The Lady of Fairhaven (6 page)

Luke and Simon first rode to the small stream. Seeing no evidence of women bathing sent a wave of fear through Luke. “The women should never have been allowed away without an escort,” he shouted. Although he knew it would cost the party precious time to search, he could not leave them vulnerable to danger.

The hillsides closed in along the brook leaving few paths to walk. Skirts and petticoats left a wide distinctive trail in their wake. Small crushed grasses and broken twigs might as well have sent out an invitation to follow.

Luke knew nothing of this woman, but her vulnerability plucked at his heart strings, and he had an overpowering desire to protect her. She had managed to make her way along when suffering greatly. Her courage and strength were admirable. He had no interest in fluffy minded women who frequently fainted and cried. Why did the feeling of need hit him so hard when he saw Lady Anne?

Steep hillsides forced him to dismount. “I’ll continue on foot,” he shouted back to his companion. Both men tied their horses to a nearby sapling. The stallion shook his head in protest, but soon found some clumps of grass to catch his interest. Luke continued on. Almost immediately, he found something that made him stop. Bending over, he picked up a scrap of torn chemise snagged on a bramble. But before he could examine it, the frantic bark of a distant dog drew his attention.

Luke followed the noise along an ever rising and treacherous path following the stream. If not for the silken scrap of chemise and the barking dog, he never would have believed the ladies would have dared choosing this route. With no real path to follow, each step over loose rock proved difficult. After rounding a bend, and just behind some trees, the knight found Dog, or rather Dog found him.

The animal scampered over the talus sending dust floating into the air in its wake. The frantic barking reverberated off the steep canyon sides. Upon seeing Luke, the dog hunkered down on his forelegs, continuing its ceaseless noise. Once Luke had reached the dog, it swiftly turned and made its way along the winding valley, turning constantly to make sure he was being followed.

Luke started after the animal. Clearly, the pet would never leave his mistress unless there was some trouble. Luke’s heart raced at the thought of her coming to harm. Foolishly, she had set out on a dangerous journey, but an admiration for her pluck jolted him. What lady would leave the protection of a knight to travel alone without sufficient provisions?

While he pondered what situation had set these women away from their home and family, he spotted the Lady sitting on a ledge with her maid leaning down from an outcropping above.

Obviously, the Lady was in pain. Luke’s heart jumped in response to seeing this woman in distress. He quickly charged up the slope. Luke had noticed that the Lady’s breathing was shallow and caught slightly if she moved. Strangely enough, fear widened Luke’s eyes as he approached her.

Gillian crouched on the narrow ledge. Hugging on to her knees, her head rested against the stonewall. She watched Luke make his way over loose rocks in an attempt to reach her. She knew that once he freed her from this predicament, she would have no recourse but to travel back to her uncle. The thought of it made her shiver.

Leaning over from above, Luke asked, “My Lady Anne, are you cold?”

Gillian was momentarily confused but quickly remembered that she had taken her maid’s name. But she couldn’t quite remember what name the real Anne had taken. All the while she looked Luke steadily in the eye. “No, Sir Luke,” she finally said. “I’m afraid my courage has left me.”

“
I would suggest otherwise,” he replied. “Are you injured?”

“
Only scrapes and bruises,” she lied. “I am unable to grasp a hand hold to get myself off this hillside.”

“
Can you stand?”

“
Of course,” she replied. Painfully, Gillian rose to her feet and leaned against the rock face. She held a moan in check, not allowing it to give away her pain. She looked up at her rescuer through wide hazel eyes. Her head spun, and she pressed her back against the ledge lest she fall. She wavered but fought for control.

Watching her sway caused Luke to lunge forward to help. To his relief, she clung to the hillside. He would have little or no chance preventing a fall if she were to collapse. After removing his chain mail and gauntlets, Luke lay on a rock ledge above and reached over the side to the woman below. The vast golden brown eyes blended with emerald green flecks held the knight’s attention.

