Perhaps he should get to know her better. He’d never had such a reaction to a lass. His hand tingled where it touched hers, and he found it nearly impossible to release his hold.
Once they’d emerged onto the new street, he swallowed. “Did any of ye recognize the man?” he asked.
“No. I’ve never seen him,” Jennet said, then looked to her friends for their reactions. The brunette shook her head, and the blonde bit her lip then looked away as if she were trying to block out the memory.
“Did he say what he wanted?”
Jennet shook her head. “He did not say a word.”
Unease crept in. It was odd that the man hadn’t demanded coin or something else that the ladies were unwilling to give. The attacker had seemed coherent and steady on his feet, so Giric doubted he was a madman or a drunk.
The brunette glanced his way. “We are fortunate you were nearby. Thank you, Sir Giric.”
He nodded. “I only wish I could have detained him.”
“Ah, forgive me,” Jennet said. “This is Ada Ward. She’ll soon be wed to my brother. And this”—she smiled toward the blonde—“is Sybil Nash. A close neighbor and friend. Her brother is the Earl of Bruton.”
“’Tis a pleasure to meet ye both.” He bowed, not releasing Jennet’s hand.
“Will you be in the joust today, Sir Giric? Both my brother and Jennet’s will be.” Sybil smiled, but her attention still darted around, possibly worried they hadn’t seen the last of their attacker.
“Nae. There is another knight here to represent King William in the jousting tourney.”
“We will be watching from the stands. Will you be coming to observe?” Ada grinned but judging by the raised eyebrow, she teased Jennet as much as she was asking after his whereabouts.
Jennet’s cheeks were flushed when she peeked up at him. And for a moment, he wished he could join them.
“I dinnae ken if I will attend. I hear Lady Jennet doesnae offer knights her favor, and my pride might be damaged irreparably if I put myself in a position for failure.” His free hand covered his heart.
She smiled then, a playful, private grin meant only for him, and a thrill shot down his spine at the knowledge that they shared a secret.
“I’m sure she might break with tradition to honor one who saved her life and that of her friends.” Ada laughed.
“Are ye willing to do such a thing, lass?” His voice was rough, and somehow it felt like he was asking for more.
“How am I to bestow such an offering if you are not fighting?” Jennet replied, a teasing note giving her voice a lightness that he was happy to hear after the scare they had just experienced. Their friend, Sybil, was quiet and appeared as if she’d not yet recovered from their ordeal.
“I will be participating in the melee if the lady chooses to honor me.”
“You prefer hand-to-hand combat?” Jennet glanced at him, her brown gaze trapping him along with the playful tone she’d possessed last evening.
“I prefer being close enough to see my opponent quiver, no matter the sport.” His thumb brushed up and down on her soft skin.
Her breath caught, and he was enthralled by the way her mouth fell open as if she would welcome a kiss. Her tongue darted across her lips and desire shot through him. Och, this reaction was new to him. The world around them disappeared as their eyes locked.
A voice cleared to garner their attention…the blonde, Sybil. “We should probably be on our way back. I don’t want to miss our brothers in the parade of knights.”
Pulling his gaze from Jennet, he examined the area and realized they’d not moved. The baron’s men appeared to be clearing the remaining visitors from the street. He should escort the ladies to the castle, and then he would double back to see if he could find any clues to the assailant’s identity. He’d managed to geta good look at the man, and perhaps he would find someone who knew him.
They started toward the castle. “And do ye have a knight that ye favor, Lady Sybil?” he asked.
Her lips pinched together. “No, I do not.” She picked up her pace and set out in front of them. Ada followed her. Although it appeared that he’d broached a sensitive subject, he was glad, for the slower pace Jennet kept beside him. He enjoyed being the object of her attention.
She leaned in, and he inhaled the heady combination of rose and sandalwood. “Perhaps you may help us find someone worthy of Sybil’s interest. Ada stole my brother’s affections before Sybil had the chance.”
“I would like to meet yer brother. Perhaps he could give me insight on how to woo his sister.” He was surprised at how his jesting words settled in his chest and became something more than what he had intended.
“I think you are better at it than you believe.”
“Why are ye no’ wed?” He couldn’t imagine the men in England not tripping over themselves to ask for her hand.
“My mother passed when I was young, and I eventually took over caring for the men in my life. My brothers are younger than I, and until Eddie takes the helm of the family, they need me.”
It was the first mention of her brother’s name. He must be another Edward—och, the English were so predictable. At least this one went by a shortened version.
“What of yer father?”
Jennet’s gaze turned down before glancing back up at him. She seemed to be collecting her thoughts. “He has been ill for some time.”
He’d upset her. Giric wanted to bring her smile back, but he didn’t know what to say. Instead, he attempted to give her a reassuring nod.
“It was especially bad when Eddie’s horse fell on his leg. I think he would have taken on the responsibilities and married Ada sooner, had he not had to use the time to recover. It won’t be long now.”
“And will yer brother find ye a husband?” Tension wound around his shoulders as he waited for her response, unaccountably worried that her life might already be plotted for her.
