Lady and the Wolf (3 page)

Chapter 4

Wolf waited and watched for two nights, but Lady Winifred had not returned. Then, on the third night, Arnon alerted him that the scent of the earl was strong in the air, and he knew that his plan had worked.

He hurried through the bailey with Stefan on his heels.

“My lord, mayhap this idea is a bit ill conceived. Do you really think bringing the earl’s granddaughter here is a good idea?” Stefan was Wolf’s right hand man and older brother, but his cautiousness at times became irritating. He was a great warrior and Wolf could always count on him to watch his back in battle. However, when it came to trying new things – the man was much too set in his ways for being only nine and twenty years of age.

“Stefan, just stay here and watch the castle until I return, and don’t worry about what I’m doing.”

“Your cloak, Lord Wolf.” His squire, Dolan, stepped forward from the shadows in the torchlight of the courtyard and slipped it around Wolf’s shoulders.

“Lord Wolf, your horse,” said the stable boy, walking up and handing him the reins. Wolf got atop his horse raising his nose and sniffing the air. Winifred’s scent was on the breeze tonight, and he could smell it all the way across the moorlands. It was sweet, spicy and strong. Even stronger than the damned scent of that blasted cloak she wore that was dripping with her grandfather’s stench. Aye, Lady Winifred’s essence was very alluring.

“Let me come with you,” said Stefan. “This could be dangerous. I am your brother and will protect you.”

“Nay,” said Wolf with a shake of his head. “It’s bad enough I have one brother in danger, I’ll not risk the lives of two. You must stay here because the castle will be yours if anything should happen to me.” Stefan by inheritance and being the eldest son should have had his own castle before Wolf, but King Edward was the one to give this castle to him, not their father. Wolf had been favored by the king years ago, when he saved his liege lord from death in a very deadly battle. So at the death of their own father last year, King Edward bestowed Babeny Castle upon Wolf instead of Stefan.

“Did you want some of your knights with you, my lord?” asked Stefan. “I could have a dozen ready in a minute.”

“No, Stefan, I don’t.”

“Of course I’ll be coming with,” said Dolan, reaching up to hand him a lit torch.

“Nay,” answered Wolf with a swish of his hand through the air. “No torch, no squire, no men. Arnon is already in the forest, and he’ll watch my back, though I don’t see the need. The girl is by herself. I hardly think she’s a threat.”

“Remember she fights with a crossbow m’lord, and has already killed over a dozen wolves,” protested his squire.

“Well I fight with a sword and have killed hundreds of men, so what is the problem?” He straightened his sword in the scabbard and flipped his cloak over the sides of his horse. “She is one young girl and I’m more than able to handle this myself.”

“As a man – not a wolf,” said Stefan in a low voice.

“I’ll pretend I didn’t even hear that tinge of doubt in your voice, brother.” Wolf gripped onto the reins and turned his horse in a full circle.

“I was just urging you to be cautious, my lord, that is all.”

“Your excessive cautiousness is not an admirable trait of a knight, Sir Stefan,” he reminded him. “If you don’t stop it, you’re going to have to face your demons someday.”

With that he kicked his heels into the sides of his horse and headed toward the forests of Tavistock, anxious to see the Lady Winifred once again.

* * *

Winifred made her way on horseback through the woods, looking over her shoulder once again, hoping the guard wouldn’t give away her secret. This time she’d not only had to kiss him, but she paid him two shillings as well to let her leave the castle walls. She’d made him promise not to reveal the secret to her grandfather.

She wiped her mouth with the back of her hand as she rode, trying to rid herself of the wretched taste of the man’s sour lips that had wreaked from ale. Now that she’d kissed Lord Wolf, no other kiss would be adequate again. She rode toward the knoll, this time not having bread, meat and fruits in her basket. This time she had a dagger hidden inside the basket under a tart she’d pilfered from the kitchen. It had been prepared early for the morrow’s meal.

She wasn’t sure if she should trust Lord Wolf if she happened to meet up with him again. Though she longed to be kissed by him, she had to remind herself that he was still the enemy. This time if he took her crossbow from her, she’d have a hidden dagger for protection against him as well as the wolf.

