Vengeance 03 - Believe In Me (3 page)

But her determination was strong.

A few cold nights on the road was nothing compared to what her mother had endured the night she’d been murdered.

As quietly as possible, she eased open the door of the stable. The darkness that greeted her was so complete she wait
ed a moment inside until her eyes adjusted. She set the bag that held her things at the entrance so she’d have her hands free to saddle her horse. Once again, she’d donned most of her clothes and put only a few items in the small bag in case she had to slip away without it.

The familiar smell of hay and animals eased her nerves.
A soft whinny made her smile. Impatient to be on her way, she began to feel her way along the row of stalls toward the back where her mare was kept.

As
she reached the heart of the stable, she saw the vague outlines of stalls. The horses’ movements were comforting, their snorts giving her a better sense of where she was. She ran her hand along the stall doors to keep her balance. The wood was worn smooth from constant use in some places, yet rough in others. Her fingers trailed across woolen fabric, and she stopped, trying to place the feel with what she knew to be in the stable. She patted it curiously.

“You are awake very early, my lady.”

Cristiana jerked her hand away as fright stole her breath. That deep voice could belong only to the knight sent to fetch her. Other than a few servants, no men resided at the convent. Blast him!

“As are you, sir.
” She fought to keep her voice from trembling.

“Where is it you’re going?”
the irksome man asked as he reached out to steady her.

“I
...I wanted to prepare my horse for the journey.”

“
A bit early, isn’t it?”

“I like to be ready.”

“Truly? How efficient of you.”

He released her, and it was all she could do not to rub her arm where he’d held her
to stop the tingling sensation. “That describes me well. I am nothing if not efficient.”

“
How interesting. Allow me to assist you.”

“No need. I’m certain you have many other duties to perform before we depart.”

“But I insist. Which horse is yours?” He took her elbow and turned her toward the rear of the stable.

She jerked her elbow from his grasp. “I prefer to work alone.”

“As do I.”

She had the distinct impression that he was
amused by her, though she could barely make out his features in the dim light.

With a huff of breath, she led th
e way to the back, her mind racing to find another means of escape. The answer lay in getting rid of the knight. She certainly couldn’t overpower him. She’d tried to bluff him to no avail. Her attempt to bribe him had met with no success. There had to be another way.

“
Is Sister Mawde as efficient as you?” he asked.

Puzzled, she looked up at
him. “What do you mean?”

“Abbess Catherine advised me that she’s accompanying us on the journey.”

Cristiana’s head fell back and she closed her eyes in disbelief. The day was getting worse every moment and it had only just begun. “Sister Mawde? Are you certain?”

“Indeed. Why?”

“Traveling to the local village with Sister Mawde is a trial. Going with her all the way to Longsbury will be a nightmare.”

“How so?” he asked.

“I believe I’ll let you discover her attributes on your own. I wouldn’t want to be accused of gossiping along with my other sins.”

“Have you so many sins that you feel the need to count them?”

“I won’t be listing them for you.”

His low chuckle
sent shivers down her spine. What was it about this man that unsettled her so?

They reached the end of the stable and Cristiana unlatched the window shutters
and pushed them open. The sun had not yet arisen, but the light was bright enough to hurt her eyes after the dimness of the stable. She turned to look up at the knight, struck yet again by his attractiveness. How unfortunate that he stood between her and freedom, else she might’ve enjoyed getting to know him.

Those
intelligent brown eyes of his made her worry. It seemed as though he waited for her next move, ready to outflank any step she took. She’d yet to ruffle his steady regard.

But the day wasn’t over.

Whatever the cost, she had to escape as quickly as she could manage. She’d watch for an opening and seize it. Having Sister Mawde along could actually work in her favor. The woman might provide her with the perfect distraction.

Her horse stuck her nose over the stable door and Cristiana reached out to stroke
the soft muzzle.

“
I fear I’ve forgotten your name,” Cristiana told the man beside her.

“William de Bremont.
William, if you please.”

“Well,
William, are you certain I can’t convince you to return without me? My previous offer of doubling your pay is still open.” She held little hope he’d accept her offer but she had to ask. If he agreed to it, her plan would be much simpler. Not that she actually had much money to pay him, but she would worry about that if he accepted.

