In the Kingdom's Name (Guardian of Scotland Book 2)

by Amy Jarecki

  Now walking beside him, she made him whole. Who knew how, in the early days, he’d survived without her, but he doubted his success would have come so easily without the lass’ love and encouragement.

  He chuckled at his achievements. After leading an uprising in Lanark and putting the murderous sheriff under the knife, there had been no stopping the Patriot forces. With the patronage of Lord Stewart, William had led them to capture Scone and Dundee where they joined the rebels to the north led by Andrew Murray.

  In short order, they raised a force of six thousand men and stopped the Earl of Surrey at Stirling Bridge with a historic victory over the English. Their success led to a meeting of parliament and the unanimous vote to name Wallace and Murray Guardians of Scotland to safeguard the Kingdom until they freed King John from the Tower of London.

  Eva stopped and gave his hand a pat. “Hello? Where are you?”

  Blinking, he turned full circle. “Just thinking about all that transpired to lead us to this eve.”

  She took her place in line and gestured to him. “I have no idea how you cope. Every day brings something unexpected.”

  “That it does.” He bowed.

  Following the others, she curtseyed, a cringe turning down the corners of her mouth.

  “Dunna worry. Just follow my lead.” He skipped forward holding out his arm for her.

  “’Tis easy for you to say.” She met his gaze as they locked elbows, but she pattered around like a fairy, out of time with the music.

  “Ye’re doing fine,” he said.

  She snorted. “And you are a bad liar.”

  He scooched her back to the ladies line. “I dunna lie.”

  What Eva lacked in practice, she made up for with enthusiasm, and when the number ended, she laughed and clapped her hands. William did too—not because of the invigorating reel, but because of the infectious nature of Eva’s joy. No one could remain around the woman for long without laughing—except mayhap Father Blair. But the goodly friar hadn’t much of a sense of humor.

  Eva waved to young Boyd, William’s squire. “Find a partner and come dance.”

  At ten and two, the lad shrank behind his tankard, shaking his head. “I prefer to watch ye and Willy. Ye provide more entertainment than a court jester.”

  Eva curtseyed deeply. “And you are a fraidy cat.”

  William guffawed. Where she came up with such a twist of phrase, he wouldn’t even bother to ask. Instead, he took a goblet of wine from a passing servant, sipped and held it up. “A wee beverage afore the next dance?”

  Her green eyes widened mischievously as her tongue slipped to the corner of her mouth. “Yes, indeed.” She took the goblet and drank a healthy tot.

  Before she downed it all, he stopped her. “Ye might want to ebb your thirst…for I have plans involving the both of us this night, and it will be all the more fun if ye are awake to enjoy it.”

  Chapter Two

  The dancing wasn’t nearly as torturous as Eva had imagined, but now that the festivities were over, she thoroughly enjoyed standing alone on the wall-walk with William. The latent effects of the wine made her eyelids heavy. Moonbeams peeked through the puffs of clouds and white streams of light illuminated Haining Loch below.

  “’Tis smooth as glass,” William said, tightening his arms around her as they faced the still water.

  “Mm.” Eva relaxed her head against his chest. He was the only man she’d seen in this century tall enough to provide such a comfort to a woman of five-foot-eleven. “We’re having an Indian summer.”

  With a gentle chuckle, he pressed his lips to her temple. “What’s that ye say? Indian summer?”

  She hummed melting into his lips. “Oops,” she said lazily. “I mean the season is staying with us longer than usual this year.”

  “Aye, and we may as well revel in it. The north wind will be upon us in no time.”

  She involuntarily shivered. “I hate winter.”

  He clasped his hands around her midriff. “It can be miserable for certain, but ’tis the way of things. Without it, there would be no spring and no harvest.”

