Unending Love (12 page)

“Or you could take her in to Fordwich to collect
her new surcoat she is going to wear to Lady Victoria du Bose’s birthday
celebration next week.”

He cocked his head. “Ridge du Bose’s daughter?”

Christina nodded. “She will have seen sixteen
years.”

Maddoc’s dark eyebrows lifted. “God’s Blood,” he
muttered. “I remember when the girl was born. She is
that
old?”

“She is,” Christina replied. “Perhaps… perhaps
my father will allow you attend the event  as Adalind’s escort and not simply a
family escort.”

Maddoc’s bright blue eyes glimmered as a smile
played on his lips. He realized he was nearly embarrassed by the suggestion,
finding himself in a position he never dreamed he’d be in.   The man was
supremely confident in all areas but now with the transition into an entirely
new and different relationship with Adalind, he felt rather uncertain.  This
was all new territory to the serious and often austere knight who had never
held a very high opinion of anything romantic.

“I will ask his permission, of course,” he
ventured hesitantly.  “I have never… well, I have never done this sort of thing
before.”

Christina laughed softly at the
usually-confident knight exhibiting some uncertainty.  “You are not without
experience with women,” she said. “Do not forget that I have known you for many
years. I have seen women throw themselves at you and I do believe there were
one or more occasions that you entertained a young lady.”

He waved her off.  “That was a long time ago,”
he said, somewhat embarrassed. “Since my wife died, I have not had the time or
inclination to pursue that aspect of life.  It is too much trouble.”

Christina’s smile faded. “I am sorry if my
comment was hurtful. I did not mean to bring up painful memories.”

He shrugged. “They are not painful, but I will
admit that sometimes I wonder what my son would have looked like had he lived. 
My mother died in childbirth with me, also. I do not know if you were aware of
that.”

Christina shook her head with sadness. “I was
not,” she murmured. “I pray you have much better luck with a future wife, especially
if she is my daughter.”

He gave her a lop-sided grin. “Which I suspect
might not occur if I do not throw myself at Addie’s feet and beg forgiveness.”

Christina laughed softly and gestured towards
the door. “I have already chased Willow out, so Adalind is alone,” she said.
“Go in and see what you can do. I will be here in the corridor should you need
me.”

It was a kind way of saying she would have her
ear against the door to protect her daughter’s virtue.  Maddoc grinned,
full-on, and silently thanked the woman who was only three years older than he
was.  The truth was that he more than likely should have been interested in the
woman closer to his age, but Christina had no interest in any man since her
husband passed away several years earlier, and Maddoc frankly had no interest
in her. All of his focus was on the woman’s exquisite daughter.  He made his
way to the chamber door and knocked softly.

“Who comes?” Adalind’s voice was muffled.

He didn’t hesitate. “Sir Maddoc FitzPeter Crewys
du Bois.”

There was a very long pause, causing Maddoc to
turn and look questioningly at Christina.  She balled a fist and shook it at
him, a suggestion for what he should do.   Biting off a grin, Maddoc rattled
the door loudly without actually trying to open it.

“Open this door right now,” he barked as he had
never barked at her in his life. “You will not treat your intended this way. 
Open it, you ungrateful wench.”

Christina had to cover her mouth to keep from
laughing.  Maddoc began silently laughing, too, until the chamber door flew
open and Adalind was standing in the doorway.  She was clad in a deep green
surcoat with white rabbit lining around the neck and wrists of the garment. 
With her long hair braided carefully over one shoulder, she looked exquisite. However,
she was furious and Maddoc struggled to wipe the smile from his face, but not
fast enough.  Adalind had seen the smirk and her eyebrows flew up in outrage.

“So you mock me?” she was livid. “Since when do
you call me wench?”

Before Maddoc could reply, Christina stepped in
to save the man. “Addie,” she scolded softly. “He was jesting with you, so calm
yourself. You honestly have no earthly reason to be angry with him, so behave
yourself.  He will take you to Fordwich to collect your new garments for
Victoria’s party.”

Adalind was frowning as her gaze moved between
her mother and Maddoc.  As they watched, her pout grew more and more dramatic
until she finally turned around, in a huff, and stomped back into her chamber. 
Both Christina and Maddoc stood in the doorway, watching her collect her
fur-lined cloak with sharp gestures, until she stomped back over to the door.

“Help me, please,” she nearly commanded as she
held out the cloak to Maddoc.

He dutifully took the cloak and shook it out
before holding it up for her.  Eyeing him, just to emphasize the fact that she
wasn’t in a forgiving mood, Adalind stepped into the cloak as Maddoc settled it
around her slender neck.   She stood there, lips pursed in a pout, as he
smoothed it around her shoulders and spun her around to tie it at her neck.  
But she refused to look at him, pretending disinterest, until he finished
securing the cloak. When their eyes finally met, he gave her a knowing smile
and she stuck her tongue out at him.

Maddoc laughed softly as she turned away and
began her angry march down the stairs, waving Christina off when the woman
geared up to berate her daughter.   He followed Adalind down to the main level,
which was now rather vacant once the morning meal had finished, and took her
out into the cool and breezy day.  Outside, as they descended the steps to the
bailey, he grabbed the first soldier he came across and sent the man on the run
for first Gerid.  Once the organization of the escort party was in motion, he
turned to Adalind.

“I am sorry if you are upset with me,” he said
quietly, “but you truly have no need to be. Eynsford is gone. You will not have
to see him again.”

She put her hands on her hips. “Why did you
bring him back? You know I did not want him here.”

