The de Lohr Dynasty

by Le Veque, Kathryn

  It was secluded and private. David finally came to a halt, peering out from the gaps between the buildings that faced onto the avenue where he had seen the prince approaching. Emilie watched him closely as he studied the situation out on the street.

  “Will the prince try to attack us again, Sir David?” she asked.

  David held up a hand to quiet her, his eyes riveted to the gap between two particular stalls. He seemed very focused on what he was seeing. His gaze was tracking someone, or something, and Emilie could hear muffled voices. But tucked back in this haven with David de Lohr, she really didn’t care what was going on out on the street. The Devil himself could be on the very avenue beyond and she wouldn’t have much cared. All she knew was that she had been given an amazing opportunity to be alone with a man who had held her attention since last night. It was more than she could have dared hoped for.

  But she remained silent because David had asked her to with his hand gesture. Instead, she lowered her bum onto the stone bench and found herself studying David as the man focused on things out on the avenue. As she’d noticed before, he was quite broad shouldered and she could see the muscles on his arms straining through the fabric of the tunic he wore. He wasn’t wearing anything that identified him with the house of de Lohr and even the tunic he wore was simple in design, woolen fabric dyed a shade of brown, and the leather breeches he wore were rather snug. When he bent forward, she could see his buttocks, which were perfectly formed, like two round loaves of bread nestled beneath the leather.

  She rather liked the shape. Heart fluttering again and she looked away, demurely, even though she was thinking wicked thoughts of the man’s buttocks. It was true that Emilie was a maiden, but she had, on occasion, allowed a suitor or two to kiss her. Never anything more than a peck to the cheek, although once she allowed one of the de Grez brothers to kiss her on the lips. Well, maybe she’s allowed both of them to kiss her on the lips. At different times, of course. And that was the entire reason behind the brothers having a terrible fight outside the gates of Canterbury as Brickley and her father had stood on the battlements and watched with disgust. Although she’d never allowed anything more than a kiss, that did not prevent her from having a healthy appreciation of a handsome man with an attractive form. Like David and his round, tight buttocks.

  Grinning to herself, she kept her gaze averted.

  “I am sorry for handling you roughly, my lady,” David’s soft, deep voice interrupted her naughty thoughts. He was still standing over near the gap in the buildings. “In answer to your question, I do not believe that the prince will attack you again but it is best to remove you from his sight.”

  Emilie was listening with great interest. “But why?” she asked. “I have never met him before.”

  David lifted a dark blond eyebrow as he turned to look at her, sitting so prettily on the stone bench. “God willing, you never shall,” he said. “Have you not heard of the man and his reputation, my lady?”

  Emilie wasn’t sure what he meant. “I have heard he desires is brother’s throne,” she said hesitantly. “My father does not speak of him, to be truthful. Why? What reputation do you mean?”

  David looked at her a moment before moving away from the gap, heading in her direction. He sighed faintly, trying to determine just how to explain such things to her. Unsavory things for a lady’s ear, things of politics and brutality and sexuality that were things even most men didn’t want to hear. But it was the reality of the situation with John, unfortunately. David didn’t want to overstep his bounds, but the woman had asked a valid question.

  “I suppose I should let your father tell you, but given that you are at Windsor in the presence of the prince, I will take the liberty to tell you,” he said. “You will forgive me if I say things you may find offensive, but I must be truthful with you for your own safety. The prince has been known to take any woman he fancies for his own pleasure.”

  Fortunately, Emilie wasn’t one to become offended or frightened easily. Still, her brow furrowed with concern. “Is this true?” she asked. “Any woman?”

  David nodded slowly. “Any woman, my lady,” he said. “In fact, last night… when I came upon you, I am quite sure that after those men had had their fill of you, they would have taken you straight to the prince. The man is a deviant and surrounds himself with deviants, one in particular being the Sheriff of Nottingham. You must therefore be very careful when coming into contact with the prince or any of his men. In fact, you must do everything possible to ensure that you do not come in contact with him. He would take a beautiful woman like you faster than the blink of an eye and no one, not even your father, could stop him.”

  A beautiful woman like you. Emilie was deeply flattered, a faint blush coming to her cheeks. But more than his flattery, the message of his statement was having some impact on her.

  “Sweet Mary,” she breathed, rather shocked by what she had been told. “He would just… take me?”

  David was standing next to her by now, gazing down at that blond head. He thought it looked quite silky to him and he could only imagine running his fingers through it.

  “Aye,” he said honestly. “He would take you to his bed, use you, and then toss you away like rubbish. That is why I had Brick and Edward rush to tend to your sisters. It was imperative that we remove the three of you from John’s presence before he could see you.”

  Emilie thought it all rather sweet and heroic of him. “Then it is twice that you have saved me,” she said. “It would seem to me that you are probably the most gallant and brave man I have ever met.”

  David gave her a half-grin, modestly, realizing that he was feeling rather giddy and foolish again.

  “It was a pleasure and a duty to be of service, my lady,” he said. “I hope you will not find it too unbearable to remain here for a few more moments until the prince leaves the area.”

  “Alone?”

  He shook his head. “I would not leave you alone, my lady.”

