Noble Knights Historical Romance Collection

by Jody Hedlund

  He turned his gaze upon me.

  My heart welled with love for this man, this kind, sweet, funny man. Bulldog had been right; if my father had been there, he would have approved whole-heartedly of Collin. The problem was, Collin was too noble to ask me to marry him again. Even if he’d glimpsed love in my eyes that day of the battle, when I’d said my silent good-bye, he was determined to spare me further embarrassment.

  If I wanted to marry Collin, I would have to take the offer Sir Bennet had so kindly placed before me.

  “Sir Bennet is right,” I said nervously. “If you’re in such terrible misery, then I must do my part to help you. I must most certainly save you from such extreme desolation.”

  After a quick intake of breath while his eyes searched mine, a grin tugged at his lips.

  “Besides, I don’t really want to be neighbors with you.”

  His left brow quirked. “Are you saying that if I tossed you over my shoulder and carried you back to my castle, you wouldn’t run away this time?”

  “I promise, I’ll never run away again, except to be where you are.”

  His lips curved into a full smile that reached into his eyes and set them glimmering with all the glory of sunshine. “Then I promise to never go anywhere unless you’re by my side.”

  I reached a hand to him. He captured it and bent to place the softest of kisses on the end of my fingertips.

  “I love you.” I whispered the words that reverberated through every corner of my heart.

  “I thought you’d never say it.”

  “I can’t wait to say it to you every day for the rest of my life.”

  He slipped again to his knees at the side of my bed. “I shall indeed be the happiest man alive to hear it.”

  My chest ached with the need to hear his declaration, to know with certainty that he’d forgiven me for rejecting him and to know that he loved me in return.

  He reached into the pouch at his side, tugged at it, retrieved something from its depths, then held out his hand. “I once told you that I wanted you to have this.” He opened his fingers. There in his palm was his thick silver ring emblazoned with the cross of diamonds.

  “I don’t deserve it,” I whispered.

  “I never stopped loving you,” he said softly, seriously. “And I never will. I will always love you. No matter what.”

  His declaration poured over my soul, chasing away the anxiety and making me love him even more.

  He slipped the ring onto my thumb, back where it belonged. “Even though I’m a nobleman, will you do me the honor of marrying me and becoming my wife?”

  I pressed the ring against my heart. “You’re the noblest man I’ve ever met. And because of that, I can do nothing less than give you my whole heart, soul, and body.”

  “Is that a yes?”

  “Yes.”

  He rose and gave a whoop that filled the chamber and filled my heart with overwhelming joy.

  Chapter

  21

  “Keep your eyes closed,” Collin said, his tone laced with eagerness.

  I smiled and pressed my eyelids together tighter, even though his hand over my eyes was enough.

  My robe swirled above my wedding gown, and the thick fur gloves warmed my fingers against the frosty morning air. The late autumn sunshine poured down upon my loose hair like a blessing from heaven. I had no doubt that blessing was from my father looking down upon me, happy for me on my wedding day. I was about to join my life to the best man in the whole kingdom, and I knew my father would be deeply grateful that someone like Collin Goodrich loved me and would take vows to cherish and keep me all the days of his life.

  “Just a little farther,” Collin said, his breath near my neck making me shiver with delight.

  We’d had to wait several weeks for both of us to fully recover from our wounds, and now that we were fully healed, we’d planned the wedding to take place outdoors in the forest that spanned both of our lands. We’d invited all the peasants that I’d lived with for so many years.

  To show his appreciation to my people for rising up and helping me fight Lord Wessex, Collin had planned a feast so lavish for them that his cooks and mine had been busy for days baking in preparation. And of course, he’d planned an archery contest for afterward, to prove once and for all which one of us was the better archer.

  “Ready yet?” I asked with a smile, leaning back against the solidness of his chest and relishing his nearness, not nearly ready for the moment of closeness to end.

  “Almost.”

  I could hear the grin in the word, even if I couldn’t see it.

