Brogan’s mouth slanted over her with such passion that she toppled backwards, into his arms as his lips ravished her thoroughly. His massive arms were around her, his hands caressing and powerful and delightful. The only thing that existed at that very moment was the two of them, feeling the heat of desire soar like an arrow shot in to the sun. They would have probed deeper, tasted more, had little Lake not suddenly yelled at them.
“It’s cold!” she squawked. “I’m cold!”
Brogan tore his mouth away from Avalyn and they both looked at the child, now as bright and clean and shiny as a new coin. She was spectacularly beautiful with her bottomless blue eyes and blond hair. But he still held Avalyn in his arms tightly, just a moment longer, unwilling to let her go.
“Lake d’Aurilliac,” he repeated, nuzzling her neck. “It’s perfect for her.”
“Do you really like it?”
“I do.”
Avalyn sat up, her golden eyes boring into him, suddenly very serious. “’Tis a big step for a man to take on both a wife and child, Brogan. Are you sure that you do not want to…?”
He cut her off with a deep kiss, lingering on her sweet lips, suckling the flesh until she gasped softly. “I cannot recall a duty I would take on more willingly or more happily,” he said. “You cannot know how much this means to me, Avalyn. I do not have the words to describe what is in my heart at the moment. I feel… alive. So very alive.”
“I’m cold!” Lake growled again. “I want out!”
Tender moment harshly interrupted, Avalyn laughed softly and collected the big piece of linen that the innkeeper had left for them, handing it to Brogan to hold out as she picked up the slippery baby and plopped her inside the material. Brogan wrapped it around the child and began gently, vigorously, drying her little body.
Now it was Avalyn’s turn to watch him interact with the little girl. He’d been standoffish from the onset, but now, some of his defenses were down and his manner was most gentle. Little Lake grunted and squealed as he dried her off and finally wrapped her so tightly she could barely move. Even her head was covered, the only thing visible being her sweet little face. Brogan’s eyes twinkled as he held the child out to Avalyn like a precious offering.
Avalyn smiled at him; his expression was so warm that she could not help but react in kind. I feel alive. Odd how she could see it in his eyes; the Brogan she had met the day before did not have that warm glisten to his expression. It was something only recently acquired. It made her feel alive, too.
“Hold her, Brogan,” she said softly. “The innkeeper has not brought any clothes yet and I’m afraid she’ll catch cold.”
Obediently, he put his enormous arms around the little girl, holding her tightly to his chest. Lake yawned, smiling timidly at him, and Avalyn watched him smile back. No reserve, no hesitation. Whatever fearsome and horrible reputation the man had, one would have never guessed it the way he handled the child. He looked like any normal, doting, loving father. Avalyn’s heart melted just a little more.
The skinny boy mounted the steps to the loft, holding out a bundle of clothing in his thin hands. Avalyn thanked him as she took them, shaking out each piece to see what, exactly, she had. A heavy woolen shirt, a thin linen shirt that looked as if it had been cut off mid-waist, and a pair of badly mended hose. They were remotely clean and in somewhat good condition for the most part. It wasn’t much, but it would cover her and keep her warm.
Brogan set the baby to her feet as Avalyn went to work dressing her. Lake didn’t like the hose and fought them, but Avalyn spoke softly and kindly and the little girl finally left them on. But she had no shoes and Avalyn once again bade Brogan to carry her. He did so without reserve. In fact, drying her after her bath had broken down whatever hesitation he still held and he seemed quite determined to tend her. Avalyn didn’t say a word; she just let him. For a man who had so recently lost his son, she suspected that tiny little Lake was exactly what he needed whether or not he had realized it. Not that she was a replacement by any means, but there was still a wound she could so ably ease.
Avalyn paid the innkeeper more than the man probably made in a month. His bulbous eyes widened at the gold coins and he couldn’t seem to bow swiftly enough or grovel more deeply enough. But he deserved the tribute for being so helpful and when they quit the inn and emerged into the chill night air, little Lake was quite clean, warm and happy clutched in Brogan’s massive arms. And Brogan was quite thrilled to have her.
