by Alexa Aston
He swung into the saddle and then lifted her, settling her in front of him. His arm went round her waist and brought her snug against him.
“Move forward,” he commanded.
Landon enjoyed the ride to the city much more after that. With every breath, he inhaled the subtle scent of lilac, which he’d noticed from being near her. Having her body rubbing against his brought ideas of sweet fantasies that he would be sure to make a reality come their wedding night.
They followed parallel along the Tweed River to town and arrived all too soon for him, passing through the entrance of the city’s gates. Cassiana drew out a small parchment and unfurled it, studying it carefully as they traveled through the teeming streets. Landon looked over her shoulder and saw it contained a list of the items she wished to buy. Immediately, he swore under his breath.
“Is something the matter?” she asked, glancing back at him.
“I don’t have much coin,” he admitted. He’d saved most of what the king paid his guard, which was meager. It certainly wouldn’t buy everything on her list.
“I gathered monies from the treasure room before we left. We have plenty with which to make our purchases,” she assured him. “I should have shown you where the chests with coins are kept. Remind me to do so upon our return.”
Continuing down the main thoroughfare, he had to steer clear several times of dozens of pigs foraging in the streets. Many city dwellers kept pigs as easy food to slaughter and more than often let them run wild, not possessing space to pen them up.
As they neared the center of town, Cassiana wanted to walk through the stalls so he dismounted and handed her down. Going from booth to booth, she purchased various items, haggling with expertise as she bartered.
“You are a true master when it comes to closing a deal,” he said, his admiration growing for her once more.
“Would you care to try? I need some spices. You can bargain at those two stalls.”
Landon did his best, going from one to the other and back again until he secured what he thought was a fair price for pepper, cinnamon, and saffron.
“How did I do?” he asked.
Cassiana cocked one eyebrow. “Not bad for a first attempt. In the future, though, I’d leave the bargaining of goods for the keep to me.”
They left the market area and she had the others wait outside as she took Landon inside a large shop. Everywhere he looked, he saw bolts of cloth in an array of colors and textures.
“We’ll find everything we need here for our wedding attire and for your pants and tunics. You’ll also need a cloak or two.”
“I’ve never had a cloak—much less two,” he mused aloud. “My armor was warmth enough.”
“You are Earl of Briargate, Landon. Let me see to your needs.”
In truth, every place they’d stopped, she’d made sure to introduce him to the merchant or seller as the new earl. Landon saw instant respect in the eyes of many, merely because of his title. He began following her about, collecting the bolts of material she handed to him until the stack was so high he could no longer see above it.
“Take it to the counter,” she ordered briskly. “I’ll be done soon.”
He rested the material on the counter and introduced himself to the man standing behind it. The merchant’s eyes danced with glee as Cassiana returned and set down several more bolts. Then she began bargaining with him and drove a hard one. Landon wondered if she had been allowed to draw up battle plans and lead men in a charge, how quickly England’s enemies might have fallen in defeat.
Finally achieving the prices she wanted, Cassiana paid the man in full. As the merchant took her purchases to the waiting wagons, she told Landon, “My father always believed in paying everything he owed at the time of purchase. Too many noblemen take advantage of others. They wait for a bill of sale to be drawn up and delivered and then wait far too long to compensate the seller.”
“Your father had the right idea,” Landon agreed. “I will model myself after him.”
Their last stop was at a wine merchant’s shop. It amazed him the variety that was available. Cassiana took her time selecting each vintage, pointing out to him the different attributes of each wine. Once more, she proved a fount of knowledge. Landon looked forward to all he would learn from her in the coming years.
“Have we everything?” he asked as their men loaded the casks onto the remaining carts.
She consulted her list again. “Aye. We need to stop for some refreshment, though, since we missed our noon meal. There’s an inn a few blocks from here. We can stop there and have something to eat and drink.”