“I gave my word to Bishop
Duval that I would bring you safely to Longsbury.”

“Regardless of what
I
want?” Cristiana saw his frustration mount at her words, yet she had to argue. How could it not matter what she wanted? What
she
thought best?

“
’Tis my understanding that you recently lost your mother. You are unmarried with no father or brother to protect you. The bishop has generously offered to serve as your guardian. This is an honor he bestows on you.”

“
An honor I did not ask for, nor do I want.”

The knight
shook his head but said nothing more. He clearly didn’t understand her feelings on the matter. Somehow, she was certain that explaining the reasons for those feelings would not gain her any ground with this man.

William
didn’t leave her side as preparations were made for their journey. Did he guess she’d try to escape again? Frustrated, Cristiana could only watch as he saw that the horses and his two men-at-arms were ready.

T
he other knight, who William introduced as Sir Henry Postel, managed to coax Sister Mawde out of the convent with only a small bag in hand more quickly than Cristiana had anticipated.

She
couldn’t help but smile at the odd picture they made—the large, bald man beside the small, stout woman. As with many of the nuns, it was difficult to guess Sister Mawde’s age. She seemed to have been born old.

Had
Henry pried the switch from Sister Mawde’s fingers? The birch rod, normally ever present, was nowhere to be seen. That had to be a good omen for the journey.

Even while
William bid Abbess Catherine goodbye, he seemed to watch Cristiana. She wasn’t worried. His vigilance couldn’t continue all day.

Could it?

Their party consisted of the two men-at-arms who worked for the bishop along with the two knights, herself and Sister Mawde. Cristiana hoped bread and cheese had been included in the cloth-wrapped bundles the sisters had provided. Anything would be better than the steady diet of pottage of which she’d grown so tired.

Abbess Catherine approached Cristiana
and grasped her hands. “I wanted a few moments with you before you depart.”

Cristiana’s throat closed as unexpected sadness flowed through her.
The woman had become a temporary replacement for Cristiana’s mother in some ways, and she was going to miss her. “I...”

“What is it, my dear?” The abbess’s
wise blue gaze searched hers.

“I truly appreciate your kindness these past two months.
I don’t know what I would’ve done without you.” The older woman’s serene expression blurred as tears filled Cristiana’s eyes.

The abbess released her hands to hug her. “My child, you are welcome. You shouldn’t have
had to experience this loss, but we are not privy to God’s plans.”

Cristiana bit her tongue. She and the abbess had explored
that very subject during their lengthy conversations since her arrival at the convent. While Abbess Catherine wanted her to believe her mother’s death served a greater purpose, Cristiana wanted only to make the murderer pay.

“I wish you’d let me stay,
” Cristiana whispered.

The abbess chuckled. “I don’t believe it was your intent to remain with us, regardless of the arrival of the bishop’s men.” She pulled back
to look at Cristiana.

Cristiana couldn’t hold her gaze. Lying to the abbess would take a stronger person than she.
“I don’t think it wise that I become a ward of Bishop Duval’s.”

“
’Tis a great honor. I informed him of your gift. He seems quite excited at the idea of it.”

Alarm
filled Cristiana. Her mother would’ve been most displeased at this news. “I’ve found the less people who know of my...skill, the better.”

“That is wise of you, for many would not understand your gift, but I don’t think
that holds true for the bishop.”

The thought of discussing her healing abilities with the bishop left her nauseous.
“If you’d allow me to spend some time discovering who killed my mother, then perhaps at a later date I could pay him a visit.”

Cristiana knew
her request was useless, but she couldn’t help herself. Frustration speared through her. No one seemed to understand her desire to find the murderer and make him pay, yet she could think of nothing else.

“My
dear, I wish you’d find peace about your mother’s death. The only way you will is to forgive. With forgiveness comes—”

“Forgetfulness.
Aye, so you’ve told me.”

“God is the One who measures out justice.”

“The verse from
Romans
. I know. But the Bible also says an eye for an eye.” Cristiana couldn’t keep the bitterness from her tone. She’d given up trying to explain that she couldn’t forgive the murderer. He’d stolen the life she’d shared with her mother. As far as she was concerned, vengeance was her only option.

