Lady Thief

by Wend Petzler

  Startled as peasants entered the courtyard carrying food, poultry, and deer freshly killed, his surprise grew even more when he saw Eiry riding like a man, her skirts drawn up, showing a shocking amount of shapely calves. His transfixed gaze lingered longer than was proper, growing oddly pleased when she nervously arranged her skirt lower.

  So, the maid wasn't as unaffected by his presence as implied by her coolness toward him. Somehow the knowledge Eiry was not repulsed by his scarred visage pleased him. An emotion he had not felt in a long time, having not given a second thought about women, especially those who were either excited by his dangerous reputation or terrified by his scar.

  The crowd gathered around him, grinning at his apparent astonishment. Glancing at Louie, Lucian noted the young man was holding a Welsh bow made with exceptional craftsmanship in his hand. Louie's features reddened under his scrutiny. Lucian reflected on where he had seen the bow before.

  Eiry distracted Lucian when she swung off her horse. “My lord, you asked me to gather help, and so I have. They bring enough food for a grand feast in welcoming you to Sanctuary."

  Derrick and the other knights grinned, hailing the newcomers. He stepped forward, answering for Lucian who looked at the people suspiciously. “You all are most welcome! Tonight, we shall celebrate life and happiness together."

  The peasants cheered in response. Chattering women streamed into the castle, getting down to business in the kitchen as the men slaughtered the chickens while others cut up the deer. On Louie's horse, Lilia happily beckoned to Lucian, who sheepishly strode over and plucked her off. He flushed dark red when she wrapped her thin arms around his neck and pressed a hearty kiss on the scar along his stubble shadowed cheek. The shocked people paused in what they were doing. They stared in utter disbelief, jaws dropped open as the fierce Butcher held the sweet girl protectively in his strong arms. Their eyes cast nervously over at Eiry who arched an eyebrow with an expectant look.

  Lucian took note these people turned to Eiry for guidance, accepting him through her and the little girl in his arms. He glanced at Lilia's strange attire, frowning when he saw she wore boy's clothes. “Eiry, I wish to speak with you privately.” He placed Lilia on the step, urging the child to go inside. Children swarmed around her, casting perplexed looks at him as they begged her to tell them about the frightening man with the scar.

  "I'll take care of your horse,” Derrick offered, taking the reins and led the animal away to the stables, urging Louie to follow him.

  Unsure where to start, Lucian glanced around him and saw they were being closely watched. The expression on the peasants’ faces was openly fierce with protection for the woman beside him. The noticeable difference in Eiry's mannerism and the sure confidence in her step made him wonder about her. There was strength in her silvery-gray eyes he found disturbing. More disturbing to his peace of mind, Lucian realized he now owed her a debt for aiding him. He was the first to admit he had trouble dealing with gratitude. Having others indebted to him was one thing, being beholden to a simple, serving girl was quite another.

  "Your horse, I've not seen one of her breeding before, what is she?” Lucian asked lamely.

  "Angel is an Andalusian from Spain. My father went with Sir Thomas to buy sheep from a renowned breeder there and upon seeing her, he purchased her for me.” Eiry smiled hesitantly up at him.

  In the back of his mind, Lucian faintly remembered Louie had said Sir Thomas bought the horses for them. Was it just a misunderstanding or were they lying about where they got the horses? Deciding it really was not important, he drew himself to his full height. “What you have done today will be greatly rewarded. Name what you want and I shall try to obtain it for you,” Lucian growled, pinning her with a glare as he waited for her to make her demands upon him.

  Stunned, Eiry stopped in her tracks and faced him with a confused frown. “My lord, I want nothing for doing what is my duty to you and those people over yonder. Times are bad for us and it appears for you as well. We need each other more than ever to survive these hard times. You need us as we need you.” Eiry asked, “Did you go into Derbyshire today and meet the sheriff?"

  "I must know something. Did the sheriff actually come and boldly take the sheep?” Lucian demanded, unbelieving the actions of an official, even one employed by Prince John.