They caravanned to the inn she’d mentioned. Landon left two soldiers outside to guard their belongings and appointed another soldier and Justin, who had returned from escorting Tressa to the blacksmith, to eat swiftly and switch off with their counterparts, knowing it would please the boy to be entrusted with responsibility. Landon also spied something down the street that gave him an idea.
Following Cassiana inside, she told the innkeeper what she wished served and the men gathered around several tables in the tavern. As they waited for their food to arrive, the soldiers began telling stories on each other and about Briarwood. Cassiana joined in several times. From her comments, it was obvious she spent a great deal of time with them and he saw the respect they had for her in the manner they addressed her.
Once their meal arrived, he urged her to eat quickly. “We have an errand just the two of us need to see to,” he said.
“That sounds rather mysterious, my lord.” Her eyes twinkled and she dug into the roasted meat with gusto.
After the two of them finished, he told the others, “Take your time. Lady Cassiana and I have one more purchase to make. We’ll be back in a while.”
Leading her outside, he slipped her hand through his arm. “It’s not far. We won’t need Orion.”
He took her several shops away and paused at the door.
“A jeweler?” she asked, her nose wrinkling in confusion.
“Aye. You’ll be needing a wedding band in less than two weeks.”
She rewarded him with a brilliant smile, one that made him think he might sail over the sun and moon with ease.
Entering the shop, he noted a man behind the counter showed another buyer his wares.
“Looks as if we’ll need to browse a bit.”
Landon watched as Cassiana perused what lay in the cases while they waited. Finally, the jeweler was free to wait on them.
“We need to view wedding bands,” he told the balding man. Looking to Cassiana, he asked, “Do you prefer silver or gold?”
She looked perplexed. “Either, I suppose. I have never worn any kind of jewelry.”
“Let me show you what I have, my lady,” the merchant said. “I’m sure we’ll be able to find something to your liking.”
He brought out a tray of rings and Cassiana inspected them thoroughly. She lifted one and held it to the light and then slid it onto her finger. After letting it rest on her hand a few moments, she removed it and tried on another. After three exchanges, she found the one she liked.
“This is the ring, Landon. I’m sure of it.” A slim band of gold sat on her finger.
“You don’t want it adorned with any other jewels?” he asked.
“Nay. It . . . feels right.”
The jeweler winked at her. “A lady always knows what she wants.” Looking to Landon, he asked, “Is there anything else I might show you, my lord?”
There was—but he didn’t want Cassiana to know about it.
“Nay. Not now. Mayhap in the future.”
She counted out the coins from her small purse and handed them to the jeweler. As he tucked them away, she wandered off, idly perusing other items in the shop.
As the man took out a cloth to wrap the ring, Landon said softly, “The amber pendant. Wrap that, as well. Separately.”
While the merchant did as Landon asked, he counted out the money to pay for it from his own purse ha
nging from his waist. It was important to him that he buy her something with his coin. Not coin from the previous earl, though Landon realized it all belonged to him now. Instead, he wanted to give Cassiana something from him alone. The amber pendant had caught his eye because it reminded him of the shade her eyes turned upon occasion. He looked forward to giving it to her, mayhap as a wedding gift. Something made him hold back in giving her the dragon brooch. That could wait for another time.
Landon handed over the monies and received the two packages in return. He joined Cassiana and they returned to the inn, where he fetched the men so they could return to Briarwood. Once more, he took her up into the saddle with him, holding her close, hardly believing that this beautiful, intelligent woman would soon carry his name.
When they arrived at the castle, Cassiana ordered the carts to be driven to the keep. The soldiers were to take the goods inside and she would see everything distributed to its proper place.
They cantered to the stables and as Landon pulled her from the horse, she asked, “Did you like Orion?”
“He’s a fine horse. I would be proud to accept him in your brother’s memory.”
“I want to check on Tressa. Would you like to come with me?”
The way she asked, Landon knew she wished for his company. “Let me remove Orion’s equipment and rub him down. I’ll be there shortly.”
