Karin leaned her head on his shoulder and nodded against him. But there was still fear in her heart. Could she trust God with her husband?
* * *
A call rang forth throughout the men at the stream. It was time to move on. Radek placed a hand on the saddle and checked the simple straps. Stretching out his back, he delayed resuming his place atop his steed for every second he could. For once he was there, it would be a while before they would stop to refresh the horses again.
He moved his hand along the flank of his companion. It was true he rather enjoyed the company of animals more than people. They never pushed for conversation or asked hard questions. No, his horse was content to just listen when he cared to speak. And it didn’t matter how quiet he was or how much sense he made. If he wanted to start a thought out loud and finish it in his head, his horse did not care.
Now at the animal’s face, he placed his hand between her eyes and let his palm slide down the length of her muzzle and graze the soft skin of her nostrils. The horse whickered in response and moved her nose against his hand to encourage him further. He obliged, moving his hand down her face once more before running his hand further down to give her strong, muscular neck a good pat.
“You missed your calling,” he heard a voice behind him. “You should have been a stable boy.”
Radek shot Zdenek a cold look. He knew his friend was only joking, but he was in no mood to be insulted for any reason.
“I did not mean . . . ” Zdenek started, his features falling.
Radek waved him off as he continued to pat his steed. “It is all right.”
“I do think we may get left if you spend any more time on your grooming.” Zdenek motioned toward the retreating group, moving from their places all around them and heading east.
Radek sighed, watching the farmers, merchants, villagers—all well-meaning and impassioned men—as they moved on to follow Commander Zizka wherever he would lead them. And why shouldn’t they?
He could think of several good reasons why not. And only a couple of reasons why they should. But those reasons seemed to outweigh the logic of the former. He, too, had committed to this commander, to these people—his people. Hadn’t he?
So, he gripped the saddle and pulled himself up. Gathering the reins and nodding to Zdenek, he moved after the large group. He was fortunate to be on horseback. Many of the men were walking. At least most of the women and young children had places in wagons. But he was sure this caravan was a sight. And not an intimidating one. Truly they were no army.
Yet they had succeeded against a real army. That should not have happened. He could not deny that Zizka’s leadership had proven effective. Maybe it was worth sticking around.
Radek stole a glance at his friend. Now there was a committed man. Even more so now that he had discovered the brunette in the ranks. What were the odds? But Zdenek was completely taken. Never mind that it would never, could never, be.
Zdenek glanced at him. Had he sensed Radek’s eyes on him?
Either way, Radek offered him a smile, which Zdenek returned with some reluctance.
“What?” Zdenek’s full smile became half-crooked.
“Nothing,” Radek said, turning his attention back to his horse and the road ahead. “I only wondered how your talk with that brunette . . . what was her name? Ivana? Iva?”
“Eva.” His face colored. “Eva. Her name is ‘Eva’.”
Radek stifled a laugh and nodded.
Zdenek remained silent.
“Well?”
“Well what?” Zdenek’s eyes were trained forward and the color on his face deepened. Was he avoiding Radek’s gaze? Radek could barely contain another bout of laughter.
“How was your walk the other day? You never did tell me.” Radek did his best to make his voice sound as innocent as possible.
“It was . . . um . . . ” Zdenek appeared as if he might hurt himself looking for the right words. “Nice.”
“Nice?” Radek teased back. “Hmm. It’s been a while since I had a ‘nice’ walk with a beautiful lady.”
Just when Radek was certain there were no deeper shades of red for a person’s face to turn, Zdenek proved him wrong. He could not stop the small laugh that escaped his lips.
Zdenek shot him a stern look and urged his horse a few paces ahead of Radek’s.
Taking a deep breath, Radek enjoyed the last moments of laughter before his attentions returned to the present. And he again began to wonder why he was with this group at all. He did not have to make any decisions now, though. There would be rest and respite at their destination. In Usti.
