The Lady of Fairhaven (32 page)

A maid returned rapidly carrying a tray with rich broth and a spoon. The healer rested the spoon against Gillian’s mouth. Luke slipped onto the bed and sat behind her struggling body and wrapped his arms around her stiff and unresponsive body.

“
I won’t let you go Gillian. I need you. Fight for your strength, my love,” he whispered. “You must eat to get strong.” After a few moments Gillian relaxed. She let out a soft moan and rolled her head under Luke’s chin. Nuzzling into the regenerating warmth of Luke’s back, Gillian rubbed against his flesh like a cat rubbing against some perceived possession. At last her mouth parted and the nourishing liquid flowed inside. She swallowed.

The healer nodded her approval to Luke. “I wonder if I will have so much luck when you are away. Your presence seems to quiet your lady.” The healer turned to replenish the supply of broth.

“
Then I will make sure my every minute is dedicated to lady Gillian’s recovery. If I am not here, ask for me, and I will come.

Gillian swallowed down the delicious thick broth from several bowls. Daylight was fading and she was finally allowed at last to snuggle down into the soft bedding. Her body slid into peaceful dreams.

Afraid he might lose her in her sleep, Luke stood watch. His head rested on his arms and his hands held on to Gillian. Sitting in his chair, bent over, he stayed in constant awareness of her every move.

Several times throughout the night her hand brushed his hair or hand, accompanied by a soft sigh. Each brought his body upright with expectation.

As Luke slipped into deep slumber a startled cry shattered the calm. Gillian sat upright in the bed.

“
Let me out of here!” she screamed. Her hands waved wildly in front of her. “Help me, please come back and help me. The rats will eat me.” She looked straight at Luke. “No one will come for me,” she whispered. “They will be well rid of me, I think.”

Luke shook her gently trying to free her from the prison her mind made in her dreams. Her eyes soon focused on him. “Oh!” she sighed. “Oh Luke you are here. I thought perhaps that you had been a dream.”

“
I certainly hope not the one you were just having, Gill,” he said. A smile melted her fears away and she settled back onto the soft bed.

“
Do I ask too much to have you stay with me at least until I fall asleep?” Gillian pleaded.

“
Mayhap longer, my lady. It would be my pleasure.”

Gillian closed her eyes and at last her breathing deepened and transformed to a constant rhythm. The fire embers died leaving the room cool and dark.

Both the healer and Luke were suddenly awakened as Gillian’s once peaceful dreams were seized by nightmares. Screams pierced the silence of the manor bringing both to her side. Her hands brushed vigorously over every inch of her body as if to rid it of some plague.

After studying her writhing body for a short time the healer spoke. “Rats,” she complained.

“
I’m sorry, madam. What say you?” Luke asked. His own exhaustion brought out his short temper.

“
Most likely she is fighting the dungeon rats in her sleep. They like the dark you know? Your sister claims the rats climbed over them in great number. Even in her sleep she battles them.”

So it was that when the healer stirred, she found Luke stretched out on the bed with his lady tucked comfortably inside his embrace. Gillian’s hands clutched his hands snuggly against her breasts.

With a flush of embarrassment, Luke extricated himself from the comfort of his contact with Gillian. As he slid aside, Gillian moaned with annoyance at having the warmth and comfort stolen away from her body. Her protest almost persuaded Luke to close the distance between them.

His manhood had whipped to life in the realization that just moments before, her bottom had nestled in so close proximity. How he longed to stretch out beside her once again. Every soft curve would be etched into his memory forevermore. A slight flush rose up the nape of his neck and he prayed it would remain his secret.

“
Luke,” came a whisper so slight he thought he might have wished it. “Luke.” The call came again.

Gillian’s eyes, still closed were caught in sleep. Nervous perspiration broke out on Luke’s forehead. What could she possibly be dreaming now?

“
Luke where are you?” Gillian cried. Her hands searched the bedding for him.