  He finally stopped. He pressed a gentle kiss against my ear and then followed it with a whisper. “My lady, your wedding present.”

  With that, he dropped his hand away from my eyes.

  I blinked against the bright sunshine and then my gaze came to rest upon a breathtaking sight. There in front of me stood a beautiful white palfrey. Its immaculately groomed coat and bright eyes shone in the morning light. It tossed its head and neighed to greet me.

  My heart swelled with unspeakable delight and brought a tremble to my lips.

  “So . . . what do you think?” Collin asked, studying me, his brows arched with anticipation. “It’s not quite a pony, but it’s close.”

  I could only reach for his hand and intertwine my fingers through his and squeeze. “Oh, Collin,” I managed, my eyes flooding with sudden tears.

  He was the sweetest man I’d ever met.

  At his grin, I knew he understood just how deeply his gift had moved me.

  Nearby, in a clearing in the woodlands, stood my companions. Some sat on rocks, others on logs. A few of the children had even climbed into the trees to watch the wedding. Their faces were wreathed in smiles.

  The Duke of Rivenshire stood in the center of the clearing, smiling at us. Beside him were Collin’s two closest friends, Sir Bennet and Sir Derrick.

  Closest to the palfrey stood Bulldog and Thatch. They were adorned in new tunics, cloaks, and finely tailored leather boots. Their faces were scrubbed clean and they wore fashionable felt hats. They too grinned at me, their eyes shining with pride.

  At Collin’s suggestion, I’d put Bulldog in charge of my estate. He and Thatch would live in and manage my castle, using it as a refuge for anyone in need. I’d appointed Bulldog to make sure that no one on my land would ever again be in want.

  Of course I would still visit my holdings and help in the ruling. But I’d been gone from my estate for so long, and after the pain I’d suffered there, I was all too content to live with Collin in Goodrich Castle. I was ready to start over, to make a new life for myself, to rule with benevolence and kindness next to Collin.

  Lady Irene had insisted that Collin send her to live in a convent, at least until she could recover from the terrors of all that had happened. Fortunately, Mistress Higgins and William had been rescued with minimal damage. Apparently, Thatch’s torture had given my uncle all the information he’d needed, so except for being sorely frightened and slightly starved, Collin’s loyal servants had survived unscathed.

  “I have one more wedding gift for you,” Collin said, drawing me into the crook of his arm. “At least one more gift for now. I’ll have plenty more later.”

  I laughed softly. “You know I don’t want anything. I have everything I need in you.”

  His arms tightened around me. “But I adore spoiling you.”

  “You adore spoiling everyone.” I’d learned his generosity to those in need knew no bounds.

  “Well, I especially enjoy spoiling you.” He motioned at two young peasant girls who approached me carrying baskets. They were adorned in pretty pink gowns, likely the finest they’d ever seen or owned. I had no doubt Collin had ordered them made for the girls especially for the wedding.

  They came before me with shy smiles and curtsied at my feet. Then they each held their baskets toward me. “For you, my lady.”

  I bestowed smiles upon them and took one of the
baskets. I tugged off the silver-threaded linen, and there inside were dozens upon dozens of strawberries, fully ripe and beautifully red.

  I gasped. “Where did you find these at this time of year?”

  “I had to search far and wide.” He picked up a plump berry and held it up. “But it was worth it, because they’re my favorite fruit.”

  “And your atonement for your long-ago insult?” I teased.

  “Yes, my way of begging you to finally forgive me, sweetheart,” he replied playfully. “Don’t you know that whenever a young boy teases a girl, it’s only because he likes her?”

  “You must have really liked me.”

  “I still really like you.” His voice dipped low and did funny things to my stomach. “And I love your hair.”

  “I forgive you,” I said rather breathlessly. “As long as you promise to give me a basket of strawberries every year in payment.”