“Now,” Avalyn paused before they went along their way. “We need to figure out what we’re to do.”
“We are to get married,” Brogan reminded her.
She smiled faintly. “I know, my angel, but not right at this moment. I must return to the Tower and collect some things, as I suspect you must also.” She cocked her head thoughtfully. “Can you take Lake to your mother? Perhaps she can tend her while we make our final preparations.”
Brogan looked at the little girl, who stared back at him with her sleepy big blue eyes. “My mother will fall in love with this child,” he said. “We’ll be lucky to get her back.”
Avalyn’s grin broadened. “”Tis a chance we will have to take. She cannot return with you, and I would prefer not to take her with me. It would only create an entirely new series of questions and complications.”
“It is not the same as if you were bringing a stray dog home.”
“Exactly.”
They exchanged knowing glances. So much more was at stake than simply bringing home an orphaned child. The time they had spent together this evening had been pure, peaceful bliss, nothing like the real world that await them. He almost wished that they could stay and blend in with the peasants and merchants. But that was not the life he wanted for Avalyn, or Lake for that matter. His gaze lingered on Avalyn before he reached out and pulled her to him. His handsome, powerful face loomed above her delicate features.
“A new life for us, Avalyn,” he muttered. “I cannot promise you wealth you are accustomed to and I cannot even promise that our lives will be easy, but I swear to you that I will work harder than a man has ever worked to be the best husband that I can be. And I swear that I will love you until I die.”
She smiled up at him, feeling pangs of doubt, of excitement, of fear. She, more than him, knew the tribulations that faced them. She reached up and touched his face.
“Oh, Brogan,” she murmured. “I’m so afraid of what will happen. But I also know that I cannot lose you. My entire life has been dedicated to duty and politics and I always understood what was expected of me. I do not know how, over the past two days, I seem to have lost all sense of duty. But more than that, I simply do not care. All that matters is you, and now little Lake. I see a life I never knew to exist spread out before me and it outshines all other life I thought to have.”
He kissed her, tenderly at first, but with growing intensity. She was sweet, delicious and hot, and he drank her in as a man would if dying of thirst. He’d never experienced this kind of passion in his life and had no idea how to bank it; all he knew was that it came spilling out and he wanted to experience it. He needed to. In his ardor, he bent forward and Lake let out a little shriek, ending up with her little arms braced against Avalyn’s shoulders so that she would not fall. The grown-ups laughed at her as Avalyn took her in her arms and kissed her clean little cheek. Brogan, not to be left out, kissed the other one. The little girl put her hands to her cheeks and giggled.
“Poupèe,” Avalyn ran her hand over the drying blond hair. “Would you like to come home with me?”
Big blue eyes blinked at her. “Home?”
“She does not understand what you mean,” Brogan said softly, noting the blank expression on the child’s face. “Let me try.”
Avalyn fought off a smile; apparently, he was determined to show off his skill communicating with children. “By all means.”
Brogan focused on the girl. “Do you want to be my child and have food and clothing and warmth for the rest of your li
fe, or do you want to go back and live with those children that beat you?”
Avalyn lifted an eyebrow; his question was clear, if not blunt. Little Lake stared back at him; one could literally see the thoughts rolling through the child’s tiny mind. But she could not reply, having no idea what he really said, so Avalyn stepped in again.
“I want to be your Mummy,” she said as plainly as she could. “Can I be your Mummy?”
The little girl finally understood. “You will be my Mummy?”
“Aye,” Avalyn nodded. “Would you like that?”
She smiled, a sweet little smile with, surprisingly, tiny white teeth. “Aye, Mummy.”
“And he will be your Da,” Avalyn indicated Brogan. “Would you like that, too?”