She stopped at the knoll and slipped off the horse, looking around, but not hearing anyone this time. She was almost disappointed not to find Lord Hugh de Bar standing in the shadows. She crept forward, running her fingers gently along the rocks at the outskirts of the knoll, searching for the secret door. Since it was foggy and she couldn’t see much in the dark, she would have to go by feel, and from memory now.

She searched for a while, certain she would find something, but unfortunately she didn’t. She put down the basket and let out a sigh, and decided she’d try another approach.

“I’ve brought you food, and mean you no harm,” she called out. She waited and watched and listened, but still, nothing. Then when she was sure she’d imagined the whole thing, the fog parted and there in front of her was a wooden door in the knoll, with a light shining out from inside the keyhole.

“Come closer,” she heard a muffled voice call out from behind the door. She picked up the basket and daringly did just that.

“Who are you?” she called out. “Do you need help? Can you show yourself?”

“You need to put the key in the lock.”

“What key?” She looked around the ground and under her feet, and then she saw a glimmer of something from up above the door. She reached up, and her fingers brushed against something metal. She stood on her tiptoes, barely able to reach it since she was quite short. Her height was so small in stature that she’d often been teased and called a child by others her age, long after she’d entered into adulthood. Stretching with all her might, she was finally able to just reach it. She could feel it in her hand. It was a key!

“I thought I’d find you here,” came a deep voice from behind her. Startled, she pulled her hand away without the key. As she turned, the fog covered the area, hiding the door completely.

“Lord Wolf!” Her heart sped up when she saw him standing there, looking better than he had the other night. This time, he wore the clothes of a nobleman not just a simple tunic of a commoner. He wore a doublet made from the finest of leather, over what looked like a silk black tunic that hung down to his waist. He had dark braies that ended just above the knee pulled tightly over dark hose. His leather boots were high and came nearly up to his knees. He wore jeweled rings on his fingers and a metal chain bearing a cross around his neck. His long black hair was pushed back behind his shoulders and he had a slight beard and mustache that were trimmed and neat. He was noble and rich, and dashing and . . . dangerous. He was also very handsome indeed. It was just what she wanted in a man. His presence excited her.

Her eyes darted over to her horse in the distance and to her horror she realized she’d been so focused on finding the hidden door that she’d left her crossbow slung over the pommel of her horse’s saddle. She was now unprotected.

“You seem frightened. Are you?” He came closer and she backed away from him. Her ankle turned as she stepped on a rock, and she had to reach back and catch herself against the earthen wall of the knoll so she wouldn’t fall. He now had her trapped with nowhere to run and no way to fight him at all.

“
Should
I be frightened?” she asked bravely. Her eyes darted down to the basket at her feet.

“I’m glad you decided to return because it has made this so much easier than trying to break into the earl’s castle to get you.”

“Get me? Why does it sound as if –”

“As if I’m abducting you?” He chuckled. “Mayhap because I am.” He had the nerve to grin at her and chuckle again and she now doubted that she’d done the right thing by coming here alone for the second time. She’d been so obsessed with finding the secret door, that she had pushed all fear of this man from her mind when she’d set out on her mission. Or possibly a part of her had put herself in this man’s path once again on purpose. Either way, she was already regretting her decision.

“I’ll not go anywhere with you.”

“Oh, I think otherwise. Now, let’s go.” He reached out for her arm and she swatted his hand away.

“Nay!”

“I am not a patient man, Red, now I said, let’s go.”

“Red?” Her heart jumped. She rather liked his little endearment, and wondered if he’d called her that because of her red hair or because it was a shortened form of Winifred.

He reached out for her again, but this time when he did, a wolf came bolting out of the shadows, snapping its jaws and growling at her.

“Arnon, nay!” He commanded the wolf to retreat, but it had no intentions of stopping. In her defense, she dove for the basket and flung open the wooden lid, shoving her hand inside. She made a mess of the cherry tart in her attempt to quickly grab the dagger, but at this point she didn’t care. She held up the weapon and turned as the wolf lunged for her. She managed to nick its shoulder with the blade in the process.

The wolf whimpered, Lord Hugh de Bar shouted out in pain, and she had no idea what happened from there. Before she knew it, the man had dragged her to her feet and kicked the wolf away at the same time.