  William forever saw the practical side of everything. But then again, he’d never lived in the tropics. As long as she could remember, Eva’s winters had been broken up by vacations in the Caribbean or Hawaii. One year, her family had rented an islet in Fiji for a couple of weeks—a fact she definitely would not be sharing with William. She hadn’t shared much about her life prior to landing in the thirteenth century. As of late, he hadn’t asked many questions either. Her answers seemed to trouble him. Things she had told and shown William had been difficult for him to accept—like pictures from her smartphone. Ever since taking a selfie with him and showing William the results, she’d been very careful not to pull out her phone when he was watching. Jeez, he’d even threatened to burn her at the stake for using the devil’s “sorcery”. Oh no, she’d never make such a faux pas again.

  Besides, she had no idea how much longer she’d spend with William before the medallion’s charms expired. And she definitely could not stay.

  Absolutely not.

  To allay her repugnance of the future, Eva preferred to keep things in the now and refrain from allowing herself to think about anything except the present. Her own past was miserable—too awful to remember. William’s future? Well, it was unconscionable.

  Seven hundred years separated their birthdays and her time in his arms was but a passing tryst. Yes, her heart wanted more, but she could never allow it.

  A year. I can revel in the gift of our mind-blowing passion for a year.

  She closed her eyes and smoothed her fingers over the back of William’s hand. “So now that you’ve brought Edinburgh under Scottish control, what’s next?”

  “I’d like to drive the English out of our border castles by fire and sword, but if we cut off their supply of food, that will happen soon enough and without bloodshed.” He nuzzled into Eva’s temple. “We need to resume trade with the rest of Christendom, then I must devise a way to ensure the English stay off our lands for good.”

  Eva held her breath. She’d heard William say “and return King John to the throne” so many times, she expected him to say it now. When he didn’t, she slowly let the air blow through her lips.

  “But then, ye ken what I’m planning next, do ye not?” His voice grew deeper as he rocked his hips into her buttocks.

  “Sometimes.” A spark of heat ignited low in her belly as she rubbed against him—thank God she still had her IUD and didn’t have to worry about pregnancy. “The bigger decisions, anyway.”

  “All right then, Andrew and I will be joining our forces at Dirleton Castle afore we march south.”

  She nodded.

  “And ah…” He pulled aside her veil and smoothed tickling lips along the curve of Eva’s shoulder. “I want ye to remain there with Lady Christina during her confinement.”

  She inhaled against her urge to gasp, trying to focus on his words rather than melting and agreeing just to enjoy his seductive lips warm against her skin. “You want me to stay with her ladyship to assist her with the bairn, or to keep me from harm when you invade England?”

  “Och,” he chuckled. “Ye ken my mind better than I.”

  “Not always.”

  “I mean it, Eva,” he whispered softly in her ear. “By now ye must realize the battlefield is no place for a woman.”

  She stiffened a bit, leaning aside far enough to regard his face. How much more time did she have with him? Must that question continually needle at the back of her mind?

  His eyes grew dark as a midnight storm. “Besides, with my appointment to Guardian, the English will be looking for ways to worm through our defenses and get to me. Ye ken if ye’re captured, I’ll nay stop until I have ye back.”

  “I wouldn’t want that.” There were a great many things coming Eva didn’t want, and with the lust and wine swirling in her head, she had no mind to argue. “I told you once I wouldn’t try to follow if I
knew you would return for me. If you’d prefer me to remain with Lady Christina for a short time, I can agree to that. But do not forget that I am here for you. No one else.”

  She straightened and faced him, her tongue tapping her top lip. “Enough of what’s to come. I don’t want to talk about war or separation right now.” Smoothing her hands from his chest down to his waist, she moved her hips forward, connecting with him intimately. “Kiss me.”

  William’s deep moan rumbled through her as he lowered his head and ensnared her lips. His mouth invited her in, his tongue swirling with a fervent hunger Eva had grown to crave. Instantly intoxicated by his scent curling around her soul, she gave in to her need. Long, languid caresses of his tongue grew more demanding as his hand traveled up her torso and cupped her breast.

  With a sigh, she purred, “What does it feel like to be Guardian of Scotland?”

  A feral growl rumbled from his throat. “Right now the only thing I want is to guard the woman in my arms.”

