Harlequin Historical February 2021--Box Set 1 of 2

by Virginia Heath

  Taking a deep breath, Isabel started on her task, her fingertips resting on the hard muscles of Will’s chest. She had to forget whom she was tending to, forget the strong, rippling muscles of his hardened warrior’s body, forget his skin glistening with moisture after bathing. Heavens above, but he smelt…delicious. She had to forget that too!

  Isabel gave herself a brisk shake of her head, furious with the direction of her musings. The poor man was probably hiding his agony from the pain induced by such a wound and here she was pondering his manly scent. What on earth was wrong with her? Just because Will gave her the confidence to be able to do all those amazing things she had done earlier—things that she would have thought highly improbable only days ago—did not mean she had to lose sight of what she was doing here. Not just the sewing of his wound, but the fact that she would soon become the eponymous Lady de Clancey. And these unwelcome feelings for her escort were not only distracting, but imprudent and unwise. She had to remind herself that he could be nothing more than a friend.

  Isabel fixed her concentrated gaze on making the first few stitches with precision instead. He inhaled sharply through his teeth.

  ‘I am sorry, Will.’

  ‘Whatever for? It was not you who struck me, now was it?’ His face contorted with a sting of pain making Isabel work a little quicker, with small, deft stitches.

  ‘No,’ she said, shaking her head. ‘Do you still maintain that those men are only interested in breaking whatever agreement you made with Rolleston?’

  ‘Possibly.’ He looked at her strangely before giving in to a sigh. ‘And do you still believe that all past and recent events have been as a result of a conspiracy against your family?’

  ‘Yes. Mayhap even more so.’

  ‘Why even more so, my lady?’ He was looking so intently at her that she stopped for a moment before answering him.

  ‘I have been pondering on a memory that struck me this very morning.’

  ‘Which was?’

  ‘On the eve of my departure to La Rochelle all those years ago I was… I was apprehensive and looking for assurance and for comfort. In truth, I was looking for my mother. Instead, I stumbled on my father in the bower of Castle de Clancey…and someone else.’

  ‘Go on…’

  ‘The man my father was conferring with had his back to me so I cannot remember who it was, but it was what they were talking about that I now recall—that is, where I heard my father explain that the two pendants could never be kept together.’

  She finished the last stitch and made a secure knot. ‘There, I’m all done here, but do not move as I’ve yet to apply a special comfrey and hyssop salve to help heal and soothe the wound.’

  ‘I’m much obliged.’ He smiled faintly.

  She rubbed the salve liberally over the wound, her fingers lingering over the smooth, taut skin. ‘But that wasn’t the only thing I remembered,’ she continued, flicking her eyes up to meet his.

  ‘Oh, what else was there?’

  ‘Something about giving one of the pendants to me—as part of my dowry. Of course, I’ve always known about that, but, you see, the second one must have been placed in my satchel quite by accident.’

  ‘By accident?’

  ‘It all happened a long time ago, Will, and the words are all such a muddle. However, I do remember that when my father referred to the pendants, he also mentioned the words well matched and corresponding.’ She sighed. ‘Although, the more I think about it, he could frankly have been referring to my betrothed and I.’

  She fetched lengths of clean, dry linen and wrapped it a few times around his broad chest, which of course brought her tantalisingly close to him.

  ‘Quite,’ he whispered, his lips only a fingerbreadth apart from hers. His eyes dropped to her lips and naturally she licked them without intending to.

  Oh, dear… Her stomach flipped on itself and her breath hitched, stuck in her throat. They both stared at each other for a moment, neither of them moving. There was a question in Will’s gaze, a question that she was only just beginning to understand. He wanted to kiss her and, to her shame, she wanted him to…very much.

  He edged near, his lips hovering just above hers, his breathing coming in shallow breaths.

  ‘I shouldn’t, Isabel,’ he muttered, his voice a low rumble.

  Her heart was pounding her chest. ‘I shouldn’t allow you to.’