  Emilie was thrilled to hear that. She moved over on the stone bench, clearing a spot for him to sit as if this was any other social occasion.

  “Will you sit, then, and tell me of yourself whilst we wait?” she asked. “I would like to know something of the man who has twice saved my life. My father says you and your brother have recently returned from the Holy Land. Will you tell me something of it? I have heard that the entire land is covered with rocks.”

  David knew he shouldn’t sit down. He had to stay vigilant because the prince, and more than likely Fitz Walter and his men, were still in the area. The last he saw, John’s entourage had stopped at the intersection of the avenues and Brentford was speaking to them. Therefore, David knew he needed to remain alert to the situation but as he gazed at Emilie’s lovely, hopeful face, something was tugging him to sit right down next to her. She was difficult to resist. All angelic beauty and dimpled smile, David was under her spell whether or not he wanted to be.

  But this wasn’t a social situation. This was something quite serious. David didn’t need to have any contact with her more than he’d already had but he couldn’t help himself. He was attracted to her. Like it or not, he was inclined to do as she asked. Right or wrong, that was his inclination.

  So he surrendered. Holding up a hand as if to beg a moment’s pardon, he made his way back over to the gap between the buildings and strained to see out to the avenue beyond. He could see John’s litter, an odd chariot-like contraption that was pulled by his personal guard, and he could see that both John and Ralph Fitz Walter were speaking to Brentford now and it was something of great concern to him.

  John’s guard, those same bastards from the night before, seemed to be posturing threateningly near Brentford, and the man was alone after David and the others had fled in order to protect the women. Brentford was one lone knight sworn to Richard and John knew very well that le Bec served Derby and, therefore, Richard. David was coming to think that he needed to go stand with Brentford as a show of strength but
if he did, it would leave Emilie alone and vulnerable. He wasn’t about to do that. Therefore, he had to trust Brentford as the man dealt with the prince. Le Bec was seasoned and diplomatic. David would simply have to let the man work.

  Moving away from the gap, he made his way back over to Emilie, who was smiling openly at him. She was also expecting him to sit next to her, which she did, rather stiffly. He suddenly felt very self-conscious and awkward because it had been a very long time since he’d gone through the gentle proprieties of interacting with a lady. There hadn’t been much opportunity for that in the Holy Land and he was a bit out of practice. That lack of practice was enough to make him feel like he’d never done anything like this before, ever. He cleared his throat softly.

  “It is true that much of the Holy Land is barren,” he said to her earlier statement. “We traveled by sea to reach it and I have never seen such sand. Sand everywhere. And the heat… you have never known anything like it.”

  Emilie was thrilled that he was willing to engage in some manner of conversation with her, although he seemed fidgety. He also seemed distracted, as he kept looking to the gap between the buildings that had his attention. She hastened to keep the conversation going, fearful he would soon lose interest.

  “My father took my sisters and me south to Brighton, once,” she said. “It was in the summer time and we played in the sea. It was quite warm, as I recall. That is my experience with great heat, although we have been known to have warm summers in Canterbury. I have lived there most of my life. Where were you born and raised as a child?”

  David was having a difficult time looking at her because it seemed as if every time he did, his heart seemed to beat firmly against his ribcage. Breathing was difficult. It was an odd sensation that confused and rather excited him. It was wholly strange.

  “Lohrham Forest,” he said. “It is my family’s home in Derbyshire.”

  Emilie nodded, pretending to be greatly interested. “And your only sibling is Christopher?”

  He shook his head. “I have a younger sister, Deborah,” he said. “She is a lady in waiting to the Earl of Bath’s wife. They are here at Windsor, in fact. I’ve not seen her for years.”

  Emilie smiled that pretty, dimpled smile and David caught a glimpse of it. He couldn’t seem to take his eyes off her now, thumping heart and odd breathing be damned.

  “I should like to meet her,” Emilie said. “Being at Windsor is all so exciting to my sisters and me. When Papa received the notice about the tournament, he only agreed to come because Nathalie and Elise begged and cried about it.”

  “Nathalie and Elise?”

  “My younger sisters.”

  He nodded in understanding. “And you came to Windsor only to find yourself attacked,” he said. “That is sad fact.”

  Emilie shrugged. “It could have been worse,” she said. Then, she eyed him. “I suppose the bright side is that I was saved by a legendary knight.”

  He looked at her full-on in surprise before breaking down into one of those modest smiles that were quite rare for him. Much like his brother, David, too, had a colossal ego. “I would hardly say that I am legendary,” he said. “Skilled, mayhap. Talented and seasoned. And I can best any man in a sword fight. Now that I think on it, mayhap I am legendary after all.”

  Emilie giggled. “Of course you are legendary,” she said. “And since you have saved me from the prince on more than one occasions, that means I am in your debt. Should you ever need a favor, you need only ask.”

  David was smiling because she was, but his smile soon faded; she had given him a wide-open statement that could have been taken any number of ways. Were he any less of a chivalrous knight, he could have taken advantage of it. As it was, the possibilities were most interesting but he refused to play on her innocence.

  At least, not so soon.

  “No debt is necessary, my lady,” he said. “It was no trouble, I assure you.”

