Written in the Stars (4 page)

Yes, Will. I too feel a need to steal these moments together which frightens us both.

“Yes, Elizabeth, we will stay here together. For Laurel.”

He took a stance before the door as if to fight off everything or anyone who might
enter this safe, loving haven they were creating.

His grandfather turned away from the bed. “Will, it shall be a long day and even longer
night. You have other duties to perform for the duke.”

His gaze sweeping over the room, lingering on her face, Will hesitated for three painful
beats of her heart. She caught her breath when, with a curt nod, he turned, stalking
out.

“You must also take your leave, Lady Elizabeth.” Charles Grey lifted her hand, urging
her from the chair.

Shaking her head, she glanced at the duke kneeling beside the bed.

“We will help both Laurel and his Grace by giving them privacy. Rest and return later
with your strength and kindness.”

Fatigue, fear, and confusion warring within her, Elizabeth gazed into Charles Grey’s
eyes. His steadiness gave her strength and she nodded. “Yes. I understand what you
need from me, and I shall do as you ask.”

Dunham Castle, 1601

I have begun a journey beyond any I could have deemed possible.

I am only now beginning to understand the power of my birthmark and what lives within
me. My old nurse, Cybil, told me false. I must be a witch, for in my hands, my celestial
girdle has the power to heal. Yet I am not all powerful, for I cannot awaken Laurel
from her sleep.

I pray to learn how to use these magical powers I have been given. And I yearn to
understand how I can control my desires to be one with Will Grey instead of with my
betrothed, Carlyle.

I feel as if I am wandering through a waking nightmare where I do not know which way
to turn to awaken. I pray soon the way shall become clear for all of us.

Chapter Four

In silence, Alice helped Elizabeth bathe in scented water, gently washing away the
blood and filth of her ill-fated ride. Nothing could cleanse her feverish thoughts.

“What can I do to help you?” Alice asked quietly, her spirit seemingly subdued by
the tragedy.

“I don’t know what to do,” Elizabeth whispered, her gaze studying the celestial girdle
and the mark of magic on her wrist.

What powers do you possess which I must yet learn? How might I still help Laurel?

“I know you wish Granny Cybil was here.” Alice sighed, her gaze on Elizabeth’s birthmark.
“She has the eye to see what’s to be done. All I can do is make you ready for whatever
might come and remind you that Granny Cybil says magic has its price.”

Alice’s words ringing through her head, Elizabeth allowed her long hair to be brushed
until it cascaded freely about her shoulders and down her back. Frightening thoughts
and unanswered questions quickened her breath, making the air feel stale and heavy
in her chambers.

“I can’t breathe in here.”

Nodding, Alice set down the brush. “Aye. Fresh air is what you need.”

Suddenly eager to be out of doors, Elizabeth carefully wound her golden girdle over
her loose cream gown and fled, leaving Alice alone.

Elizabeth made her way outside, into the dying afternoon which threw shadows upon
the dusty apron of the courtyard surrounded by a bake house, brewery, barns, and stables.

She spotted Will, his hair gilded by the setting sun, as he stood surrounded by his
men. She stayed in the shadows to watch him, his beautiful face animated, as he spoke
to the young soldier who had been on watch at the castle wall. She caught snatches
of their conversation. “Tom…training…troops…border.”

When Will moved to examine a horse the blacksmith brought to him, the red-haired young
soldier’s eyes followed, worship on his young, freckled face.

Will moved among all the men working in the courtyard. He gripped the armorer by the
shoulder, patiently pointing out defects in the shield. He gave a quick smile and
an approving nod to the farrier.

Here was a leader who was buffing his men like diamonds to be shining instruments
for the duke.

Yet another great wave of longing for what could never be between them and a desperate
rebellion against that fate swept over her. Could my magic make him mine? What price
would I be willing to pay to be with him?

Tears stinging behind her eyes, she forced herself to turn away before she flung herself
at his feet so desperate was her need for him.

Don’t go, Elizabeth.

Her birthmark burned, her celestial girdle tightened around her body, commanding her
to swirl back to answer him.

…

For some time Will had known Elizabeth watched from the shadows. He’d tried not to
react, tried to perform his duty with his men. Until she turned to leave and an aching
desire for her to stay swept over him.

Don’t go, Elizabeth.

As if she heard his thought, she turned back to meet his gaze.

Her eyes darkened to the deepest green of the forest as he moved to where she stood
in the shadows beneath the outer gallery.

Honor demands I send her away.

“The cold of night is falling, Lady Elizabeth. You should return to the warmth of
the castle.”

