by Nicole Locke
He stepped closer to her, she didn’t step away. She spoke the truth. One that he had known since before he met her. She was her father’s weapon. This was something they needed to face.
‘I’ve killed, too,’ he said. ‘You know I have and yet you don’t judge me. I, too, have killed far too many to count. I think, in this war, we all have.’
Eldric saw it then. Saw something in her ease and he knew they’d have a life together. Just a bit more and he could hold her.
‘I have been death for many years,’ she said. ‘I’m trying to be life. I was nothing for so long. And then there was you. The woman that I was then is not the same one I am now, but you have to know, if you truly want this between us, I would still choose you no matter what the cost.’
His heart! ‘I don’t want you to make any costs. As for the rest, it’s what I was trying to say when I kissed you, when I clumsily told you what that dance in Swaffham meant to me. I had already chosen you.’
She stilled. ‘Will you then forgive me for Thomas?’
He understood now the difficult choices, understood it fully. He now only hoped for forgiveness. This time, he took the chance, pulling her into his arms, and when she didn’t move away, when she seemed to pull him just as close, he wanted more. So much more. He sat on the bed, pulling her with him.
‘There’s nothing to forgive and nothing will hold me back from you. I went after you to save you from your father. Forgive you? I beg you to forgive me! How many mistakes have I made? It’s a miracle you could have any feelings for me before, that you shared any of them now. And I swear, I’ll spend a lifetime apologising for not recognising and trusting you.’
‘I accept,’ she said, adjusting her body so it was mostly on top of him. The bed wasn’t meant for two, or even just for him, but to feel her against him was heaven.
For her to tell him she accepted his apology, he was beyond joy. ‘You accept my apology?’
She nodded and, when he smiled, she smiled right back.
‘So now you can kiss me and declare more love words,’ she said.
He chuckled, playing with one of her pale tresses. ‘Not yet. I have one more question. Just one and it’s very pertinent.’
‘Ask it,’ she said.
He loved the way she was with him. Not afraid, she saw him just as he always wanted to be seen. Not for his size, but as a man. And he wondered if it all had to do with when she was a child in the trees. ‘You said you loved me from before. I don’t know how that’s possible.’
He watched the blush grow up her neck until she was bathed in its pink glow. Her hands went to her cheeks. ‘No!’
‘Well, now I have to know.’
‘It’s silly. I was a child then.’
‘What was it?’
‘It was because you whistled, Eldric. I was at the English camp to spy on trivial matters to practise my father’s training. You whistled some tune I’d never be able to name because I’d never heard it before and I noticed you.’
‘Of all the things you could have said to me, that isn’t one I expected.’ He gathered more of her tresses, threaded his fingers through them. She rested her chin on his chest. Except for the fact his feet and most of his legs were dangling uncomfortably over the side, he’d stay there happily. ‘Why the whistling?’
‘It was beautiful. I’d never heard music until then. The nuns kept me away from them. Sometimes, I thought I heard voices, but I was never sure.’
‘I am confused now. How could my whistling have caused you to watch me?’
‘You whistle constantly. So year after year, I easily found you. It’s not a very safe hobby. It makes you such an easy target.’
‘A target. And how many men did you continually watch over the years?’
‘Only you.’
‘Others must have whistled, sung.’
She lifted her chin. ‘None were as good as you.’
‘There were other men who were large with hair like mine, eyes like mine.’
‘But not all together.’
Her blush increased that bit more for that answer and he liked that very much.
‘And you didn’t watch them awkwardly try to kiss a woman in a yellow dress.’
‘Don’t mention that woman in a yellow dress,’ she said. ‘I hate the colour yellow.’
He couldn’t hold back the smile then. ‘How many other warriors noticed you, Cressida, over the years as you travelled from camp to camp, all the hours hiding in trees, waiting for your target? How many looked up and saw you, ran after you?’
‘None.’
‘Except for me.’