  Will cradled her cheek with one hand, running his thumb across her bottom lip. ‘No…you mustn’t,’ he whispered, as he dipped his head, pressing his lips to hers lightly.

  Just as she felt something pulling her tantalisingly closer to him, they suddenly both heard an animal’s shrill sound.

  Will jerked away, getting to his feet and expelling a breath as he dragged a shaky hand through his hair.

  She blinked, feeling a little awkward, knowing that the promise of a kiss had ended. ‘What…what was that noise?’

  ‘I believe that may be a wild boar.’ He frowned, tying his sword belt around his waist. ‘I had hoped to avoid this forest, since it’s famed for having an abundant supply of them, but we were left with little choice. Go and mount your horse, Isabel.’

  Isabel watched as Will retreated and absently touched her lips with shaking fingertips.

  ‘Where…where are you going?’

  He didn’t meet her eyes. ‘Hunting.’

  * * *

  It never came to that. The forest was riddled with wild boar and Will deemed it too dangerous for them to stay there overnight. They had no choice but to pack up and start back on their journey again, riding animals that were too tired. In truth, Isabel was far too tired as well. It had been a very, very long day yet they needed to keep moving—needed to push ahead.

  But, oh, God, Isabel felt as though she might actually fall off her young palfrey. Though, at this moment, she would gladly receive a knock on the head for her foolhardy behaviour towards Will and her bewildering reaction to him. She must try to contain her ridiculous and unwarranted attraction to the man and ponder on something else instead. Something surely of greater importance and significance. She could not afford to get close to him. Will was her escort back to England and nothing more.

  As her horse pounded the dry ground, trotting to a monotonous beat, her mind turned to her father’s words, spinning them over in her head, again and again.

  * * *

  Eventually they came upon a dwelling belonging to the local forester. After waking the man and paying him silver, they secured a draughty chamber which had dirty rushes strewn on the floor. But it was a chamber, nevertheless, with a bed, which, thank the lord, was clean. Will bid her goodnight, insisting that he would sleep outside the door, sparing her blushes. Not that Isabel was surprised after what had happened—after they had kissed—even if it had been fleeting.

  Lucky for her, Isabel was far too tired to consider that disconcerting episode and soon fell into a deep yet troubled slumber.

  She was running through dark woods. Shapes and shadows, whispers and murmurs. Scarred, faceless men chased her until the storm clouds gathered. Until she was suddenly on the roof of a tall, dark building and she couldn’t get off. She was alone and she felt trapped, but she had to get away, had to keep on running as the faceless men followed her, getting closer and closer. But then she fell, hurtling down into darkness, with no one to catch her…

  ‘Isabel?’ a voice muttered. ‘Isabel, wake up.’

  She stirred before opening her eyes abruptly, her breathing laboured.

  ‘I think you must have been dreaming,’ Will’s voice calmly coaxed her back into consciousness.

  Isabel blinked at Will who was sat on the bed, rubbing her arm. She jerked back, feeling a little embarrassed at exposing herself in such a way.

  ‘I…yes.’ She rubbed her forehead, feeling the dampness. ‘I’m well. It was just a dream.’
>
  ‘Yes, but sometimes even a dream can be surprisingly distressing.’ Will sighed and drew her into his arms as she nodded. ‘There’s no shame in admitting that, my lady.’

  ‘Thank you,’ she muttered, not knowing what else to say. She felt surprisingly at peace cocooned and protected in his big, strong arms.

  ‘What was it about?’ he murmured, stroking her hair.

  ‘The usual thing of being chased, but this time I was on top of a roof, running for dear life.’

  ‘That is understandable after what happened yesterday.’

  After a moment of the tranquil stillness, she pulled away slowly. ‘Is it time to leave yet?’

  ‘Rest a little while longer.’ He stood up to go. ‘And remember, I’m only outside this room.’

  She didn’t say a word, knowing that if she opened her mouth to speak, she would urge him to stay with her and hold her all night…which really would not be a wise thing to do. A shiver went through her. No, it would not be wise at all.

