The Lady of Fairhaven (7 page)

“
Don’t leave me,” Gillian pleaded softly. Tears ran down her flushed cheeks. “Please don’t leave me.”

Her entreaty was passionate, and the knight’s blood raced throughout his body. Without any invitation, Gillian laid her trembling body against the heated chest and wrapped her arms around him.

Luke’s self control was snapped like a dried twig. He stroked her back softly, and she moaned outright. He then allowed his lips to brush the top of her head. After a few minutes, he once again lowered her to her blankets. Without a fight this time, Gillian complied. She then gently pulled Luke’s hand close to her body. Luke tried to extract it, but a moan was rent loose, and she tugged his hand closer. Luke looked to Anne for help, but the exhausted woman merely shrugged and returned to her warm sleeping nest.

It was some time later when Gillian’s breathing evened as she fell back into a deep sleep, and Luke, however reluctantly, pulled his hand from her limp grasp. Enjoying one last study of her exquisite face sent a lusty surge of desire pulsing through him once again. But his own tired mind gratefully accepted the opportunity to return to his own blanket.

Before sunrise the men were packing up. As the pink gray dawn lightened the sky, Luke and Simon planned on waiting to wake the women. They were surprised to see the Lady had risen with the first nickers from the anxious horses.

Luke hoisted Gillian onto his destrier. Her arguments to ride on her own horse held no ground with him. He claimed that her propensity to run away necessitated her riding with him. He prayed he would be the only one aware of his real reason to keep her close.

As the party reached the vicinity of Fairhaven Keep, Lady Gillian begged to refresh herself in the nearby stream. The knight obliged, knowing the keep was well within an easy ride.

“
Please, Sir Luke, may I have a word with you?” Gillian began. “We can speak on the way to the stream.” As they walked, Gillian said, “I imagine you would not wish me to slip away from you again by letting me out of your sight.” Luke smiled at her insight.

“
I would appreciate riding my own horse into Fairhaven Keep.”

“It is of no matter how you arrive, My Lady,” Luke answered flatly.

“It is of great import to me, Sir,” she answered. “I must not appear as though I am a prisoner.”

“
You will appear as though you are under my protection,” Luke insisted.

“
Riding in your company will so indicate. You would favor me if you would agree to this small concession, Sir Luke.” Her chin rose, and she stared steadily into his eyes.

Never had he met a woman so bold and wonderful. But he was also curious. “Is there some reason you would add to this request?” he asked.

Anne’s gaze dropped to her hands. “It will become apparent in good time, I’m afraid. For now, I wish to keep my reasons to myself. I fear…” Anne stopped, then hurried ahead.

She slipped out of sight of the road and the men as she made her way to the stream. Luke followed close behind. After all, it was an occasion similar to this that she had once run away. He had no intention of taking time out to track her down, once again.

As Anne approached the stream her foot slid in a small puddle of wet earth, casting her body backward and into the arms of the large knight guarding her. A gasp of air rapidly filled her lungs, but was just as quickly expelled when her back came in contact with the rock solid chest behind her. Strong arms clasped her around the waist holding her steady.

Slowly, Anne turned in the circle of his protective grasp. The top of her head came up to his shoulder, forcing her head to tilt back so she could look into his face.

Nearly laughing, Gillian said, “Thank you! Had you not been so steady I would certainly have ended my wild ride in the mud. You have seen only my weakest side, Sir. I should have been pleased if you had known only my strengths. It should have pleased me greatly.”

Before Anne could say another word, Luke’s eyes reflected the lust filling his veins, and he lowered his head slowly. His lips brushed lightly against the soft warm lips of the lady. A moan of pleasure sounded deep in her throat, driving Luke to higher passion. His hands placed on the small of her back tugged her closer, as if hoping for such a complete contact the two would somehow become one. Each devoured the sweetness of the other’s waiting lips. Gillian’s mouth parted slightly at the touch of his probing tongue and her hands slid up his chest to the nape of his neck pulling him tighter to her. Luke increased the pressure and the two tasted the sweet warmth of the other as their tongues tangled together in a passionate feast.

Lady Gillian’s steadfast reason fought with her willing body for control. At present her will was losing the battle to the waves of sensations spinning out of control throughout her body. One last struggle resulted in a gentle but steadfast push of her hands breaking the spell.

Embarrassed that she could give in to such carnal desires, sent a surge of color to her cheeks. “I…” her eyes never left the knights as she tried to explain. “It seems I have little control when you are so near, Sir. Please forgive me.” Her discomfort drew a pool of tears into her eyes. She took a step back.

“
Please, My Lady, do not chastise yourself. It was my boldness that brought us to touch.” The knight watched her closely. “Forgive me for alarming you. You have touched a flame to my heart, and I find myself wanting to stay warmed by you.”

“
You have not alarmed me,” she added. Struggling for some control over the conversation and her raging emotions, Gillian changed the subject. “Please may I ride my own horse to the manor?”

“
Very well,” Luke grumbled. After returning to the men and horses, Luke lead a golden mare to Gillian then held out the reins. “This is Buttercup. She is one of the finest mares in my family’s stable. She is the horse chosen to bring my father’s bride back to our castle.

Gillian shivered at the implications. What had she just done? The idea of it was more than she could bear.

Luke lifted Gillian onto her horse. As he handed her the reigns, he said, “Do not cause any trouble, My Lady. I will be watching you.” His tone had more than a touch of warning to it.

The smith’s wife joined her husband and said, “Are you all right, My Lady? We heard that you had…” A jab from her husband’s elbow silenced the woman. A blush stained her cheeks. “Forgive me. We were worried about you.”

“
You are most kind. Thank you for your good wishes.” Gillian then leaned over to the woman and held her hand out to the woman. Clasping hands, they smiled at each other and then parted.