‘Except you,’ she acknowledged.
‘Did you never think, then, never wonder, not once, if I was meant to find you, too?’
‘You’re making me believe in this all over again.’
‘Good, because you accepted my apology and I do want you to accept my love. Although I don’t know how you can doubt any of it. Every action we’ve taken for years and years have brought us here together. In fact, I think I love these coincidences between us as much as I love you.’
‘Now you’re being contrary,’ she said.
‘If by contrary you mean I’m still waiting for an answer from you, yes, I am. I’m still wanting to know if you’ll spend a lifetime with me. If you’ll be my wife, and we’ll just...sort the rest of it out later.’
‘My father won’t wait to go after us and I’m surprised the King of England has not already stormed this ship in pursuit of traitors.’
‘Those are facts. I thought we were on to the feelings part of this discussion.’
Cressida laughed.
‘Tell me, Cress, what you want to do.’
‘We’ve already docked in Dover, haven’t we, and we don’t have to wait for Terric’s illicit affairs to be completed this time before we disembark.’
‘Even if we did, I have a mind to ignore his wishes for a bit. I’m still not pleased he let you off the ship.’
‘Well, then, I know what I want to do. First, I think you should kiss me, then I want to spend time with Maisie.’
‘You’ve got family now, Cress.’
‘I love you,’ she blurted. A full grin from Eldric, one with a devilish look in his eyes. A warrior who had conquered all and expected to enjoy the spoils of war. ‘And now I have you.’
‘No, I think I had you first. Now, can we get up? This bed is entirely too small for me.’
Chapter Twenty
‘You look like a man who could use help.’ Terric bounded over the deck as if he had been merely waiting for him to emerge from the room down below. Once they had got Maisie from the healer, they’d returned to the room. To chat, to play, to exchange glances and promises for later. So little time together, yet Eldric felt as though he’d always known Cressida.
As for Maisie, to see them playing together—it was as if they’d always been sisters. As for the rest, Cressida was correct, he did need to plan.
The fact that Terric could see it plainly on his face was no comfort.
‘Where I go, what must be done, I wouldn’t even risk the life of a pirate.’
The Commander chuffed. ‘It’s been a while since I’ve conversed with an honourable man. It’s refreshing. I wouldn’t mind keeping such a novelty around a bit longer.’
Eldric gave a curt nod. ‘And I wouldn’t mind a pirate such as you on the seas.’
‘Of course not, look at me! Who wouldn’t?’
Eldric’s laugh sobered. ‘You can’t. If you’re at all true, I have to decline your offer of help.’
‘You’re not a fool. You can’t do this task alone.’
Eldric wouldn’t ask how the Commander knew what needed to be done.
Terric’s eyes stayed steady on his before he whistled low. ‘You have friends. You’re not doing it alon
e.’
Eldric shook his head.
‘I hoped...’ Terric shrugged one shoulder. ‘I was hoping for a friend.’
‘And because I have some, we can’t be?’
‘No, we can’t. Conflict of interest and all that. I already have difficulty with loyalty. Moreover, I may know you, but your friends, not so much.’
‘What if they are like me?’
Terric laughed. ‘And a sense of humour as well. It looks as though your lady love is ready to depart.’
Eldric looked behind him. Cressida, carrying Maisie, appeared to be in a very animated conversation.
‘Are you prepared?’ Eldric asked her when she finally reached them.
She jiggled the girl on her hip. ‘As much as I can be. We’ll need supplies before we journey with her.’
‘You won’t have to travel far,’ Terric said.
‘Are you referencing the message we sent? It couldn’t have reached them yet,’ Eldric said.
‘Have you looked over the railing?’ Terric said. ‘There’s a very large red-haired man and a woman holding his hand who have been demanding, constantly, to come aboard. I didn’t want to disturb you and made them wait.’
‘Red-haired?’ Eldric said, looking to Cressida. ‘Colquhouns,’ they said together.