“Arnon, I said no!” She wasn’t sure if he was angrier with the wolf or with her. He ripped the dagger from her hand and flung it across the ground. The wolf stumbled off, leaving a trail of blood, and he leaned over and grabbed her by the arms.

“Leave me alone,” she said, pushing against his shoulders, hearing him curse in the process.

“God’s eyes, wench, stop it before I have to beat you over the head.”

“What?” She removed her hands from him, and in the moonlight she saw red dripping from her fingers. His shoulder was red as well. She thought at first it was from the cherry tart, but then realized his shoulder was bleeding though she hadn’t touched him with the dagger at all. She’d only stabbed the wolf. “What just happened?”

“Give me that damned cloak!” He pulled the cloak from her body and used his dagger to rip it to shreds in front of her, and threw it to the ground. She watched in horror, not sure why he would do such a thing.

“That was my grandfather’s cloak,” she spat.

“I know.” He replaced his dagger at his side and winced as his hand went to cover his bloody shoulder. “The wolf can smell the earl’s scent on it, and it drives him mad, as it does me. What were you thinking, wearing that here?”

“I was thinking I was in disguise. I wasn’t thinking I smelled like wolf bait.”

“Now I’ll not tell you again. You’ll stop fighting and come with me.”

“I won’t!” She took off at a run for her horse, hoping she’d be able to outride him.

Chapter 5

Wolf watched the little chit running to her horse and knew he should have been more prepared. He would have been if he had thought she’d be this much trouble. The girl knew no fear, unlike most ladies.

Arnon, can you spook her horse?
He used his thoughts to ask his brother to help him. He knew Arnon was injured and he hated to ask, but he didn’t have time to play around. He saw her crossbow over the pommel of her horse’s saddle, and couldn’t let her get a hold of it. He needed to take her back to the castle quickly. He also needed to tend to his, and his brother’s wound.

She had her hand on the pommel, getting ready to mount when Arnon appeared from the thicket and did as Wolf asked. One low growl and the horse took off with her crossbow still atop it.

“No!” she shouted, but her protest fell on deaf ears. He walked over and grabbed her by the arm and pulled her toward his horse.

“You’re coming with me,” he ground out. When he tried to get her atop the horse, she reached out and punched him on his wounded shoulder. “By the rood, I don’t want to do this, but you give me no choice.”

“What do you mean?”

He pulled a piece of rope from his travel bag and before she knew what happened, he’d tied her wrists together.

“No! Winifred shouted. “Help me, someone please!”

“I can’t have that either,” he said, pulling a piece of cloth from his bag next and wrapping it around her mouth, tying it from behind.

Her muffled shouts were at least quieter now, but when she kicked him in the shin, he knew her feet would have to be tied too. He tore the sleeve off his tunic and tied her feet together, then threw her over the back of the horse. He mounted next, and pulled her across his lap and turned and headed back for his own castle. “Come on, Arnon, let’s go get sewed up, shall we?”

* * *

Winifred felt like a pig on a spit, tied up and thrown across Wolf’s lap. She jolted up and down when they rode, and felt as if she were going to end up on the ground. The ropes burned against her skin, and the gag was so tight she could barely swallow. If this man thought he could get away with this, he had another guess coming.

She was starting to think that her grandfather was right in hating him. She decided that now she hated him too.

They rode over the drawbridge and through the gates of his castle, and she felt so humiliated by everyone staring at her. The minute he untied her ropes, she swore she would kill him.

He was greeted with cheers from the servants and knights, and she wondered if everyone in his command was as heartless and ruthless as him.

Then he dismounted, and instead of untying her binds, he threw her over his shoulder and headed toward the great hall. The blood rushed toward her head, pounding in her ears. Her stomach twisted in a knot and she wondered if she were going to swoon. Then he brought her to the dais and laid her right atop the table as if she were the main course. The great hall was crowded with ladies, knights, servants, and serfs who all watched intently.

He pulled his dagger from his side and her eyes opened wide. He was going to slaughter her right there on the eating table! She wiggled and squirmed and pulled at her bindings and tried to cry out but it was no use. She was defenseless against this warrior knight.