Six
Secrets
The doctor removed the last bandage on Pavel’s arm. Karin sat nearby, her hands clinched in her lap. Now that the injuries were displayed, she fought a wave of nausea. That was becoming more and more difficult to do these days. But this fresh wave was for an altogether different reason. She saw the damage the flail had done. And it had been vicious.
His arm was a crisscross of scrapes among a myriad of bruises. There were the surface scrapes that did not bother her, but there were also the deeper wounds, where the flail had dug into his flesh with great force. She tried not to imagine these kinds of wounds on his face. He could have lost his eyes . . . or worse. No, she need not think on that.
“Whoever stitched these did a fair job,” Dr. Doubek commented as he maneuvered Pavel’s arm this way and that, checking it over.
Occasionally, Pavel would grimace, but no sound escaped. He was brave. Braver than she wanted him to be.
“Thank you. It was one of my friends. I’ll have to forward your compliments. He did not even want to do it.”
The doctor nodded as he continued to examine the arm. He twisted Pavel’s arm in an odd angle.
Pavel sucked in a breath.
Karin almost jumped out of her seat. She was ready to come to his aid. Thankfully, she kept herself in the chair and neither Pavel nor the doctor noticed her movement. They were both focused on his injured arm.
“You will need to rest the arm. Keep it in the sling. Are you in any pain?”
Pavel glanced at Karin. Was he afraid to speak the truth in front of her? She could handle it. His eyes returned to the doctor’s and he nodded.
“Nothing I cannot manage, but there is some amount of pain.”
Her heart flipped in her chest. Why, she did not know. Of course he was in pain. How could he not be? So why did it bother her for him to voice it?
“I will give you a tea to help.”
Karin had heard those words before. But she was determined he would get his tea. Regularly.
“And you need to keep this arm clean. Regular washing. But not in a bath—with a cloth. I’ll put on fresh bandages today. I’ll need to train your manservant on how to wrap your arm so you can put on clean bandages every few days.”
“Doctor,” Karin interjected. “I would like to change his bandages myself.”
“You, my lady?” The doctor was skeptical and his features read it well. “This is a job better suited for his manservant.”
Pavel’s eyes met Karin’s. “I don’t want you to have to . . . ”
“I insist,” Karin said with an intensity she had not intended. And upon seeing their faces, she thought better of it.
Pavel was accustomed to her spirited nature, but she didn’t want to disrespect him by showing the doctor she was not submissive. So, she softened her tone. “Please.”
The doctor looked from Karin to Pavel and back to Karin. He sighed. “I will at least insist the manservant be called to be shown as well.”
Pavel nodded and Karin motioned to the maidservant picking up the old bandages stained with dark red that she should retrieve Pavel’s valet.
Karin’s stomach twisted anew as she got a look at the bandages in the girl’s hands. So distracted was she that she almost missed Pavel’s next question of the doctor.
“ . . . I return to my unit?” Pavel trailed off.
Karin blinked several times. What did he say? How could he be so eager to rejoin his unit? He had just come home. He’d been here less than a day and already his thoughts were on returning? Her stomach sank. It did not help her nauseated feeling.
The doctor gave him a long look. Did he want to speak to the matter? All he said was, “I think you should give it three weeks to mend. Then we can check. But I think you will be able to use your arm at that time.”
Pavel relaxed into his seat as if this was the information he truly needed. Not if he was going to ever be normal again. Not when could he and his wife resume normal activities. But when he could get back to his unit. The more she thought on it, the less she could contain the anger bubbling in her. At least it quelled the nausea.
The maidservant returned with Pavel’s valet, and the doctor began cleaning Pavel’s stitched wounds.
Karin tried to pay attention, but her vision blurred, blinded by emotion. Perhaps it was a good idea after all that the manservant was here to observe as well.
Pavel’s eyes remained closed as they worked on his arm. How unpleasant was this for him? But she could not feel sympathy for him. Not when she was so angry and hurt.
