“Well?” he said to Peter. “What do you want to do? Ride with your sister and Sherry and the rest of them, or face battle with me and your uncle.”
Peter looked at him. “I would face battle with you,” he said. “You need me more than Christin does. She has Sherry and the rest of them. You only have Uncle David.”
David scowled. “What is that supposed to mean, you foolish whelp?”
Peter, who had a bit of a wicked streak in him, put his hand on his uncle’s shoulder. “I saw you back at Norwich,” he said. “When we faced the king and his guard? I saw how weak and pitiful you were, Uncle David. I was afraid I was going to have to save you.”
David knew he was jesting but his pride would not let him walk away from it. He looked at Christopher. “You had the opportunity to drown him when he was young,” he said. “I told you that you should have done it.”
Christopher started to laugh. “There is time yet still.”
“Is there?” David said as if surprised. “Good. I plan to tie him in a sack and throw him in the river.”
“I am too big for a sack,” Peter said.
David shook his head, heading off towards the camping army. “Never underestimate my determination to shove you into a sack. If you don’t fit the first time, I shall figure out a way.”
Peter was grinning, receiving a gentle slap to the head from his father as they followed David towards the army. Already, the smells of food and bread were in the air, but Christopher wasn’t much thinking on that. He was thinking of the daughter he was going to have to trust to men he’d known, loved, and served with for years, only somehow it was different now.
It was Christin.
And Alexander.
He was going to have to trust that Alexander would keep her safe.
He could only pray.
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
The Cock and Bull Inn
When Christin had departed Norwich, she’d had the satchel she’d packed for her escape into the town with Alexander, which someone had managed to pick up when she had dropped it in the fight against Gerard and Sean. It must have been one of the royal soldiers, who had carried it with him and then given it to one of the servants at the inn, who delivered it to her. Suddenly, she found herself with a sleeping shift along with clean clothing, a comb, pins for her hair, soap, and other necessities.
She considered herself very fortunate.
Sean had disappeared and although she’d waited for him, patiently she thought, it became clear that he wasn’t returning any time soon, so she sent for a bath and food, which were brought to her in that order. The bath was nothing more than a big pot and a stool, which she sat upon while she washed with several inches of hot water in the bottom of the pot, but it had been heavenly and she’d put on her sleeping shift by the time the food arrived.
The meal was a stew with great hunks of cream-colored bread with a dark crust and butter on the side. The stew had beans and cabbage and barley in it, and it was quite delicious. She ate two big bowls of the stuff along with most of the bread, stuffing herself while she waited for Sean to return.
But still, he didn’t come back.
With all of the food gone and the bath water cold, Christin decided to stop waiting for Sean and simply go to bed. She was exhausted. Crawling into the rather small bed that had a surprisingly clean, if not slightly stiff from being boiled, coverlet, she fell asleep quickly, only to be awakened by someone whispering in her ear.
“Cissy?”
Startled by the heated whisper, she threw up a balled fist just as she caught a glimpse of Alexander’s face. His catlike reflexes prevented her from making contact with his nose as he caught her fist in one of his big hands. She looked astonished and he simply grinned.
“That could have been disastrous,” he teased. “I rather like my face the way it is.”
“Sherry!” she gasped. “How in the world did you get in here?”
He sat on the edge of the bed, still holding her hand, only now he was kissing it. “You have a window that is shockingly easy to climb through,” he said. “All I had to do was shimmy up the tree outside and grab hold.”
She sat up, looking to the open window. The shutters and oil cloth had been pushed back, letting the cold night air in. A little more alert now, she realized what he’d done.
“Then I am glad you were the one who discovered that,” she said, yawning. “It would not do for some cutthroat to crash into my chamber.”
He was still grinning, still kissing her hand. “I am a cutthroat and I did crash into your chamber, but at least I mean you no harm,” he said, watching her smile. “At least, not in the literal sense. Are you well after your adventure today? I saw Sean in the livery. He told me everything.”
She nodded. “I am fine,” she said. “But I have a confession to make. I was outside of my apartment when they set upon me. I was going to meet you in the stable, but they were waiting for me. I tried to get away and that is how they were able to catch me. There were just too many of them.”
His smile faded. “I told you to stay in your chamber. Did you think I did that just to hear the sound of my own voice?”
She was properly contrite. “Nay,” she said. “I am sorry. I suppose I was simply eager to see you. I could not wait.”
Of course, he couldn’t become cross with her when she put it like that. He sighed heavily, eyeing her appropriately so she would know he was not pleased with her behavior, but she smiled sweetly at him and he surrendered without a fight. He put his arms around her, hugging her tightly.
“You are forgiven,” he murmured. “Truth be told, I could not wait to see you, either. That’s why I climbed in your window.”
Christin clung to him, drawing strength from him in a way she never knew possible. When he held her in his arms, it was as if nothing in the world could touch her. She felt safe and warm and deliriously happy. But she knew it was only temporary, at least until they resumed their trek to Bishop’s Lynn.
She relaxed her hold.
“Did Sean tell you about his plan for FitzRoy?” she asked softly.
