The Return of Her Lost Knight

by Melissa Oliver

  ‘And hence the necessity to cool down.’

  ‘That is not what I meant, my lady.’

  ‘No?’ She raised the flagon before taking a sip. ‘To your favourable victory today, Ralph. I’m very happy for you.’

  She passed the flagon back to him, licking a drop of the drink from her lips, and watched as Ralph took a swig and swallowed as he moved to fetch something else from the saddlebag.

  ‘I’ve also brought some provisions to sustain us.’ His voice sounding strangely hoarse.

  ‘It seems that you have thought of everything in advance of this diversionary endeavour to “get lost”.’

  ‘There’s nothing like being prepared.’

  ‘Yes.’ She smiled. ‘I’m embarrassed to say that I have come empty handed.’

  ‘No need, I’ve brought everything we might want.’

  Ralph passed a few parcels of food, wrapped in cloth and tied securely with string, his fingers grazing hers briefly, sending another wave of awareness through her. He cleared his throat, threw down a small blanket and allowed her to do the honours. She sat and unfolded the soft bundles. There was chicken, a small round of cheese, apples and rolls of bread.

  A veritable feast under the moonlight.

  They both tucked into the repast in silence. Gwen noticed his smouldering gaze on her as she nibbled a small portion of the cheese. She exhaled slowly, as her stomach flipped on itself. Oh, what foolishness. It was Ralph de Kinnerton who was sat across from her. Ralph, the boy she had known for most of her life.

  Yet he was anything but a boy, he was a man in his prime. She gave her head a little shake and attempted to steer her thoughts back to a safer track.

  ‘You certainly have come prepared.’

  ‘I had to. In anticipation that anything and everything may occur.’

  ‘Is that your usual strategy? This consideration to your life now or...’ Gwen paused, unable to voice the other reason. That he anticipated how things might develop between them, even though they couldn’t, she reminded herself.

  ‘Or what, my lady?’

  ‘Nothing, I just wanted to understand the extent of your preparations.’

  He rubbed his jaw, his fingers lingering over his scars before answering. ‘After surviving such a brutal attack, that frankly I should have foreseen, I now tread carefully in everything I do.’

  ‘Even climbing up and down trees.’

  ‘Especially that.’ He winked. ‘Everything is done with meticulous planning and gruelling practice, where once I would have relied far more on impulsiveness and trust.’

  ‘Admirable.’ She frowned. ‘But surely your incredible advancement has not only built your resolve and tenacity, but the belief that you can also now rely on instinct as well.’

  ‘You sound like Will.’ He chuckled softly. ‘Yes, instinct can come into play, but on its own can lead to impetuousness resulting in danger.’

  ‘Ah, but not if you include the gruelling practice that you mention. Along with intense discipline and the diligence needed to succeed.’

  ‘Just so.’

  ‘Yet this, tonight, seems far more impulsive than you give yourself credit for, Ralph.’

  ‘I’m not a saint, Gwen, but a man...a warrior.’ His words were low and husky. His smile, slow and sensual. It licked down the length of her body, making her shudder.

  She flicked her eyes to his and caught the heat, that fervent desire that he seemed to find difficult to hide. It was unbidden, raw and unfettered, but it did not frighten her. And why would it? This was Ralph. A man who was so familiar and yet wildly different from the one she once knew. And one who made her long for things she should not long for. Good grief, he made her heart beat with such intensity she felt as though she might swoon.

  ‘I hope you are not cold.’

  ‘I am perfectly fine,’ she mumbled, looking away.

  Ralph appeared not to have heard her. He shot up and strode towards Fortis, retrieving a small woollen blanket from the saddlebag and draping it over her shoulders. His large hands skimmed her shoulders briefly.

  ‘Just in case.’

  ‘My thanks,’ she said a little too breathlessly, trying to quell this growing tension between them. ‘It is a little nippy, I suppose.’