She could only hope her search did not lead her to the bishop. He was a powerful man. Besides, what possible reason would he
have to take her mother’s life?

With a deep breath, she pasted a smile on her face. “Again, I can’t thank you enough for everything.” That much, she could say with sincerity.

“Go with God, my child.” The abbess hugged her again then stepped back. “Please consider what we’ve discussed.”

Cristiana turned away, prepared to put this place behind her, ready to move forward.
Nothing could be resolved if she stayed here. She swung onto her horse with the help of a wooden mounting block and smoothed out the folds of her cloak as she waited for the others.

Her stomach was in knots at the thought of meeting the bishop. If he
’d had anything to do with her mother’s death, what was to stop him from taking hers? At the very least, she could not do what she needed to if she was his ward. Living with the scrutiny of the sisters these past two months had taught her that.

As she patted her horse’s neck, she watched
Henry settle Sister Mawde on her horse and tie her bag to the back of the saddle.

“
I’d prefer to ride in a cart,” the sister told the big knight.

“
The road we’re taking makes traveling by cart difficult,” he responded.

Cristiana did her best to suppress a smile, but the woman looked ridiculous. She perched awkwardly atop her steed with her knees up near the horse’s neck
even as she continued to protest. The horse seemed as uncomfortable as the nun, glancing back to see what the person on its back was doing.

William
watched the spectacle as well. He turned away to hide his smile and caught Cristiana’s gaze, his brown eyes sparkling with mirth.

That smile made her catch her breath.

His crooked grin was boyishly charming and sent a wash of sensation through her. She held his gaze for a long moment before shifting her attention to her horse. It would be best if she left the company of the handsome William before these odd feelings distracted her from her purpose.

Before the day ended, she intended to do just that.

Autumn leaves covered the ground, painting it shades of rust, gold, and brown.
Evergreens and bare-branched oaks lined the path they followed. The landscape on the top of this ridge held little advantage for Cristiana as the thinning foliage didn’t provide enough cover.

Urgency filled her as the sun lowered on the horizon
. If she could escape before dusk, darkness would hide her and give her the time she needed to put distance between her and the rest of their small party.

The day had passed slowly, their pace hampered by Sister Mawde as Cristiana had expected. The nun was uncomfortable on her horse and insisted on stopping several times, but none of those stops had provided Cristiana with the opportunity
she sought to escape.

Her gaze caught on
William as he rode alongside her, his grey steed a perfect complement to his calm persona. She knew he watched her as though she were an interesting object he didn’t quite comprehend. Well, that made two of them, for she didn’t understand him or his cursed sense of honor either. Surely most other knights could’ve been bribed easily enough, but not him. He rode with ease but held himself stiffly, though she’d observed few men ride in a surcoat and chain mail. Perhaps all rode as he.

Not that he wasn’t a pleasure to watch.

The mail made his shoulders look all the wider, his chest all the broader.
The light breeze tugged at his brown hair, blowing waves across his forehead. He closed his eyes for a brief moment then frowned. Was the man in pain? Was that why he rode so rigidly?

She turned to
Henry but found him relaxed, moving with the horse’s gait.

S
ighing, she pulled her gaze away from both men. Any pain William might have was of no concern to her. Hopefully, she could keep it that way. Her gift of healing gave her an overwhelming desire to help others. At times, it was extremely annoying.

Soon the path descended toward the valley floor, and with it, Cristiana’s hopes rose.
The terrain changed to a steep rocky incline on one side and dark, thick woods on the other. What she needed now was a distraction.

She glanced at the knight who seemed to keep one eye on her and the other on the countryside.
“I would like to halt for a few moments.”

He frowned, dark brows framing his eyes.
The man was attractive even when he looked displeased. “We need to travel farther before dark.”

She tilted her head and blinked several times.
“Must I be more specific or can you guess the reason for my need to stop?”

The frown turned to a scowl, but he
shouted to the two men-at-arms who led the way.

“
Why are we stopping here?” Sister Mawde asked. “Is it time to halt for the night?”

