“I know you are a trained warrior,” he said. “I know you serve William Marshal. I know all of this. But I do not want you to bear arms any longer. I want you to return to Aysgarth and remain there until I come for you.”
Susanna was genuinely trying to understand what he was telling her, but he simply wasn’t making any sense. “Come for me?” she repeated. “Why would you come for me?”
An expression of intense confusion washed over Achilles’ features. “I am not doing this very well,” he said. “I am trying to tell you that… you said something to me once. You said that we all hope to meet that one person who makes us spark. Do you remember?”
She leaned back against the headboard of the bed. “Of course I do,” she said. “We were speaking of Cadelyn and Kress. You have called me Sparks because of it. I remember that conversation well.”
He nodded. “I did not know what you meant at the time. I suppose in theory I did, but I’d never felt that kind of sensation before. I call you Sparks because of what you said, and at first I did it to taunt you, but now…” His agitation faded as a thoughtful mood seemed to take hold. “There is so much you do not know about me. I do not even know if you care to know, but if you do, I will tell you.”
Susanna eyed him. “Now?”
He lifted his shoulders weakly. “I may not have another chance before I leave you off at Aysgarth tomorrow.”
Susanna began to suspect what this might be all about, so she nodded. “Very well,” she said. “What do you want to tell me?”
“Do you want to know about me? You do not have to listen if you do not care.”
He was asking her to express her feelings, something supremely difficult for Susanna to speak of. She’d never had to. There was something embarrassing in speaking on her emotions, but she didn’t want to upset him. She wanted him to know what she was feeling.
Or, at least trying to.
“I will listen,” she said after a moment. “I want to know.”
From the expression on his face, Achilles wasn’t sure if she meant it, but he proceeded. “You already know I’ve spent time in The Levant as a special agent for King Richard,” he said. “You know that I have not lived an entirely honorable life. I have fought other men’s wars for profit. I have killed men’s enemies because I was well paid.”
“I know.”
“I have also been known to pursue a pretty face.”
“Did you catch them?”
He fought off a smile. “All of them.”
“I have no doubt. You are handsome.”
His smile faded. “Do you really think so?”
She nodded, feeling the blush creeping into her cheeks. “Did you come here to ask me if I thought you were handsome?”
He shook his head. “I came here to tell you that I have never been ashamed of my past,” he said. “I have no regrets. But I have never met anyone who made me spark and I want to make sure she knows everything.”
She eyed him. “I see,” she said. “Have you told her, then?”
“I just did.”
Susanna knew that. Or, at least, she had hoped that was where he was leading. Embarrassed and delighted, she lowered her gaze, unable to fight off the grin.
“I am not sure how you can say that I cause you to feel a spark,” she said. “Our acquaintance has not exactly been smooth.”
He nodded, making his way over to the bed. “I know,” he said quietly. “When I first met you, I did not approve of you. That is no secret. You aggravated me. Irritated me. I considered you an insult to the knighthood. But can you not see that something has changed?”
She kept her gaze averted, but she nodded. “I can.”
“Does it displease you?”
“I am not displeased.”
He suddenly plopped down on the bed, his expression intense. “Susanna, I do not want you to bear arms any longer. When you were gored those weeks ago, I realized… I realized how much it would crush me if something happened to you. I could not bear it.”
She looked at him seriously. “But… being a warrior is all I know. I would not know how to be anything other than what you see.”
“Would you be willing to try? Just a little?”
Susanna wasn’t sure what to say. She realized that she very much wanted to please him, but at the risk giving up something she was trained to do. “I… I do not know,” she said honestly. “This is not a conversation I thought I would ever have. Achilles, you and I have barely become friends. I do not even know how to speak of this… I have never been very good at speaking of personal thoughts or feelings. You must let me think on what you have said. I cannot give you an answer now.”
He looked disappointed, but he nodded his head in resignation. “I understand,” he said. “It is much to ask. But I do intend to return for you.”
“Why?”
He lifted his big shoulders. “Because I do not want to be away from you,” he said. “Didn’t my actions during the time you were healing from your wound tell you that?”
She nodded, smiling at him. “You were very attentive,” she said. “You never left me.”
“I never will. I will return to Aysgarth to ask your brother for permission to court you, if you are agreeable.”
Her smile vanished. “Court me?”
“Aye.”
She appeared a bit bewildered by the mere suggestion. “For… for marriage?”
“Aye.”
“Are you terribly certain of this?”
He sighed heavily, averting his gaze. “Certain enough,” he said. “All I know is that I have never felt this way about anyone. You are strong and brave and beautiful. I would at least like to explore the possibility. Will you at least give me the chance?”
You are beautiful. Susanna had never heard that from a man, ever, and it was the most delightful shock. She truly had no idea how to respond.
“Are you certain?” she asked again.
He looked at her, then. “Aye, Sparks,” he murmured. “I am certain. Will you give me the chance?”
Susanna’s cheeks were back to flaming, so caught up in something she never thought she would experience. Nothing at Blackchurch had taught her how to gracefully handle a man’s overture. But there only one answer she could come up with.
