His ominous presence, a scowling figure at the main table, did not help her forget. His gaze followed her as she sat with the rest of the household on the two tables that stretched down the length of the hall. The footsteps of servants echoed across the patterned black and white tiles as they placed various platters in front of her and Ellise inhaled the scent of heavily spiced fish.
Winnie, Lucy’s aged maidservant, plonked herself on the bench next to her, her heavy weight causing the old oak to creak and bounce. The woman leaned over and snatched a piece of bread before breaking it and slathering it with honey. Ellise watched, mildly amused as Winnie shoved it into her mouth as she tucked into her own meal. The food was plentiful and better than the meagre scraps she’d survived on the past few years. Indeed, the castle of Thornewall proved to be bountiful in many ways. The vast demesne was clearly a wealthy one with a keep to match. Where hardship dominated most Northumbrian towns, it seemed Thornewall thrived, a rarity in plague-scarred England.
She flicked a glance around the hall again, its candlelit splendour reaffirming this idea. Dark oak coffers, heavy chandeliers, and elaborate tapestries set off the huge room, and with a fireplace tall enough to stand in and high wooden rafters, you would be hard-pressed to believe Thornewall Castle ever suffered the ravages of the plague.
Winnie brushed the crumbs from her ample bosom, missing those that collected in the folds of her tight wimple, and patted Ellise’s hand. “How are ye settling in, lass? I hear tell ye have a fine knowledge of herbs. I’m glad ye’ve come to aid my mistress. Alas, I am aged and cannot help as I wish I could. I fear for her, carrying two babes.”
Ellise reached over and brushed the errant crumbs from the woman’s wimple which elicited a thankful smile. “Aye, I am experienced with herbs and childbirth. I’ll do my best to ensure Lucy carries the babes safely. I have not delivered twins before, but Mary and Margaret are proof that twins can be delivered without harm.”
“Ack, and what a pair they are, too. We shall have our hands full with a pair of Thornewall lads running around.”
“Or lasses.”
“Ack, it’ll be lads, mark my words. Lord Dominic is in need of sons and he is of strong stock. And I’d rather lads than lasses. A naughtier pair of lasses I’ve never met.”
With a grin, Ellise eyed the two girls in question as they cleared away the empty trenchers. “Mary and Margaret?”
“Aye, they could do with a sound beating if ye ask me.”
Ellise snorted against her goblet of wine at Winnie’s stern expression. “A beating, Winnie? Surely not.”
“They’re sweet enough when they want to be, but they need to learn their place. Only this morn they were flirting with the Captain. Most unseemly.”
Unable to prevent herself, she stole a peek at the man in question. He caught her eye and raised a goblet to her, sending heat into her face. She quickly turned away. She couldn’t blame the twins for wanting his attention. Who wouldn’t want to catch the eye of a powerful and honourable man? Especially one who looked like James. A shiver wracked her as she recalled their first meeting that day. Wet and topless, he summoned up every memory of their night together.
“Of course no mere servant girl will ever catch Captain James’ eye,” Winnie continued, drawing Ellise from her thoughts. “A man in such a position must marry a noble lass. ‘Tis a miracle he has not married already.”
Ellise narrowed her eyes at Winnie but the woman’s expression remained unreadable. Did Winnie recognise the attraction that surged between them? Aye, Ellise was in no doubt now James still found her attractive. He’d tried to avoid showing any sign of interest but the little spark of awareness remained in his emerald eyes.
But it mattered not. Noble blooded she might be, she was still a poor, fallen woman. Certainly not the sort of woman men like James married. Good for a quick tumble and nothing more. She would do well to remember that.
The back of her neck prickled and she glanced over her shoulder to see James stood behind her. How had he done that? He moved with the stealth of a wolf.
Greeting Winnie with the dip of his head, he secured his gaze on Ellise, the intensity behind it making her mouth dry. “My lady, may I beg a word with you?”
