The Rebel Heiress and the Knight

by Melissa Oliver

  He didn’t... Instead, frozen, he watched her for a heartbeat. Then, before he knew what he was doing, he held her wrist in place and licked the sauce off her long fingers.

  Eleanor’s eyes widened in shock, awareness no doubt catching up with her, as he pressed his eyes shut and exhaled sharply, realising his mistake.

  To spare her blushes, and his own, Hugh abruptly got to his feet, inclined his head and turned on his heel, catching Will’s eye, who shook his head as he left. Damn!

  Ambling through the hall, Hugh exchanged greetings and small talk with the boisterous groups of his men milling around. He chuckled at a jest, slapped Gilbert Claymore on the back, and nodded in agreement with whatever the old steward had said without retaining a word of it.

  Nonchalantly he slipped out of the crowded, noisy hall, hoping no one had noticed his discomfort.

  The moment Hugh stepped outside his smile slipped and he let out a shaky breath. Closing his eyes, he leaned his forehead against a stone wall, welcoming the rough, cool feeling against his skin.

  Dear God, what was wrong with him?

  * * *

  Hugh returned to their chamber much later, after clearing his head and putting in place a few things that he had planned with Will for the morning. The room was drenched in the moonlight seeping in through the arched window, and the open shutters were letting in the frigid night air. He smiled to himself. How like Eleanor to go against normal convention and allow the cold into their chamber whilst the fire was still smoking and spluttering in the hearth.

  ‘Hugh, is that you?’

  He turned and saw the shadowy silhouette of his wife sitting on the bed. The thick, heavy bed curtain pulled and tied back.

  Now, that was a surprise. That curtain had been shut firmly, pushing him out, since their wedding night.

  ‘Aye. Go back to sleep, Eleanor.’

  ‘I couldn’t sleep. I was worried.’

  ‘I’m sorry.’ Even to his own ears his voice sounded flat.

  ‘You have nothing to apologise for,’ she said softly.

  Hugh sighed. ‘I don’t know how, but I constantly misstep around you. It must be that I never expected to be married—especially to a someone like you, my lady.’

  ‘Behind the heiress it’s just me.’ She shrugged. ‘I’m only a woman, Hugh—remember?’

  He smiled, recollecting their ride out together, many weeks ago now. But, no, Eleanor Tallany was not ‘only a woman’. His heart quickened at the thought. She was far, far more. She cared about her people...their people. She was not just the chatelaine of Tallany but its heart and soul.

  ‘I had hoped for a rematch, Hugh, and had even set up the board with all the pieces.’

  His lips twitched. ‘I’m sorry to disappoint you but I’m in no state for a game of chess. My skills would be woefully lacking.’

  ‘Ah, but that would be my perfect opportunity to finally gain the upper hand and beat you.’

  Was Eleanor teasing him? Again?

  ‘The shame that you’d take advantage of a man in his cups...’ He grinned as she chuckled softly. ‘Although you will get your opportunity to beat me, Eleanor, never fear. I cannot think of any other, apart from Will, who has challenged me as much as you. Our matches have been closely fought. You may not believe that you have any talents—which is nonsense, anyway—but in this you most certainly do.’

  The laughter died on her lips and Hugh sensed that she was blushing—not that he could see.

  He gave himself a mental shake. ‘Anyway, what were you worried about? Surely not about me.’

  ‘Of course I was. Where did you go?’ She leaned forward, rubbing her eyes.

  ‘Mmm? I had business to attend to.’ He looked around the room. ‘Eleanor, where is my pallet?’

  ‘I... I had your squire remove it,’ she said, biting her lip.

  What? His brows met in the middle as he frowned quizzically. ‘Why?’ He swallowed taking a hesitant step towards her. ‘Eleanor?’

  Her eyes widened as she covered her mouth with her hand. ‘Oh, no—I didn’t mean... Saints above! You thought that I wanted to...?’

  ‘Calm yourself, my lady. I have given you my word regarding that,’ he said. ‘But mayhap you will enlighten me as to exactly where I should sleep?’ He crossed his arms over his chest and leaned back against the coffer.