He was patient. “Because he had crawled on his
knees all the way from Harbledown and I could not let him spend the night
outside the gate with bloodied knees,” he said as his tone shifted to a nearly
scolding one. “In spite of what you and everyone else thinks, I do have some
measure of compassion. I did not bring him back to Canterbury to torment you; I
did it because it was the right thing to do.  The physic tended his wounds and
this morning, he was sent along his way.  If you wish to remain angry over
that, then I will not stop you.  Do what you must.”

By the time he was finished, her feisty stance
had eased.  The hands came off the hips and her expression softened.  After a
moment, she sighed heavily and gave up.

“You know very well that I cannot be angry any
longer,” she said, trying not to appear too contrite. “And I never said you
were without compassion, only I wish it had not been for Eynsford.”

He gave her a half-grin.  “He is no threat to us,
my lady.”

She softened further. “Of course he is not,” she
replied quietly. “Nothing can take my attention away from you. Surely you know
that.”

“Then you are no longer cross with me?”

“No.”

His smiled broadened. “Good,” he replied. “Now,
what is this I hear that Victoria du Bose is sixteen years of age?”

Adalind nodded eagerly, all fit and fizzle from
a few moments before forgotten. “Her father is having a massive celebration for
her in two days,” she said. “Everyone of note will be there. It will be good to
see old friends I have not seen in years.”

Maddoc cocked an eyebrow. “And I am sure the
young men who only remember the skinny and annoying Adalind de Aston will be
greatly surprised to see you. I will be beating them away by the dozens.”

She giggled. “Not when Papa tells everyone that
you are courting me. They shall all run away in terror at the thought of you.”

He broke into a grin. “They will congratulate me
on my good fortune,” he replied, noting that the horses were being brought
forth from the livery.  He took her elbow gently and turned her around as they
approached.  “Which brings me to the subject of our foray into town – I must
approve of the dress you wear to the party, of course.”

She tried not to laugh at him. “Why is that?”

He pretended to scowl. “Why do you think? I do
not want some foolish pup salivating over what belongs to me.”

She cocked her head, teasing him. “My, my,” she
murmured. “Already I belong to you? Our courtship has worked rather quickly.”

“I offered to marry you yesterday. Your
grandfather has accepted my suit.  Our courtship is over and already, you
belong to me.”

She was back to giggling. “As you wish, Maddoc,”
she relented, watching him wink at her. “But I am not sure I need your approval
for my party dress.”

His lips twisted wryly. “Not too much flesh,” he
said. “I know what women wear these days. They show far too much skin.  Perhaps
I will have to put you in a sack and tie it at the neck, cutting out holes for
your arms and legs.  That way, I will not have to kill some fool because
his
[J16]
 
gaze lingers on your lovely shoulders or… well,
you know,  lower… down below your neck.”

Adalind burst out laughing. “Do you mean my
breasts?”

He averted his gaze, looking up to the cool blue
sky. “It is lovely traveling weather, do you not think?” He deliberately
changed the subject. “We should make good time into town.  If we make short
work of your task, perhaps we find something else to interest you.  An
entertainment, perhaps.”

She moved closed to him, putting her hands on
his big arm. “You will not get out of this so easily,” she said, flirtatious. 
When his eyes finally met hers, she grinned broadly. “You can refer to my
breasts, you know. It is your right, as my intended. You can also look at them
if you wish.  I will not be offended.”

He let out a hissing sigh and weakly tried to
pull away. “Lady, you are bold and unrestrained,” he said, still trying to step
away from her but not doing a very good job. The truth was that he liked her
hands on his, feeling the warmth of her body against his. “It is unseemly to
discuss such things in public.”

“We are not in public. This conversation is
between you and I.”

“People can hear. “

“Let them.   We are betrothed, are we not?”

He stopped pulling and eyed her. “We are.”

She bit off a smile at his nearly embarrassed
expression. “Then at some point, you may actually want to see my breasts. Does
this shock you?”

He held out an even expression for a split
second longer before breaking down into snorts of laughter. “You naughty wench,”
he muttered. “I should spank you here and now.”

She was laughing with him. “Are you telling me
you do not want to see them? Maddoc, I am devastated. How can you say such
cruel things to me?”

He was still laughing as he grabbed her by the
arms and pulled her up against his chest, his hot lips against her ear.

“I never said I did not wish to see them,” he whispered.
“In fact, I am looking forward to that more than you can know.  But they are
for my eyes only and I do not wish to share with anyone.  That is why I must
approve of what you wear; I am a selfish man and your beauty is for me alone.”

Adalind was crushed up against him, feeling his
hot mouth on her ear.  His closeness, his maleness, seemed to suck all of the
ability to breathe right out of her.  Chills ran down her spine as he murmured
against her flesh, so much so that she could hardly focus on what he was
saying.  All she knew was that the man ignited a fire deep within her belly,
something scorching and liquid that she could hardly understand.  When he let
her go, suddenly, she nearly fell.  Maddoc had to reach out to steady her.

“Do you understand what I told you?” he asked,
holding on to her arm as she regained her balance.

She gazed up at him, all of the giggle and flirt
vanished.  All she could do was nod. “Aye,” she murmured. “I understand
completely.”

He grinned faintly and winked at her. “Good
girl,” he said, then looked over her shoulder as her palfrey was brought close.
“Come along, now. We have a trip to make.”

Adalind didn’t say another word.  His hot words
and heated grip had sucked the flirt and conversation right out of her.  She
simply did as she was told.

***

The trip to collect Adalind’s new garments for
Victoria du Bose’s celebration had been uneventful. Maddoc and eight men at
arms had taken her in to Fordwich to the seamstress who made all of the de Lohr
women’s clothing.   The woman had a rather large shop where she, her two
daughters, and her sister made beautiful and quality garments.  The moment
Maddoc saw the gown they had fashioned for Adalind, he heartily approved.