Vengeance 02.5 - A Knight's Christmas Wish

by Lana Williams

  Rylan nodded reluctantly. He didn’t care to have her remind him of that. If he’d taken some sort of action then, she wouldn’t have been in this danger.

  “What woke you?” she asked.

  “I don’t know.” And truly, he didn’t. But he’d be forever grateful for it. He started to guide her back toward the fire, deciding he’d return later to deal with the bodies.

  “Your instincts are truly amazing,” she said. “That’s not something you can teach someone. You either have them or you don’t. At least that is what my father always used to say.”

  He hardly had time to ponder what she’d said before she was in his arms once again.

  “Thank you,” she said as she wrapped her arms around him tight. “You saved my life.”

  “If I’d done something about them when we came upon them, you wouldn’t have been in danger.”

  She drew back to stare at him. “What could you have done? They didn’t even threaten us. In truth, it was my fault. I should’ve woken you when I had to…that is to say…”

  He watched as she shifted as though embarrassed. Then awareness dawned. “You had to relieve yourself.”

  She nodded. “I didn’t want to wake you, not when you were sleeping so soundly. You’re only just beginning to feel better. This day exhausted you.”

  He started to protest but she reached up to touch his cheek.

  “’Tis true. I could see it. You needed sleep far more than I. But it was silly of me not to wake you. The road is a dangerous place. I forgot that with you by my side. I’m sorry. My behavior could have put all of us at risk.”

  “The fault lies with those two men, not either of us. Let us return to camp so Joseph will stop worrying.”

  As they made their way back to the fire, he breathed a sigh of relief. Whatever force had been at work, he would be forever grateful for it.

  Chapter Eight

  As they woke early the next morn, the cold dawn made Kayte shiver. Or perhaps it was the realization that life as she knew it would soon be at end. A heaviness lay in her heart that filled her with doubt.

  Joseph didn’t bother starting the fire as Rylan said they’d be leaving soon. Kayte rolled up her makeshift pallet, unable to shake her worry. Reminders that she had no other choice did not ease the feeling she was making a terrible mistake by seeking out the convent. Yet what else could she do?

  “What is it?” Anne asked as she drew near and put a hand on Kayte’s shoulder.

  Kayte attempted a smile. “Nothing.”

  “You don’t have to pretend all is well for me. Are you upset about what happened last night?”

  “I was terrified but thanks to Rylan nothing happened.” She glanced at him as he helped Joseph saddle the horses. “You should’ve seen him. He was a dark shadow with sword in hand. Just when I thought those men would succeed in their terrible intent, he arrived to save me.”

  Anne studied Kayte’s face. “You care for him, don’t you?”

  Kayte felt her cheeks heat. Though tempted to deny it, what purpose would it serve? “Aye. He’s everything I used to dream a knight should be—handsome, strong, protective, considerate.” She looked at Anne to see if she thought her crazed.

  Her aunt smiled. “Indeed he is.”

  With a shake of her head, Kayte focused on the task at hand. How she felt about the knight was of little consequence. After the morrow, she’d never see him again.

  “When I was not much older than you, I met a man.” Anne stared off into the distance but Kayte knew she wasn’t noticing the landscape. “I cared for him very much but did nothing about it. To this day, I am filled with regret and will never know what might’ve happened if I had made a different choice. I tell myself that we were not meant to be. In my heart, I know…” She held Kayte’s gaze again. “We were. I made a terrible mistake. I wouldn’t wish my regret on anyone.”

  Kayte shook her head. “I’m so sorry. I didn’t know.”

  “I’ve no one to blame but myself.” After a moment her normal smile returned. “Don’t think I’m not grateful that I’ve had the opportunity to live with you because I am. Life sometimes takes turns we don’t expect. I only suggest that you keep an open mind and enjoy your time with Sir Rylan,” Anne said with a squeeze on her shoulder. “At the very least, you’ll make some lovely memories before we arrive at the convent.”

