Last Knight: Thornton Brothers Time Travel (A Thornton Brothers Time Travel Romance Book 4)

by Cynthia Luhrs

  What she wouldn’t give for some Lindsay Stirling playing softly in the background while she popped a few aspirin and slept the day away. Inside the tavern, the debris had been cleared away, leaving two tables and chairs. She cringed. They’d be lucky if they were given a piece of moldy bread after the damaged they’d caused. Stupid guy. Guess it didn’t matter what time she was in—jerks were jerks throughout history.

  She couldn’t hold the smile in—the memory of Christian popping that guy in the nose, defending her honor. Medieval men. She sighed. Too bad she couldn’t remember what they’d talked about last night. Oh well, it couldn’t have been too important, or he would have said something.

  Chapter Fourteen

  The innkeeper and his wife were arguing in low voices when Christian found them.

  “My apologies for the damage. I have none with me, as we were robbed, but will send gold for your troubles when I arrive home.”

  The woman whispered to her husband. The man cleared his throat.

  “We have had problems with Sir Benton before. He will pay for the damage.”

  “Might there be some labor I could perform to pay for a meal for my wife and I before we depart this morn?”

  The innkeeper’s wife threw her rag down on the table, swearing.

  “Both our girls ran off during the night, taking most of the food with them. Off chasing boys from the next village.” She threw up her hands. “How are we to feed everyone this day? I don’t even have porridge.”

  “Do not worry. I will cook for everyone.”

  The two of them gaped at him as he strode out of the inn. He had seen chickens near the stables. Since his cook had been stolen away to Dover Castle, Christian had taken turns with his men cooking meals until he found another. They drew straws to see who would do the daily cooking. At first he’d left it to chance, but the food prepared had been inedible at best. He prayed that by the time he arrived, a new cook would be in the kitchens at Winterforth.

  “What are you doing?” Ashley touched his arm as he looked behind a barrel in the small courtyard. He wiped the dust on his hose. They both needed a bath, but that would have to wait.

  “Seems the cook and serving wench ran away with the food. I informed the innkeeper and his wife we would cook and earn our meal.”

  “I can’t cook. I usually just—” She shook her head and moaned, placing her hands to her head as if it pained her, which it likely did, given the amount of ale she’d consumed last night.

  “Never mind. What can I do to help?”

  “Come with me. We’ll have to make do with what we can gather. Search for eggs while I catch the chickens.”

  “If you say so.” She looked uncertain, but poked at nearby bush. Christian noticed the disarray of her dress, and wished he had gold with him to purchase her a new one. When they were home, he would have whatever she wished made for her. A dress for each day, if she so desired.

  While she searched for eggs, he caught several chickens, and was dispatching the last one when he heard a soft cry.

  She was pale, holding the eggs in a basket she had found, a look of despair on her lovely face.

  “Do you not have chickens…where you come from?”

  “Yes, but they come from the store in a package. We don’t have to do that.” She pointed to the chickens he had laid at his feet.

  “Where do you think the chicken on your plate comes from, mistress?”

  “I know where they come from, I just don’t like to think about it. Where I come from, you go into the store, give them money, and they give you a nice package with the meat already prepared.” She was making motions with her hands as if to show him the size of the package. “I hope you don’t expect me to pluck them. I wouldn’t have a clue what to do, and I’m afraid I’d never eat chicken again.”

  “I would not dare offend your delicate sensibilities. There were a few carrots and onions left behind in the larder, and I sent one of the stable boys for milk. We shall have chicken pie this fine morning.”

  “A man that can cook—now that’s impressive.” She grinned at him. “Lead on. I can chop vegetables. I can’t wait to taste what you’re making. Just promise me you’ll pluck them outside.”

  “Aye. The innkeeper’s wife can use the feathers.”

  She swallowed and avoided looking at the fowl. “Whatever you say.”

  Not once had Ashley complained as she chopped the vegetables and aided him in preparing the pastry for the pie. The innkeeper’s wife rolled the dough out and put the pies in the stove to bake. He went outside to wash, yet when he returned he could not find Ashley.

  “Have you seen my wife?” he asked the innkeeper.

  The man scratched his belly. “Said she was leaving. Perhaps she no longer fancies you and has gone in search of a new husband.” The man looked at the door his wife had gone through and clapped Christian on the back. “I’d like a new wife. One that doesn’t shout or snore.”

  Christian ran outside, a hand to his chest to stop the pounding. Would she try to go back on her own? The sound of water made him turn. There, around the corner, he saw her with her skirts hitched up, washing her bare legs. For a moment he could not speak, could do nothing more than gape like a lad seeing his first woman. She was beautifully formed, a goddess come to life. When she pulled her skirts down, he ducked back around the building so she would not know he spied upon her.

  Shifting from one foot to another, he counted in his head. Certain he had allowed enough time, he strode into the stables to find her talking to one of the horses, feeding the animal one of his precious carrots.

  “You understand, don’t you?” she said to the beast.

  “What does he understand?”

  She whirled around, hand to her face. “You scared me.”

  “I did not mean to. Apologies.”