Instead, she followed him to Orion’s stall and talked with him as he cared for the horse. Everything seemed easy and natural between them. To think that he hadn’t known her a week ago and now she was to be his wife. A mellow feeling spread through him, knowing he was ready to settle into not only being a landed earl but a married one, as well.
He heard the others who’d gone with them come and care for their horses but as they headed toward Tressa’s stall, Landon realized they were finally alone. As Cassiana bent her horse’s knee to inspect the new shoe, he decided he wanted her to have the pendant now. Stepping into the stall, he caught her wrist as she released the horse’s foot and pulled her to him.
Her eyes widened and then a slow smile graced her lips. Landon bent and brushed his lips against hers, a surge of longing running through him. It surprised him when her hands locked around his neck and pulled him down closer to her. He captured her waist and spun them around, stepping with her until her back touched the wall. His body pressed against hers as his hands held her in place and his tongue parted her lips. He slipped it inside, tasting her sweetness. Her goodness.
Cassiana remembered the lessons from before and responded. She broke the kiss and then took the tip of her tongue and ran it along his bottom lip. Hot desire shot through him. Boldly, she invaded his mouth, as sure as any general who had marched into war. She took; he gave. He took; she gave in return. One kiss blended into a dozen. Landon released her waist and ran his fingertips up and down her arms slowly, over and over, until she trembled. He cupped her face and tenderly kissed every inch of it. Her brow. Her eyelids. Her cheeks. The tip of her nose. He feathered kisses along her jawline and dropped his lips lower, to where her pulse beat rapidly in her throat.
His hands longed to cup her breasts. Landon fought the urge and then gave in. The pad of his thumbs ran across her stiff nipples and she gasped. As he kneaded one breast, he slipped his hand inside her cotehardie and cupped the other. A low moan escaped her lips. He raked a nail across her nipple and she sucked in a quick breath.
Landon brought his hands back up and cupped her face again, knowing he must stop before being carried away. He kissed her one last time, slow and deep, branding her as his.
Lifting his lips from hers, he said softly, “I have something for you.”
Cassiana gave him a wry smile. “I can feel it.”
He realized his cock had come to full attention and pressed against the apex of her legs. “Not that.” Giving her a sly smile, he said, “That’s for later.”
Landon stepped back, giving them both room to breathe. He retrieved the cloth from the jeweler’s.
“I wanted you to have something from me. Before we wed. Not something bought with the Earl of Briargate’s coin. A gift from me. To you.”
He pressed the folded material into the palm of her hand. “Open it.”
Cassiana did, staring at the pendant a long time, so long that Landon thought she didn’t like it and couldn’t decide how to tell him of her dislike.
“If you’d rather have something else—”
“I wouldn’t.” She looked up at him, tears swimming in her eyes. “No one has ever given me a gift before, much less a valuable piece of jewelry.” She smiled. “But I will wear this with pride every day because it comes from you.”
Relief swept through him. “The color reminded me of your eyes. When you’re angry or excited, the amber in them consumes the brown. Here, let me put it on you.”
Landon lifted the chain and stepped behind her. Cassiana moved her braid aside and he pressed a hot kiss to the nape of her neck. Then he unhooked the chain and lowered the pendant over her head. Once it was in place, he fastened the clasp.
She lifted the stone to her lips and pressed a kiss against it. Looking to him, she said, “I will kiss this every day I place it around my neck for it will always remind me of this moment and how I feel for you.”
Landon raised his thumb and brushed it back and forth against her full, bottom lip. “And how is that?”
Cassiana’s mouth trembled as she said, “I think I love you.”
Chapter Twelve
Cassiana hadn’t meant for those words to slip out. Immediately, she said, “Forgive me. I misspoke.”
She brushed past Landon but he caught her elbow and spun her so that she faced him. Her eyes dropped to his boots.