Placing the weight on only one foot, the imposter raised to her toes allowing the knight to grasp both wrists securely. Luke pulled her body upward as her feet found purchase in the rock crevices along the face. Gillian inched her way to the ledge. Strong arms and hands never let go until her trembling form molded itself against his body. She swayed against him, nuzzling against the safe hard surfaces of Luke’s chest.

Within the half-hour, the three had safely descended from the hillside. Dog pranced triumphantly ahead, turning every now and again to check the progress of his mistress. At the bottom, Gillian collapsed on top of a rock to rest. Her body trembled with the effort.

One look at her pale face told Luke all he needed to know. “What’s wrong?” he bellowed out of frustration. “How have you hurt yourself?”

“
It is nothing of consequence,” Anne replied. Her temper flared back at him.

“
Like bloody hell it isn’t,” he ground out. “Tell me now!”

“
It is my ankle sir. I must have injured it in the fall.”

“
What are you about? Had I known, I would have found another way down the mountain for you even if it meant carrying you. You are perhaps the most stubborn woman I have ever met.” Her independence riled him in spite of his growing esteem for her spirit. “Let me see your injury,” Luke said.

“
I should think not, sir,” Lady Gillian gasped. “It is improper.”

“
It is unacceptable to allow you to continue on in your present condition,” Luke insisted. “If you wish to have your maid assist you, I would see to your injury now.”

“
Lady Anne,” he said, “I need your cooperation.

Hearing the name, both women responded simultaneously, “Yes, My Lord.”

Luke raised his head slightly, and then knelt beside Gillian.

Gillian blushed at the intimacy Sir Luke was suggesting. Embarrassment froze her in place. Luke reached down and removed her slipper. Gillian first flinched at his touch then yelped in pain.

“
I would appreciate your maid’s help,” Luke said. “What is her name?”

Gillian looked up at Anne and hesitated. It was obvious she still couldn’t remember.

Anne paused for a moment then shouted out, “Frances, My Lord, my name is Frances.”

“
Please assist me before my reputation is compromised,” Gillian begged.

Luke stepped back to allow the maid access. Gently, she removed Gillian’s hose, exposing the purple bruises at her ankle.

“
God’s wounds, My Lady,” Luke exclaimed. His hands caressed the ankle turning it gently. “I’m astonished you made it down on your own effort. I must take it upon myself to make sure you are safely set in comfortable surroundings so that your family can be contacted. I can see that you have little or no concern for yourself.”

Gillian sucked in a sharp intake of breath. She was caught like a rabbit in a snare. There was no escaping her immediate return to her uncle. Tears pooled in her eyes but sheer determination held them back. She lowered her head to block his view of her vulnerability.

“
I thank you for your concern, Sir,” Gillian whispered. “And I place myself under your kind protection.”

Luke plucked her hands in his, bowed his head, and brushed a warm moist kiss on her palm. “We will be off. We will make it back to the encampment before dark if we leave immediately. Lady Anne, I shall protect you.”

“
No one can protect me now,” Gillian answered.

“
I said I will protect you and the maid, Frances, and I shall. Do you think I cannot manage to keep you from harm at Fairhaven manor?” he asked.

“
I have no doubts about protection from the folk at the castle, My Lord,” Anne soothed. “It is my family that causes me concern.”

Without any warning, Luke swept Anne into his arms and swiftly arranged her atop his destrier. The horse sidestepped under her unfamiliar weight, but Luke pulled the reins in and then swung himself up into the saddle behind her.

“
Sir, it is unnecessary for you to inconvenience yourself when I am quite sure I am able to sit on a horse.”

“
Well, I for one do not wish to take the chance that the movement might hurt your foot.”

Gillian held herself erect for some time. However, feeling Luke’s strong arms wrapped around her tiny waist as she rocked rhythmically to the horse’s cadence eventually caused her to relax. Soon after, Gillian gave in to the exhaustion of the day and leaned comfortably back against the strong knight. The top of her head snuggled into the hollow beneath his chin. At last she rubbed against his chest and dozed off to sleep.