  * * *

  The following morning, Will acquired strips of cured wild boar, cheese, dried fruit and warm rolls of bread from the forester and his wife, who also took the offer of coin for their silence in case Rolleston’s men came looking for them here. It was vital that his men did not know the route they were taking, especially as it had been extremely close yesterday, with everything that had happened at La Rochefoucauld. Next time they might not be so lucky.

  Will sighed, rubbing the tension from the back of his neck after an uncomfortable night’s rest. He reminded himself of the necessity in being prudent when it came to Lady Isabel as well. He must think of her only as the noble woman she was rather than the woman he desired and was beginning to care for. God, but it had been a very close thing yesterday with that as well, when he had tasted her lips. That innocent kiss could have led to all sorts of trouble. He had to be strong and resist her, even though it was becoming increasingly difficult to keep some sort of distance between them—how exactly was he supposed to resist when he was not only drawn to her, but in close proximity of her every moment of the day? If only she had consented to having a handmaiden to travel with them and act as her companion.

  He flicked his eyes to the heavy curtains that formed a partition, leading to the sleeping area of the chamber. As they were pulled back, Lady Isabel walked through.

  ‘Good morrow, my lady.’ He stood and inclined his head slightly. ‘I hope you slept well and are ready to break your fast?’

  ‘I did eventually, thank you, and, yes, I’m famished,’ she said as she perched beside him.

  ‘Come, I have procured food and Madame Forester is bringing up a small pot of hearty wild boar stew as well.’

  ‘Thank you, that sounds delicious.’ She took the plate from him and helped herself to the food.

  They sat side by side eating quietly, the atmosphere a little strained. Will threw her brief sideways glances as he pushed the food around his plate. He was glad when the forester’s wife knocked, bringing with her a hot steaming pot of stew and a couple of clean bowls and utensils.

  ‘Our thanks, madame,’ he muttered to the woman who dipped a curtsy before leaving the room.

  ‘Here, allow me.’ Isabel’s fingers brushed against his as she grasped the pot and began spooning the stew into two bowls, handing one to him.

  ‘This is delicious.’

  ‘Yes,’

  ‘Very warming.’

  ‘Quite.’

  They continued to eat until Isabel turned her head round. ‘Will, is anything wrong?’

  ‘Should there be, Lady Isabel?’

  ‘No.’ Her brows creased. ‘And I thought we agreed to drop the formalities until we resumed our roles in England. Don’t you remember, Just Will?’

  He swallowed uncomfortably, feeling uneasy with the direction of this conversation. ‘Yes, but you are not, nor shall you ever be, Plain Isabel, my lady.’

  ‘Why ever not, for goodness sake?’ she said on an exhale of barely suppressed annoyance. ‘Is this because we kissed?’

  Will almost choked back the contents in his mug.

  How damned typical of the woman to get straight to the heart of their predicament.

  ‘Isabel… Lady Isabel, I can only apologise for that, as it should not have happened. I’m honour bound to protect you and take you back to England. Anything beyond that crosses a boundary, which is why I had originally advised the need for a handmaiden to accompany us.’

  She squirmed before putting her plate down and standing up. ‘I believe you’re thinking too much about it, Will. It was quite an extraordinary situation that we found ourselves in yesterday and the fact that we managed to get away so effectively from Rolleston’s men made us feel huge relief and, well…that chaste kiss was possibly due to the euphoria we felt for getting away, do you not think?’

  ‘Yes, but—’

  ‘And as for your advice of a handmaiden, I thought we had agreed to that as well. I really do not want someone following my every move while we travel to England. There will be time enough for having many handmaidens and I’ll be ready for it, but not…not just yet.’

  He expelled the air he had been holding. ‘Very well. As you wish.’

  ‘In the meantime, I suggest we continue our progress as companionable friends.’

  His lips twitched as he watched Isabel, her head tilted upwards, her hands clasped together, her back straight as she waited patiently for his response. She was showing glimmers of the woman she was destined to become—Lady Isabel de Clancey. His chest clenched as he reflected on this. Oh, yes, Isabel would fulfil that role wonderfully.