  Anne’s suggestion made her sad. To think she only had another day or two to make enough memories to last a lifetime was depressing indeed. But if she had the chance to share another moment with him, perhaps even another kiss, she would take full advantage of it.

  Rylan seemed especially quiet as he checked their saddles. She wasn’t certain if it was because of his injury or because he’d had to kill two men the previous night.

  “I wonder what happened to the box,” Joseph said as he stood with hands on hips looking into the woods.

  “What box?” Anne asked.

  “The one that man was carrying, remember? The other one had a bulky bag.”

  “I didn’t see them last eve,” Rylan said.

  “Nor did I,” Kayte added.

  “May I take a moment and look?” Joseph asked. “That box was an odd thing for a man to be carrying across the countryside.”

  Rylan nodded his permission.

  “I’ll assist you, Joseph,” Anne said and followed the boy into the woods. She cast a meaningful look at Kayte and tipped her head toward the knight.

  Kayte couldn’t help but smile at her aunt’s less than subtle attempt to persuade Kayte to approach Rylan.

  He had already turned back to his horse, fastening his bedding to the back of the saddle. Uncertain what to say, she drew nearer to stand beside him.

  “Are you well this morn?” she asked.

  He turned to face her, a puzzled look on his face. “I believe ’tis I who should ask that of you.”

  She lifted her chin to feel for the tiny cut her attacker’s knife had made. “This is the only harm I received.”

  Rylan cursed under his breath as he examined the spot more closely. “I’m sorry for that.”

  “Why? You didn’t do it.” She smiled when he looked so concerned at the small knick.

  “Do you realize what might’ve happened last night?”

  As she looked into his dark eyes, she realized how upset he still was. For her. Awareness slid through her. She lifted a hand to touch his cheek, running her finger along the roughness of his whiskers. “Nothing happened. You saved me. I can’t thank you enough for that.”

  He lifted his hand to touch her face as well. She couldn’t help but lean into his palm. Suddenly she felt starved for affection. She closed her eyes at the wave of need that coursed through her.

  “Kayte?”

  She opened her eyes to see Rylan moving closer until his lips touched hers. With a moan, she wrapped her arms around his shoulders, reveling in the strength of him. The combination of feeling safe warred with the passion she felt in this man’s arms. Wanting more, she parted her lips to seek his tongue with hers. He pulled her close, his hands moving up and down her back as though he wanted to feel every part of her.

  Braver now, she tangled her fingers in the hair at the nape of his neck, amazed at the softness of the dark strands. Passion sent her head spinning. Never had she felt like this. She hadn’t thought it possible. Not after her failed marriage.

  Even more amazing was how Rylan kissed her—as if he couldn’t get enough of her. That was how love was meant to be.

  She jerked back at the thought and looked up into Rylan’s brown eyes.

  “What is it?” he asked as his brow furrowed.

  She blinked several times, unable to answer. Surely this was not love. She hardly knew this man. All she did know was that she cared for him and nothing had ever made her feel so good as being in his arms.

  She shoved aside her worry and reached up on her toes to kiss him again. When she drew back at last, she studied his face so as to never forget it. She
traced his brow with her thumb then lingered over his cheek then on to his strong jaw.

  “Everything about you is perfect,” she murmured.

  He scoffed as he held her tighter. “You are the one who is perfect.” He kissed her, long and gentle, until she could only sigh with pleasure, nerves tingling. “I want you to always remember that.”

  His words brought a lump to her throat.

  “Remember that you are special.” He kissed her again. “That you are beautiful.” Then still another kiss, this time melting something deep inside her. “Never ever forget.”

  She nodded, unable to speak. How could she when he said such sweet things? The idea of losing him when she’d only just found him made her want to weep, to raise her arms to the heavens in protest. How could this be? Why would she be given a taste of such happiness only to lose it?