Terric crossed his arms. ‘He says he is Bram of Clan Colquhoun, former Laird, and she is of Clan Ferguson, but, honestly, I don’t understand what the Clans are about.’
Eldric walked to the railing and looked down to the Dover docks. ‘They’re here!’
Cressida looked to Terric, who watched them both with curiosity. ‘What is it?’
‘I don’t know, but I find myself wanting to know, which I don’t know if I’m entirely comfortable with.’
She hadn’t talked with the almost noble Commander as much as Eldric, but she sensed something in him that was all too familiar and wanted to tell him something she wished someone had told her when she gazed over the ocean. ‘You’ll find what you’re searching for. If you keep looking.’
He arched a brow. ‘I have coin and adventure, there isn’t anything else a man could desire. I’ve never needed more, yet...why is it when I watched you that I suddenly do?’
‘The need part is easy.’ She adjusted Maisie on her hip. The child was almost as big as she, but she was loath to let her down. ‘It’s the want that keeps you longing. But if I, of all the people in the world, found what I most yearned for, you will, too.’
The Commander gave a quick bow. ‘It’s probably best if you get off my ship; these conversations aren’t appropriate for a man such as me. I have...affairs and people that desire me to keep doing them that occupy my time.’
‘Fair journey,’ she said.
‘Isn’t that what I should wish to you?’
‘No.’ She gave him a smile. ‘Because I have a feeling you’re about to go on one as well.’
Cressida joined Eldric at the rail. ‘Do you see them?’
‘I think that’s them.’ Eldric pointed. ‘Right—’
Maisie squealed.
Bram’s eyes snapped up. The gaze of the dark-haired woman by his side did as well. They both shouted with joy.
Then Maisie tried to launch herself overboard.
Cressida knew she would be devasted when she eventually returned Maisie to her home, but she thought she’d have more time to enjoy this feeling of not being alone. Maisie was just so full of laughter and light. She didn’t want to go back to how her life was before, but this new life seemed to be literally ripping her from her arms.
‘Steady,’ Eldric said, taking the squirming Maisie. Cressida, whose arms felt all too weak, as did her legs, handed her over. Her heart panged, as he adjusted the child in his arms.
‘They’re here already,’ she said. ‘I thought there would be more time. Foolish, I know, since if it were my child missing, the very devil couldn’t be faster than me. But...’
‘I, too, am surprised. None of the Colquhouns should be here and I don’t know who that woman is.’
‘It’s his wife. He hasn’t let go of her hand.’
‘My soon-to-be wife thinks all the world is love.’
‘Wife?’ She shoved his arm, Maisie laughed and they descended to the docks.
* * *
The woman at Bram’s side immediately flew forward, Maisie’s arms were extended and Eldric handed her over. The child’s words were clear as could be as she addressed the crying woman who squeezed her.
‘I am Lioslath,’ she said, turning to Eldric, ‘of Clan Ferguson and I am married to that man who—’
‘Who wants to hold his niece as well,’ Bram laughed. ‘I am Bram of Clan Colquhoun, former Laird,’ he said, for Cressida’s benefit. ‘I live in Ayrshire now with the Fergusons. Though you wouldn’t know it. Family of her own and she’s still greedy for mine.’
‘It’s not my fault.’ Lioslath wiped her face on Maisie’s shoulder. ‘I didn’t always want them; you’ve just rubbed off on me.’
Lioslath’s tears wouldn’t stop and Eldric found he didn’t know what to do with the abundance of family; he was an only child. He looked to Cressida.
‘You weren’t expecting us,’ Bram said.
‘No.’ Eldric looked around. This wasn’t the location to discuss any of this.
Cressida handed the other woman a linen. ‘Here.’
Lioslath took it. ‘Thank you.’
‘I’m Cressida, daughter of Sir Richard Howe.’