  "Lord Robert has done a great many disturbing things in the last couple of months.” Eiry's lilting voice held a sharp edge to it, making Lucian glance down at her. “I suggest you let it go and allow us to help you rebuild a new herd. You can go to Derbyshire and purchase anything you want from the markets.” She glanced nervously about, chewing on the tip of a fingernail. Taking a deep breath, she said, “My lord, I must be honest with you. Robert wasn't completely successful in getting his hands on all the sheep. We hid the best rams and ewes in the forest."

  Lucian wasn't sure whether to laugh or be strict in upholding the law. Raising a dark eyebrow, he crossed his arms. Staring sternly down at her, he decided he liked the way she calmly met his gaze, completely unafraid of him. “When do you think a good time to purchase more sheep?"

  Eiry smiled in relief at not angering him. “The best time is in the spring. We'd have a better chance at obtaining some decent animals.” She paused, looking him square in the eye. “My lord, is raising sheep really the kind of life you wish to live?"

  The direct question took him by surprise. He frowned, confused by the softening in her gray eyes as she watched him, waiting for an answer. When he failed to respond, her next words added more to his confusion.

  "My lord, you need not raise sheep. In fact, with the sheep gone, you might try something else, something which has more interest to you,” Eiry suggested.

  He began walking again. “In the morning, I will go into Derbyshire and purchase cows, poultry, and anything the kitchen needs. Snow will fall at anytime and the north wing's roof must be rebuilt and the building strengthened. My men will need the shelter. Any suggestions who might be qualified enough to hire and manage the workers for this project?"

  "I believe Allen Thatcher is my first choice. He has experience building support beams in the Oden Mine before he ... he,” she hesitated before continuing, “before he decided the work was too hazardous for his health."

  "I will speak to Thatcher and find out how he feels about the job at hand. We will start by rebuilding the castle. In the spring, I will better know what we wish to raise as income."

  "A sound plan, my lord,” Eiry agreed.

  "Eiry ... thank you.” The words came out hard. Lucian refused to look at her and abruptly left, seeking out the man she had suggested.

  He glanced back and caught the amused smile she wore before she turned and walked back to the castle. If only she knew how much it cost him to say those binding words! But she was right. There was no sense wasting his hard earned money upon something he truly had no interest in.

  An amused smile curved her mouth as Eiry strode back to the castle. She could just bet it cost him dearly to say those words to her! It was best Martine did not waste his hard earned monies or the ones she risked her life to steal on something he did not feel strongly about.

  Lucian watched the pair suspiciously as they walked toward the castle. Something was going on between the two, and he was quite certain it was nothing of a sexual nature but rather a conspiring kind. What were they up to?

  * * * *

  Louie parted from the shadows and fell in step beside her, handing back her bow and quivers.

  "Do you know what you're doing?” Louie whispered anxiously. She boldly winked at him and laughed when he groaned. Knowing her all too well she was about to brew some trouble as she carelessly shrugged her shoulders.

  Leaving Louie in the great hall, Eiry headed to her chambers and hid the beautiful bow and quiver under the bed, out of sight. Eiry went downstairs and checked in the kitchen to see if they needed help and was cheerfully kicked out by the women who were glad to be employed once more. She met Lilia in th
e hall.

  Again clad in a gown of black, Lilia giggled, running to Eiry, hugging her tight. “Eiry, it's just like when Mama and Papa were alive.” Her sweet features grew sad, missing their parents dearly.

  "No more tears, sweet one. We need to have a talk about your choice in clothes of late. Do you not think it time you put away the mourning black and wear the pretty dresses Mama made for you?” Eiry knelt, holding Lilia's face in her hands, urging the girl to look up at her.

  "But, Eiry, we are supposed to mourn the dead,” her soft voice wavered, unsure.

  "We have mourned them long enough. Now, we must let them go and live our lives as they would want us to do. We must find what joy we can in this world.” Tears blurred Eiry's vision.

  "If you think I should go and change, I shall.” Lilia grudgingly walked up the stairs to her room.