The baby just nodded. She probably didn’t truly understand what they were asking her, but she understood enough. Avalyn didn’t care at that point; she was going to keep this sweet, adorable child in any case. God help the man who tried to wrest her from her.
“We will call you Lake,” Avalyn stroked the little blond head. “It is a very beautiful name for a beautiful girl.”
Brogan whispered her name in her ear, kissing the little cheek again until Lake giggled because his stubble was scratching her. Avalyn watched the two of them a moment, seeing such joy in their faces. The little girl who had nothing and the man who had lost everything. She didn’t know if her heart could be any fuller than it was.
But the joy of the night was tempered by the reality of their situation. Avalyn was anxious to get Lake to Mama Starke’s so that she and Brogan could complete their business.
“We should get her to your mother’s,” Avalyn said. “We will not have the luxury of time much longer and we still need to return to the Tower.”
The hour was exceedingly late as they commenced their walk to Brogan’s mother’s shop. Most of the people that had bustled on the street earlier in the night had disappeared, leaving the avenue dark and deserted. Now was the time when the thieves and murders emerged in earnest and Brogan was highly alert as they made their way back along East street. By now, the baby had fallen asleep and he held her securely in one arm while holding Avalyn in the other.
“Do you have a plan, Brogan?” Avalyn asked softly as they passed down the dark avenue. “Whatever it is, it must be solid. When dealing with de Neville, you cannot leave things to chance.”
He didn’t say anything for a moment. “My plan is to marry you,” he said quietly. “I am afraid I am not good at planning. I usually follow commands, not make them.”
Avalyn gazed up at him; he was a proud, strong man. She was afraid her question had upset him. “I did not mean to offend you, my angel,” she said softly. “I simply meant to know if you’ve figured out what we should do.”
“You are the wiser in that regard, Avalyn. I would trust my future wife with our plans to be wed and flee her uncle.”
She smiled, meeting his gaze under the waning moon. He winked at her. “Well,” she began to think aloud. “After we take Lake to your mother, we must return to the Tower and pack quickly. No more than thirty minutes, and we must travel very light. Do you think you can obtain a horse from the stables for us to travel upon?”
He nodded. “I have a Belgian warmblood, a charger given to me by St. Alban.”
“What would a foot soldier need with a charger?”
“He was not so good in battle so St. Alban bought another one.”
“Not so good?”
“He would rather stop and eat grass than charge the enemy.”
“Oh,” she grinned at the mental image of a big fat charger that did not like to charge. “But I am sure he is very strong and hearty. He will be perfect for travel.”
“Travel to where?”
She sighed. “I am not very familiar with the layout of the city. We must find a priest to marry us, but not at the bigger cathedrals. We must find a small church. Do you know of any?”
He shook his head. “I must ask St. Alban. He is a pious man and would know where there is a church suitable for us.”
She didn’t ask why he would not know of any churches. Perhaps he did not attend mass, which was of little concern to her. Given the man’s life, she doubted he had anything to thank God for.
The streets grew quieter as they reached the Thames and they crossed the bridge toward the Tower without incident. A fog was starting to roll off of the water, blanketing the ground with an eerie mist. As they approached the mammoth structure of the Tower with the intention of skirting it, Avalyn paused. Brogan also came to a halt, looking at her curiously.
“What is wrong?” he asked quietly. “Why do you stop?”
“Because,” she had an idea, perhaps not a very desirable one, but one she thought might be best for them all. “The longer I am gone, the more chance there is for my absence to be discovered. Perhaps you should take Lake to your mother’s, alone, and I will meet you in the shadow of the White Tower in one hour.”
It was evident that he did not like her suggestion. “I would see to your safety, lady. If you feel strongly you should return, then I will escort you to your apartments first.”
She shook her head. “Brogan, there is naught that can happen to me on the grounds of the Tower. There are soldiers everywhere. But I feel very strongly that I should return as soon as possible. Unlike you, there are many people that look for me, that expect my presence, and now a few who are suspicious of my activities. I would feel much more comfortable if I could return to make sure I’ve not been missed yet.”