  She swallowed the lump in her throat. Crying did no good as she very well knew. And she had no intention of wasting even a moment with this man. She would take all the time she could and make those memories as Anne had suggested. For the next day, she would do her best to enjoy the moment and not worry about the future.

  “Rylan?”

  “Aye?”

  “You are very special as well. I’ve never met a man like you. Please always know that.” She smiled, lifting her mouth toward his.

  He obliged her, kissing her with a sweet intensity that left her aching. The sensations that had been whirling through her grew into a firestorm that left her breathless and wanting more.

  She moaned, curving her hand along his jaw and tilted her head to better accommodate his.

  He drew back slightly and leaned his forehead against hers. “Your aunt and Joseph will return soon.”

  “Aye.”

  “We will need to begin our journey again.”

  “So we shall.” Pushing away her sadness that this moment had to end, she turned her focus to him. “You must be so anxious to return home for Christmas. The sooner we leave, the sooner you’ll be home. Did you send word to your family to expect you?”

  He smiled. “Nay, but I would guess they’ll be anticipating my arrival.”

  “Why do you think that?”

  “’Tis a long story for another time. Suffice it to say ’tis difficult to surprise them.”

  Once again, she tried to imagine what a family holiday like he’d shared would be like. The way he’d described theirs had her a little envious. That would be one memory she wouldn’t be able to collect before she entered the convent.

  “I can only imagine what a wonderful time you will have together.”

  Before she could say anything more, Joseph’s voice rang through the clearing.

  “Found it!”

  Kayte and Rylan turned to see the young man hurrying toward them, lugging the wooden box. Anne followed behind, carrying the bag the other man had held.

  The boy set it down and fumbled with the odd latch. Rylan stepped forward to help him and at last they managed to open it. Inside was a large object wrapped in linen. Joseph glanced at Rylan who nodded for him to proceed.

  He lifted it and unwrapped it to find a heavy jeweled gold box. “Oh my.”

  “Why would those men have had this?” Anne asked.

  “They must’ve stolen it,” Rylan said. “What’s inside?”

  Joseph gently opened the box. Nestled amongst hundreds of gold coins was what looked like a finger bone.

  “A relic.” Rylan shared a look with Kayte.

  “Where would they have gotten such a thing?” Kayte asked. “And look at all those coins.”

  “Considering we are on our way to the Convent of Saint Gabriel, I have to wonder if it belongs to them.”

  “Perhaps whatever is in this bag belongs to the convent as well,” Anne said. She opened it and peered inside. “Oh, how lovely.”

  “What is it?” Joseph asked excitedly.

  Anne lifted an elegantly embroidered tapestry made with gold and red thread swirled in ornate patterns. “An altar cloth perhaps?”

  Joseph reached out a finger then jerked his hand back as though afraid to touch it. Instead he reached for the bag to see what else it contained and pulled forth a heavy purse of coins, and a gold urn.

  “Those certainly didn’t belong to those two men,” Anne said with a shake of her head.

  “We’ll take all this with us to the convent. If it doesn’t belong to them, they might very well know who it does belong to,” Rylan said.

  They bundled up the treasure, tied it to their saddles and prepared to depart.

  “Perhaps returning this to the convent, if it does belong to them, will make them look more kindly upon taking us in,” Anne whispered to Kayte.

  Kayte had nearly forgotten that a contribution was often required in order to join a convent. What would they do if the convent decided to turn them away? Her panic must’ve shown in her eyes as Anne put a hand on her arm reassuringly.

  “No need to worry until we have something to worry about, now is there?”

  “True enough.” But saying was different than actually doing. She reminded herself that whatever came to pass would be better than marrying Harold. She shuddered at the thought.

  “Shall we?” Rylan asked as he gestured toward her horse.

  “Of course.” To her surprise, he followed her to her horse and placed his hands on her waist to assist her. “Are you certain?” Kayte didn’t want him to injure himself again.

  “’Twould be my pleasure,” he said with a smile.