  ‘Well, here in the bed, of course.’ She patted the coverlet. ‘It’s big enough for both of us.’

  He stared at her blankly.

  Lord above, was she trying to kill him slowly?

  Apparently Eleanor was still talking. ‘And, to be honest, I hadn’t realised that your pallet was so lumpy.’

  She was watching him, trying to gauge his response, but he wasn’t giving one.

  She sighed and he saw her shoulders slump. ‘I’m sorry. Should we fetch the pallet back? I thought you may sleep better on the bed.’

  Ha! As if he would be able to sleep now! If he had believed that sleep had evaded him merely because he was in the same room as Eleanor Tallany, God alone knew what his nights were going to be like lying next to her. It was going to be akin to slow, excruciating torture.

  Heaven help him, though. He had given his word and even if it would kill him, he would wait until his wife came to him.

  ‘No, it’s fine.’ He dragged a shaky hand through his hair. ‘If you feel comfortable for us to share a bed for...er...sleeping purposes, then I’m happy to oblige.’ He swallowed down what else he’d be happy to do.

  She smiled and lay back on the bed as he sat down to take off his shoes and stretched his arms to remove his linen tunic. As he was pulling off his braies she shot back up, her arms either side of her, apparently ready to fly out of the room if she had to.

  ‘What are you doing?’ she asked.

  A bemused grin lit his face. ‘My lady, I never sleep with a stitch of clothing.’

  ‘Do you mean to tell me that all this time you have been sleeping...?’ she said, waving her hand in the direction of the corner of the chamber where once the lumpy pallet had been.

  ‘Naked as the day as I was born!’ He chuckled. ‘Don’t tell me you haven’t sneaked a look?’

  ‘No! No, I haven’t.’

  ‘I can believe it. Well, to spare your blushes I will keep my hose on. Would that suffice?’ He sighed as she moved to the other side of the bed.

  ‘Yes, but I... I didn’t realise that you...without any...’

  ‘So, it would seem. Would you prefer it if I slept elsewhere, Eleanor?’

  ‘No! That’s not necessary. Surely we can muddle along as bedfellows. We are married, after all.’ She shifted uncomfortably.

  He gave her an eloquent look and shook his head as he sat on the bed. ‘Very well, wife, I will bid you goodnight. And, Eleanor?’ He noticed she gulped as her gaze lingered on his bare chest and shoulders, just as before when she had tended to his wound. ‘Thank you for thinking of my comfort.’

  She gave a curt nod before pulling the coverlet higher and turning to sleep with her back to him.

  Well, then, this was interesting... From the vivid curiosity he’d glanced in Eleanor’s eyes mayhap she wasn’t as immune to him as he’d initially thought.

  After what seemed many hours, tossing and turning, Hugh was about to drift off to sleep when he felt Eleanor tentatively lay her hand on his shoulder. Just as quickly she removed it.

  ‘Is everything all right?’ he asked, in a muffled, sleepy voice.

  ‘It’s nothing... Hugh, I wondered if you were awake...’

  ‘Hmm...? I am now.’

  ‘I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to wake you up but I can’t get to sleep,’ she murmured.

  ‘Can I help you with anything?’

  ‘Well, yes, you can,’ she whispered.

  That got his attention. His eyes flew open and slowl
y he turned his head and met her quizzical gaze. ‘Oh?’ he croaked. ‘What would you have me do?’

  She was biting the inside of her cheek, clearly finding whatever she wanted from him difficult to ask for. Well, now... His heart beat a little faster. Could she...did she want the same thing as him?

  She rubbed her forehead with the back of her hand. ‘Actually, I don’t believe what I desire from you will be conceivably, remotely possible...’ She lay down again with her back to him.

  Hugh darted to the other side of the bed, reaching for her. ‘Whoa, wait—wait... Why not let me be the judge of that.’ He gently turned Eleanor around and stroked her cheek with his callused knuckles. ‘Well, Eleanor?’

  He raised his brow, putting his weight on one elbow and waiting eagerly for her to respond. He sent a silent prayer, willing her to say the words he longed to hear from her.

