Archer arched an eyebrow, wondering why the man of the law was so simple-minded. “I will not put anyone in danger, I assure you.”
The man in blue turned toward the lad and shackled his hands with an odd looking contraption made of steel before leading him away.
One by one, Archer pulled the arrows from the tree and slipped them into the cloth pouch he’d hooked on his back. Although this wasn’t the bow he’d used for many years that was made especially for him, wearing these clothes and carrying his weapon made him feel as if he was back home once again.
Payton leaned against the tree as her gaze met his. A tender expression lightened her face and a soft smile touched her lips. Her eyes were so mesmerizing, so adorable, that he didn’t want to look away. Ever.
“Who are you, really?” she asked.
“I am no different than the man I was yesterday.” He leaned his shoulder against the tree, bringing him closer to her. “Why do you ask? Have I shocked you with my archery skills, perhaps?
In all of the books I’ve read about Robin Hood, he was known for his archery skills. So I shouldn’t be surprised, and yet, I am. This proves you are him. But there’s no possible way you can be.
I am flesh and blood, Payton.” He took her hand and placed it on his face. “I am Archer Robert of Loxley. Whether or not I’m your Robin Hood, I do not know, but I am indeed very real.”
She studied his eyes for a moment before her attention dropped to his mouth. A look of interest shone in her eyes, and he wanted nothing more than to kiss her and quench her curiosity once and for all. Showing her some affection now would be the perfect time. The crowd was farther into the fair, and they were alone here by the tree.
Payton moved her hand away from his, but instead of dropping it as he thought she would do, she shifted it toward his hair. Her fingers lightly stroked his hair and followed the long strands down his neck.
“In the Robin Hood movies I’ve seen,” she began in a tender voice, “he never had long hair like yours.”
Archer shrugged. “Most men in my time had longer hair. Only a few had really short hair as I have seen the men in this world wear.
I rather like the length on you.” Her cheeks reddened, but thankfully, she didn’t look away.
“My hair is nothing compared to your glorious mass.” He stepped closer to her and caressed her wavy hair. “I have not met many women who enjoy touching a man’s hair.
What can I say? I’m a photographer. I mess with men’s hair all the time. My models have to be perfect.
Do you consider me one of your models?
Yes. Don’t you consider yourself one?
No. I’m still not quite certain what a model does, although I have seen you and the others in action. What I perceive is that you are making these people become someone they are not.
I suppose you can look at it that way.
If that is what you do, then I do not wish to be a model. I want to be me—nobody else.”
Chuckling, she withdrew her hand but didn’t move away from the tree. “I take pictures of my models and sell them to publishing companies who will turn them into book covers. Don’t you want your gorgeous face to be on book covers?”
He grinned. “You think I have a gorgeous face?”
Archer was surprised when she didn’t shyly look away this time. Instead she met his gaze directly and nodded.
“Of course. You are a very handsome man, Archer. It would be difficult for someone artistic like myself not to notice your face.” She slid her gaze down his chest slowly, and then quickly met his eyes again. “And the rest of the package, of course.
Is this all you notice when you look at me?” He swept a hand over his face and chest. “Is there nothing more to me than my looks?
Actually, no, that is not all I see.” Her voice lowered and she laid her hand on his chest, once again. “This afternoon while in your company, I felt so protected. I have felt as though you truly are my champion.” She shook her head. “No other man has made me feel such emotions. I don’t even understand them myself.”
The corner of his mouth lifted a little higher. “And does this information not please you, my fair maiden?
Yes, and no.” She shrugged. “I enjoy feeling like a damsel who has been rescued by her knight, and yet...” Frowning, she sighed. “I’m afraid none of this is real and I’ll wake up tomorrow morning and realize all of this has been an incredible dream.
But I am real. You have your hand on me now. Can you not feel my heartbeat?
Yes, I can feel it, however, I’ve been doubting my own logic. A part of me wants to believe you are the legendary hero, Robin Hood, and yet another part of me wants to believe you are Archer, an extraordinary normal man.
What does your heart believe?” He lifted her hand from off his chest and brushed his lips across her knuckles. “What is your heart telling you, my sweet Payton?
I think my heart is telling me not to worry about the legendary hero—that you are just Archer, and I should make the best out of this situation before it disappears forever.”
He swept a loose lock of hair off her cheek and nodded. “Listen to your heart, Payton. Make the best out of what’s happening here and now.” His gaze dropped to her lips. The overwhelming urge to kiss her came over him again. He needed to listen to her words, and his, and act upon them. Now! Before the moment was gone forever.
He cupped her face and lowered his mouth to hers, but she had met him halfway. Just as their lips touched, she wrapped her arms around his waist and pressed against him. Explosions shot through his whole body. He’d kissed many women, and yet he’d never felt more alive.
He pushed the fingers of his hand through her hair, cupping the back of her head as he deepened the kiss while moving his other hand around her shoulders to secure her body against his. Although it was the sweetest kiss he’d ever had, it was also the most meaningful and passionate.