  Eiry wiped the useless tears away, at the moment feeling totally alone. She wearily stood, turning around, gasping when Martine parted from the shadows. Gathering courage from deep reserves, she squared her shoulders unaware her eyes were filled with such deep sadness when she met the coal black ones of a man quite capable of killing without a second thought.

  "Is all well?” he asked, frowning in concern.

  "Yea, my lord, all is well. Can I help you with anything?” Eiry suddenly felt weary of her station in life and the awful things she had committed, all in order to protect and feed her friends and their families.

  "See to the child. Make sure Lilia is adjusting to her new life. With the servants returned to the castle, you are released from your duties as a housekeeper and back to attending Lilia.” Martine ordered before he turned and left the hall.

  Sighing, Eiry trudged up the stairs, beginning to get get tired of being ordered about.

  * * * *

  Lucian sat at the head of the long table, his knights gathered round, conversing with several older peasants who had served Castle Sanctuary's previous owners, who by odd coincidence had lost the lands to taxes owed. Anne directed the women to bring out the platters of roasted chicken and venison along with fresh bread, butter, and fruit preserves. A large barrel of wine and another of ale were cracked open, and the drinks flowed as they celebrated the feast.

  He smiled briefly at Lilia who sat to his right. There was a vast change in her appearance from what she normally wore. Her curly hair was decorated with pink ribbons and she had exchanged her black gown with one of palest blue.

  "Lilia, look very pretty tonight,” Lucian complimented, hoping it was the right thing to do.

  "Do you not think Eiry's gown is pretty, too?” she popped up, smiling, unaware of her sister's uncomfortable visage when Louie came to Eiry's rescue.

  "If I may be permitted, I'll lead the prayer over the superb feast our fine ladies have prepared for us.” The people filling the hall took their seats around the other tables and quieted, bowing their heads in prayer. “Dear heavenly Father, we give thanks for the food prepared before us and the company we keep. Give us the smarts and the heart to fight back the tyranny ruling our land and the strength to defeat our enemies.” A resounding amen rippled throughout the hall, and they dug in, hungrily eating the hot, plentiful food.

  Lucian frowned, cocking an eyebrow at the odd prayer. Was Louie speaking about him or the Sheriff of Derbyshire? Ignoring it, he dished out several pieces of cut up, steaming chicken onto Lilia's platter before offering the tray out to Eiry who delicately took a slice of tender breast. As they ate, his dark gaze slid over Eiry, the hot clench of desire surprising him once again.

  An hour later the peasants began to leave and poor Lilia was not use to such lively company and drooped from exhaustion. Eiry lifted the sleepy child in her arms, carrying her upstairs. She was unaware Lucian stared after her, his brooding, dark gaze never leaving her.

  "You can pursue her, you know,” Derrick spoke softly to his friend, winning a black scowl. “Lucian, I hate to break it to you, God did make you human. Although, I have wondered over the years by the incredible deeds you achieved,"

  "My will is stronger than mine enemies. It is a simple matter of pushing until another breaks,” Lucian stated as a matter of fact.

  He drained his cup and refilled it with more ale. Bedding a woman was the least of his many problems, he thought wryly.

  His body was on the verge of total exhaustion. A complete breakdown was imminent. And still he could not stop or sleep. The nightmares held him captive as no enemy could. He found that passing out from vast amounts of wine or ale sometimes could staunch the tidal wave of blood. Most times, it could not silence the screams he relived each time he closed his eyes.

  Unaware of Lucian's real dilemma, Derrick clapped him on the back. “My friend, heed my words. Seek a woman, ease your pain, and join us mere men. You are allowed to be a human, especially since we no longer war for Richard.” With that said, Derrick left him to get to know a couple of wenches who were smiling invitingly at them as they cleaned off the tables.

  Lucian pondered his friend's words as he wearily pushed away from the table, heading to his own chamber. He paused outside Lilia's door, peering inside to ensure the child was tucked in. Lilia and Eiry were on their knees, heads bent and hands grasped, their lips moving as they mumbled a softly spoken prayer. He knew he should walk away, but his legs refused to do his bidding.