All the living color drained from her exquisite skin. “Did you not ask me to stay,
Will?”

Only with my mind and heart. “Nay, I did not call out to you.” The air between them
beat with emotion. He fought it, squaring his shoulders, knowing duty demanded he
defeat these traitorous desires.

“I give you this day,” his father had said and Will had promised not to forfeit it.
Until Fate had decreed otherwise.

She began to shiver and he ripped off his short cloak to place around her shoulders.

“I will escort you to your chambers. You need to rest after a day such as this one.
I fear it shall be a long night for us all.”

“You also should rest, Will.” She slid him a side glance, clutching his cloak to her
body as she followed him. “You have worked hard with your men this day. As you fought
hard to protect Laurel and me. You saved our lives,” she ended softly.

“I would give my life to do so, Lady Elizabeth.”

She looked up at him, her skin again alive with color. “I know it is your duty as
captain of the guard. Nonetheless you have my gratitude. The duke is fortunate to
have you by his side.”

Her words struck old chords of faithfulness and love. “As I am fortunate to be able
to give him my sword and my loyalty. My honor is all I possess.”

He barely acknowledged the servants passing them in the long corridors as the tower
bell tolled the hour.

From the first moment he saw her, Elizabeth’s beauty had bewitched him, blocking out
sane reasoning. Now her intoxicating scent filled his senses and her strength, spirit,
and kindness made him long for the impossible. He knew he needed to quicken his stride,
needed to return her safely back to where she belonged, but he could not when she
strolled so slowly, her eyes searching his face.

“We are both bound by our honor. I wonder if there is not more to bind us all. Something
more powerful.”

At the door of her chamber she turned to him and slowly removed his cloak from her
body. She held it out to him, but when he reached to take it, she held fast, staring
into his eyes.

“I will remain with Laurel throughout this night. Let us pray the dawn brings answers
for us all.”

Motionless, his cloak in his hands, he watched her close her chamber door.

Love for family demanded he watch over Laurel. Honor demanded he resist his own desires.

Yes, Elizabeth, I have seen what is more powerful than honor and it brought much heartache.
I can and shall spare you such pain.

…

Elizabeth sat beside Laurel and, as Charles Grey had foretold, the night stretched
long as they kept vigil in the quiet warm bedchamber.

The candles had been replaced many times, as had the logs in the fireplace, when Will’s
grandfather clasped the duke’s shoulder. “Laurel will awaken at dawn. Do not let her
open her eyes upon your haggard face lest she worry. Rest. Word will be brought to
you when all is well.”

The two older men locked gazes. “Charles, you told me when you could not save our
beloved Maude. And you spoke true when we lost Will’s bride. I believe you now, my
old friend.”

Charles Grey stroked Elizabeth’s hair. “You should also rest, child.”

She smiled and shook her head.

Not until Will rests.

Charles Grey hesitated, as if to speak, before he looked to his grandson who was clasping
the duke’s shoulder. “As Will is determined to stay.” He nodded. “Come, your Grace,
a few hours of slumber will serve us both well.”

Once the two men were gone, Will sent away the servant and turned to her.

“Elizabeth, my grandfather is right. You should retire to your own chamber. Sleep
and when you awaken, it shall be as my grandfather promised.”

They were the first words he had spoken to her since their fraught walk back to her
chamber and the strange occurrence in the courtyard when she realized she had not
heard him call to her with her ears, but with her mind. Then, as now, it seemed as
if the very air they breathed was alive with feeling.

She clasped her arms around her body to stop shaking. “I shall rest when you do. I
want to stay. Laurel is also my friend.”

Please don’t make me leave you. I must soon enough. Let us have these few hours.

As if he could hear her thoughts as she had his, his mouth curled slightly. “I understand.
You have become dear to Laurel’s heart.”

Cherishing these moments, she helped Will cradle Laurel higher on the pillows as he
gently spooned more liquid between her lips and smoothed her fair hair back from her
forehead.

The faintest blush of dawn brought with it a strong, chilly breeze. Elizabeth shivered
and again he gazed into her eyes. “Elizabeth, please rest.”

Stubborn, determined to steal time, she shook her head. “I shall rest when you do,
Will.”

Their eyes met and here in this quiet, darkened room, where Fate had led them, Elizabeth
did not need a sign to guide her. At last she knew what she must do.

She slid closer to him on the edge of Laurel’s bed. “I know you are the duke’s son.
Yet I also know there is more to your story. Laurel said you might one day share the
truth.”

Will glanced lovingly at Laurel and back to stare unflinchingly into Elizabeth’s eyes.
“Even with so short an acquaintance, both my son and Laurel trust you. As I choose
to do.”