  She nibbled his smooth-shaven neck. “You know how to make this woman melt like butter.”

  “I’d have it no other way, mon amour.”

  God, she loved it when his Auld Scots laced with French.

  Eva increased the pressure of her hips grinding into his thickening erection. Lord help her, she hungered for his touch whenever he was within her grasp. Unlacing her kirtle, he pulled aside the cloth and bared her breast. When his warm lips claimed her nipple and teased it to a hard point, she sucked in a gasp. As he increased the pressure, she threw her head back and swooned into him, goosebumps spreading across every inch of her exposed flesh.

  “Perhaps we should retire to our chamber,” she managed in a throaty whisper.

  He straightened, his hands skimming over her hungry flesh. “Och, there’s no one guarding this section of the wall-walk. I’ve made certain of it.”

  “You planned to bring me up here and seduce me?” She giggled with delight while his hand grasped her skirts. “I should never underestimate you.”

  “To do so would be a great folly.” He winked with a devilish grin. “A warrior must have a bit o’ fun now and again.”

  The cool air tickled her skin as gradually he slid his warm palm up the inside of her thigh. He fingered the panties she always wore—one of the few items from the twenty-first century she couldn’t live without.

  His fingers looped around the elastic. “But these have to go.” With one swift tug, he slipped them down.

  Stepping out of the lace, she parted her legs and he ran his finger over her sensitive skin while she slid her hand down the front of his chausses. “What do you have in mind?” she asked breathlessly.

  He kissed her before providing his answer, as his finger worked faster. “Up here.”

  Still lucid enough to understand the danger of making love on a narrow barmkin wall, she glanced over her shoulder. “But we could fall.”

  He loosened the tie on his chausses. “I’ll nay let ye fall, lass.”

  Oh, yes. Eva would believe anything William said when he spoke with that deep, lilting burr. Taking in a stuttered breath, she pushed his hands aside and unbound his braies. With a tug, they spilled open and exposed him. It only took one look and Eva’s fears smoldered away with her spike of arousal. She swirled her flesh across his.

  “Trust me,” he growled, lifting her high enough for them to join.

  “I do.” She wrapped her arms around his shoulders and encircled him with her legs. His cock caressed her slick core as he leaned down and set her in crenel notch. Eva tried to glance over her shoulder.

  “Dunna look back.” His powerful hands cradled her firmly as he slipped inside.

  Inviting danger into their lovemaking made the pinnacle of passion all the more exhilarating. If he let go, she might plummet two hundred feet to her death. She trusted him more than anyone in the world. Gazing into his eyes, she trusted him with her life. The breeze swirled enticingly across their skin as, together, waves of pleasure coursed through them.

  Chapter Three

  William looked back from atop his warhorse and regarded Eva. Riding beside Lady Christina, the two women chatted quietly. When he caught her eye, the lovely ginger-haired lass’ face brightened with her smile. Oh, how the woman could make his heart leap from his chest when she directed a smiling sunbeam his way. Och aye, he would have married the lass if it weren’t for the war—War of Independence, Eva called it. His jaw twitched. He might have made an offer of marriage despite the war, but she’d told him more than once she wanted to live for the now.

  The now. What else is there?

  Though like brushing a horse’s coat against the grain, he knew she was right. He could not make a commitment to Miss Eva or to any woman no matter how much he loved her. Now a soldier of Scotland, William once had lofty ambitions to become a Templar priest. But he’d abandoned his training to fight against the outrageous acts of tyranny brought into the Kingdom by Edward the Longshanks. Ever since taking up the sword, Wallace had followed the path of war, leading a band of rebels and fighting for the release of King John from the Tower. William could no sooner take a wife as he could turn his back on his duty.

  He’d even tried to leave Eva. At first. Now William could barely tolerate the thought of spending a night without his woman in his arms. But he’d be forced to do that soon, regardless. At least his woman would be safe and thank the good Lord she’d made a bond with Lady Murray. Eva would be far less likely to venture out on her own once he and Sir Andrew took the army south.