Simon received Lady Gillian’s sleeping form into his arms. Luke then quickly slid from his horse to relieve Simon of his burden. In spite of his fatigue, Luke had not been particularly anxious to remove his passenger’s body from contact with his own. In fact, Luke’s body had responded traitorously in the saddle as Gillian’s bottom had rubbed against his thighs. He only hoped his armor mesh had been enough to hide the evidence. And once she was asleep, her body had relaxed to the point that the soft heavy flesh of her breasts easily bounced against his arms as he held her body upright in the saddle. If only he could have added distance to their present journey, he would be the happiest of men. The urge to curl up next to her now was nearly overwhelming, and the knight had to summon all his practiced self-control to maintain his honor.

The lady was as enticing as she was infuriating. Discovering her gone had sent anxiety zipping though him.
Why had she thought it necessary to run away? What was she running from? Or running to?

Everything about her stirred his curiosity. Her beautiful hazel eyes, specked with gold, held his attention without false pride or allure. Lush curves fit perfectly with his body, and the urge to hold her close nearly overpowered rational thought. Luke had occasionally looked over her shoulder to shamefully examine the large swells of her breasts. He struggled to clear his mind of happy but ungentlemanly dreams of tasting their sweetness. Her dark auburn hair shone with red highlights inspired by a summer sunset. Its thick braided rope stroked his hands as it bounced in rhythm with each step of his destrier. The lady was magnificent.

Luke had ordered sleeping furs to be placed near the fire. Anne had managed to put off sleep and stiffly made her way to her bed. Exhaustion, however, claimed her early. The events of the past few days had exacted a heavier toll on both women. Gillian was gently settled onto a softened pile of leaves and blankets. Under the guise of protection, Luke moved nearby.

Fresh wood placed on the evening fire crackled and hissed, and the popping drove its way into Lady Gillian’s overtired dreams. A low moan carried across the camp before she thrashed wildly, then screamed out as if in pain. One loud snap of the wood had brought her body straight up, her arms swinging wildly in the air. Dog spun around hunting for the source of trouble. A low menacing growl warned any intruder of his intentions.

Luke sprang from his blankets at the night-splitting sound. In two steps he reached out to grasp Gillian’s trembling shoulders. With eyes wide open, she fought furiously against his restraint.

“God, no!” she screamed.

Dog snapped at the air.

“Easy Dog! Come!” Anne commanded. The animal moved over to the maid and settled, keeping a cautious eye on his master.

With an angry tone, Luke said, “Can’t you keep that dog quiet?”

“
So be it!” He turned his attention to the woman thrashing on the ground. “Lady

Anne,” Luke whispered. “Wake up!”

“
No!” she screamed.

Awakened by her scream, the sleeping men bounced up from the warmth of their blankets to survey the camp for trouble. Seeing nothing but an hysterical sleeping woman, they bundled up and nestled back into their bedding’s warmth. Clearly, she was deeply caught in a nightmare. Luke pinned her arms from striking out against him.

“
Please! Sir Luke, have mercy on her,” Anne warned. “She has had a fearful fright, and I fear she still suffers from it.”

“
What has happened?” He asked.

“
I am not at liberty to share; however, I can say it was not of her doing, and she needs some patient care to undo the effects from it.”

Suddenly, Gillian covered her face and whimpered, “No! Please don’t do this.”

Luke whispered in her ear as he gathered her close, “Do not fear, My Lady. No one will hurt you.” His hands stilled and for a moment the two remained motionless. A few immense sobs were buried into the knight’s solid chest.

Once spent, Gillian sagged in his arms as her body was clasped tight against the muscle hard flesh of his chest. As quickly as she had started her nightmare, she appeared to cease her ravings and drift back into a restful sleep. A sheen of perspiration coating her forehead was the only evidence of this episode. Luke disentangled himself from her and began to lower her back down to her bedding.