Barely breathing, Elizabeth was mesmerized by Will’s strong profile in the flickering
flames from the deep fireplace.

“My mother, Maude, was my grandfather’s only child. She and the duke grew up together.
Fishing in the streams. Playing in the woods. Helping my grandfather gather plants
for his potions.”

Will stopped, then sat quite still for a long time, staring into space. Moved by the
strong emotions flashing through his eyes, she touched his shoulder. The sad smile
he gave her broke her heart into tiny pieces.

“They fell in love. Even though my father was betrothed to Carlyle’s mother, promising
a great alliance which would bring power and more wealth to Dunham Castle, he told
my mother he would defy the old duke. Alone late one night in the village church,
my mother and father declared their love and commitment to one another. After their
night together, my father went to the old duke and told him that he and my mother
had declared their love before God.”

Will shook his head. “The old duke would not be thwarted. He reminded my father of
his lineage. The pride of his royal blood. My father returned to my mother, still
declaring his undying love but reconciled that he must honor his blood and marry another.”

A fathomless ache welled up inside her. “What happened?”

“My mother declared he had betrayed their love and she swore she would never see him
again. So great was her pride that my father could not sway her. They never spoke
again until the winter of my fifth birthday.”

“Then she forgave him at last?” Elizabeth asked, wishing it with her whole being.

Will’s eyes glistened like blue flames in the firelight. “That winter many were falling
ill and dying. When my father learned my mother was sick, he came to my grandfather’s
house. Still she refused to see him. I remember him pacing outside her chamber door,
pleading with her to let him enter. I remember him holding me tight in his arms, his
tears wetting my hair. At last on the tenth day she called for him.”

“Please tell me they had more time together,” Elizabeth whispered, tears pooling at
the back of her throat.

Will smiled gently. “My mother never stopped loving my father, nor he her, and so
they confessed to one another. My father begged my mother to allow him to have a part
of her in me. He wished to bring me to Dunham Castle. The last time I saw my mother,
my father had climbed into her bed and she lay cradled into his body as if they were
one. She died in his arms.”

Sorrow greater than she’d ever known ripped her apart and she buried her face in her
hands, sobbing.

“Elizabeth. Please. No tears.”

She heard the concern in his voice, felt his touch on her shoulder.

A portal only he could fill opened inside her.

She threw herself onto his warm, hard chest, and his powerful arms closed around her.

“Do not weep, Elizabeth. It happened long ago.”

“To have had such a love”—she sobbed, swallowing tears—“and to have lost it is a tragedy
of the soul.” She flung back her head, resting it on his shoulder, and gazed up at
him. “In God’s eyes you are the duke’s firstborn son. I should be yours.”

He slid his fingers into her hair, holding her still as he stared into her eyes. “I
too feel this great power between us. That is why I told you my mother and father’s
story. So you would understand why I must protect you from such pain when the path
of honor is not followed.”

Within her, every feeling exploded in one desire. “Then give me this moment, Will.”

He held back but she refused to surrender. She pulled him closer until with a sharp
intake of breath he bent his head, seeking her mouth.

Her body felt made of hot light, radiant, as their mouths clung together, breaking,
meeting, again and again.

Leaving her aching lips, he tasted the tears shimmering on her lashes and touched
the pulse beating at her warm throat, and returned once more to her open, waiting
mouth.

She had waited a lifetime, for surely this moment had been written in their stars.

With him she was a creature of light, spinning through galaxies, illuminating the
heavens.

When they finally broke apart, she could barely pull the air in and out of her tight
lungs.

Instinct and aching hunger caused her to cling to him. “No. I want more.”

His mouth hovered above hers, and she coaxed his lips apart, craving the honey taste
of him.

At last he dragged her tighter to him, deepening their kiss. In this newfound sensuality
she twisted into his body, absorbing the hard muscles of his chest against her soft
breasts.

Will’s breathing quickened as his lips stroked over hers. Her heart seemed to swell
in her chest, her blood pooling in her lower body as his experienced touch brought
her head back to open her throat to hot kisses which fed her need but did not quench
it.

“Elizabeth…we must stop.” His voice sounded strange and far away, fading in the pounding
need consuming her.

She opened her eyes and over his shoulder she saw Laurel watching them.

“You have awakened,” Elizabeth gasped in confusion and relief. Trembling, bereaved
to lose his warmth, she forced herself to twist away from Will to clasp Laurel’s cool
hand.

“I’ll bring the duke.” Will’s voice sounded husky before he turned to stride from
the room.