“Cassiana. Look at me.” His voice caressed her like a soft summer breeze.
Stubbornly, she kept her head down, unwilling to let him see how vulnerable she was at this moment.
His hand remained clasping her elbow while the other took her chin in hand and raised it until their eyes locked. In his, she saw doubt.
Landon’s hand slipped to cup her cheek, his palm warm as he searched her face.
“You must think me rather foolish,” she began. “To make such an outlandish statement when we’ve only known each other a short time.”
“You are the least foolish person of my acquaintance,” he said softly. “Other than our king, you are the most intelligent person I have met. I am honored to be the man who will wed you.”
“I don’t know a thing about love,” she said hesitantly. “I’ve never really seen it before. All I know is my heart grows tender every time you come near. I’m filled with a yearning inside that seems ready to explode at any moment. I pine for your kiss. Your touch. If you left, I would become incomplete.”
Landon enfolded her in his arms and held her as if she were the most fragile thing on Earth. Cassiana closed her eyes, soaking in his warmth, feeling secure and calmed. Finally, he released her, sliding his hands down her arms slowly until his fingers entwined with hers.
“I, too, have never experienced love. My parents rarely spoke to one another. How they tolerated being close enough to produce two children still amazes me.” He paused, a haunted look appearing in his eyes. “I fear once I tell you who I truly am that you may not feel any affection toward me—and I wouldn’t blame you.”
Landon fell silent. Cassiana didn’t urge him to speak. Obviously, what he wanted to tell her was something difficult to put into words.
“My father committed treason against the crown,” he said abruptly.
His words caused her to go cold inside.
“I was very young when it happened, not even old enough to foster. I cannot venture a guess as to why he did so. I don’t know if it was something my mother drove him to do. Even as a child, I could see how much she despised him. Mayhap, he was trying to prove something to her—or himself. I’ll never know.
“The king’s men came for him. The sights and sounds of that night sti
ll bring terrifying nightmares. Father was executed for his crimes against England. My family was torn apart. All my life, I’ve striven to prove I am not the man my father was. That I am loyal and a faithful servant to king and country.”
Landon’s eyes blazed intensely. “I don’t know if I am worthy of your love, Cassiana. I do promise you that I will do everything I can to be a good husband to you. I will care for the people of Briarwood and protect them—and the north—from any threat.”
To know Landon was the son of a traitor struck her hard. Allegiance to the crown was driven into the minds and hearts of every northerner, especially knowing the danger of invasion from Scotland by land or France by sea could occur at any moment. She couldn’t fathom a man who would plot against the king, trying to destroy the core of England. Landon’s father had been such a man, weak from greed or pride or some other sin.
And Landon was his son.
This traitor’s blood ran through the man who stood before her. The new Earl of Briargate. The man she would be bound to, on Earth and in Heaven, once they’d wed.
His eyes bored into her, uncertainty in them. Landon hadn’t needed to tell her of his past. If she revealed what she knew, he would be judged harshly. Cassiana couldn’t help but think of how kind Landon seemed. How he put others above himself. How much he wanted to be a good earl and see Briarwood succeed.
In that moment, she determined to consider only the man before her.
“I cannot allow what your father did to color your view of yourself, Landon. Nor mine. You were but a small boy and unformed in your ways.”
“You say this even though my father rebelled against everything in his knightly code. And you now know his blood flows through me. How can you think to love me, Cassiana, when I am so unworthy?”
She looked at him steadily. “We are not our fathers or mothers. We can look to our parents as an example of what to do or disregard their actions and learn to stand on our own. You exemplify everything a knight should be, Landon. You will be a true defender of the north and a good liege lord to your people.”
“Thank you,” he said. He brought her hand to his lips and pressed a fervent kiss upon it. “I will always seek your guidance, Cassiana. Your heart is with your people.” Gazing at her longingly, he added, “I hope someday that I may earn your respect. And your love.”