Every few minutes, his eyelids would slide open and his eyes would meet hers. Then a smile would play at the corners of his lips. It tugged at her heart. He was a charmer. But she found herself looking away and avoiding those crystal blue orbs. Deep down, she wanted to be angry. It was better than the other emotions swirling beneath the surface.
Once the doctor declared his work complete, Pavel’s arm was once again encased in bandages and held in place with a more adequate sling than before.
Pavel offered the doctor a tired smile. “Thanks.”
“I’ll be back,” the doctor said. “Be mindful to rest and keep it clean. Especially if you want to get back to your unit sooner rather than later.” Dr. Doubek stood.
“Yes, doctor.” Pavel rose as well.
Karin found herself a little more unsteady than she expected but got to her feet as well. “Yes, thank you, doctor. We will be mindful of what you said.”
Pavel’s valet motioned toward the door and escorted the doctor out, leaving Pavel and Karin alone.
Karin glanced at Pavel.
His eyes were on her, his gaze intense.
She pivoted away and moved to the room’s sole window. Standing off to the side, she leaned against the frame and let her hands graze the curtain. Karin felt more than heard him come up behind her.
He reached out a hand toward hers, grazing her skin and letting his fingers trace a trail down her forearm.
Karin moved a step away, looking into his face. How could he not understand?
His brows furrowed.
Perhaps he did understand.
“What is the matter, my love?”
Why did he have to woo her with his rich baritone and words of love? She fought the urge for her resolve to melt.
“What makes you think something is wrong?” Why was she playing games with him? Baiting him?
“I can see you are angry, Karin. Please talk to me.” His voice was earnest, thick with emotion. Yet she could not let go of her right to be mad.
“Whatever could be the matter?” She challenged him, stopping her retreat and meeting him face to face. “You are ever so eager to return to your unit. To leave me behind again.”
She watched his features. It was as if she had slapped him in the face. Perhaps because he knew she was right. Deflating into the chaise near the window, she fought tears. That would not serve her anger. And that’s what she was. Angry.
There was silence for several, rather long moments as they squared off.
At long last, he moved toward her, taking a seat on the edge of the bed near the chaise. “You know that’s not true. I don’t want to leave you. I . . . the truth is I . . . ache for you when we are apart.”
She glanced up to meet his eyes as if she could gauge the truth of his statement there. But her heart read his veracity better than her eyes did.
“You misunderstand,” he continued. “If I am eager to rejoin my unit, it is in hopes to end this war and make our country once again safe for you, for us.”
As much as she fought to hold on to her anger, it began to dissipate.
“Our people are out there . . . hurting, trying to survive. And I can help them. God has called me to help them. Can you understand that?” He stood and moved closer to her.
She wanted to retreat again, but found herself unable to move.
He reached down and touched her face. Only then did she realize she was crying.
“I just . . . ” she started, but a wave of emotion overwhelmed her, threatening to crush her.
“What?” His voice was soft and gentle. His hand was tender as he slid onto the chaise’s seat beside her and drew her to his chest with his good arm.
Then she cried openly. And she knew. She wasn’t angry. Not truly. At least not at him. Maybe at this war that had torn their country, their world apart . . . and was tearing them apart. The emotions she had tried to smother came rushing to the surface. It was too much.
And Pavel held her as she fell apart.
But on the edge of her consciousness, she felt a nudging, an urging to trust. To turn over this fear, this worry, and all these feelings of helplessness to Him who is able to carry them.
Still, she resisted. No, she could handle these feelings. Especially now that she and Pavel were of one mind again. She might even get up the courage to tell him about the baby. Another time. For now, she would bask in his love.
* * *
Zdenek watched as Eva tilted her head back and laughed. He enjoyed watching her laugh. He enjoyed making her laugh. He just enjoyed her. And all the more as they spent time together. It seemed time was in ample supply since they had been in Usti.