  * * * *

  Eiry felt his unmistakable presence standing in the doorway as she rose and helped Lilia into bed. The sweet child raised her arms out to Martine, giggling when he resignedly pushed the door open further, his huge frame dominating the room. When he leaned down, she threw her arms about his sturdy neck and kissed his scarred cheek.

  "Good-night, Lucian. Do not forget to say your prayers,” Lilia whispered. Her eyes drowsy, she laid her head down on the soft pillow and curled up on her side, and fell fast asleep.

  Gently tucking the child in, his gaze softened perceptively as he looked at Lilia. When his gaze fixed upon Eiry, she felt trapped by the piercing intensity of those coal black eyes.

  "Come, I shall escort you to your chamber.” His large hand indicated for her to precede him. Eiry placed another log on the fire and did as he bid.

  When Eiry stopped in front of her own chamber, she stood there, unsure what Martine intended. His impossibly broad shoulders blocked out the torch lit in the hallway, casting his hard features in shadow where she could not read his purpose. When his dark head lowered toward hers did she see the flames of desire rippling in those dark depths. Hypnotized by his hard mouth descending toward hers, she stared at him, breathless.

  When Martine started cursing softly under his breath, she stared, flabbergasted as he unexpectedly left her to enter his own chamber. Unable to name her emotion, she grew baffled by his odd actions and more by her own disappointment. Was she actually disappointed the man did not kiss her? What in the world was wrong with her?

  There was something about Lucian Martine that called out to her. Whenever those haunted, black eyes gazed at her, it reminded her of a beast in pain. To be quite honest, Lucian Martine was no beast, rather a stunningly handsome man possessing silky black hair beckoning Eiry to run her fingers through the long length. All she could do was think—I'm going insane! What else than complete madness could explain why she, the daughter of an English knight and a Welsh princess, found a Norman barbarian attractive.

  Determination filled her as she resolved to her will to stay her course. At all costs, she must remain aloof from Martine and stifle her girlish fantasies. Eiry Savoy was a thief with a hefty price on her head, not a woman with wants and desires anymore.

  * * * *

  Lucian wandered about the spacious chamber, casting a wary look at the enticing bed calling him to rest. Swearing eloquently, he shed his clothes and savagely threw back the covers. With firm resolve, he reclined on the soft mattress, his aching body eased as he laid his head on the fluffy pillows. Eyes heavy with the need for sleep, he involuntarily envisioned Eiry.

  Shielding hi
s mind from the grotesque faces of the dead, he clung to her laughing features and sparkling gray eyes. He used Eiry's image as a desperate lifeline against darker visions. Blood and smoke, the many faces of men, women, and children slaughtered in the name of God and King Richard tried again to take his sanity. His tortured mind eased as he concentrated on the glints of gold in the warm russet color of her silken tresses. The way Eiry gracefully moved and the gentle swish of her shapely hips made him ache with unquenched need. But he cared not, happy to feel again. Lucian curled on his side, a pillow embraced between his arms, wanting to continue dreaming of Eiry. He cared naught if she was with Louie. His need was greater and far more desperate. In time, she would come to understand and take mercy on the Beast of Acre.

  In his calm, he thought of yesterday's events. Why did Lady Thief save him and his men? Who was she? What did she have to gain with him being alive? His thoughts turned to the odd conversation he caught between Eiry and Lilia. The two talked as sisters, not as a maid and her charge. Was what he was told a lie or truth? Was the older sister truly gone and off doing her duty? Would the oldest of the brave and honorable Sir Thomas actually leave her young sister alone and without protection against a knight of his ill-reputed reputation? Did he really want to find out the truth and marry the girl to truly own Sanctuary? Or should he wait and see if there was a deception afoot? He would bid his time and see what game was being played. And why.

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  Chapter Five

  When the sun rose, the sky brightening along the horizon, the small castle was bustling with people surging inside for a hot meal. Once the hearty meal was devoured and the hall emptied, the women went about cleaning and preparing for the next meal. The men headed to the collapsed wing and began to pick through the fallen mason and wood, salvaging the better quality. Others made their way into the forest, carrying sharp axes to cut down trees to make support beams for the fallen roof.