  Gently, he turned me so that we were facing each other. He combed his fingers into the long curls of my strawberry-red hair that the wind teased about my shoulders. “Promise.” The one word held so many possibilities, and promises of laughter, friendship, and days of ruling our people wisely together.

  He brought a fistful of my curls to his lips and kissed them. His eyes also promised many more kisses, and my knees grew weak at the thought. “I have searched far and wide,” he whispered, “and have finally found the one my heart desires.”

  His love for me made me speechless. “You’ve taught me what it means to sacrifice of myself,” he continued, “and I plan to spend the rest of my life sacrificing for you again and again.”

  I could do nothing less for him. “Since you would like to sacrifice yourself for me,” I said, glancing toward all of our loyal friends who were still watching us. “Then why don’t you start right now.”

  “Anything, my lady,” he said so earnestly, I couldn’t contain my smile.

  “I know how hard it will be to give me a kiss,” I said teasing him again. “But perhaps you can make the sacrifice and give me just a small one?”

  A light sparkled in his eyes. “It will be a very hard sacrifice to make. But since I’ve pledged to do anything, then I shall force myself to meet your request.”

  “You’re so kind, my lord,” I whispered as he bent nearer, his gaze fixed upon my lips. “You are indeed sacrificial—”

  His lips cut off my words and met mine with the sweetness and promise of a lifetime of love . . . and sacrifice.

  Epilogue

  I perched on the high branch of the sycamore and held myself absolutely still. The twine of my bow touched my cheekbone. My sights were trained upon my target in the distance through the fresh green of June foliage.

  I tried to ignore a crack on the branch behind me and the warm breath that suddenly bathed the back of my neck. A soft brush of a kiss sent heat pulsing through my veins. The strong but gentle fingers of the man I loved splayed around my waist, burning through the linen of my bodice.

  “Mmmm . . .” he whispered against my ear. “You taste like fresh-plucked strawberries.”

  I knew what he was attempting to do. And it wouldn’t work today. “You’re not distracting me,” I said.

  “We’ll see about that.” His lips moved to the tender spot between my neck and shoulder blade. The warmth of his kiss made me suck in a breath.

  I squinted harder at the target, pressed my full weight into the horn, pulled back the string, and then let the arrow loose. At that very same moment, Collin’s mouth found the pulsing vein beneath my ear. As he laid claim to it, my hand slipped just slightly. It was enough so that when, a moment later, my arrow hit the target, I missed the center by at least a finger’s length.

  “I won,” he said, pulling back and peering at the target in triumph, a wicked grin alighting his face. “I’m the most irresistible.”

  I leaned back into him and let him nuzzle my neck to his heart’s content. I couldn’t argue with him. He was completely irresistible. Every time he kissed me, I melted like tallow.

  “You know as well as I do that the only way you can win our archery contests is by distracting me.” I shifted on the branch so that I was more securely within his strong embrace, facing him, letting him kiss my nose, my cheeks, and finally my lips.

  For a long moment the world around us disappeared. I forgot about the servants awaiting us at the base of the tree, the judge standing near the target, and the new page boy who’d been assigned to retrieve our arrows.

  Even though we’d been married since last fall and we’d spent all winter together, I never tired of Collin’s kisses or the way he held me. And he never tired of kissing me every opportunity he could.

  “You might be the most irresistible,” I said breathlessly when he finally pulled back. “But I’m still the best archer.”

  “But my arrow hit the target in spite of your efforts to divert me,” he said with a grin. “So I think that makes me the most irresistible and the best archer both.”

  Yes, in spite of my distractions while he’d taken his shot, he’d hit the center exactly. Although he’d shivered in delight at the tempting kisses I’d planted on his ear and jaw and neck, he hadn’t budged from his exactness.

  Even so, when I had both of my feet planted solidly on the ground without his nearness to distract me, I was quicker and more accurate than him every time.

  I combed my fingers through his silky, windswept hair. “The only way you can beat me is by cheating.”