Bram stopped babbling to his niece and stepped back. ‘What is the meaning of this, Hawksmoor?’
Obtaining and earning Cressida’s love was not an easy task, showing the world the woman she truly was wouldn’t be either. But as long as she was by his side, he’d face any and all storms that came their way. Family. It appeared he had one as well now.
‘She is who she says she is,’ Eldric said. ‘She is his daughter, but she isn’t him.’
‘Your missive said nothing of her presence or of his. Is he here, too?’
‘No,’ Cressida said. ‘We left him in France.’
‘Dead?’ Bram said.
Cressida flinched.
‘Careful, Colquhoun.’
Bram’s expression turned cold. ‘That man stole my sister’s child. We’ve been searching for months for Maisie. Our hearts haven’t healed. There’s been rifts in the clans. The damage he has done, not to mention what Caird had to go through.’
‘You mean Mairead,’ Cressida said.
Bram’s eyes went from Eldric to Cressida and back again. He handed Maisie back to Lioslath, who rocked her back and forth. Maisie whacked the same rhythm on Lioslath’s head.
‘How do you know my sister?’ Bram said.
Bram’s eyes had narrowed on Cressida and Eldric didn’t like it. ‘She’s his daughter, Bram. She’s also the Archer. And she will soon be my wife.’
Lioslath gasped.
‘Do you take issue with that?’ Eldric said.
Cressida laid her hand on Eldric’s arm.
‘Now, it’s your turn to be careful, Hawksmoor,’ Bram said.
Eldric had had enough.
‘I think we should talk somewhere else,’ Lioslath said.
Cressida squeezed his arm.
‘I agree, let’s return to the deck of the ship,’ she said.
* * *
Once Terric saw them return, he ushered his men somewhere else and Eldric turned to Bram. Cressida didn’t know what to expect. She hadn’t meant to blurt out her identity, but just giving away her sister was already stabbing at her heart. The fact that her father was this family’s enemy made the situation all the more uncertain.
She wanted, at least this part, to be ripped away. As though the decision was made and she merely needed to release the arrow.
Except after she said
what she had, Eldric had come to her defence, announcing he wished to marry her. And Bram and Lioslath hadn’t acted as she had expected.
‘You are the ones who received our missive,’ Eldric said. ‘Though it wasn’t addressed to you.’
‘Your wife?’ Bram said.
Cressida wanted to interrupt. This wasn’t something they’d talked of, it wasn’t something she thought was for her. Their love they’d announced. But as for the rest of it... Marriage meant family and happiness. It was too much.
Eldric looked at her as if he knew she was doubting. ‘If she’ll agree, Colquhoun. This journey we’ve been on has not exactly been a way to woo a female. But I have faced her father, as your brother did, and she is, and will always have, my trust.’
Bram chuckled. ‘Is there a right way to woo? Lioslath and I were enemies.’
‘Then you know,’ Eldric answered.
‘Perhaps,’ Bram said. ‘I have a feeling there are differences. But even so. If your trust runs the way it does, then I will tell my side of this tale.’
Cressida didn’t understand. ‘She is yours, isn’t she? Your family. You could simply go.’
‘If you were my enemy,’ Bram said, ‘we would already be gone, but Eldric sent the missive. And you... I saw you holding her. You care.’
‘There are four of us siblings still living,’ Bram said. ‘I am the eldest, then Caird, Gaira and Malcolm. The youngest, Irvette, was killed at Doonhill, along with her husband. Maisie was one of the few survivors. My sister Gaira rescued her and a few other children who fled.’
‘Eldric has explained, and I also... I also know of the Jewel of Kings, of Robert...of Hugh. I know some matters.’
Bram’s face darkened.
‘Not all, Colquhoun,’ Eldric said.
Cressida laid her hand on his arm again. ‘It is fine. I understand. Up until the last few days, I knew only pieces.’
Bram and Lioslath looked at her expectantly, but not with any malice.