Archer wanted this woman with every fiber of his being. He hoped this wasn’t a dream, because he couldn’t imagine not having this kind of desire in his life on a regular basis. It didn’t take long before Payton’s doubts became his, quickly filling his mind with confusion. What were the odds someone from his land could travel through time to arrive in her land? ‘Twas impossible. So that could only mean one thing. The magical kiss and the spellbinding woman in his arms were only a dream...only images he had conjured in his head for some strange reason. It was the only logical explanation.
Yet, if he was indeed dreaming, why was his body humming with desire the longer he kissed Payton? And why did she feel so real in his arms?
The boisterous laughter from the direction of the booths pulled his attention away from the steamy kiss. Gradually, he slowed the kiss before finally coming up for some air. Her body had become lax in his arms, but she didn’t step away...and he didn’t release her. A smile tugged on her lips as her gaze latched onto his.
“Wow,” she sighed. “I didn’t know a kiss could be so incredibly sexy.”
He arched an eyebrow. He wasn’t sure what the word sexy meant, but he understood the other words. “Sexy?”
She chuckled deeply in her throat. “It means the kiss was stimulating.
Aye, it was very stimulating.” He winked. “But I feared that if we didn’t stop the kiss, I would not be able to control my thoughts—or my actions. And after all, I do want you to think I’m a complete gentleman.
There’s no doubt about that.” She stroked his cheek.
He realized that if he continued to hold her so personal and stare into her dreamy eyes, he’d want to kiss her once again and let nothing stop him this time. He’d for certain prove to her that he was no gentleman at all.
Exhaling deeply, he released her and stepped back. She regained her footing and wrapped her arms around her middle.
He pointed to her cloth satchel. “How much money do you think you have?
I’m not sure, but I’m not going to count it here. I’ll wait until we get hom
e.
What are you going to do with the money?”
She shrugged and turned to walk back toward the booths. “I thought if there was enough money, Mary and I could hire a lawyer.
What is a lawyer?” He kept in step beside her.
“It’s a solicitor of sorts. He works with the law in protecting people.
Why do you need protection when I’m here?” He bumped his arm against hers.
She laughed. “Very true, but this sort of lawyer would be able to help us fight Phillip for the house. You met the irritating man, so you must realize how he likes to charm his way through anything.
He is not a fair-minded person,” Archer added. “A very deceitful man, in my opinion.
Yes, which is why we need a good lawyer.”
Archer chuckled. “And to think that Phillip gave you the money to hire a lawyer to fight him in this battle.”
She laughed. “Let’s hope he doesn’t find out. I’m afraid revenge will be on his mind if he does.
Do you really believe so?
I do.”
He shook his head. “Then my first instincts were correct about this man. He’s more like the Sheriff of Nottingham, and that is not a good thing.”
She stopped and stared with wide eyes at him. “What did you say?
When I first heard about Phillip, he reminded me of the Sheriff of Nottingham.”
A few awkward moments passed in silence. Her gaze didn’t stray from his, but he could tell that her mind was working fast.
“Actually,” she finally said, “knowing that Phillip and the sheriff have a lot in common might just help our case.
Truly?
Oh, yes.
How so, might I ask.”
She grinned fully. “Because then we can plan on his next move.”
EIGHT
Archer waited until the occupants in the house settled for the night before he crept out of his bedroom and outside. He had one purpose in mind. Finding Phillip and getting to know how his mind worked.
When he and Payton had left the Renaissance Fair, he witnessed Phillip and another man entering a building. The sign The Bull’s Head looked enticing enough and reminded him of an inn he had visited frequently before the war, but Archer wondered why such a haughty man like Phillip would want to visit such a scandalous establishment.
Nevertheless, there would be alcohol at this place, and more than likely, Phillip would be well into his cups by the time Archer arrived. He knew how loose-lipped men could be after consuming ale.
Earlier today when he’d ventured out with Payton, he didn’t get a chance to study all of the strange things around him, only because her beauty had kept him spellbound and he didn’t want to look anywhere else. But now, as he made his way toward the tavern, he took a moment to analyze the strange contraptions in Payton’s world. Instead of people riding horses, wagons, and carriages, they drove around in odd-looking types of machinery made of some kind of steel that sped much too fast for his comfort. People dressed differently, and the buildings were nothing like what was in his land. Indeed, he was in a completely different dimension, and he didn’t feel safe here.
When he finally entered The Bull’s Head, a strange scent mixed with the fragrance of alcohol filled the air, making him want to gag. The lighting wasn’t the best, but he immediately spotted Phillip—still dressed in the same clothes as he wore earlier. The man Archer had spied with Phillip was not here. He couldn’t be certain, but did he recall the other man being younger and having long hair?
Archer frowned, wishing he had remembered more about the other man, but it didn’t matter because he wasn’t the one Archer came to speak with. He was here for Phillip, and only Phillip. There had to be some way to convince this man to leave Payton and Mary alone—to disappear from their lives forever.
He ignored the patrons who snickered over Archer’s attire as he weaved around tables toward the one Phillip and two other men sat at playing cards. He realized he dressed differently than the people in this land, but he didn’t care. He’d rather wear these clothes than the uncomfortable ones they wore.