  She turned a fetching shade of pink. With her hair pulled back in what the future women called a horse’s tail— No, that wasn’t right. A ponytail. It did look rather like a horse’s tail as she stood next to the horse they had purchased with her ring.

  “I was telling him about my adventures so far.”

  Would she remember she had told him her secret?

  “Your speech and dress are odd. I must ask, mistress—no respectable lady travels alone. Where is your escort? I saw no sign of them when I came upon you.”

  She turned away quickly, but not before he saw the fear in her eyes. As he watched her, she straightened her dress, brushing at the dirt and stains.

  “I ran away from home. My father wanted me to marry a wretched old man I did not love, so I ran.”

  Christian frowned so he would not grin at the tale she spun.

  “Do you not think your sire and dam will be worried for your safety?”

  “No, they will be happy to be rid of me. I have five other sisters, and we’re very poor. It will be one less mouth to feed.”

  “Did you steal what you are wearing? For ’tis a fine and costly dress. One fit for a wealthy merchant or minor noble.”

  “One must do what one must,” she said as she lied to him. And yet he did not hold it against her, deciding to let her keep her secrets as he kept his.

  “I cannot remember. Did I tell you about my family last night?”

  She took a step toward him. “I’m not sure. It’s all a bit hazy, but I don’t think so. I’d like to hear about them. I never had— Anyway, I’d like to know more about you.”

  He held out his arm. “Then come with me, aid me in serving the meal, and while we eat I will tell you tales of my vexing brothers.”

  When Ashley served the pie to the remaining patrons, Christian watched to make sure none bothered her. The one she had slapped, Sir Benton, had left, along with his men, before dawn. Finished serving, they sat at a small table in the kitchen. He poured her a small cup of ale.

  “Just one. I’ve heard it helps after a night of too much drinking. But then it’s water the rest of the day for me.”

  “Water
is good when you drink too much. I learned it well from my brother, Robert.”

  “How many brothers do you have?”

  “There are five of us, like you and your five sisters.”

  But she did not take the bait, simply smiled, waiting for him to continue.

  “Of course, I am the most pleasing. Then there’s Henry, Robert, John, and my eldest brother Edward. They’re all married, and all but two have children.”

  What would it be like not to have family? To be alone in the world, as Ashley was? As Christian spoke of his family, he thought she should not go back to New York, where she would be alone. He would find her a cottage, and she could do whatever she wished. Though he felt ill at the thought of her married to another.

  Yet as he spoke, he did not tell her about his brothers’ wives, not from whence they came. When they arrived home, he vowed to tell her, but while they traveled, he would remain the merchant.

  The way she looked at him made him want to aid her, protect her. But she would return home, marry the dolt Ben, whilst he would marry a girl he had never seen or spoken to. Life would continue, and perchance she would remember him with fondness.

  “I wanted to ask you about something you said last night.”

  She paused, cup in her hand, a wary look on her face. “Did I? What exactly did I say?”

  “You said love and relationships are hard. That you must labor over them.” Christian shook his head. “I must disagree—my brothers and their wives are in love, all of them married for love. Whilst most nobles marry out of duty or to increase land and title, they all found love, and it does not seem difficult. Yet sometimes they bellow at each other rather loudly.”

  She shifted on the bench, not meeting his eyes. “Maybe they’re just lucky. I think it’s only me who finds the whole love thing so difficult.” Ashley raised her eyes to him, a shy smile on her face. “But it’s funny. It’s easy to talk to you.”

  There was a tear in her sleeve, many stains on her dress, and she was still the loveliest woman he had ever seen.

  “Do you ever feel all alone?”

  “What?” How did she know his thoughts?

  “When you’re surrounded by people. Do you ever feel utterly alone? I do. All the time. But with you, I feel whole,” she whispered.

  Christian did not trust himself to speak. He had dust in his eye, he told himself, as he rubbed his face with a dirty sleeve.

  “Aye. I too feel alone. Until I met you.”

  Chapter Fifteen

  The horse Ashley’s ring had purchased had flecks of gray in his coat, but he plodded along happy enough from what she could tell. She swore she hadn’t thought about what time it was. Not since her singing debut at the inn a couple of days ago. Though she still glanced at her wrist out of habit and touched the now fraying pockets in her dress, imagining the nonexistent phone vibrating with urgent calls, emails, and texts.

  Time. Seconds turned to minutes, minutes to hours, and hours to days. Time ebbed and flowed, and there was nothing she could do about it except go along.

  Now she accepted the day as it unfolded. They would arrive at Christian’s home when they got there. It had snowed last night, not much, just enough to be pretty. The woods were quiet, the occasional bird singing or the crack of a branch the only sign there was anyone else on the planet besides the two of them.

  The next thing to figure out was how to get home. It wasn’t like she could walk through a doorway and find herself back in present-day Wales.

  Mitch, Mr. Havers, and the merger seemed a lifetime ago. Even Ben. By now he’d guessed she stayed in London or broke up with him by disappearing, ghosting. He’d be seeing a supermodel, and she wished him well.