Alexander loosened his grip so he could look her in the eye. “Aye,” he said. “I know it is a lot to ask of you, but I also know you can do it. You simply have to look at this like any other directive from William Marshal. You must become that agent that is hardened and focused – no emotion, no past, and no future. You live, and remain, in that moment – the moment that Robert FitzRoy becomes your prey. Focus on your task and you will succeed.”
She nodded. “I will,” she said. “But where will you be?”
“I will be close by,” he said. “I am riding with Sean disguised as a royal knight. In fact, we are all going to be with you.”
“Who is ‘all’?”
“Maxton, Kress, Cai, Bric, Kevin, and Sean,” he said. “Your father is not far behind us and he will be engaging the royal soldiers, keeping them occupied while the group of us escorts you to FitzRoy. That way, whatever happens, we can cover our tracks without any witnesses. And we shall cover yours.”
“My father is in on this plan, then?”
“He has been trailing us. Kevin rode back to find him, so if he is not aware of the plan now, he soon will be.”
“He must be terribly worried.”
“I am sure he is. But he knows we would not let anything happen to you. I would not let anything happen to you.” He looked her over, studying her lovely face. “Nothing will go wrong, Cissy. But we will all be there in case something does.”
She felt much better hearing that. Truth be told, she was apprehensive and understandably so. There was so much at stake and the burden of it was heavy, crushingly so, but Alexander was absolutely right – she needed to treat this situation like any other mission. FitzRoy was her prey. When he put it that way, she was able to feel more confident about it.
“I am glad,” she said softly, leaning her head against his, feeling him gently kiss her forehead. “I feel much better knowing yo
u will be there. But this… this is my fight, Sherry. I am the target, after all, and I will fight my own battle.”
He put a big hand on her head, smoothing back her dark hair as he gazed into her eyes. “But not alone,” he said softly. “Never alone, Cissy. As long as I have breath in my body, you will never be alone.”
“Nor will you,” she said. “I can only imagine that must feel strange for a man like you. You told me that you preferred to work alone.”
He smiled faintly as he pinched her chin gently. “Not anymore.”
She reached out, touching his face, and he closed his eyes to the flutter of her fingers. Both hands came up and she gently clasped his face, her fingers in his hair. Their warm, gentle conversation turned into something else. The passion that ignited so easily between them flared. Eyes still closed, Alexander leaned forward and kissed her.
There was nothing more to say.
His lips were soft and warm, his tongue licking at her lips until she opened them. She responded to him quickly, comfortable and titillated with his attention. Alexander lay her back against the small bed, covering her with his big body as their kisses became more heated. With no one to interrupt them, he could take his time with her.
But he didn’t want to.
Something about the woman inflamed him. He wore full armor, putting him in a logistically difficult position for what he wanted to accomplish. But that didn’t stop him. He continued to kiss her as he went to work on his mail.
His belt, his sword, and his tunic were the first things to come off. Christin, swept up by the fervor that was brewing between them, began to help him with his pieces of protection. She pulled the hauberk off, followed by the mail coat. Then it was a matter of stripping off the under tunic and breeches. All the while, she never said a word, a more than willing participant to what they intended to do.
The power of attraction between them was overwhelming.
With his armor and tunics off, he went to work on Christin’s shift, pulling it right over her head. She was nude beneath it and, for a moment, he simply looked at her, feasting on her gorgeous form. There was something so surreal and magical about her beauty. Once again, his lips fused to hers, his heated touch speaking more than words ever could.
The more he touched, the more he had to have her. Alexander was so consumed by his passion that he was blinded by it. Taking her in his arms, he continued to kiss her as he wedged himself between her legs. With one hand, he managed to guide his erection into her warm, wet core.
Christin groaned as he invaded her body. She was tender from earlier in the day, but the pain of his entry only served to enhance the sensations he was creating within her. Alexander tried to be gentle, but his need for the woman was overpowering. He slid into her, with a few tender thrusts, until he was seated. Then, he began to move.
The thrusts were gentle at first, erotic and slow. She was slick and welcoming. But his passion dictated his movements, and they became faster. A hand moved to her full breasts, gently fondling the soft skin as her legs wrapped around him, holding him tightly.
That only wanted to make him thrust harder.
Her soft gasps in his ear threw him over the edge. He could feel himself peaking faster than he ever thought possible. Harder and faster he went, feeling her body stiffen beneath him until she began to twitch and her soft cries filled the chamber. Feeling her release draw at him, demanding his seed, he didn’t do what he’d done earlier – he didn’t withdraw and spill himself elsewhere. This time, he spilled his seed deep inside her delicious body. He shouldn’t have done it, but he didn’t much care.
It was the most satisfying thing he’d ever done.
But he was still moving within her. He could not seem to stop moving, making their passion last until it could last no more. Beneath him, he felt her release at least twice more, her body shuddering with delight and her legs trembling uncontrollably. In fact, her entire body was trembling uncontrollably, which excited him beyond reason.
