“Reena!”
The three jumped, startled by the raw power in the voice that called out her name.
“I need you to map,” Magnus said as he approached her.
Reena was elated. He had not requested her mapping services since their arrival at Dunhurnal.
She glanced at him with a smile that played havoc with his heart, not to mention his senses—but then he wondered if he had any senses left at all since meeting her.
“We can discuss what it is you wished mapped over apple tarts.”
Reena failed to notice the smiles on Maura’s and Justin’s faces, but Magnus did not. The two saw how easily she spoke with him and how he did not deny her her request but acquiesced in silence. Gossip would soon spread throughout the keep about him and the mapmaker, and the thought did not at all disturb him.
“I will bring tarts to the great hall,” Maura said.
“I will join you in the kitchen,” Justin said enthusiastically.
She smiled and held out her hand. “Let me show you the way.”
Justin knew the way to the kitchen but made no comment. He took her hand and followed along, his smile wide.
With a hasty glance at the cloudy sky, Reena hurried over to Magnus. “The weather may prove an interference.”
Magnus scrambled to choose an area he wished mapped, for he had no particular place in mind. He’d simply wanted her attention diverted away from Justin. And he was feeling foolish, since on closer look he realized Justin seemed interested in Maura, making him feel all the more the fool.
He had never experienced jealousy over a woman before, and it damned annoyed him. “The weather will not matter. I wish you to map the keep.” The idea actually would prove fruitful in more ways than he had first imagined. He would spend time with Reena as she mapped, thus learning more about her along with his new home, and he would be able to better determine a defense plan for the keep and the repair work necessary to restore the place. A wise decision, and one he was content with, for it served many purposes.
They walked in silence for a moment as they approached the keep.
Reena stopped and craned her neck to view the entire height of the imposing stone edifice. “A wise choice. You should know your home well; knowledge defends.”
Her intelligence often startled him, as did the similarity of their thoughts. “It will also help me to determine the extent of the repair work required.”
She continued walking, he slowing to match her steps. She was small, whereas he was large, and yet he felt they were equal in size. And she was thin; he could lift her with one arm, tuck her beneath it and carry her without an ounce of difficulty. Fragile had come to mind when he’d first met her, but it had been a deceptive assumption, since Reena possessed an inner strength that surprised him, but which he very much admired.
She was swift and aware of her surroundings. He had watched her in the woods as they’d gathered feathers. She moved with a graceful agility and kept herself alert. She hurried over fallen logs, ducked out of the way of branches, and maneuvered her way through the woods as though she knew its secrets.
She was an intelligent, determined and talented woman who’d captured his interest by surprise, and he intended to see where that surprise would take him.
They entered the keep, and the promised apple tarts, along with a large pitcher of cider, were waiting for them on a table before the burning hearth. With equal speed they rushed to the table like two eager, hungry children and, laughing, plopped down on the benches, each reaching for a tart.
Reena poured the cider after taking a generous bite of the warm tart, and as soon as she did, Horace came racing out of nowhere to plop his plump body down next to her leg. He gave her one solid bark, letting her know he waited for his share.
“You spoil him,” Magnus said.
Reena reached down to Horace, a piece of tart in her hand. “I love him.”
Her simple words were like a solid blow to his stomach, and for a moment he felt robbed of breath. Why? Why did her love for the small pup hit him so hard? Was he jealous? Did he wish her to say she loved him? A foolish thought. He did not know her well enough to know if they could love. Why then did the thought haunt him?
Reena rubbed a contented Horace behind the ear, gave him a piece of the tart, and continued rubbing him. “Where would you like me to start in the keep?”
Magnus watched the way Reena lovingly stroked the pup, and he actually envied the small animal. Her long, slim fingers ruffled the pup’s fur behind his ear, then she rubbed beneath his chin. Finally she stroked his head and told him how wonderful he was, then finished with a hug. The dog lay contentedly at her feet and went fast to sleep.
He felt foolish indeed, that he wished he could feel her hands on him in such a caring and loving manner. The thought lingered.
“Would you walk the battlements with me? We can see the land and the distance it stretches, and any repair work that needs attention.”
“A good choice. I will map the battlements with the view of the surrounding land, though I suggest we go now while the storm brews. I can sketch a quick outline and then work on a more formal map later.”
Reena disturbed Horace when she stood, and he slowly stretched himself awake, yawned, walked closer to the warm hearth, plopped down and went back to sleep.
Magnus shook his head at the pup.
“I need to collect my charcoal and paper from my room,” Reena said. “I can meet you on the battlements.”
“We need to pass your room to reach the battlements. I will go with you.”
Her room was one floor below his, and when he entered he realized how much it reflected her character. The table held several inkwells and quills. Papers were piled to one side, and five candles lined the front edge, supplying sufficient light for drawing.
Her bed would fit two people, and a chest rested at the foot of the bed, a green wool blanket folded neatly on top. The two pegs on the one wall held a few meager garments, which would soon be replaced by new garments he was having made for her against her objections. She had no choice though; she was in his service and would dress accordingly.