  His hands were warm, and she relished his touch. She placed her hands on his shoulder to keep her balance as he lifted her with ease. He shifted her cloak around her to better cover her, surprising her with his thoughtfulness.

  “I hope the sisters at the convent will realize how lucky they are to have you amongst them.”

  She nodded, keeping a smile on her face, unable to say anything more. Not when what she truly wanted was to spend Christmas with him.

  Chapter Nine

  Rylan scowled as the morning passed. No matter how he looked at it, he just couldn’t see Kayte spending the rest of her life in a convent.

  “Is something amiss?” Joseph asked as he rode by his side.

  “Nothing we can set right.” Rylan didn’t feel as if he could question her further on it, not when he didn’t have an alternative option to suggest. He reminded himself that he had his own challenges to work through.

  Joseph glanced over his shoulder to the two women who rode behind them. “Lady Anne says Lady Kayte hasn’t truly celebrated Christmas since she was a little girl.”

  “When did you become such a confidante for Lady Anne?” The boy never ceased to amaze him with the information he was able to learn. That was a helpful quality to possess as information was a valuable resource.

  The boy shrugged. “Here and there.”

  “What else did she say?” Rylan was almost hesitant to ask. The more he learned of Kayte, the more he cared for her. And where would that take him?

  “She said Lady Kayte’s life has been far from easy. That her father always resented Kayte because she was a daughter instead of a son. That he gave her to the lord who required the least amount of dowry, which was Lord Rainald. Her mother died when she was little, you know.”

  “Aye, I believe she mentioned it.” But she hadn’t told him any of the other information.

  “Lord Rainald was a poor husband, according to Lady Anne. But we already knew as much, didn’t we?” Joseph gave Rylan a look that suggested they shared a common knowledge that somehow bonded them.

  Rylan couldn’t help but smile. He hadn’t been so different from Joseph when he was that age.

  “She also said she wasn’t certain if joining the convent was the best choice for Kayte, but it was better than being forced into marriage with Harold. She said she’s been trying to encourage Kayte to store away memories for the days to come.”

  Rylan studied Joseph’s expression as the boy sounded quite distraught.
>
  Joseph glanced again at Rylan. “I think that’s a cheerless notion.”

  Rylan couldn’t agree more. “Indeed, but we must all make the most of this day as we don’t know what the morrow will bring.”

  “Lady Anne wishes she could have given Lady Kayte a Christmas to remember before they entered the convent.”

  Rylan closed his eyes for a moment. Here he’d been sharing his wonderful memories of past Christmases. He couldn’t imagine how that had made her feel.

  “I wish we could do that for her,” Joseph added. “Everyone should have a Christmas to remember, don’t you think?”

  “Aye. They should.” Joseph’s comments only served to confirm what Rylan had already been thinking. He drew back the reins of his horse until he rode beside the ladies. “May I have a word with you, Kayte?”

  “Of course.” She nodded to Anne who rode ahead beside Joseph.

  “Are you certain about this?”

  “About what?”

  “Joining the convent.”

  She bit her lower lip for a moment, and he had his answer. “’Tis the best choice for me.”

  He merely raised a brow.

  “The only choice for me. I cannot, will not, marry Harold. I cannot return to my father’s.”

  He noticed she didn’t say ‘home’.

  “Therefore the convent is the best place for me,” she continued. “The only place, really.”

  He had to wonder how many times she’d had this same conversation with herself. “So you don’t have a calling to religious life?”

  She sighed. “Not especially. Perhaps it will come. I hope the convent will provide me with a purpose, a way to help others. That would please me.”

  “I have a suggestion.”

  “Oh?”

  “I invite you to spend Christmas with me and my family. You could spend a fortnight with us, at least until the Epiphany, and then I’ll deliver you to the convent.”

  “That is very kind of you, Rylan. I appreciate it, I do. But I wouldn’t want to interfere with the short time you have with your family. You’ve had precious little of it and have been looking forward to it for a long time.”