  Gwen took another bite of food, trying to compose herself and think of something...anything to say. She wondered whether he could sense these unwarranted feelings that she had. God, she hoped not. It would be unwise to draw attention to them, much less share them with him.

  ‘I’m happy that this can now erase any doubts you may have had about your abilities, Ralph.’

  ‘Ah, but has it?’ He sighed deeply. ‘The truth is closer to this, Gwen, I harness any doubt that I have to what I hope can drive me forth.’

  ‘I don’t understand.’

  ‘Living with the constancy of doubt, I can only do one thing other than throwing down my sword and shield in defeat—to use it to redress the balance in my favour.’

  She raised her brow. ‘That is an interesting way to view it.’

  ‘Indeed. I realised that it was the only way for me. Either that or grow complacent, which would only lead to failure, something I can hardly afford.’

  ‘Well, you are certainly succeeding, however you are doing it.’

  ‘I do hope so,’ he drawled.

  Did the man even realise the effect he was having on her?

  Gwen took a deep breath and stood. ‘Show me.’

  ‘I’m at a loss, my lady. What would you like me to show you?’

  ‘Er...well...’ Gwen grappled for something to say and went with the first thing that popped into her head. ‘What about showing me a combative move?’

  ‘I beg your pardon?’ His lips seemed to twitch as though he was suppressing a smile.

  She committed to her proposal, feeling none of it and knowing it to be the distraction it was. ‘You are a valiant warrior knight. Show me anything you like that could be used in combat.’

  ‘You would like me to show you, now? In the middle of the night?’

  ‘I showed you how to make marks on a parchment, did I not?’ She shrugged. ‘I believe it is now your turn to return the favour, sir. Anyway, the full moonlight provides enough light out here in the open, does it not?’

  ‘Indeed. How can I refuse?’ He smiled, standing to face her. ‘Very well. Let’s see now, we need a couple of long sticks to act as swords.’

  Gwen turned on her heel and scoured the ground in search of what they needed, using the brief lapse of time to temper her beating heart.

  ‘Er... Gwen?’

  She could hear him from behind, but waved her hand absently. ‘Give me a moment, please, Ralph.’

  ‘Gwen, if you’d care to...’

  ‘I’m sure I can find a couple of sticks.’ She moved further away.

  ‘Gwenllian?’

  She didn’t reply, but continued to look, when a long stick perfect for what they needed landed at her feet, thrown from somewhere behind. She spun around, her forehead furrowed in the middle, and saw Ralph holding a similar stick to the one he’d thrown.

  ‘Ah, well done,’ she said, feeling a little foolish. ‘You found them.’

  He grinned. ‘Shall we start?’

  They went through a few basic rudimentary moves which were far more exacting than Gwen had considered. For some reason the words Ralph uttered did not seem to connect with the moves she was supposed to make. Or it could be more that her eyes were otherwise fixed to his lips, as if they were casting a spell on her, calling her to him. Enough! She frowned and tried to focus.

  ‘Pardon me, but could you repeat that, please?’ she said instead.

  ‘Of course.’

  ‘I never imagined it to be this difficult.’

  ‘Ah, but I’m certain that a woman of your skill
and ability can rise to the challenge.’

  ‘I’m not so sure about that. I cannot remember everything you have said for me to do.’

  ‘Try not to recall the actual words, only the feeling behind the sentiment. Allow yourself to be at one with your weapon.’

  ‘I’ve always wanted to be at one with...a stick.’

  ‘Come now, Gwen, focus,’ he admonished. ‘Stand with a little more space between your legs, so that you can move easily in any direction when need be. And try to be light on your feet.’

  ‘Like this?’ Gwen stood to attention, her legs apart.

  ‘Very good.’ He nodded. ‘Now, lean forward, a little more, and hold your weapon out in front of you ready to strike, moving into it as you do. Either thrusting like this.’ He motioned with his stick, moving it in the air. ‘Cutting, like so. Or this—a slashing move.’ He showed her each attacking stance.

  ‘Then there’s also the riposte.’