She threw an uncertain glance at Winnie. The maid showed no sign of surprise at James paying any attention to her. Most of the others had finished their meal and were gathered around the fireplace or returning to their duties, so Ellise shrugged and nodded.
He offered her his hand as she came to her feet and she took it unthinkingly, allowing him to escort her out through the large hall doors and into the bailey. The sun had gone down for the night and torches lit the outer walls, highlighting the massive stone fortifications that surrounded them. Once they were safely tucked out of sight behind the hall, James released her hand.
“Had I realised you wanted to have me alone, I may not have agreed to join you.”
James’ lips twisted but his expression remained serious. “I wanted to speak with you and I assumed you would not want people hearing of our… prior meeting.”
“Our meeting in bed, you mean?”
His jaw tensed. “Aye, that one.” He paused for a moment and the notion he seemed unsure of himself struck her. “You will forgive my words earlier today,” he stated abruptly. “I did not expect to see you again and I knew not how to react.”
Drawing in a slow breath, Ellise twined her hands in front of her. An apology? How unexpected. Yet it fitted with everything she knew of him. It left her in no doubt he regretted their night together now he knew she was of noble birth.
“There is no need for an apology. I, too, spoke harshly. You will forgive my impertinence. I had not expected to see you again. Ever.”
“Ack, Ellise, pray do not play the subservient lass. It does not suit.”
“Just trying to remember my place, Captain.”
He edged forward, closing the gap between them. “So shall we continue on as indifferent acquaintances? Can I expect to no longer be on the receiving end of your sharp tongue?”
“Aye, ‘tis for the best.” It didn’t stop her heart from sinking though. Indifferent? Mio Dios, how could she remain indifferent to such a man? He appeared to falter. A crack in his impressive presence. And Ellise held her breath as she waited for him to speak.
A hand came up and then dropped to his side. “I am torn,” he admitted. He inched closer still, forcing her to crane her neck to look at him. His gaze lingered on her face. Did he see the heat pervading her cheeks and chest? Hear her unsteady breaths? “I should not have let my desires get the better of me that night but the thought of never touching you again…”
Ellise closed the gap, uttering a whispered agreement. Still he did not touch her. His hands remained firmly by his side as did hers and only a sliver of air separated them. She tilted her head up in invitation, even as her mind begged her to stop. A captain and a criminal. It should never happen. She was no good for James. Soon she would be gone.
But she couldn’t have prevented her next words if her life depended in it. “You need not touch me. Only kiss me.”
“Hell, Ellise,” he groaned as he dipped his head.
Warm lips brushed across hers and Ellise opened hers to him. He tasted of spiced wine and decadence as his tongue slipped between her lips and met tentatively with hers. Her hands remained fisted at her side, their bodies still separate, and in spite of the urgent need to touch him, it inflamed the sensation of the kiss. Instead of being distracted by his hands on her or the press of his body, all she felt was his determined tongue and strong mouth.
A rattle of chainmail forced them apart and Ellise drew in a few unsteady breaths in an attempt to clear her head. A last kiss, she decided. That’s what it was. No more obsessing over the angel-like knight. Once the babes were born, she would be gone and James would likely forget all about her.
She waited, watching the soldier as he strolled along the top of the curtain wall and out of her sight bef
ore turning her attention back to James. In truth, the selfish part of her wanted to kiss and kiss him into submission, to take every moment possible. They could have a simple relationship, one of pure physical pleasure, but she suspected James would hate himself and it would make leaving him all the more painful. It was not as if she dare risk spending a night with him anyway. If she had a vision, he would surely accuse her of witchcraft. Practising the healing arts already brought enough attention to her as it was.
Ellise stepped back, a finger to her mouth as if she could somehow keep the sensation of his lips upon hers. “I thank you for the apology. Pray excuse me, I must away to bed. I find myself tired.”
The light in his eyes dimmed and regret coursed through her. She should never have encouraged him, foolish girl that she was.
“As you will.” He dipped his head to her as she retreated. “I bid you good night, Ellise.”