  Reports of skirmishes on both sides of the border had been trickling in. William needed to take charge, organize these patriotic zealots and stage a full-on invasion of Northern England—and soon. If only Sir Andrew’s health would take a turn for the better. They’d joined together as comrades in arms in this rebellion. Unfortunately, the knight had suffered a crossbow arrow to the shoulder at Stirling Bridge and his health had declined since. Worse, Eva regarded Sir Andrew with fear in her green eyes. She’d predicted too many things about the future for her foresight to be mere luck. The lass had the gift of a seer—aye, she’d insisted she was from the future, but regardless, William knew the gift of sight when he encountered it.

  A moment of eerie silence mushroomed on the breeze before a flock of birds scattered and flew above the forest ahead. The back of William’s neck burned with prickles. Raising his hand, he signaled for a halt. Wallace drew his sword as he made eye contact with Blair and Little.

  With his next blink, an arrow whizzed past his ear.

  “Attack!” William bellowed, reining his horse toward Eva.

  Clutching the reins in her fists, she gasped, her mouth drawing down in a panicked grimace.

  Another hiss came. Then a dull whop. Rearing, William’s mount whinnied and reared. Clamping his knees to stay on, he reined the warhorse in a tight circle, but the horse’s hindquarter gave out and the big stallion spiraled downward. Launching himself from his stirrups, William leapt free. His shoulder smacked into the dirt. A jarring thud reverberated through his teeth.

  In the blink of an eye, he forced the pain from his mind as he rolled then rose to his knees. Still gripping his sword in his fist, William’s gaze searched the bedlam for his woman.

  The roar of battle boomed with the clang of iron in concert with bellows, grunts and shrieks from the wounded. Eva and Lady Christina huddled, hunched on their skittish mounts in the center of the mayhem. They wouldn’t be safe for long. Their horses’ ears pinned back with heads held high and nostrils flaring.

  Gaining his feet, he started to run toward them. Hoofbeats thundered behind. With an upward strike, William spun and met his assailant’s sword with a crushing blow. Flung from his mount, the man howled. William advanced and buried his sword in the traitor’s chest.

  He whirled around. “Andrew! Take the women to safety.” His order would not only save the women, it served to remove the wounded knight from danger.

  Only able to use one arm, Andrew cir
cled his horse and latched on to Lady Christina’s mount’s bridle. “Miss Eva, follow me,” bellowed Sir Murray, reining his gelding eastward. “Make a path.”

  Swinging battleaxes and swords, William’s men fought to open a gap wide enough for a horse to charge through. Digging in his spurs, Andrew barreled ahead, pulling his wife’s mare in his wake.

  Following with focused determination, Eva kicked her heels against her gelding’s barrel, slapping her reins. “Go, go, go!”

  Attacked from the side, William deflected a poleaxe while watching his woman’s old gelding lurch into a gallop. Before the horse cleared the skirmish, a brigand dove sideways and caught Eva’s gown.

  A high-pitched shriek screeched in William’s ears as she sailed through the air, arms flinging wide. The bastard dug his grimy fingers into her waist as together they crashed to the ground.

  Screaming, Eva thrashed, fighting to break free.

  The defiling whoreson trapped her with his leg. Tearing off her veil, he rolled atop her and licked her neck. His sickly laugh rose above the tumult while he yanked up her skirts.

  Rage boiled from William’s gut and erupted through his chest.

  Bursting forward with a thundering roar, he battled through the skirmish. Eva’s hem creeped further up her thighs. Swinging her fists, she beat the cur’s back and thrashed her head. But the plunderer cackled with bloodlust in his eyes.

  Unable to chance striking her with his blade, Wallace grasped the lout by the chin and yanked his head sideways with a sickly crackle of bone and sinew. The slimy varlet’s body fell limp and dropped atop her. Eva screeched with staccato yelps while she squirmed under the dead man.

  Hefting the corpse aside, William grabbed Eva’s wrist and hoisted the only woman he’d ever loved over his shoulder. “I’ll spirit ye away from here.”