He sighed heavily; glancing up at the enormous walls that comprised the Tower of London. Though he was uncomfortable with leaving her unescorted, he also knew she was more than likely correct. He, too, was concerned that she had been missed. The more the seconds ticked away, the more critical the situation became and the more determined they became to carry out their plan. He dipped down, kissing her firmly. Avalyn’s fingers ached with the longing his kiss provoked, her hands on his cheeks as he suckled her lips. There was excitement to the kiss, but there was also a great deal of fear. They both felt it.
“The White Tower in one hour,” he repeated. His blue eyes bore into her. “You had better be there or I will come looking for you.”
“Do not,” she shook her head. “If I am not there, then it is because something has happened. I will find my way out of it, have no doubt, but I do need you walking into the Lion’s Den with your eyes wide open. They will destroy you.”
He didn’t look happy in the least. “Avalyn…”
She put her fingers over his lips, feeling the sting of tears. Something told her to not return to her apartments, to simply keep running with him until they were free and clear of all that would separate them. But there were things she wanted to collect, the most important of which was coin. They would need money to start their new life together.
“Don’t argue with me, my angel,” she removed her fingers and kissed his smooth lips. “I must do as I must. And you must take Lake to your mother, collect the horse, and decide which church we will seek for our marriage. Beyond that, I will think of somewhere to go. I know a great many people. I’m sure someone will take us in until we can decide what to do.”
He nodded in resignation. “I do not want to let you out of my sight.”
“I know. But it will only be for a short while, I promise.”
He caught her against him with his one free arm, hugging her fiercely to him. To feel her sweet body against him, her warmth and life, was more than he could bear. The first time he’d felt her, she’d been cold and gray. But the woman in his arms now was vibrant and passionate and had given him more joy in a few short hours than he’d had in his entire lifetime.
His lips were against her neck, her ear. “One hour,” he murmured hotly. “I will be waiting.”
She nodded, the sting of tears transforming into small rivers on her cheeks. She wiped at them before he could see them, before he could see the fear in her heart. She had to pull aw
ay or risk never leaving his arms altogether.
“Take care of Lake,” she whispered, her gaze drifting over the sleeping face. “Tell your mother not to spoil her too much. I do not want her to be hard to handle.”
Brogan just shook his head, an ironic smirk on his lips. “My mother will spoil this child rotten,” he said. “Let us hope the damage can be undone.”
Avalyn smiled, too, but her smile faded as she gazed into his eyes. The time was upon them to separate, as much as her heart was aching.
“One hour,” she whispered.
“One hour.”
He kissed her again, with sadness and misery and hope. Her eyes almost welled with tears again. This time, Avalyn pulled away and walked quickly in the direction of the Traitor’s Gate. It was a lesser used entry along the river. A fitting entry point, considering the view her uncle now held on her. Brogan watched her walk away, stealing into the shadows as she approached the gate. After a few exchanged words with the sentries on watch, the gate slowly cranked open and Avalyn’s cloaked figure disappeared inside. Brogan waited until the gate closed again before moving out of the shadows.
The trek to his mother’s shop was uneventful. The moon was low in the sky and Lake slept soundly against him. She was a warm little bundle and he kept gazing down at her, hardly believing the events of the night. There was so much uncontrolled emotion within him that it was difficult to know what to feel. All he knew was that, for the first time in as long as he could remember, he felt something other than bone-numbing grief. He felt anticipation for his life to come with more excitement than he ever thought possible. But they had to make it through the next few hours.
Mama Starke’s shop was dark, as he knew it would be. He went around to the back entry, situated in a small alleyway that linked with other shops. The door was bolted and he rapped softly, several times, hoping his mother could hear him from her chamber above the shop. It was cold and dark as he continued to rap, wondering if he shouldn’t just break the door down. It was a heavy door, but then again, he was a heavy man. There wasn’t much he couldn’t break down.
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