Then he reached out with his blade and she closed her eyes, expecting him to slit her throat. Instead, she felt the ropes that were chaffing her wrists become loose and fall to the table. She swung at him but he took both her hands in one of his and leaned over, trapping them between his body and hers as he cut the ropes at her feet. As soon as he took his weight from her, she kicked at him.

“Don’t!” He quickly replaced his body atop hers. The look in his eyes was dangerous again. She stilled and he reached out and removed her gag next. “You either stop fighting me or I swear I’ll throw you in the dungeon the way your grandfather did to me. If I must remind you, he also kept me in a cage and whipped me and left me for dead.”

Seeing the pain in his eyes, she didn’t try to fight him again. With his body leaned over hers, she could feel the blood from his shoulder soaking into her gown.

“As you wish,” she squeaked out. “Just get off of me before you break my bones. I promise not to fight you again.”

“Good choice.” He slowly removed his body from atop her and she took a deep breath and sat up. Then he helped her to her feet. He looked out to everyone in the hall who were watching curiously, and raised a hand in the air.

“Today, I have captured and brought to the castle the granddaughter of the man who tortured me,” he announced.

“Kill her!” shouted someone from the crowd, and before she knew what was happening, everyone was shouting and throwing food at her. She was so surprised at this that she couldn’t even move.

“Stop it!” he commanded, and the room stilled. “She is Lady Winifred Chaserton, and even if she is my prisoner, she demands the respect of a noble.”

“Why is she here?” shouted one of the knights.

“What will you do with her?” asked another.

“Settle down and I’ll tell you.” He waited for a moment and when the room full of people had heeded his warning, he continued. “If my plan is successful, her grandfather will come after her. When he does, we will fight him and his men to the death to avenge the curse he’s put upon not only me but everyone of Babeny Castle by his actions.”

More cheering and shouting erupted and then the musicians in the gallery started up with a lively tune as if this were nothing more than a celebration feast.

“So that’s why you did this,” she spat, horrified to know the man’s plan.

“That’s right.” He chuckled and picked up a goblet of wine and took a swig. Then he raised a brow and held it out to her. “Why else would I bring you here?”

With one swipe of her hand the goblet fell from his grip and landed atop the rushes on the floor. His eyes followed it down and then back up to her, and though he didn’t say a word, the danger was back in his gaze.

“I thought . . . I thought . . .”

“What did you think, my lady? That I . . . wanted you?” His eyes became dark and angry. “Is this the way you treat all the men who you hope to make your lovers?” He grabbed her arm when she turned away, making her look at his wound. “Look! You did this to me, as well as wounded my wolf.”

“I . . . I didn’t. Not intentionally. It was in self-defense. And you have me wrong. I don’t want you as a lover! You disgust me.”

“You disgust me as well, so I guess that evens the odds. Now come with me. It wouldn’t do well for my men to see us bickering nor to see me wounded by a mere . . . little girl.” His tall form towered over her as he took her by the wrist and led her away. She felt little indeed, as he was a good two feet taller than her. He pulled her across the great hall and down a corridor, and she had no choice but to follow.

“I’m a woman, not a girl! And I didn’t wound you. I only wounded your wolf.”

“That reminds me.” He turned and called down the corridor. “Stefan, find Arnon and make sure he gets the proper care for his wound. Bring him into the castle to spend the night. He can sleep in my solar.”

“Aye, milord. Shall I send the healer to your solar for you as well?”

“Don’t bother,” he said and turned and looked at her. “Red was the one to wound me, so she’ll be the one to dress the wound as well.”

“I didn’t wound you,” she protested as he opened the door to the solar and all but shoved her inside. Then he closed the door, shutting out the rest of occupants, leaving them all alone.

His solar was grand, and also warmer than the great hall. There was a fire on the hearth and beeswax candles placed around the room for light. A large bed dominated the room, surrounded by red velvet curtains. There were weapons displayed on the wall, and trunks were pushed together in the corner, under hooks that held weapon belts, cloaks, and tunics.

“What will you do with me after you kill my grandfather?”

“I haven’t given it that much thought yet.” He pulled off his cloak and threw it over the back of a chair and then laid his sword on the bed. He removed his doublet and tried with difficulty to remove his bloodied tunic. When he winced in pain she realized he was having trouble and needed her help.

“Am I to be the spoils of war? A trophy wife?”