  The bright green of his eyes matched the new growth that had turned the Goodrich lands into a lush wilderness. Although we lived in his castle, there were still many days when I couldn’t resist the call to be back in the woods, amidst the place that had been home to me.

  “Admit it,” I teased. “You have to distract me in order to win. It’s your only line of defense.”

  His grin inched higher. “And just what will the fair lady give me if I admit it?”

  A call in the woods behind us interrupted our tryst. The tone was urgent and I could feel Collin’s muscles tense at the same time as mine. Although we’d had peace in our combined lands since my uncle’s rule had finally come to an end, I was under no illusion that we’d be problem free forever.

  “I’ve a missive for Lord Goodrich,” came the voice again, sharp and commanding.

  Collin jumped from the branch and landed upright in the leaves below. He reached up and assisted me down. Although I didn’t need his help, I relished it anyway.

  When we were both on the ground, we faced an armed rider on a large warhorse. At the sight of his coat of arms, a white cross within a backdrop of silver, my heart gave a leap of recognition. The knight was riding on behalf of the Noblest Knight, the Duke of Rivenshire.

  I expected Collin to flash a grin and his features to light up at the sight of his mentor’s messenger. But instead the muscles in his face turned to granite. “What news do you bring me?”

  The knight didn’t dismount. Instead, he thrust a rolled parchment into Collin’s hands as though in a hurry to be on his way. “The duke requests your assistance, my lord.”

  Collin rapidly broke the wax seal on the letter, opened it, and began to read. When he was finished, his expression was grave. “How long has the siege been in effect?”

  “At least four weeks,” the messenger replied. “And we’ve gotten word that the residents are near starvation.”

  Collin straightened to his full, imposing height, the muscles in his arms rippling. He folded the letter and nodded to the knight. “You may tell your master that I shall join him just as quickly as I’m able to saddle my horse.”

  The knight nodded curtly then spurred his steed away, disappearing the way he’d come almost as if he’d never arrived. However, Collin’s changed mood told me that the situation was real and dangerous. And when his green eyes met mine, I knew I would lose him—at least for a short time.

  “The duke has called for my help,” he explained, although I’d already surmised as much.<
br />
  I nodded at him to continue.

  “My fellow knight, Sir Bennet, is in terrible danger,” Collin said. “He and his family are under attack from a neighboring lord. They’re being held under siege within the walls of their castle with no way of escape.”

  I knew of whom he spoke—the dark-haired and handsome young knight who had come to help us during our time of need. He’d been one of Collin’s best friends and closest companions while he grew up in and fought for the household of the Duke of Rivenshire.

  “The situation is grave,” Collin said, his expression severe as though he were already anticipating the battle that was to come. “And the duke is calling me to ride with him to help save Bennet’s life.”

  “Is it even possible?” I asked, knowing full well that if Sir Bennet’s castle had been under siege for some time, the fortress may have been weakened and possibly breached. Even as we spoke, Sir Bennet and his family could already have been taken prisoner or put to death.

  The fear in Collin’s eyes told me that he’d come to the same conclusion. “I don’t know if we’ll be able to save Bennet. But I have to join forces with the duke and ride to Windsor land to Maidstone Castle in Hampton, and we have to try.”

  I nodded my understanding. He had to go. There was no other choice. And even though I couldn’t bear the thought of being parted from Collin and even though I was tempted to beg him to take me along, my presence would only bring him further worry. He’d be able to fight the battle more whole-heartedly and valiantly if he didn’t have to think about protecting me.

  “I’ll miss you,” I said, watching him tighten the leather arrow pouch at his side. He’d already called for the servants to bring him his horse. For a moment he was distracted, and I knew he’d already switched into warrior mentality and was already preparing himself for the battle that was to come.

  He took the reins of his horse and readied himself to swing up into his saddle. I had the sudden desire to fling myself at him and plead with him to stay, to continue our lover’s games, to never leave me. Now that I’d had Collin and marriage and had experienced love, I didn’t want to lose it.