  ‘I don’t know that I should...’ She shuffled beneath him, clearly flustered.

  ‘Oh, you should—you definitely should,’ he murmured.

  Please, just say it!

  ‘I’m not certain that it’s an entirely appropriate thing for me to ask you.’ A crease appeared between her brows.

  ‘Oh, it will be. Ask me anything, Eleanor—nay, demand it of me. As you reminded me earlier, we’re married.’

  For the love of God, just say it!

  ‘Yes, of course... Well, it’s just that I...’

  Hugh’s heart was hammering against his chest now.

  ‘Just say what it is you want from me.’ He stroked the length of her velvety hair, then along the side of her shoulders and down her arm. Reaching for her hand, he clasped it and gave it a squeeze of encouragement. ‘Go on, Eleanor.’

  ‘Very well. You see, there is something that has been on my mind all day...’

  ‘There has?’ he ground out, hoping that he was still somehow breathing.

  ‘Yes?’

  Just say it, please!

  ‘I want... I mean, if it’s not too much trouble, I want to ask you to teach me...’

  ‘Anything—anything at all.’ Hugh leaned in closer.

  ‘The impressive quarterstaff technique you exhibited when you were sparring with Sir William.’

  Hugh blinked. ‘What?’ He pulled back, staring at her. ‘What did you say?’ he asked, not trusting he had heard her correctly.

  Eleanor shrank back slightly, but replied. ‘That swipe, turn and bend thing was remarkable, and I wondered...’ She shook her head slowly. ‘I’m sorry. It was a ridiculous thing to ask.’

  Hugh sat up and studied her for a moment. ‘Let me understand this.’ He dragged his fingers through his dark hair. ‘You are asking me to show you how to perform a certain move that you saw me exhibit...’ he exhaled ‘...in combat?’

  ‘Yes,’ she whispered. ‘I thought I might need to use it to protect myself one day.’

  He stared at her for a moment before responding. ‘There is no need. I will always protect you, my lady.’

  ‘But there is a need—do you not think? One never knows when the situation may arise, and a lady should know how to defend herself, even if it’s rudimentary.’

  ‘True, true...’ It was Hugh’s turn to rub his forehead. ‘But really, Eleanor, I cannot believe that this matter is of such importance to you that you had to ask me at this hour.’

  She’d woken him up for this?

  Eleanor nodded in resignation. ‘No...no, you are right. I’m so sorry to have woken you up. Let’s go back to sleep.’ She plumped her pillow and flopped against it.

  As if sleep was a possibility now.

  He groaned inwardly, thinking how he had misjudged her and assumed she was bent on more amorous pursuits.

  Damn!

  Hugh knew he should be shocked at her request, but it was so typical of Eleanor. He sighed, and after a moment’s reflection said, ‘Very well. If it means so much to you.’

  ‘Really? Do you mean that?’ She grasped his hand and held it against her cheek.

  ‘Yes, Eleanor, I do.’ Even in the dim light, Hugh could make out the gleam in her eyes. ‘I’ll show you on the morrow, if you like,’ he said, shuffling back to his side of the bed.

  ‘Oh, thank you! Thank you so much.’

  Hugh tucked his hand behind his head, smothering the urge to laugh. ‘My pleasure. Now, let’s try for some sleep.’

  If only it were that easy. Mayhap if he could think of something to count he might possibly drift off.

  The image of what he had planned as her wedding present popped into his head and he grinned.

  Chapter Six

  ‘Sheep? You...you have bought sheep?’ Eleanor said quietly. ‘For me?’ She regarded Hugh blankly.

  They were standing together outside the curtain wall of the castle, on the green pasture on the edge of the demesne land that was usually used for growing crops but now was seemingly to be used to rear livestock.

  ‘Ah, but not just an ordinary flock of sheep. This particular breed yields an incredible quality of soft fleece, as you can see—or rather feel.’

  Eleanor stared at the soft sheepskin in one hand and the sealed scroll in another. ‘I don’t understand...’

  ‘There’s not much to understand, Eleanor. You are now the proud owner of three hundred and fifty sheep. That is if the tallies are correct.’