  He stood and stretched out his hand. ‘Very well, we shall go on as amiable friends.’

  Her lips curled upwards as she placed her small hand in his, heat spreading from their joined hands throughout his body.

  ‘And as an act of friendship, I think it my duty to inform you that you have got a little bit of stew on your chin.’ She motioned with her finger. ‘No, not there. Oh, allow me.’ She licked her thumb and used it to wipe his chin as he stood there, unable to move, his eyes wide with disbelief and bemusement.

  Friends, indeed… God help him!

  CHAPTER TEN

  They had left the Foresters’ dwelling soon after they had finished their repast and purchased some much-needed provisions from the couple for their day’s journey. The long day yawned on and the riding stretched as they travelled through woods and farmlands, until eventually they stopped for a quick respite alongside a brook, allowing the horses a drink and Will and Isabel to stretch their legs.

  Will had been glad that the journey that day had not continued in the same vein as the conversation had that morning. That whole episode was a source of damned embarrassment, especially since he was still having entirely unacceptable thoughts about his friend. He had to apply discipline and cease thinking of Isabel as anyone other than who she was—a noble woman whom he was escorting back to England. But it was not easy. He snapped his head up and sighed deeply, watching Isabel splashing in the stream as she led her young palfrey to drink. She had taken off her boots and short hose, so Will was able to snatch glimpses of the pearly smooth skin of her ankles and feet.

  ‘Are you quite sure that you do not want to join me, Will? The coolness of the water is very gratifying.’

  Why was this woman insisting on driving him to distraction?

  ‘Thank you, but, no. I will use my time to work industriously on my carving.’

  He needed to do something other than to allow himself to ponder on her small ankles or the insteps of her slender feet.

  God’s breath, he needed to contain himself and these redundant feelings.

  She splashed back towards the grassy verge and sat drying her feet on a strip of linen.

  ‘I’ll take your horse,’ he said gruffly as he tethered the animal
near his.

  ‘Thank you, I have been wondering about Rolleston. Do you suppose we may encounter him again?’

  ‘Not if I can help it, Isabel. But remember that if we do, we shall deal with his men as we did yesterday.’

  ‘With the element of surprise.’

  ‘Precisely.’ He shook his head with a ghost of a smile. ‘Again, I marvel at how you implemented that surprise. Without it we would never have got away.’

  She smiled slowly. ‘Oh, we both know that we got away due to your ingenuity, Will, but I shall accept your compliment all the same.’

  ‘As I shall yours.’ He grinned, returning her smile.

  ‘In that case you must be right.’ She shrugged. ‘We do work well together.’

  ‘Yes, we do,’ he whispered. His eyes locked with hers momentarily and incredibly he could sense the warmth in them, but also veiled beneath there was sadness and uncertainty.

  Damn!

  He could drop a boulder on his head for his insensitivity in the way he had handled the delicate situation that morning, despite her nonchalant response. He had not only offended Isabel, but had also hurt her feelings.

  Yet, he had to remain resolute. He had to protect her, even from himself. This morning’s clarity between them was necessary for the remainder of their journey. However much he desired and longed for Isabel, she was not for him—a bastard son of a noble, a disgrace and a man responsible for the deaths of so many. He tore his eyes away in disgust at himself.

  ‘That is why I need your help, Will,’ Isabel said quietly.

  He flicked his head up. ‘I’m at your service, my lady…as always. What would you have me do?’

  ‘Help me uncover the riddle of the unidentical pendants.’

  ‘Ah, yes,’ he said, welcoming the change of their discourse. ‘In truth, I have been thinking about them.’

  She tapped her fingertips absently against her lips. ‘I must admit that this has been puzzling me all night, apart from that childish nightmare.’

  ‘Nightmares are not childish, Isabel. They reveal underlying fears.’ He grabbed the leather flagons from the mat, and strode to the stream, filling them up.