Henry
answered the sister while William dismounted and moved to assist Cristiana. As his warm hands claimed her waist, she couldn’t help but regret the layers of clothing she’d donned again that morning. He must think her stout. She shook her head at her ridiculous thoughts and reminded herself to focus on what mattered.

Her feet touched the ground, yet still
he held her, one hand trembling at her waist, his face a mask of concentration.

Then
all that focus shifted to her.

H
is gaze met hers for a long moment then dropped to her lips. She caught her breath and her stomach fluttered in response.

His
eyes held hers again, and the flutters increased threefold.

“
Don’t venture far,” he said as he released her abruptly and gestured toward the trees.

She
took the reins of her horse and started toward the woods, only to feel William’s hand on her arm.

“I’ll
take your horse,” he told her, watching her closely.

“Oh
. Thank you.” Now what was she to do? Panic built in the back of her throat. How could she reach her destination without her mare?

She tried to think through her options, but this could be her only chance.
There was nothing to be done except go into the forest.

Sister
Mawde continued her complaints, this time drawing William into the conversation. Cristiana gave her silent thanks for distracting the knight.

She’d managed to take extra cheese and dried meat when they’d stopped at mid-day. Hopefully that would be enough
to see her through the next morn. Then she’d have to find food. She wasn’t certain how long it would take to reach her cousin’s home. Before she worried about the details, she needed to complete her escape.

Finding a path
through the thick undergrowth, she made her way to the largest tree in view, a massive oak. The sooner she was out of sight, the better. She could still hear voices behind her. Sister Mawde was cooperating nicely with her plan.

Cristiana dared a look
back. No one yet looked for her. Bolder now, she worked her way farther into the woods. Once she escaped, she planned to walk parallel to the road they followed. With luck, William would assume she’d return to the convent when in actuality she planned to continue northeast—far enough away from Longsbury to be safe, yet close enough to begin her search.

She hurried now
, her heart thundering as she walked as fast as she dared. The underbrush caught her skirts, slowing her progress. Again, she glanced over her shoulder but saw nothing nor could she hear voices.

Though too soon to declare victory, she couldn’t help but smile at her success.
Her dark cloak would help hide her and protect her from the branches she passed. The setting sun cast long shadows through the woods and would help conceal her as well. They wouldn’t be able to search for her for long, not with darkness falling.

A pounding echoed in her head, then in her chest. She put a hand to her heart, but realized the sensation came not from within her, but from without.

She looked back to see Sir William’s horse bearing down on her. Panicked, she ran. She couldn’t be caught already. Crashing through bushes, past branches that clawed at her cloak, her feet found no purchase on the uneven ground. Still she flew, her muscles protesting with the effort.

The
hammering hooves drew closer. Though she knew she was no match for the horse, she tore through the forest as fast as her legs could carry her. She would not give up.

“Hold!”

But she couldn’t stop.

“Lady Cristiana, hold.”

“Nay!” she cried out. “Leave me be!”

“Halt
! Or I’ll do it for you.”

She
glimpsed the horse out of the corner of her eye and at last slowed her pace, her breath coming in gasps from her frantic flight.

The knight slid off his
steed and caught her in his arms. “Are you daft?” He gave her a shake and didn’t let go. “I feared you crazed before, but this proves it true.”

“If you’d let me
—”

“Have you no idea of the dangers that await you in the woods? Both man and beast would do you harm. You’d never make it through the night unscathed.”

Her chin went up a notch. “I’m not ignorant of the dangers that lurk here, but I’m willing to take my chances.”

His gaze burned into hers. “Then you’
ll soon follow your mother to the grave.”

Pain stole what little breath she had.
Tears threatened. Her throat burned with the effort to hold them back. “Do not speak of my mother again,” she whispered.

The quiet words with all their pent
-up emotion struck William. Cristiana’s large brown eyes glistened with tears and remorse filled him. He hadn’t meant to hurt her, only to frighten her into cooperating for her safety and his sanity.

“My lady, it is my duty to see you safely to Bishop
Duval.”

“I’ve told you I have no desire to go.
What I want
should
matter.”