The whispered way he uttered her name played in her mind as she turned away and hurried across the dry mud of the bailey toward her chamber. It reminded her of how he’d said it when they made love that night.
CHAPTER FOUR
James strolled along the curtain wall, the summer sun glinting off his golden hair. Ellise took a moment to admire him in his domain. The role of captain suited him perfectly. His confident stance and the bearing of those wide shoulders revealed the pride he took in the job. Linen pulled taut against his muscular arm as he indicated toward a soldier and Ellise had to supress a shudder of need. The beautiful man was nigh on impossible to resist.
But she would. Her wanton thoughts of stolen moments had no place in a world like Thornewall. In truth, a woman like her had no place in Thornewall. A world of honour and nobility. She had left those behind a long time ago. And soon she would leave it even further behind. If she could only figure out a way to get her son back from her late-husband’s brother.
Four years. Who knew if Arias even remembered her now he was six? The few missives she’d received early on after her banishment had told her only that he was well and content. Lord, how she ached to see him again.
Still she had time to think on a plan. The wages at Thornewall were generous but it would still take a while to save enough coin to escape to Spain. Shaking her head and drawing in a breath, she straightened her shoulders and grasped her skirts as she climbed the stone steps leading to the top of the wall. Looking over the ramparts, she viewed the town of Thornewall scattered beneath the grassy mound and the rolling, rock-strewn hills beyond. If she let herself, she imagined being content living in these lands for the rest of her life. But it was not to be.
James spotted her before she prepared herself for his presence. He strode purposefully over, a hand resting on the pommel of his sword. He squinted in the sunlight as his gaze tracked over her, expression serious, leaving her in no doubt that here was the Captain of Thornewall and not the fiery lover that she so longed to see again.
“Is all well, Ellise?”
“Aye, thank you. I came to beg an escort. I have a need to visit the woods. I hear tell there are some herbs that I may be able to replant and I need to gather some moss too.”
He glanced around, his brow furrowing further. “The woods can be dangerous. I think it better you send someone else in your stead.”
“Someone else will not know what to look for. I must go. ‘Tis imperative I have everything I need if I am to help Lucy bring these babes into the world safely.” She planted both hands on her hips and glared, daring him to deny her.
His jaw worked as he glared back. “Fine,” he bit out. “I will escort you.”
“Oh, ‘tis not necessary, I intended not to take you away from your duties.” Or to spend more time alone with him. The very thought made her heart flutter.
“Ack, as much as I am loath to admit, the men can manage without me for an afternoon. I think the walls of Thornewall will still be standing upon my return.”
Ellise failed to resist a smile. “I am gladdened to hear you admit as much.” She glanced around at the Great Hall behind her, flanked by two giant turrets. What must it be like to have so much responsibility? “And here I thought the great towers of Thornewall rested upon your shoulders.”
“Ellise, its seems you have me marked as a man of great self-importance.”
“Nay, not at all. Just one who knows not how to share responsibility.”
“I am a captain, lass. ‘Tis not intended for me to share responsibility.” He gave her a tilted half-smile. “Give me but a moment and I will play your escort for the afternoon.”
Dipping her head in thanks, she observed as he strode toward the gatehouse, ducking inside the shadows of the doorway. Ellise allowed herself a small sigh as she stepped aside to let a watchman past. He bowed briefly, reminding her of how different her life in Thornewall was. Here she was treated as a lady, but then even the servants and peasant folk were treated well.
She leaned against the stone wall and watched the movement of people across the bailey and the way they greeted one another. A lump knotted in her throat as she considered leaving Thornewall. Already she had grown attached to the quietly strong Lucy and the charming Dominic. And James…
She would miss him most of all. But to stay was impossible. Eventually Edmund would find her again. And if he did, would he use his knowledge to have her accused of witchcraft? He’d threatened it once before when she’d run away with her son, when he found her and beat her. She winced as she remembered the pain he’d inflicted.