“What?” He looked up in surprise. He scratched the side of his face and squinted his eyes a little as if he were considering the idea. “I suppose that would be a good idea. I can’t believe I didn’t think of it myself.”

She could have kicked herself for mentioning it now.

“Help me off with this bloody tunic,” he growled in aggravation. She walked forward slowly. Then she reached out for the dagger at his waist, and his hand clamped down over her wrist. “Don’t even think of trying to stab me again.”

Her eyes met his and she felt a connection between them. It was as if she could see into his pain and anguish, and for a brief second she almost felt as if she understood it. She licked her lips and looked away, breaking the connection. “I told you – I never stabbed you in the first place. Now, I only mean to use the dagger to remove your clothing. Not unlike the way you used your dagger to remove my bindings. So are you going to trust me . . . or are we going to stand here all night holding hands?”

He surveyed her from the side of his eyes then slowly nodded. “All right. Just don’t try another move like what you tried before or you’ll be sorry.”

“I already am.” She reached for his dagger and in a quick swipe she’d managed to rip his tunic down the front. How easy it would be to ram the blade right through his heart right now. Or to possibly slit his throat. She actually considered it for a fleeting second, but then decided against it. Even if she did kill him, there would be no way she’d be able to escape the castle without someone running her through with their sword. No, she’d just have to wait for a better opportunity.

She reached out and with a flick of her wrist made a few more swipes, then threw the dagger onto the bed. With both hands she ripped the tunic apart, and gasped when she saw his glorious body. His strong, sturdy chest cried out to be touched by a woman’s hand. His forearms were solid and his biceps were corded sinew and muscle. He was as desirable as he was handsome, and she had to keep from crying out. She found herself unable to take her eyes off this man. Aye, he was starting to seem more attractive to her with each passing moment. It was as if she were under a spell, with her emotions concerning him changing so rapidly.

“I hear you gasping at my wound yet your eyes are fastened to my chest,” he said, causing her gaze to shoot upwards.

“Nay. I’m not.” She knew she made a terrible liar. She saw him staring at her lips, and her eyes dropped to his mouth as well.

“You’re thinking about our kiss in the forest.”

“Nay!” She pushed the memory from her mind, wondering if he could somehow see into her thoughts. “That kiss meant nothing at all to me.” She had been thinking about the kiss and wondered if he’d try to kiss her again. She wanted him to, but it sickened her to even have this thought since he was now her enemy. She turned and grabbed a clean cloth from the table and dipped it into the washbasin, squeezing out the excess water with both hands.

Wolf walked up behind Winifred and purposely pressed his body up against hers and reached around, grabbing her waist. He heard her sharp intake of breath as he leaned forward and nuzzled his mouth against her ear. Like an animal musk, her essence drew him to her.

He’d heard her thoughts as clear as day and knew that she wanted him to kiss her. He didn’t know how he could hear her thoughts, but decided it was something to do with the curse he was under. She wanted to kiss him again, and just the thought of it made his inner animal instincts want to not only kiss her, but mate with her as well.

“I can read your thoughts,” he whispered, brushing his mouth against her vibrant red hair. He gently brushed a lock back behind her ear and kissed her earlobe. Her body become rigid in his arms and then almost went limp as her head fell backwards when he nibbled at her neck next.

A heat flared up between them, and he knew she felt it too. He pulled back to look at her. Her eyes were closed and her chin was lifted slightly as if she were waiting for his kiss. His eyes focused on her beauty and he reached out and ran a finger against her cheek. Her skin was soft as silk and her lips looked lush and juicy. And that damned scent of rosewater and honeysuckle that drifted from her body was driving him mad. Her body actions called out to him to take her, and claim her as his own.

He heard her thoughts again. She wanted him to hold her and kiss her - deeply. She craved his touch and wished he would fondle her breasts as well. He daringly slipped his hands upward, rounding her swells right over her green gown, and brought his lips closer to hers for another taste.

“Lord Wolf?” came a voice from the door.

“Bid the devil, not now.” He turned around to see Stefan holding a rope with Arnon tied to the other end. It was like a noose around his twin brother’s neck. “You tied up Arnon? Why?”

“He wouldn’t listen, and kept snarling and growling. Since he was wounded I didn’t want him to attack the women or children.”