Looking on, a startled Luke turned his head in surprise to look at the expression on Lady Gillian’s face. The warm smile she offered the villeins startled him. How did they come to know her? Obviously, they had high regard for the lady and her hand reaching down to the wife showed her high regard for them.

Luke rode close to Anne. The proximity and interest of the crowd made him uneasy. Greetings and outstretched hands met the lady as she passed by. It would be difficult to protect Anne if they rushed her. Strangely, however, everyone seemed happy to see her and glad she was here.

One young lad held out her arm for inspection that had a small scar. Lady Anne held his forearm and remarked how well he had cared for it. After her brief inspection, she looked back at Luke as if she withheld some words she would share. But nothing was forthcoming.

On the far side of the village, the manor came into full view. Luke stopped in his tracks and surveyed its beauty from the crenellated towers to the portcullis. The structure was magnificent.

The pause was long enough to send the cold fear coursing through Gillian. She hated to deceive such a worthy man as this, but her situation left her no choice.

In a moment of panic, Gillian reined Buttercup in then turned toward the river. Her horse dashed across the open field with haste. She rapidly neared the cover of the forest and shrubs surrounding the waterway. If she could only make her way through the dense shrubbery, she might be safe. Dog came running behind barking loudly. If Luke gave chase there would be little chance of escape, but she had to give one more try.

Luke angrily halted his steed and turned it sharply in Gillian’s direction. How could he be so blind to think she would calmly go with him? He cursed himself for not keeping her on his horse. Instantly, as if his destrier sensed the danger, it jumped to life after the mare.

Crossing open land, Gillian’s path laid straight to the river. As she reached the mid-point, she saw a large hunting party exiting the woods in front of her. A new wave of terror filled the woman, and she angled away, back toward the village. Her body hugged low along the back of the mare.

Looking to cut her off, Luke saw a stonewall blocking the path Gillian had chosen to the village. Certainly, he thought, she wouldn’t think about taking that jump. Luke then noticed the hunting party was made up. He quickly counted ten men dressed in leather armor. Each rode a steed of enough substance to easily catch the mare. Luke had little choice but to cut Anne off before the men reached her. From the demeanor of the men in hot pursuit, and Gillian’s terror stricken face, there was no doubt the lady was in grave danger. The knight signaled for his own men to follow while he urged his destrier to a faster gallop.

Glad that he had selected the best mare in the stable, Luke still worried that his family’s horse would be responsible for Gillian’s injuries or possible death. If any mare had a chance of making the jump Buttercup did, but the size of the wall scared the knight. To make matters worse, there were small trees or large shrubs growing along the length of the fence. Gillian was heading toward a particularly bushy area along the wall.

Luke pressed his steed forward. He was trying to intercept Gillian just after she jumped the wall, that is, if she cleared it at all.

The mare raced heedless of the danger it faced. The rider bent low over the mare’s neck as if to speak words of encouragement. She stayed low as the mare leaped high. The forelegs cleared without trouble but the hind legs scraped the top stones. Even with the contact, the horse was able to find its footing on the other side.

Luke was waiting. He quickly pulled along side the mare and reached over for the reigns. He was able to reign in the mare with little effort.

“
What are you about, My Lady?” he barked angrily. “You could have killed yourself and the mare.”

“
No! Let me go please!” Gillian pleaded. Her body stayed low over her horse and tears streamed down her cheeks. A sickening groan broke free. She kicked the mare to make another escape.

Luke held on tight to the reigns. “You cannot go anywhere, you’re too badly hurt, Lady Anne. Please be easy. All will be well.”

“
I wish you were right, Sir Knight,” she whispered. “I am sorry, Luke, for my clumsy escape attempt, but I had to try. The wall was not so high where I jumped. Please believe me, I would not have risked the horse.”

Luke only nodded. He was still too angry at her foolhardy attempt. The horse was nothing to the thought of losing her somehow shook him to the very core.

Attempting to reach Gillian in the most direct route possible, the men in pursuit continued a path for the rock wall. One horse attempted the jump, but stumbled as its forelegs hit the wall hard. The rider flew over the fence and landed some distance out on the other side. The horse fell but stood immediately and ran in the direction of the village.

“
Oh dear lord,” Gillian cried. “You can’t jump it there. No more please!”

Another horse balked at the jump and threw his rider to the ground. The remainder of the group pulled up knowing it was impossible to continue in this direction so turned and raced back toward the open field.

“
Please let me go to him,” Gillian cried. “He needs my assistance.” Her eyes pleaded. “I promise I will remain at your side. I’m sorry for any inconvenience this may cause for you. I’m so sorry.” Heartfelt tears plunged down her face. “Please!” she urged again.

“
Very well,” My Lady,” Luke growled, “but would you care to explain yourself? It appears we are in danger and I want to know why. If I am to fight so that we should get you to a safe place, I must know if there is cause to place my men in danger.”

“
You are not in danger,” she said.

“
Explain!” Holding the reins Luke galloped over to the man laying face down in the dirt. Gillian tilted her head defiantly and refused to speak. Luke had no intention of waiting any longer.

He grabbed her arm to force an explanation from her lips. She had made him angrier than he had ever been before. If he admitted to his true feelings he would have called it sheer terror at the prospect of losing her, but anger would suffice.

“
I cannot explain, for I am so ashamed for deceiving you. It would not surprise me if you hated me all of your days. I have been terribly wrong, but what is worse, I would do it no differently if it should happen again. I can only beg your forgiveness.”

Upon reaching the manor, the lady acknowledged more and more villeins who had heard of the commotion and had ventured out of the keep to watch. Each in turn greeted the lady and her maid warmly, but watched with caution as they approached. After passing through the portcullis, the group gathered in the bailey.