through the windows of her chamber. Her head no longer ached, but she was alone.

Had she dreamed that he’d returned to her? Had he run away instead? After all, she’d hit her head. Mayhap she’d imagined that he’d come to her in a delirium. Dread sent her heart crawling up her throat, and she sat up. Her head twinged, but she ignored the discomfort and tottered across the room to the door.

As she went, her fear grew. He’d abandoned her, and she would be alone again, without his strength and wit and magical presence. She reached the door knowing that if he’d left her, he might as well have trampled her beneath the hooves of his stallion. She flung the
door open, and a group of men standing in the room beyond turned as one to look at her. One of them broke from the group and rushed to her.

“Chère
, you mustn’t race about like this.”

He caught her shoulders, and she twisted her fingers in his leather jerkin. He smiled at her, oblivious to her disquiet, and calmly picked her up. Carrying her back to the bed, he deposited her there as if she were a delicate crystal.