Sympathy for her and her predicament pulled at him. “I fear it doesn’t. Not at this moment.”

“I am a woman grown, not a child.”

Those simple words turned his awareness to the shapely form in his arms.
A woman indeed and a beautiful one at that. His mouth went dry as he looked at her anew. His hands gentled on her arms. A strand of her hair escaped her braid, and he tucked it behind her ear. “A woman for certain, but I cannot grant you what you wish.”

Those eyes of hers looked up at him, full of emotions and secrets he
couldn’t begin to fathom. Her lips parted, her breath still coming fast from her flight through the woods. He hoped his overwhelming desire for her was only because it had been so long since he’d last been with a woman. Otherwise, she wouldn’t have twisted him up like this.

“William, if you’d please listen to me.”
Her husky voice resonated deep within him. Her hands rose to his shoulders as though to force him to heed her words.

He watched the movement of her lips as she spoke and felt the h
eat of her hands near his neck.

And was lost.

With slow, halting movements, he bent his head, her mouth drawing him closer. He put his hand along her cheek, her skin soft and warm. Her flowery scent filled his head. His lips touched hers, his heart thundering in his ears even while his mind told him this was a mistake.

She stilled as though shocked at his forward behavior. Then she responded tentatively
before growing more fervent. Her lips tasted sweet, hot, beneath his, and any remaining thoughts he had took flight.

“William?” Henry’s voice
from the edge of the trees brought reality crashing back.

W
ith reality came duty.

He
lifted his head and his gaze caught hers. Her expression registered the same surprise he felt. “My lady—”

“William!” Henry’s voice came closer.

“Here,” William called out. He dropped his hand and stepped back from Cristiana, hoping the space between them would cool his ardor. “Once you meet the bishop, you can tell him what you want. Perhaps he can arrange it.”

Disappointment crossed her face before her expression hardened. “By then, it will be far too late.” She
turned away.

Henry arrived on his horse with hers
in tow and glanced between the pair of them. “Is all well?”

“Nay, I fear not.
” Cristiana took the reins of her mare from him.

Henry cocked a brow at William.

“It seems what the lady wants I cannot provide.” Before Cristiana could deny him, he lifted her up on her horse, silently cursing as his arm trembled with the strain. Pain shot through him. He would pay for exerting his shoulder, he knew, but he was tired of favoring the injury.

“
Is something amiss—” Before Cristiana could finish, he cut off her question.

“
Nay. All is well.” Hadn’t he been telling himself that for weeks? But it seemed his thoughts didn’t make it so.

He didn’t need sympathy
; he only needed his body to heal.

***

“Come down from there,” William called up to where the lady perched precariously on a rock ledge high above the ground.

He
knew his first impression had been correct—the woman was not of sound mind. And stubborn. He couldn’t forget how very stubborn she was.

Better that he remembered
her tenaciousness than how she fit in his arms, than wonder how her lips might taste a second time.

They’d stopped to make camp for the night, much to everyone’s relief. He’d turned his back for only a moment and Cristiana had disappeared
again. William had left Henry in charge of seeing the others settled while he rode in search of her. To his surprise, he’d found her some distance away, climbing up a steep, rocky incline.

“Nay.
Let me be.” With more determination than sense, she reached for another handhold to scale the rock wall.

“Where is it you intend to go?” he asked as he
dismounted then studied the wall for the best path. If she’d had more time, she would’ve reached the top and made good her escape. Somehow, he was certain he’d have to climb up there after her. The woman wouldn’t listen to reason.

“Away from you,” she called down to him.

He decided there was no point in being offended at her words. She was only being honest. With a sigh, he started his ascent. Her progress was impressive, considering she was hampered by her skirts.

His arm already ached and he knew he’d pay for putting this much strain on it, but she left him no choice. He favored it when he could, cursing under his breath as he climbed. He reached her before she’d gone much farther.

“Please come down, my lady,” he said, gripping her ankle to convince her. He couldn’t help but slide his thumb along the smooth expanse of bare skin.

She looked at him as though contemplating how much effort it might take to push him off the rocky
incline. In case she made the attempt, he tightened his grasp both on her ankle and the rock.