  ‘Riposte?’ She looked up. ‘And what is that?’

  ‘A counter-defensive move designed to befuddle your opponent.’ He smiled at her knowingly. ‘Here, try to use any of those three striking moves to attack me and I shall show you.’

  She angled the stick to slash, cut and even thrust, but each of the newly acquired manoeuvres were countered and pushed away until Ralph swung around to a different position and lunged low on his knee and thrust his weapon forward with such force that it made her drop her stick.

  ‘Like so.’

  ‘A very effective move.’

  ‘Precisely. Although this can be met with a counter-riposte after the parry is met head on, with another in response.’

  ‘I see.’ But not as much as she wanted to.

  ‘The timing of each strike is also important, so that they are made with precision rather than being aimless, ineffective and redundant.’

  They started to circle one another. ‘Well, there is certainly a lot to remember.’

  ‘Quite.’

  For such a large man, it was quite disconcerting how easily Ralph prowled and moved lithely around her.

  ‘There is also feinting, like so when I step back, lulling you into a false sense of feeling secure in your endeavour.’

  ‘How provoking you are.’

  ‘That is the whole point, Gwen.’ He stepped back, his moves almost deceiving her. ‘Good now, keep up the attack, changing and switching it up.’

  ‘Like so?’

  ‘Yes. Watch how I can turn your strike into a blunder, while switching the situation in my favour and overwhelming you.’

  She tried to attack in the way he had shown her, but he was too quick for her.

  ‘Very diverting, I must say.’

  His lips twitched in an obvious attempt not to laugh. ‘Shall we stop?’

  He paused anyway, his grip loosening on the stick.

  ‘No.’ She lunged at him, hoping to catch him off guard, but Ralph was prepared for her clumsy attack. She saw mild surprise, but also a touch of approval as well.

  ‘Very well, if you wish to continue.’

  ‘I do.’

  The slow, measured pace quickened, matching the vigour and this new rush of warmth flowing through her veins.

  ‘That’s good, my lady.’ He stepped back, allowing her to push forward. ‘However, you are lacking the necessary spark and spirit.’

  She narrowed her eyes and attempted to replicate the fluid movements he had shown her moments ago.

  ‘That’s it, well done. Now, try letting go of all that tension that you have held on to, Gwen.’

  Oh, Lord, did he know? Could he tell that she was carrying the weight of the past, being back here to the very place where it had all begun?

  ‘Yes. All that unwanted aggravation that has been locked up inside you. Let it go, Gwen. Let it all slip away.’

  His words pounded in her head and thrummed through her body with force. This unknown quality that was unleashed from within. Suddenly she was attacking with more ferocity and intensity.

  And it felt surprisingly good. Surprisingly freeing.

  They continued to step around each other in this fluid sparring dance.

  ‘Is this enough spark and spirit?’

  ‘Yes, very good.’ He chuckled. ‘However, I believe it is time we should stop.’

  ‘I don’t think so, not when I have just found my feet.’ She hurled herself forward, knowing she was getting carried away, but what harm could it bring?

  ‘Er... Gwen, you have certainly done well, but I think that is enough.’

  ‘Not when I’m gaining an advantage.’

  ‘Is that what you have?’ He sighed, showing her clearly how deceptive her advantage really was. ‘Let me tell you that there is a wild look in your eyes, my lady.’

  ‘What of it? You inspired this display, did you not?’

  ‘True.’ He smiled. ‘The fault lies with me, but we should now cease this display.’

  ‘No, not yet.’ Gwen was not done here. There was far more that she needed to let go of. Something inside had ripped opened and now there was no holding back.

  ‘Come now, my lady, let us stop.’

  Over and over she continued to thrash out, using the cutting and slashing moves to push him away.

  ‘Enough, Gwen.’ He shook his head. ‘You cannot allow anger to govern you.’

  ‘Is that what you had to do to master the anger you felt? The impulsiveness that you once had.’

  He defended her attacks without much effort, making her push forward more.