  As to the rest of her life? The people she called friends she could count on one hand, the rest acquaintances. Those from the gym and the people she saw out and about. The ones she ran into over and over at the same restaurants and gym classes. There were the virtual friends, made on social media, but she certainly wouldn’t call them real friends. What would happen to her stuff if she was stuck here? With no remaining family, she guessed the super in her building would pick through and take what he wanted, then trash the rest. Someone was going to drop to their knees and thank their lucky stars when they moved into her apartment.

  Modern conveniences were what she’d miss if she had to make a new life here in medieval England. It was disconcerting to wake up and not have an office or job to go to, not have the constant ringing of her phone. She’d worked through high school and college then started her job in finance three days after she’d graduated—enough time to pack up her stuff and make the trip.

  If she could get a message to her own time, she’d tell people to take up horseback riding. It was better than the spa or meditating. Ashley yawned, leaning back against Christian, inhaling the scent of man, horse, and something else that smelled like winter. A scent, she’d come to decide, was the way he smelled. The rhythm of the horse made her drowsy, and she struggled to keep her eyes open.

  When she woke, they had stopped, and she found herself on the ground, sitting next to a small stream.

  “I didn’t want to wake you. The horse needs rest.” Christian eyed the animal, and Ashley smiled at the look on his face. It was the same look she was sure was on her face whenever she held up a clearance item in the store—was it worth the price? Would it break right away?

  The horse, seemingly unconcerned with being evaluated, went about his horse business.

  “I guess I was tired. The riding is getting better.” She stood and rubbed her backside. “I swear my legs and my butt have gone numb, and I don’t know if I’ll ever feel them again.”

  “Aye, ’tis a rather fetching backside.”

  A giggle broke free, and she clapped a hand over her mouth, but it was no use. He was so embarrassed at what he’d said that he turned a bright red, and she’d noticed his ears stuck out a little when he was embarrassed.

  “Forgive me.”

  “It’s all right. I could say the same about you.”

  And then he turned even redder.

  “I should see to the horse.”

  Ashley splashed water on her face to help wake her up. It was freezing. Too bad she stank at poetry; she’d like to compose an ode to hot water. Christian had said it was going to snow again. The weather guys on TV would be envious—he seemed to be able to predict the weather just by looking at the skies and smelling the air.

  Time had passed and people changed; they could no longer tell the weather from looking at the sky. They moved indoors and to cities, becoming accustomed to modern conveniences. Though if she were being completely honest with herself, she was more used to the countryside than she’d let on.

  The secret she kept from everyone was her upbringing and her condition. The teenage mom who died of an overdose, fled rehab, and tried to sell her as a baby on Halloween; being adopted and living in a one-stoplight town. She loved her parents, but they were content to live small, while Ashley had vowed to make it, to live in the biggest city, the only city. Small-town life chafed at her, made her feel like life was passing her by and everyone else was off doing exciting things while she floundered.

  Three years and a hell of a lot of hard work later, she’d packed her belongings into a friend’s car and swore she’d never end up in Pooler, Georgia again. Vowed never to fail, swore she’d be a big success. And she’d been on the way to achieving all that she wanted, until she landed here. Now it seemed like a lifetime ago. Maybe it was time to build a new life.

  She finished washing as best she could, and frowned at the state of her dress. The hem had come undone in places, there were several tears, and the pockets had come out of the seams. Guess the dress wasn’t meant for more than standing on stage or attending a party.

  Tossing a pebble in the stream, she looked to Christian. He was readying the horse for them to leave. There was one other thing she was keeping from him. A really big deal-breaker thing.

  If she
could go home, it wouldn’t matter, but if she stayed… She knew how much he wanted a big family. And that was the one thing she couldn’t give him.

  When she was fifteen, she’d had feminine issues and required surgery, the end result being she couldn’t have kids. So no matter how charming she found him, it would never work between them, because she wanted to go back to her life and cross off every item on her list of goals, and he wanted a wife and a big family. So she would enjoy his company and she wouldn’t fall in love with him. No matter that he was the one guy where being with him didn’t seem like work. Talking came easy, and with him she felt whole.

  Hellfire and damnation, she was in love with him.

  “Mistress Ashley? We should go.”

  “Coming.” With a shake of her head, she stood, brushing off the dirty brown dress. If she kept telling herself she wasn’t falling in love with him, it would be true. It was the old fake it till you make it, right?

  “Are we there yet?”

  Christian smiled, knowing it would not be long until she beseeched him to stop. Over the past se’nnight he had come to know her temper well. Though she no longer wondered what time it was or complained about the horse. There were times she was quiet for a long time and he thought she was thinking of her home.

  “It will not be long now until we reach Winterforth.”

  “Can we stop? I need to use the ladies’ room.”

  He found a safe place where any approaching riders would not see them, and helped her dismount. He had heard the expression before, the ladies’ room—his brothers’ wives said the same.

  Her voice came from behind a bush. “Wait a minute. Winterforth? That’s the place those soldiers at the inn were gossiping about. You know, that guy they were talking about.”

  He stiffened.

  There was rustling in the bush, and he walked a few paces away to give her privacy. When she returned, he was tending to the horse.