But while her heart ached to be reunited with Arias, at least she knew he was safe. Edmund would never harm the only male heir to the earldom. That did not stop her from wanting her son back, though. Her best bet was to snatch Arias and flee to the coast. She hoped some of her mother’s family still remained in Spain.
A light touch to her shoulder drew her from her thoughts, and she jolted as James’ handsome face bore down on her.
“Is all well?”
“Aye, aye of course.” Ellise straightened and tugged her skirts back into place. “Are we to away now?”
“Aye.” James offered his hand and helped her down the stone steps that led into the courtyard.
She tried to remind herself that it was just the behaviour of a gentleman, but her body thought otherwise. Sharp shocks of sensation lingered wherever his large, rough hand touched and images of those hands on her skin rocked her. It left her chest tight with need so that by the time they reached the stables, she was almost breathless.
A stable hand brought out a sweet-looking pale palfrey for her and Ellise brushed a hand over its muzzle, grinning as it pressed into her hand. James took the reins of his own mount from the boy and paused before mounting. “Do you need some aid?”
“Nay, I thank you.”
Ellise sucked in a breath and hooked her foot into the stirrup. It had been many years since she had ridden so she hoped she could still manage it. She would certainly not admit as much to James, who watched her closely as she mounted and settled her skirts about her. He gave her a knowing look and she merely raised a brow with a smile. If only he did not read her so well. If was frightening how quickly the man had come to recognise her emotions. Admittedly she had always been too open with them but his shrewd gaze still disconcerted her.
“Ready?”
Ellise nodded and gripped the reins, digging her heels gently into its flanks and following James out under the large gatehouse. The sound of hooves echoed as they crossed the wooden drawbridge that spanned the dry moat and peasants moved out of the way to let them through, bowing their heads in acknowledgement.
The obvious respect the people of Thornewall had for James made Ellise smile. Aye, it was clear her initial impressions of him on that first night had been correct. Duty and chivalry drove him. What a shame she could not stay and learn more.
They reached the bottom of the mound and Ellise glanced up at the great castle that dominated the landscape. Though intended to be intimidating, to Ellise it appeared comforting. Behin
d those walls, she could almost imagine being perfectly safe. The temptation to stay already warred inside her, helped along by the beautiful knight in front of her. Would it be possible for her and her son to seek sanctuary here?
They travelled in silence, bypassing the busy streets, and followed the edge of the mound until they reached a lake. Ellise hadn’t seen it before and she admired the way the reeds lined the edges as sunlight glinted off the surface. In the heat of the summer sun, the water looked extremely inviting in spite of its murkiness.
James’ gaze trailed over her several times, concern etched into his expression. The purple flocked moors were empty with no sign of danger, but she saw the rigid tension in his posture as if awaiting an attack. If she could do one thing before she left, she wanted to teach James how to relax.
When they reached the outskirts of the woods, they dismounted and tethered their horses to a tree. Ellise’s throat was dry from apprehension and watching his easy movements.
Alone again with James.
Their camaraderie seemed sapped by the journey and Ellise knew her words had been stolen by desire. Why did she want the man so badly? Aye, they spent one wonderful night together, but she still barely knew him. It felt like more than a need for physical connection. If it was just that, then she could easily brush it aside.
His deep voice broke through her thoughts. “I shall lead the way. Tell me should you wish to stop.”
“Aye.” Clasping the pouch that hung from her leather girdle, she hitched up her skirts and followed as he stepped into the shadows of the forest. The leafy canopy provided some relief from the summer heat and Ellise took a moment to inhale the earthy scent of the woods.
“What are we looking for?” he asked over his shoulder.
“Do you know aught of herbs?”
“Nay,” he admitted.
Ellise laughed. “I shall do the looking, you may continue to act the noble knight here for my protection.”
“Aye, that I can do.”
Ellise didn’t doubt it. She knew well of the muscular physique beneath that armour. It plagued her thoughts even in sleep.
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