  ‘I had to learn to rein in and contain that anger so that I can use it to my own advantage.’

  ‘And have you succeeded?’

  ‘I am still diligently working on it.’

  ‘Highly commendable.’ She threw herself into attacking him with everything she had.

  ‘Gwen, stop this,’ he said softly.

  But she didn’t want to listen. All that anger, pain, grief and anguish that had been contained for so long needed release. That pent-up frustration needed to drain away from her. And it was actually working. Gwen continued to deliver more punishing thrusts, until the decision to stop was made for her.

  Ralph moved so effortlessly and tripped her in an expedient, fluid way that one moment she was standing, the next she had fallen on top of him with a thud. How he had managed to turn so that he cushioned her fall, landing on the ground instead, she would never know.

  ‘I’m sorry, my lady, but I fear that if I do not put a stop to this, I might end up getting clobbered.’

  ‘Very unsporting. I cannot believe you just did that,’ she gasped, frowning at him. ‘What new tricks you have learnt.’

  And then quick as a flash he rolled them around so that now he was on top of her.

  ‘True.’ He smiled slowly. ‘I sometimes surprise even myself.’ And before she could grapple with his meaning, Ralph dipped his head and pressed his lips to hers, surprising Gwen as well.

  Chapter Thirteen

  This was not the first time that he had kissed her, but for all of Ralph’s assured, assertive boldness it might as well have been. His lips were soft, sensual and warm as they learnt the shape of hers, far more than ever before. He began a slow seduction of her lips, showing her a different way than any before, as though his kiss could somehow erase the uncertainty that always dogged her. He was asking her to be bold and find her own courage. To forge a new beginning.

  He stroked and caressed her lips, teasing her to kiss him back, willing her to take a chance. And then she did.

  Gwen wanted to savour this, reacquainting herself with the pattern of his mouth and the languid impression it made on hers. A moan escaped her lips and he caught it in his mouth, smothering and growling in return. He cradled her head, tilting it up to gain better access as he coaxed her lips to open. Her eyes w
idened in shock as his tongue licked inside her mouth, tasting her. Hot, wet and incredibly delicious, tangling with hers.

  This was unlike anything she had ever known, he was devouring her, consuming her. Everything altered and shifted with this kiss. It became carnal, wanton and heady. Her fingers dived into his hair, holding him close. He pulled away to nip her bottom lip, touching it with his tongue before sucking it into his mouth. He nipped, kissed and licked his way along her jaw, her neck, the slope of her breasts. His sinewy hard chest pressed against her, his hands grazing down her soft curves, around the small of her waist, flaring to her hips. Suddenly he stopped abruptly. His kisses, too, softened, becoming more probing, questioning. In answer she pushed gently against his chest and ended the kiss, trying desperately to steady herself and her tumultuous feelings.

  Ralph moved away and sat beside her, expelling a long, slow breath. The silence stretched in the darkness as neither could voice what had caught alight so quickly and burned so vividly between them. It was bewildering and shocking to be so receptive to such earthly pleasures. Pleasures that she had forsaken and were not meant for her.

  Heavens above, but Gwen was bound on another course and it would be well for her to remember that, rather than succumbing to these temptations of the flesh.

  ‘Shall we return back, my lady?’ His voice pierced through her conflicting thoughts.

  Gwen turned her head and sank her teeth into her bottom lip, the lingering taste of Ralph still on her. She licked her lips and shook her head.

  ‘Can we stay just a little longer?’ She shrugged. ‘It’s a beautiful eventide and I’m reluctant to resume...well, everything I have to resume.’

  ‘Very well.’

  Gwen lay back on the blanket and stared up. The luminosity of the moon hung over the night sky, adding its own particular enchantment. Oh, yes, she wanted to soak up the magic of this evening just a little longer. It would be so easy to run back to her chamber and pretend that she hadn’t enjoyed this interlude with Ralph. As though she could pretend to be unmoved by what had just happened, even it had been just a kiss.

  In truth, it was far more than that.