  Emilie had flirted with him and flattered him, and each time, he’d not risen to the bait. Therefore, Emilie wasn’t sure if he was warming to her or not. She couldn’t tell. Usually, flattery would break down even the most stone-faced man, but David was different. He didn’t seem particularly impressed by her flattery and she was coming to view that as something of a challenge.

  “Do you make it a habit of rescuing women, then?” she asked. “You seem as if you have done this before. I can only imagine what great adventures you have had rescuing damsels from wicked men. Mayhap there is a service you can provide – mayhap you should charge great amounts of money to save foolish women for their desperate fathers.”

  He was back to grinning again and stood up, thinking that he should check on Brentford to see what was happening. More than that, his face was starting to feel hot from Emilie’s close proximity and sweet flattery. The more neutral he tried to be, the more charming she became. He was trying very much to remain proper, as they had just met, but it was difficult when she was being so delightful. A pretty woman who fed his pride was never a bad thing.

  “I cannot say that I have rescued more than a few women from various situations,” he said. “But you may have a point; there may be money in such a thing.”

  Emilie grinned. “Of course there is,” she insisted. “An average knight could only charge a few silver marks for such services, but with the de Lohr name, you could command thousands. You should think on it, Sir David. It may be a lucrative line of work for you now that you have returned home.”

  He was becoming upswept in her humor. “It is possible.”

  “Would your brother mind?”

  “Not if I split the profits with him.”

  She cocked an eyebrow. “Ah,” she said knowingly. “The greedy sort.”

  He shook his head. “Nay,” he replied. “He will somehow see it as his due for my privilege of using the de Lohr name.”

  Her eyebrows lifted in shock of such a terrible brother. “But it is your name, too!”

  He smiled. “It was his name first.”

  She laughed. So did he. But he quickly shut his mouth, aware that his snort of laughter had been somewhat loud. And high-pitched. Actually, it sounded silly, like an excitable young squire, and had anyone else made the sound, he would have teased them mercilessly.

  Thank God no one else had heard it.

  Jesus, what is happening to me?

  Turning away quickly, David headed for the gap in the building where he had last seen Brentford and the prince. Now, it was oddly vacant and David wasn’t sure if he should be concerned or relieved. The prince was gone… but so was Brentford. Turning to Emilie, he held out a hand to her.

  “I believe the prince has moved on,” he said. “Come with me.”

  Emilie bolted up from the stone bench and went to him. His extended hand was meant purely as a gesture but she reached out and took his hand, boldly, and refused to let go. She was thrilled with the feel of her warm hand in his and David looked at her, surprised that she should take his hand like that, but moment their eyes met, he suddenly didn’t think it was such a bad idea. He rather liked the feeling of her hand in his, too. With a faint smile, he led her out of the maze of walkways and alleys, out into the avenue where the Hampton party was still situated.

  Edward, Brickley, and Brentford had been waiting for David and Emilie to emerge from their hiding place and when the three knights saw David, with Emilie in hand, crossing the muddy avenue towards them, it was a great relief. John had moved on, towards the tournament field, and it was all Brentford could talk about as David released Emilie to a woman who sprayed spittle into the air when she spoke. As the woman happily greeted Emilie, David narrowly avoided being sprayed.

  Even though he was listening to Brentford, David’s attention was focused on Emilie as her father and the spitting woman helped her into the carriage where two other young women and the two massive dogs await. It seemed that the entire Hampton family was preparing to depart for the tournament field now but Brickley was very concerned a
bout keeping the young women from the prince’s view. He was even trying to talk them into going back to their apartments but the two younger sisters put up such a fuss that Brickley backed down and Lyle simply gave in.

  David, Edward, and Brentford therefore ended up climbing into the wagon to accompany the House of Hampton to the lists where knights were already taking their practice runs for the day’s events. It was for protection, of course, but more than that, David simply wanted to ride next to Emilie.

  He wasn’t quite finished with her yet, this perplexing and magnificent creature that made him feel things he wasn’t used to feeling. Brentford climbed up next to the driver whilst David and Edward sat back in the carriage itself, with Edward striking up a conversation with the spitting woman as the big black dogs seemed to make themselves right at home next to David. One beast put his big doggie head on David’s lap while the other simply sat next to him and leaned against him. From the sheer dead weight, it was like having a building collapse against him. David grunted when the wagon would hit a bump and the dog’s weight would crush against him.

  As much as David wanted to speak to Emilie on the short ride to the tournament field, he ended up being the prized possession of two drooling dogs.

  And Emilie laughed at him the entire ride there.

  CHAPTER FOUR

  The grand aura of the games was much more than any of them had bargained for.

  It was a spectacle of pageantry and people. Seated in the lists to the left of the prince’s gaily decorated royal box, there were enough spectators already at the field that Prince John, in all of his lascivious glory, didn’t notice three young women as they sat together in the lists, slightly behind the prince’s line of sight. Four Hampton soldiers took up position towards the rear of the boxes to keep an eye on the ladies as the rest went to the field with Lyle and Brickley and both big dogs. Preparations and practice were underway and, already, the excitement of the games was in the air.