“No. I shall be allowed the freedom to find my own if I desire one.”
His feet stalled, and his breath caught. Might she choose him? He’d not really thought until this moment that there could truly be more between them. The prospect sent a thrill through him, but he had other priorities that came first.
Jennet was surprised when Giric stopped. Glancing up at him, she knew the emotion he wore on his face. It was shock. “Does it surprise you that a daughter of a baron might be able to choose who she weds?”
“Until this moment, ye could have been the daughter of a miller for all I kenned.” He grinned, and it was endearing. One side of his mouth rose a little higher than the other, and his blue gaze sparked with amusement. “But, aye, I would think yer family might be concerned over connections to match yer station.”
“My parents endured hardships for that very reason and swore they would not force their children to make a choice not based on mutual affection.”
“That is uncommon for the barons of England. I’d thought them all cold and heartless.” His brows knit together, and his eyes darkened as if he was speaking from some experience.
“Are you going to join us?” Ada’s voice reached her, and she realized they’d fallen a bit behind. They continued to stroll toward the castle.
Perhaps she was telling him too much, but she found it easy to speak to Sir Giric. “My mother was betrothed to another before my father had the chance to ask for her hand. At the time, my father was the third of three sons, and it was his eldest brother that my mother was promised to.”
“That does seem like a horrible twist of fate.”
“They couldn’t bear to be parted, so he stole her from my uncle.”
“How brave of them to risk losing so much.”
“They lost much more than you could imagine, and because of it, my parents swore they would let their children choose their own mates.” As she shared words that she’d never volunteered to others, not even Ada and Sybil, a pressure evaporated from her chest.
“Ye have me curious to hear more of t
heir tale.” Giric’s inquisitive stare met hers, begging for more of the story.
Maybe she’d needed someone to talk to after hiding her father’s illness and the events that led up to it for so long. Still, the next part of her story woke her on too many nights. It might be a relief to tell this man what had happened to her, but she would wait until she’d had a glass of wine to fortify her nerves.
They’d reached the castle. She still held Giric’s hand and found she had not the will to pull her fingers away. It may not be appropriate considering they barely knew each other, but his comforting presence had kept her grounded after the attack.
She was growing fond of this Scottish knight, and that was a problem. Scotland held nothing but horrible memories for her and her family. If she were to encourage Sir Giric’s attention, she should not flaunt it in front of anyone who might tell Eddie until she’d had the opportunity to speak with him. And she was not ready for her brother to know she was becoming enthralled by someone who was at the tourney on King William’s behalf.
They needed to part ways here, before her brother might see them.
“Perhaps, Sir Giric, if you find me this evening, I will share their fate.”
“I would be honored.”
“After tonight’s feast, shall we meet in the gardens? At the same bench, perhaps?” Anticipation was already coursing through her at the thought of sitting alone in their secret spot.
“Aye. I will count the minutes till ’tis time.”
Her chest pounded at his words and the thought that he might be as enthralled with her as she was him. His eyes had an intensity to them that they hadn’t previously held, and she thought he might try to kiss her. She wanted him to. She had her freedom now and could make her own choices—why shouldn’t she? Chest tightening, her lips parted, and her chin tilted up, but he did not move to further their connection.
Her breath quickened as they stood motionless, hands still twined. Her breasts were heavy with tension and anticipation, but he only continued to stare into her eyes. Had she misread what she’d thought to be genuine interest? Feeling her skin flush as heat moved through her, she swallowed and drew back her shoulders.
Perhaps he’d not moved in because they were on a busy thoroughfare. It would be like what she’d learned of him thus far to protect her honor.
“Thank you, Sir Giric.” She drew her hand back, managing to release her hold on him and the words despite the lump in her throat. She gave a small curtsey and inched backward.
He blinked, and his shoulders dipped as if he’d been surprised by her abrupt retreat. “What have I done?”
“You possibly saved my life and that of my friends.” She smiled.
He took a deep breath and nodded, the confusion in his gaze retreating. “I am happy to have been nearby.”
“I look forward to seeing you this evening.”
“And I as well, Lady Jennet.” He backed and bowed, then he turned and strode again toward the village.
As Jennet rejoined her friends, Sybil’s scrutiny pinned her. “Are you sure you know what you’re doing? He looks as if he’s quite interested in you and he’s from Scotland. Your brother might not approve.”
“I know. There is no harm in talking to him, and he just saved us.” But she knew she was wrong about the lack of harm. She already missed the warmth of his steady hand, and her heart beat with eagerness as she thought of seeing him this evening.
If she let this go further, Eddie would have to be notified. He’d always agreed she could make her own choice, but none of them had ever considered she might go back to the place that held such pain for her family. Logic had always kept her safe, but this time, she just couldn’t obey the warning signals in her head.
Chapter 5
Jennet and her friends returned to their room to allow their nerves to calm a bit more. When Sybil’s hands had finally stopped trembling after a short rest, they had given in to Ada’s demands to attend the festivities. Jennet was keen on seeing her brother in the parade of knights and grew impatient as they made their way to the jousting fields.