“
I believe the lady needs more rest, sir. Mayhap you could help ease her into that rest for a time,” the old woman said. Her glance held no hidden gleam of improper thought.

“
I fear for the lady’s reputation should I be found alone in her bed by anyone else but you,” Luke said with conviction.

“
What of her reputation should she die from the disquiet of nightmares and longing?” the woman asked. “What reputation would do her good?”

“
Naught. You are right.” Luke said.

“
Does the prospect of aiding the lass appall you so much?” the healer asked. She had already seen the answer to her question in his care for the Lady Gillian.

“
You know it does not. But I would not have my lady’s reputation besmirched. It would not comfort her to know others thought ill of her.”

“
And no one shall know of this. I shall give orders that the lady requires quiet rest. No one will be allowed into the room until I give approval. You could post a guard to ensure that naught goes amiss and no one enters.”

“
So be it,” Luke said.

The healer watched Luke stride to the door and in a matter of moments heard the instructions to the guard that no one should pass. Shortly thereafter, Luke rested atop the blankets next to Gillian. Even in sleep her body snuggled calmly against his.

By noonday Luke’s arm was holding on to tight to Gillian’s slight waist. He smelled the sweet scent in her hair and was painfully hard with desire. If only he could control his desires as he held her close, but his passion burned bright throughout every fiber of his body. In her helpless condition all he could do was lust after her and pray no one recognized the signs of his unbridled passion.

Luke finally inched his body away finding that Gillian was able to rest on her own. He sought to ease some of the pent up frustration he had been developing over the past few hours. Gathering warriors together in the bailey, the men prepared for the next battle by matching their skills in practice. Sexual frustration alone transformed Luke into a dangerous opponent. Augment that well honed talent with a rage, searing deep in his belly and most opponents chose not to engage in certain failure. Vanity prevented most men from declining his invitation to match his abilities outright, but clearly none relished facing off against a man in such a dark mood.

After some time Luke had matched enough men to make him winded but calm. Perhaps it was time to face Katherine, but before he spoke with her again he needed some sign of improvement on Gillian’s part, or God help him. With her health so unsettled, Luke could not trust himself with Katherine. He was certain he might take her life with his bare hands.

By the time Luke had worked the perplexities that had knotted every muscle out of his stiff body, he turned his attention to the many villeins who had made their way to the gates of the estate. Many had inquired about the rumors that Lady Gillian was rescued and within the castle walls. Some free men offered to take up work at the manor as they had done in the past. Luke commenced setting things right.

It was Oliver who sat and watched as Luke now managed the manor. Although he could not sanction Katherine’s wicked treatment of his former ward, he was ill equipped to watch his authority pass away without some sort of fight.

“
Good day to you, Sir Luke,” Oliver said silkily. “May I help you with something? Mayhap I can be of some service to you. After all I am familiar with all the workings of Fairhaven.”

“
As I am aware, but I would not be a good steward of my father’s holding if I relied on guests to supply assistance. Let me fulfill my obligations by offering my hospitality to you, Sir.”

Oliver’s face reddened at the offer. This had been his home for a short time and it rubbed a raw spot to think that he was the guest. And this young pup had the gall to offer him hospitality. Luke’s lack of regard was apparent.

“
I thank you for your kind offer,” Oliver said. He turned on his heel and headed for his room to be alone and contemplate his next actions.

A thin smile exposed the small satisfaction Luke derived from ridding himself of Oliver’s presence. But now he had more important matters to attend. Leaping up the stairs two at a time brought him at the top in quick order. He knocked softly at the door, but had no intention of waiting too long for any response. After waiting the briefest of moments for an answer to his summons, he knocked again. Again his lack of patience flared. His hand grabbed for the latch just as it was freed and the door swung wide open.

To his astonishment and great relief, Gillian sat upright in the bed, propped up by soft goose down pillows. Her smile flashed bright with delight at seeing him. Unsteady hands tugged at the blankets, bringing the coverings up past her breasts, securing them under her arms. Then they went to work smoothing wayward strands of hair back and away from her face.