“I will.”
Achilles smiled broadly, a rather victorious gesture. “Good,” he said firmly. “But while you are at Aysgarth, I want you to promise me that you will not bear arms. Will you at least try to behave like a lady while I am away?”
“I would have no idea where to start.”
“Mayhap that is something we can remedy.”
Susanna had no idea how, but if he thought so, then she was willing to go along with him. “How?”
“I will find someone to teach you.”
She was hesitant. “How are we to explain this to my brother? Have I become a warrior with a maid in tow?”
He smiled at her. “You are a unique creature in a unique situation. I do not know your brother, but surely he will be understanding.”
“He will think it is quite strange.”
Achilles’ gaze lingered on her for a moment. “Not when he sees the result,” he said. “Sparks, if you think I am trying to change you into something you are not, that is not the case. I do not want you to bear arms because I cannot stomach the thought of something happening to you and for no other reason than that. As for having someone teach you the finer points of being a lady, you might find them useful skills someday. And I should like to see your beauty shine through as it was always meant to be.”
She was back to blushing furiously. “I have never thought about it much, although Cadelyn tried to convince me to dress like a lady and to engage in ladylike tasks.”
“But you did not?”
“How could I? I was her bodyguard. I was not a friend or a lady-in-waiting. I had a job to do.”
“Did you ever wonder what it would be like to be a fine lady, dressed in fine clothing and smellin
g sweet?”
She thought about that before reluctantly nodding her head. “I have,” she said. “But I did not dwell on it. There was no reason to yearn for such a thing.”
“Then I will yearn for it on your behalf.”
She glanced at him. “Does it mean so much to you that I look beautiful and wear fine clothing?”
He shook his head. “Clearly, it does not,” he said. “But imagine how besotted I will be the first time you wear a dress of silk, with your hair attractively arranged. With your copper-colored curls and eyes the color of a sapphire, you will outshine every woman in England.”
She bit her lip, grinning. “It seems hard to imagine.”
“Not for me.”
He seemed convinced, which gave her confidence. “Then if you wish it, I would not be opposed to trying,” she said. “I will admit that wearing something other than rough linen and wool against my skin sounds intriguing. I have often wondered what it would feel like to wear a garment as soft as butterfly wings.”
He cocked his head, eyeing her as she seemed to grow more interested in what he was asking of her. “I will commission dresses to be made for you,” he said. “Surely there are seamstresses near Aysgarth who will take up such a task. You can have them made while I am in London. It will give you something to do while you are recuperating. Speaking of recuperating, how are you feeling after the skirmish tonight?”
She nodded. “It was no strain,” she said. “But I am very tired.”
He put up a hand as if to beg forgiveness. “And I have interrupted your sleep,” he said. “I am sorry, but I had to speak with you. It could not wait.”
“It was worth it.”
It seemed like the right moment to leave, but Achilles didn’t move. He didn’t want to. She was warming to him, becoming a little less awkward, and he was very glad. He smiled in reply, gazing into her lovely face and knowing that he was going to kiss her. But he also wondered if she wasn’t going to punch him in the throat for trying.
There was only one way to find out.
Reaching out, he grasped her arms, looking into her eyes to see if there was any resistance. She was looking at him curiously but nothing more. Therefore, his grip tightened and he pulled her cheek very close to his mouth. Gently, he deposited the sweetest of kisses on her face and as he did so, he felt her body quiver violently. That was all he needed to grow bolder.
Without a word, his lips slanted over hers.
Pulled against his chest, Susanna stiffened in the slightest at the shock of something new and titillating but, quickly, he felt her body relaxed. She smelled clean, of rosemary, and she was warm and pliable against him. Achilles let go of her arms and wrapped her up in his enormous embrace, suckling her tender lips. It was like nothing he had ever known, and he had kissed a great many women. But this was different.
She was different.
Surprisingly, her fingers found their way onto his scalp, gripping his head as he devoured her. His tongue licked at her lips, gently prying them open, and Susanna gasped as he invaded her mouth. There was such excitement and comfort and passion to be had, sensations Achilles had never felt before, at least not on this level. It was exhilarating.
That spark she’d once spoken of… now, he fully understood it.
She had him on fire.
But the hands on his head suddenly moved to his face and she put her long, slender fingers on his lips, stopping his onslaught. When he opened his eyes, he found himself staring into big pools of blue.
“Did I frighten you?” he asked huskily. “I did not mean to. But to kiss you seemed the most natural of things.”
She shook her head but her expression said otherwise. “I was wondering,” she murmured. “I… I do not have to return to Aysgarth. Why can I not go back to London with you?”
He peered at her strangely. “Why would you want to do that?” he asked. “It would be a long and grueling journey. It is much better for you to rest at Aysgarth while I conduct business with The Marshal.”
“You do not want me to go?”
“I want you to rest and recover. That is what I want.”
She seemed to deflate a little, looking uncertain and perhaps even ashamed. It occurred to Achilles that she was trying to tell him something, but as he was coming to realize, she had a difficult time speaking on her feelings.