Archer stopped beside the table and aimed his stare on Phillip. After a few moments, the man finally glanced his way before dropping his focus back to his cards. It didn’t take long before recognition struck because his wide-eyed gaze bounced back up and met Archer.
“What do you want?” Phillip snipped. “Coming to swindle more money out of me?
Swindle?” Archer chuckled. “I did not swindle anything from you. I won the tournament fairly.”
Phillip rolled his eyes. “You acted as though you didn’t know how to shoot a bow and arrow.”
Archer did not appreciate the cynical tone of the man’s voice. Then again, he was sure the man’s ego was wounded.
“Once again, I beg to differ. I had been challenged by other players—and won—before you showed up. How can doing this appear to you that I do not know how to shoot an arrow?
Well, I wasn’t prepared for the game, then. You took me unawares.” Phillip looked back at his cards. “What do you want? I don’t have time for small talk. Can’t you see I’m busy in a card game?
I was actually passing by and saw you in here. I thought to come in and tell you I think you are exemplary with the bow and arrow.”
Phillip growled and shook his head. “Of course I am. When I was married to Mary, we took lessons. I loved the sport, and so I furthered my education to become the greatest. Why do you think I’m so upset with you?
Because you dislike being bested.” Archer grinned. This man was easy to figure out, mainly because he was so much like the Sheriff of Nottingham.
Sighing heavily, Phillip laid his cards on the table, showing the other players a winning hand. “Men, this game doesn’t challenge me any longer.” He glanced at the losers at the table. “I need to find some other game that’s worthy of my talents.” He looked up at Archer. “By chance, are you good at poker?”
Archer shook his head, not knowing what game that was. “My skills are not in playing cards.”
The other two drunkard men stood and swayed to another table where a game was being played, leaving Archer and Phillip alone. The man collected his money before he scowled at Archer. “Why are you still here?
Well, you see,” Archer sat across from the man, leaning his elbows on the table, “I came to talk to you about Payton and Mary.
What about them?
Payton tells me you and Mary were once married.
Yeah. Biggest mistake of my life.
Hmm, I’m quite certain it was Mary’s as well.”
Anger touched Phillip’s gaze as he thinned his lips. “Why do you need to know about our marriage?
The women also told me,” Archer continued, knowing what he was going to say would be the answer Phillip was seeking, “that you want them out of the house, even though you pay only half of the mortgage.
Yeah, so what of it?” Phillip folded his arms.
“I am in hopes of convincing you to leave them be and let them have full control of the house.”
He snorted a laugh. “Are you serious? Why would I do that?”
Archer shrugged. “Why would you want the house if you are not living in it?”
He glowered. “I have my reasons.
And I have my reasons for what I do as well.” Archer smiled haughtily.
“If Mary and Payton want to buy my portion of the loan, they are welcome to try.
They do not have the money and you know it.”
Phillip’s gaze ran over Archer in a slow perusal. “Why are you here, then? If you don’t have the money to pay me, why are you wasting my time?
Actually, I thought of something better.
Better than money?” Phillip arched an eyebrow.
Archer crossed his arms, drumming his fingers on his forearm. “I know your vices well enough to realize how you are fond of games.”
He shook his head. “Only when I know I can win.
What
is the challenge in that? Why not go up against someone who might defy your skills and knowledge and make you work for something you want? I can assure you, you’d come out a much better person in the end.”
Phillip scratched behind his ear. “What do you have in mind? Another archery contest?
Are you willing to go up against me again and prove to me that you are better at archery?” Archer really didn’t think the man was that stupid. Then again, Phillip seemed like the kind of man who would drink himself into a stupor, so maybe he was that dense.
“Maybe—as long as you don’t cheat.
I did not cheat before.” Archer motioned his hand toward Phillip. “And since you had admitted that you were not quite prepared. So now you will be.”
Phillip stared at Archer, waiting for an answer. He hoped the man was drunk enough to accept his challenge.
“What are you suggesting?” Phillip asked.
Drat, maybe the man wasn’t that drunk after all. Then again, Archer didn’t need a drunkard to compete with. “Since archery and swords are what I’m skilled at,” Archer said, “I’m suggesting we have a contest—just you and I—and the winner will obtain full ownership of the house.
How can you make that bet if you don’t own it?”
Archer’s mind kicked into full speed. He’d figure out a way to convince this insipid man to accept the challenge. “The contest can be between us, and we will be allowed to have a second.”
Phillip arched an eyebrow. “A second what?”
Archer rolled his eyes. “Someone to help us if we need it.
Oh,” the other man sighed as he nodded. “Like in a duel where they have a second man available?
Exactly.
Who will be your second, may I ask?” Phillip scratched his chin.
Archer grinned. “Mary.”
The other man belted out a laugh. “Mary? She doesn’t know how to shoot a bow and arrow. Sure, we took lessons when we were married, but I can promise you, she hasn’t touched the bow since.”
Archer shrugged. “Nevertheless, that is who I choose. If, by chance, something were to happen to me, Mary will go in my stead.”
Champion Page 9