The small attempt at improving her looks made Luke chuckle. His deliberate steps picked up pace, sending him quickly to her bedside. Frances, the healer, moved out of the way and into the solar. Gillian and Luke barely acknowledged the presence of Frances, their eyes were too full of each other to notice.

Clutching his lady’s hand in his, Luke kissed her knuckles in a most deliberate and sensual way. “Your color has returned, Gill. It gladdens my heart to see it. Your condition has vexed me.” Luke’s expression still reflected the frustration and anger carried within him over the past few days.

Gillian’s eyes widened in surprise. “That was not my intent, Sir,” Gillian replied. Her gaze fell guiltily to her hands. “Had I been in command of my own destiny, I should not have entered into such a deplorable state of affairs. You must hate me terribly for what has befallen your father.” Gillian sobbed. “I could never blame you if you and all your relations should despise and shun me forever more.” Her hands covered her eyes and she turned away to hide her shame.

Luke moved to her side and grasped her shoulders. He tugged her around, then pulled her hard against his chest. Her muffled weeping shook her body and vibrated straight to his heart.

“
You can not believe I feel this way. The blame belongs to another, not to you!” Luke’s voice became hard and low. “No blame will be cast in your direction.”

“
Unless it is deserved. If not for me, your father would still be alive. Certainly that deserves some guilt to be cast in my direction,” Gillian said miserably. Luke looked harshly in the direction of the healer.

“
I am sorry Sir,” the healer said, “she inquired only just before you entered. I thought it best to answer her truthfully.” The woman then left the room.

Looking back at Gillian, Luke said, “Oh Gill, how can I convince you that whatever evil men wrought against you should not be misconstrued with the placement of any guilt. Please rest at ease, my lady. You have naught to fear.”

“
Are you sure? What will Alyssa and your brother, Edward feel?”

“
Alyssa is overwrought with concern for you. She carries guilt about your condition after she was taken from you. Her worry is that you hold her responsible for abandoning you within the dungeon?”

“
What troubles befell me was not of her doing!” Gillian said with agitation. “I must assure her how grateful I was to have her out of that despicable place.” She sniffed. In a surprise move, Gillian threw back the covers on the bed and slid to the far side and a clear escape. Grabbing her wrapper she started for the door with Luke striding purposefully to catch her.

“
Gillian! You must not be up and about. You do not yet have your strength gained back.” Luke’s voice was more of concern than anger. His hands caught her shoulders skidding her to an abrupt stop.

“
I must see Alyssa, please!” she begged as she strained to get free.

“
Gillian. You must not do this. Please rest,” Luke’s voice rasped with the concern he felt. “I will bring Alyssa to you.”

Luke pulled her close and swept her into her arms. “God help me if anything should happen to you. Please do not cause me heart failure by your actions.”

Gillian froze in her steps then nodded, and her eyes locked on to his. Although feeling weak, Gillian placed her amazingly steady hand on her protector’s arm and walked back to the bed with him. She sank down as soon as she felt the bed touch her thighs. A sigh of relief escaped. Luke leaned forward and kissed her lightly on the cheek. Gillian in a moment of temptation lifted her hand and slipped it lightly around the strong column of his neck. Clutching the luxurious hair above his shoulders, she pulled him close where she could press her lips tenderly to his. An ecstatic feeling of joy and love flowed through her. Both she and Luke closed their eyes briefly before pulling back.

“
Forgive me,” Gillian said. Her eyes widened with disbelief at her boldness.

Luke answered her apology with a hungry hot kiss slanted possessively across her mouth. His tempered passion unleashed in one tempestuous kiss. His tongue tangled with hers, and at the invitation of a sultry moan, Gillian was pulled snug against his eager body. The quiver rocking Luke’s impatient body evoked an answering shiver throughout Gillian’s.