And he could tell by the look in her eyes that she was feeling something.
“I do not wish to be parted from you, either, Sparks,” he said, leaning forward to kiss the tip of her nose. “I swear I will hurry back to you. Is that what you were worried about?”
She gave him an embarrassed little grin and looked away. Laughing softly, he pulled her against him, holding her tightly and relishing the first real embrace they’d ever shared.
It was heavenly.
“You are going to have to become better at telling me what is on your mind,” he murmured. “I am not very good at reading your thoughts.”
Her head was on his shoulder. “You are doing well enough,” she said. “But… this is all quite new to me. While you have been pursuing pretty faces, I’ve not had the time nor the inclination to let a man pursue me.”
“Have there been any that have caught your eye?”
She shook her head. “Men do not generally pursue a woman who can beat them in a sword fight.”
“I do not hold that opinion because you cannot beat me.”
Susanna lifted her head, looking at him before breaking down into laughter. “I seem to recall that the last time we were this close, it was on the floor of The Nag’s Head tavern.”
“I was trying not to irrevocably injure you.”
“You were losing!”
Achilles’ eyes glittered at her. “You think so, do you?”
“Sherry had to drag you away.”
“He did it to save your life.”
“He did it so you would not be humiliated.”
He stared at her a moment before breaking into a grin. “You must have some magic over me that I would let you insult me so,” he said. “We must be making progress because I am not trying to wrap my hands around your neck. At least, not with the intent to throttle you. You do have a nice neck.”
It was the natural order of things between the two of them to be competitive and insulting, something they were going to have to work through if their feelings for one another had any hope of surviving. Susanna, as untried as she was, seemed to understand that.
“I am sorry,” she said quietly. “I should not have insulted you.”
Achilles shrugged. “I have come to see that we bring that out in each other,” he said. “But it does not deter me. Nothing you can say any longer can deter me because I know you are a woman of intelligence and compassion, for I have seen it. We must learn to bring out the best in each other, you and I. You make me want to try very hard.”
Susanna had a permanent blush on her cheeks. It was a sweet thing to say and utterly surreal. They were words she never thought she would hear, especially from him, thrilling and miraculous as they were. As she struggled to say something in return, Achilles took the opportunity to kiss her once more, a gentle and lingering kiss, before standing up.
“I will leave you to your sleep now,” he said. “Sherry and I will be somewhere nearby. If you need me, send for me. I will come.”
Susanna nodded again, smiling at him as he waved at her and turned to leave. Truth be told, she was rather dazed about the entire conversation and hadn’t much to say as he reached the door and paused, waving to her again before closing the door softly behind him.
Alone again, Susanna put her fingers to her lips, still feeling him upon her flesh. She’d never been kissed by a man in her life and, suddenly, she understood what the fuss was about. Perhaps she’d never considered such things because she’d always assumed that they would forever be out of her reach. As she’d told Achilles, no man wanted a wife who could best him in a sword fight, but Achilles was so arrogant, he didn�
��t think such a thing was possible.
Truthfully, Susanna didn’t care.
Sliding down in the bed, she rolled onto her side, her mind lingering on Achilles and his delicious kisses. She was exhausted but, at the moment, sleep simply wouldn’t come. She wasn’t looking forward to being away from the man during his journey to London, but she knew it was for the best. She was looking forward to resting at Aysgarth and anticipating his return. Perhaps when he came for her, she might have a fine dress or two, and perhaps even a hint of femininity to please him. She was looking forward to the very real possibility.
At twenty years and nine, Susanna de Tiegh was to have a suitor for the very first time… and loving every minute of it.
CHAPTER THREE
Aysgarth Castle
North Yorkshire
Aysgarth Castle was an impressive sight to behold.
A big bastion set within a narrow valley that ran east-west through Northern Yorkshire, it had not one, but two big mottes, although one motte was not quite as high as the other. It was flat and broad, surrounded by granite walls that weren’t particularly tall and the remains of a moat, with an outer ward and outbuildings perched atop it.
It was the first thing visitors to Aysgarth entered after they’d passed through the main gatehouse, which was surprisingly ill-fortified. The only protection it had was a wooden gate that seemed to be somewhat old and flimsy. Beyond it, a vast yard was muddy and cluttered, sloping slightly to the south, with a muddy pool on the south end where they kept a corral with animals.
Once through the outer ward, visitors passed over a drawbridge to a second gatehouse, with no gate at all, which protected the circular shell keep. The keep was a rare type of design as far as keeps went, meaning it was literally built in a circle with apartments and a hall built against the walls, all of it encircling a small yard in the center.
Achilles had actually never been to Aysgarth Castle and although he was impressed with its sheer size of it, the gatehouses seemed ill-prepared to withstand any manner of attack and the walls of the outer bailey were shockingly low. Interestingly enough, the army wasn’t housed in the castle, but down below in a field that also contained a big area for practice and mobilization. It seemed strange that there was no way for the troops below to get to the castle unless they came up the road and in through the gatehouse like everyone else.
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