He watched her hurry to gather her things, and he marveled at her graceful motions. It was as though her body movement was a constant dance, precise and fluid, like the strokes of her quill.
His thoughts instantly took flight, and he imagined how her fluid motion would enhance lovemaking. The easy bend and sway of her hips, the graceful arching of her back, the full thrust of her breasts, the softness of her lips—he shut his eyes.
Their lovemaking would be like creating a work of art, each movement a precise stroke, delicate at times, fast and furious strokes at other times, yet all blending and creating and—
He jumped at her touch, his eyes opening in a flash.
Her hand lay on his arm. “Are you all right?”
He felt the warmth of her hand through his shirt, and her simple touch stirred his blood all the more, making him ache to return the touch, but not in kind. His touch would be intimate, much too intimate.
He reluctantly stepped away from her. “I am fine, lost in my thoughts.”
“I often get lost in my thoughts, though I must admit I like where I get lost.”
He grinned. “Aye, I like where I get lost as well.”
“Perhaps one day we can get lost together and see where it takes us.”
Her smile spoke of innocence; his smile spoke of sin, and they left the room both lost in opposite thoughts.
The wind had picked up and the sky had darkened considerably by the time they reached the battlements. Reena knew she had little time to sketch, but if she could hurry and do a few rough views with detailed notes, she would at least have something to transfer to a map. And with this weather change, the mapping would keep her occupied.
She anxiously set to work while Magnus gave the battlements a quick survey.
“Several of the crenel shutters need replacing; I want to make certain m
y men are well protected during a siege.”
She sketched as he spoke and felt the first faint snowflake touch her face. It brought a smile of happiness to her, for the winter would not be one of struggle to survive. Everyone would be warm, and food would be plentiful. Life would be good again.
Reena hurried her sketching and took in all she could with quick glances and mental notes, while the snowflakes swirled around her.
With a sweeping glance Magnus surveyed his land. He was finally here; he had waited and planned, and he was here. He felt a sense of pride and accomplishment, though there was more yet to be done, and he would not rest until all his plans saw fruition.
The snow had grown heavy, the snowflakes fat and beginning to cover the battlement. It would not be long before the land was covered with the fresh white snow.
“This will have to wait,” Magnus said and joined Reena.
She had thought the same herself and hastily saw to the safety of her drawings by tucking them away in the inside pocket of her cloak.
Magnus took her arm. “The snow will completely cover the land by nightfall.”
“Aye,” she said and smiled. “But look at how the snow touches the land with beauty. Nothing stirs in the woods. The sky is still of birds and no footprints mar the freshly fallen snow. Everything is at peace.”
She looked up at him. “Do you feel the peace?”
A warmth filled him, a gentleness touched him, and contentment filled his soul, though it was not the snow—it was Reena being there beside him. And he did not stop himself from raising his hand to stroke her cheek and run a finger across her lips.
“You shiver.”
“I am cold.” Though a lie, she could not admit that his touch filled her with a strange sense of pleasure.
His hand trailed down her arm to slip over her hand, and he laced his fingers with hers. “Let us go seek the heat of the hearth.”
“Aye.” A single word was all she could manage, the warmth that flooded her having turned to a deeper heat that tingled her senses.
They entered the keep. The stairs being too narrow for two to walk, he released her hand slowly, his fingers whispering across her palm and sending a series of shivers through her that set her legs to trembling.
“Tomorrow we will begin at the top of the keep and work our way down.”
Reena remained silent until they reached her bedchamber, where they stopped outside the door. “I will set to work on mapping the view from the battlements.”
He stood in silent contemplation, and for a moment she thought he was going to kiss her.
He appeared as if he was about to speak, then Magnus suddenly shook his head and walked off without a word.
Reena hurried into her room, shut the door behind her, and collapsed against it.
Heaven help her, whatever was she to do?
Chapter 12
Thomas entered Magnus’s solar shortly after he did. “Kilkern has men watching.”
Magnus did not seem concerned by the news, though he was concerned that he had hesitated when he had desperately wanteded to kiss Reena. “I expected nothing less of him. He does not like being robbed of what is his, though he thinks nothing of doing the same to another.” He walked to the stone hearth and added another log to the fire, a sudden chill filling the room. Perhaps it was the memories the name Kilkern invoked in him.
“Our response?”
Magnus watched the flames stretch high and the smoke curl up the chimney, and he allowed his troubled memories to drift away with the smoke. “We do nothing more than what we have been doing. We watch and keep alert to Kilkern’s every move. I doubt he plans anything just yet. He probably continues to sulk over being conquered on his own property.”
“A sulking man plots.”
“As does a wise warrior,” Magnus said. “My plans are laid, and he does as I expected. He is predictable.”
“How so?”
“He allows his self-importance to interfere with his own strategy, and that, my friend, allows for me to make him all the more predictable.”