  ‘Three hundred and fifty...’ She looked at him, incredulous. ‘But...but why?’

  Hugh chuckled softly. ‘It’s a wedding present, my lady. Don’t tell me you have never received a gift?’

  She hadn’t. Not since she was a child. But Hugh didn’t need to know that. He didn’t need to know anything about her miserable past once her father and all her family had perished. Gifts? No, not for her.

  His expression softened. ‘Well, what do you think?’ He raised a brow, waiting for her to respond.

  That was just it. Eleanor couldn’t think when she was around her husband. He deprived her of breath and of thought, which both baffled and bewildered her. Everything she’d thought she knew, thought to be true about men, about what it meant to be married, was slowly changing because of... Hugh.

  ‘I... I don’t know what to say.’ She shook her head slowly, not knowing whether to laugh or cry at his kindness.

  ‘Say you like it? It may not be the usual thing to give a woman a flock of sheep, but then you’re...’

  ‘Different? Unusual?’ she asked, raising her brows.

  ‘Well, yes, but that makes you special,’ he replied, seeming a little taken aback at what he had no doubt inadvertently uttered.

  Eleanor flushed at his words, his lovely, kind words, and laid her hands on his shoulders, lifting herself on her toes and pressing her lips to his.

  He looked surprised, and a slow smile spread on his face. ‘Well, my lady, does that mean my gift has met with your approval?’

  ‘Yes,’ she swallowed. ‘It does.’

  He curled his hands around her waist and grinned. ‘Good. They’re yours to do with as you see fit. The quality of wool, itself, could yield a good profit.’

  ‘No one has ever given me anything like this. Thank you.’ She choked slightly with emotion as she felt the softness of the sheepskin against her cheek. ‘And, yes, it’s incredibly soft and would make the finest cloth. Oh, Hugh, the income this could generate will help Tallany’s long-term prosperity.’

  He watched her for a moment. ‘You really care, don’t you?’ he asked gently.

  She nodded unable to voice her response as she touched the soft pelt beneath her fingers absently.

  ‘Well, so do I,’ he said.

  Eleanor flicked her gaze up to meet his, her eyes wide with amazement. She had done her best to keep her husband at arm’s length, but all her defences were crumbling one by one.

  It was staggering, the extent of the confused coil th
at she was in. Hugh was everything Richard had not been. Kind, considerate and patient, as well as a whole host of other things that put her to blush. The way Hugh gazed or smiled at her made her stomach flip. She was shocked by the changes in her feelings towards him, and even more shocked that she was wondering, at times, what intimacy might be like with Hugh.

  Sheep, for the love of God!

  It made her want to throw her head back and laugh at the absurdity of it all. She couldn’t quite believe it. Couldn’t believe that her husband would be so thoughtful. For Hugh to gift her something so personal, knowing how much it would mean to her was both touching and unexpected. The thought of being able to manage something that would yield a profit for her people made her feel overwhelmed, if not a little tearful.

  Oh, Lord! She swallowed uncomfortably, willing herself to continue with caution and not get carried away with her emotions. She didn’t know what to make of his kindness and in truth wasn’t sure she deserved it.

  ‘What is it?’ Hugh whispered.

  ‘Nothing... I’m just a little surprised by all this.’ Eleanor shuffled her feet on the ground, feeling a little self-conscious.

  ‘Don’t be. It’s perfectly acceptable for a husband to give his bride a wedding present,’ he said.

  Eleanor nodded absently.

  ‘Besides, I may have an ulterior motive, my lady.’

  He winked at her, grinning, then tightened his hold around her waist. A flutter went through her whole body as he drew her a little closer, as if an invisible cord was dragging her to him. He cupped the side of her face, tilting it upwards. Eleanor was startled to see the intensity in Hugh’s heated expression. He smiled in that way of his that made her feel a little breathless as he dipped his head and kissed her forehead, her cheeks and her lips.

  ‘You must know that I’m ruthlessly trying to seduce you, Eleanor.’

  ‘With sheep?’ Her lips twitched at the corners.

  ‘Naturally.’