Seated on blankets across from one another, they had been conversing with ease for most of the afternoon. Zdenek popped another bite of bread into his mouth. He smiled as Eva’s laughter subsided and her gaze returned to him. Something passed between them in that moment. It started in the pit of his stomach and crept into his chest. It was a warmth that spread and tingled as it did so. But it soon permeated his whole being. He could get used to this feeling.
“Why are you looking at me like that?” Eva spoke up. Her cheeks colored. The brilliant pink on her fair skin set against her dark hair made her all the more attractive. He fought the urge to reach out and touch the side of her face where it was highlighted.
“Like what?” He was fearful he sounded drunk. Even to him, his words seemed slurred.
She giggled, her features becoming even more pink. “Like I’m a piece of chocolate to be devoured.”
He stifled a laugh and looked at the ground. Was he so obvious? His own face warmed. Working to gather his thoughts, he knew he needed a response. And one that would not make her want to slap him.
“Zdenek?” her voice purred his name.
He closed his eyes against the emotions and sensations rushing through him. He had to think! She wanted an answer.
He raised his head and gazed at her. “Because, my lady, you . . . ”
“There you are, Zdenek.” Radek’s voice interrupted him. He brought his horse to a halt, just short of Zdenek and Eva.
Zdenek was on his feet, his face warming even more. To have been interrupted during such a tender moment! As if Radek needed more to tease him about.
“Yes, seems you found me.” Zdenek stole a glance toward Eva before turning his attention to Radek.
He did not miss the surprised confusion on her face. Was she surprised at his reaction? Was he wrong to react this way? Or did Radek surprise her? Maybe she only expected to be introduced.
“Radek, this is Eva.” Zdenek reached over, offering a hand to help Eva to her feet. He could not help the tingling sensation in his skin where their hands met. He had to force himself to keep his attention on the present. “Eva, this is Radek.”
Eva made
a slight curtsy for Radek as he dismounted. “A pleasure, my lord.”
My lord? Why was she acting so odd? Then Zdenek realized. She wasn’t acting strangely at all. This was entirely appropriate. That made his heart drop.
Radek dipped his head in some semblance of a bow. “Likewise. But I believe we have met before.”
“Yes. At the viscount’s ball in Hradek Kralove.” Eva was all politeness and rank with Radek. Why?
“Zdenek.” Radek shifted his gaze back to his friend. “Commander Zizka wishes to speak with the unit commanders.”
And now Radek was being a bit strange to disregard Eva’s presence. How could he not know how important she was to Zdenek? He must know. All of his teasing certainly testified to that.
There was silence. Then Zdenek realized they were both looking at him—Radek with expectation, Eva with curiosity. He wanted so much to make this better, but he did not know how. Regardless, the commander called for his presence and he must go.
Turning to Eva, he said, “It has been a pleasure.”
She nodded and curtsied toward him. But he did not miss the sadness that grazed her eyes.
“I shall see you again,” he interjected.
Again, she nodded, but the fire in her had been extinguished. She moved back in the direction of her family’s cart.
Radek’s horse shifted. “Let her go. We are needed elsewhere.”
Zdenek peered at Radek, unsure what his friend meant. But Zdenek did not push the issue. He simply nodded and about-faced to follow Radek.
The entire walk to where Zizka gathered the men was spent in silence. Radek did not seem to know what to say, and Zdenek certainly did not know.
What had just happened? One minute he and Eva were laughing, and the next they were not. And what’s more, he seemed to have hurt her.
Radek came to a stop beside Zdenek and his attention refocused on his surroundings. They had arrived at Zizka’s temporary home. He was even then speaking with his second-in-command as the others gathered around him. It was not long before one of the men alerted the commander that everyone was present.
“Thank you for coming,” Zizka’s voice boomed.
The Lady And The Hussites (The Lady Bornekova Book 2) Page 9