“Traps,” Thomas said with glee and rubbed his beefy hands together. “We are setting traps.”
“When a prey is cornered he is the most dangerous, and it is the time a warrior must be the most alert. Make certain the men remain vigilant—have them take nothing for granted, not even this storm. There are enemies who strike when least expected, though I doubt Kilkern presently poses any threat. He is a coward at heart and will probably seek outside assistance in this matter.”
“Do you think he will seek the king’s help even though he knows the king favors you?”
Magnus shrugged. “The king is much like Kil-kern; whoever can provide him with what he wants he favors. I trust the king as much as I trust Kilkern. Tell the guards to keep alert and trust no one, and make certain that I am informed of any strangers who enter the village.”
“The men keep watchful eyes and know of everyone who leaves or enters the area. Kilkern’s men are not discreet and were easily spotted.”
“It is the areas I am not fully aware of that concern me,” Magnus said and walked over to the table to fill two goblets with ale, handing one to Thomas. “Reena is mapping the view from the battlements, which will help. When this storm passes I intend to investigate the land further with Reena. I want to know every possible avenue of approach. Now tell me if there is anything else that warrants my attention.”
“All goes well. Most of the cottages have been adequately repaired to survive the winter, though more extensive repairs will be needed in the spring. The winter food preparation goes well, and the surrounding forest is full of game, so we will not starve.”
“How goes Brigid’s cottage? I see that you spend much time there.” Magnus watched his friend blush.
“She has no one to help her and she is a stubborn one in asking for help,” Thomas said and shook his head.
“But you give her no chance to refuse.”
Thomas shrugged. “I do what I can for her. I want to be a helpful friend to her.”
“No more? Just a friend?”
Thomas looked at him oddly. “What more could I be to her? A woman as beautiful as Brigid could never love a man as ugly as me.”
“You love with your heart, not your eyes.”
“Brigid’s heart belongs to her dead husband, she will love no other ever again,” Thomas said with a distinct sadness.
“Her heart needs time to heal.”
Thomas shook his head. “She looks for no other man.”
“It does not matter, when the time is right she will discover love again.”
Reena lost herself in her mapmaking. The evening meal came and went and she gave it no thought. After having gathered her senses, she’d had a logical discussion with herself.
She reminded herself that she was not at all suited for Magnus, and that he did not in the least favor her. His touch had been nothing more than him brushing off the falling snow on her face. And taking her hand? She had laughed at that, realizing the battlement’s walkway was slippery due to the snow, and holding her hand was a precautionary measure; in case she lost her footing, he would already have hold of her.
He was her lord and she his mapmaker. Though she wished to regard him as a friend, she would be wise to realize her place in his service. And she would do well to see that he and Brigid spent more time in each other’s company.
She thought to enlist Thomas’s help. He’d seemed to think her idea of bringing Magnus and Brigid together a good one when she had mentioned Brigid to Magnus on their journey home.
With her thoughts in more sensible order she had set to work on mapping the view from the battlement. Other maps would be necessary to complete the entire view, but for now she concentrated on the area she had hastily outlined before the snow began to fall in earnest.
She knew the land well, having traveled to the area on more than one occasion with her father, but one particular area troubled her. The slope of the land
and the density of the trees did not give a true picture of the terrain, and she knew closer inspection was necessary if she was to map the area correctly.
If the snowfall was light she would request permission to investigate the area tomorrow; for now, however, she painstakingly detailed the view as accurately as possible, knowing more detail would follow later.
In between her mapping she had seen to the preparation of her new quills, the ones she had gathered just today. She had placed them near the hearth so that they would dry slowly. She did not want them to become brittle and thus unusable, especially with so much mapping to do. She would need extra quills.
She stretched her arms and drew back her shoulders to ease the ache in her neck and back. She often spent long hours at the table creating her maps or simply drawing, detailing an area, a face, a scene, and she loved every minute she spent with quill in hand.
Time being of no importance to her, she remained lost in her work. The knock at her door did not disturb her, and it was not until a solid fist hit her door twice that she jumped and in haste bid entrance to her visitor.
Magnus entered and walked over to the table where she sat.
He looked annoyed, but very handsome and powerful. Aye, very powerful, dressed all in black and intimidating in his confident gait. He could be feared and he could attract in one sweeping glance.
Attract.
The thought upset her, and she chased it from her tired mind, blaming her inappropriate thoughts on fatigue.
“You missed supper.”
He sounded as if he scolded, and before she could answer a yawn escaped and she covered her mouth to catch it.
“You have spent too many hours working.”
“A bare few,” she argued without much strength.
Magnus reached out and took the quill from her hand and placed it to the side. “Supper has long been finished and most everyone in the keep is asleep.” He pointed to Horace, sound asleep in front of the hearth. “He does not stir.”
There was no stirring the pup once he fell asleep for the night, though he usually crawled in bed with her. He must have given up waiting for her to retire and fallen asleep.
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