But when the movements finally slowed, he fell forward on her, drawing her into his protective embrace as if to never let her go. He couldn’t even fathom the thought of what was to come, where he would have to turn her over to another man and put her in such great danger.
And he would be helpless.
When next he realized, someone was pounding on the chamber door.
CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE
Alexander was out of bed in a flash.
“Who comes?” he demanded.
“Open the door, Sherry.”
It was Sean, muffled on the other side of the door. Alexander glanced at Christin, who was sitting up in bed, wide-eyed at being caught with Alexander in her bed. It didn’t even occur to her that Sean wouldn’t care because he was the one who told Alexander where to find her.
“A moment,” Alexander said through the door. Quickly, he pulled his breeches on from the pile on the floor, tossing Christin the shift he’d snatched off her. “Quickly, sweetheart. Put it on.”
She did, yanking it over her head as Alexander went to the door. He made sure she was properly covered up before unbolting it.
Sean appeared. He was dressed in full armor, as if he were going to battle, and he didn’t even look at Christin. He was singularly focused on Alexander.
“De Lohr’s army has been sighted,” he murmured. “They are just coming into the edge of town, so get her dressed and to the livery immediately. We must leave.”
“My father is here?” Christin blurted.
Sean looked at her, nodding his head. “They marched through the night to reach the king’s soldiers and engage them,” he said. “Very smart, actually. There was no way he could catch up with us if he rested the men for the night, so he didn’t. He pushed them straight through.”
Alexander nodded with approval. “Good man,” he said. “He will keep the soldiers busy while we ride on.”
“Exactly,” Sean said. Then, he looked at the two of them. “Even though he will more than likely not make it to the inn, I would get dressed and get down to the livery. We must leave immediately while the king’s army is occupied.”
Alexander began grabbing his clothing and mail, putting it on the bed as Christin leapt out of it. Sean closed the door, heading down into the pre-dawn street, as Christin and Alexander quickly dressed.
In fact, there was a bit of a frenzy to Christin’s movements. As Alexander put on his own clothing and mail, he could see that she was close to hysteria. It was rather comical the way she was tossing on clothing and frantically running a comb through her hair, but when she tried to put her shoes on and nearly fell in her haste, he put out a hand to steady her.
“Dressing should not be a hazardous sport,” he said. “Slow down, sweetheart. We’ll make it to the livery in plenty of time.”
Christin looked at him, her eyes wide. “Did you not hear him?” she said. “My father is entering the town. Do you know what will happen if he sees us leaving the inn together? Or, worse, comes looking for me and finds us leaving the chamber together? My God, Sherry, he’ll cut your head off!”
Alexander bit his lip to keep from smiling. “That is not what he would cut off,” he muttered, watching her flush violently. Then, he couldn’t help but chuckle. “Not to worry. If I thought that might happen, I would climb back out the window and he would be none the wiser.”
“Maybe you should,” she said.
“Should what?”
“Climb out the window. There may be people in the common room who would tell him they saw us leaving the chamber together.”
She had a point, much as he hated to admit it. He grunted, thinking her paranoia was rather ridiculous, but he was prepared to err on the side of caution.
“Very well,” he said. “I’ll climb out and you can throw my bags to me.”
Christin nodded eagerly. She was dressed in a dark blue wool traveling dress, heavy, with long sleeves and a cloak that was part of the garment itself. She’d braided her hair, making her look r
ather sweet and lovely, and as he moved in for a kiss, she ducked him and pushed him towards the window.
“Go,” she demanded. “Out the window before my father sees you.”
He grinned, letting her push him to the window. “I told you not to worry,” he said. “He will not see me. But I will go out the window and circle around to the front of the inn and meet you there. Do not dally.”
He spoke the last few words as he climbed onto the windowsill, but he wasn’t moving fast enough for Christin. The fear of her father finding them together was overwhelming, so just as he spoke the last word, she shoved him and he fell out of the window, grabbing a branch on his way down to break his fall. But the branch snapped and down he went, landing heavily as tree branches and twigs fell on top of him.
“Here are your bags!” she said.
His saddlebags came sailing at him, one of them clipping him in the head before they landed beside him. Rubbing his head, he scowled as he looked up at her.
“God’s Bones, woman,” he said unhappily. “You did not have to throw me from the window, you know.”
Christin looked at him, very contritely, before blowing him a kiss. “I am sorry,” she said. “Did you hurt yourself?”
“Now you ask.”
He climbed to his feet, rubbing his left thigh and bum where he’d landed, grumbling as he made his way around the side of the inn. Meanwhile, Christin splashed some cold water on her face, drying it with the sleeve of her dress as she grabbed her satchel and fled the chamber.
Alexander was waiting for her as she bolted from the inn. Grasping her by the elbow, he quickly escorted her across the alleyway to the livery where men were gathering. Kevin was there, having recently come from Christopher’s army, and Christin went to him.
“How is my father?” she asked. “Is he very worried over me?”
Kevin nodded. “He was,” he said. “But when we told him of our plan, he calmed admirably. You needn’t worry.”
The Agents of William Marshal Volume II: A Medieval Romance Bundle Page 25