By the time they’d arrived, the parade was almost over, and they’d missed both Eddie’s and Lord Roger’s introductions. The raised viewing stand afforded a nice perspective of the jousting fields. Mounted knights trotted across the field as a man called out who the next participant was and where he hailed from. Cheers rang out as each name was called, and the men took up their starting positions.
She’d seen the knights here the last couple days, practicing and preparing for the tournament events. Brown patches of earth showed the turf was already pounded flat from their efforts. She found herself scanning the crowds, looking for her Scottish savior.
Why had Giric been sent if the king had chosen another to represent him in the tourney? Perhaps just for the melee, but she didn’t know enough about the politics of tournaments to judge. Frankly, after Eddie’s accident, competition on horseback frightened her. She was glad Giric had chosen not to take the field. It would be hard enough to watch her brother.
Did she even care why Giric was here? Only that he was, and her heart skipped a beat as she thought of seeing him this evening. Never before had she been so intrigued by someone, and his humor matched her own. Other than Ada and Sybil, she’d not laughed with anyone since her youth was stolen. For the first time in years, in his presence, she felt alive and free.
And she’d never wanted to kiss a man before, but his gentle hand in hers had sent gooseflesh trailing up her arms. The way he’d gazed into her eyes had awoken something in her that had lain in wait for his smile. Perhaps…she felt the warmth creep up her cheeks…he would put his lips to hers as they sat on their hidden bench this evening.
Her core vibrated with something new, a rush she didn’t expect, and it sent heat to the spot between her thighs. Oh, she mused, this must be desire. Even the thought of him made her body thrum to life in ways foreign to her. And despite her past in Scotland, she might consider traveling there again. Perhaps all Scots weren’t barbarians. She wanted to know more about Giric, and that might mean understanding his homeland.
Ada broke into her thoughts. “They’re arguing again. I feel so awful for her.”
She hoped her friend couldn’t tell where her thoughts had been. “Who?” she asked.
“Sybil and Lord Roger.” Ada pointed, and Jennet craned backward to observe the pair who glared at each other behind the stands.
“I didn’t know he’d stopped her as we entered. We must have missed him parade across the field.”
Sybil’s fists were clenched at her sides. Perhaps she was starting to stand up for herself. Lord Roger seemed to enjoy controlling everyone around him. Her heart ached for how hard life must be for Sybil.
Jennet shook her head. “I think we need to find her a husband so that she’ll no longer be under his command.” After what her uncle had done to her, she could never live in such a powerless environment again. She craved the freedom to make her own decisions.
“I agree. Perhaps some champion will stand out today, and then we can sing of her merits to him.” Ada laughed.
Jennet giggled and said, “He’ll be in love before we ever introduce them.”
Ada perked up. Her attention pulled to the front of the stands. “Oh, there’s Edward. He looks magnificent.”
Her heart warmed as her best friend’s eyes shone with pride and love. They deserved each other. But what of her? Jennet had never taken the time to discover what she might find attractive in a man. Sir Giric’s laughter floated in her mind. He was kind and amusing…and pleasing to gaze upon.
Her cheeks once again heated. “Do you think Eddie would truly not be pleased if I wanted to know Sir Giric better?”
“I think if the knight is worthy of his sister’s affections, he will give the man a chance despite his allegiance to King William.”
Jennet smiled.
“And he may have saved our lives. I’m sure Edward would feel some gratitude toward h
im,” Ada continued.
Jennet’s eyes stung. It seemed childish, but her friend’s approval was important. She was in a place she didn’t understand. “Do you think I am foolish for hoping Sir Giric desires me?”
“No, I do not.”
“My heart patters so when he’s near, and all I can think of is seeing him again. Is that wrong?”
“No. ’Tis proof that you were destined to be together. I felt the same way about your brother when we first met.”
“But we were just children then. You’ve had time to learn who he is.”
“Aye, but my heart knew the first time I saw him. It was my mind that had to catch up. You only have a few days. I suggest you get to know him.”
Jennet felt heat creep up her neck because that was exactly what she wanted to do.
Ada smiled. “If you decide he is the right one for you, I will talk to your brother.”
She threw her arms around Ada. She knew if she decided Giric was her choice and if both she and Ada asked Eddie, he wouldn’t be able to refuse them.
Sybil appeared by their side. “Did I miss something?”
“No. We’re just so happy to be here. What was going on with your brother?”
“Just his usual demands. Oh, and Jennet, he wishes for you to share a dance with him this evening after the feast.”
Her mouth fell open. Lord Roger had never shown interest in her other than ordering her around when he’d visited her brother. If he’d not served as a mentor and friend to Eddie all these years, she would probably have denied the overbearing tyrant admittance into their home. She only put up with him for Eddie and Sybil’s sakes.
Before she could continue, Sybil frowned. Jennet followed her gaze to see Edward at the box’s edge, Ada giving him a kerchief. Happiness washed over her for them, but then dread as she remembered Eddie’s injury.
“Jennet,” Sybil’s angry tone broke in.
“Aye.” She turned back to the woman.
“I said, ‘I’m going to our chamber to rest. My head aches.’”
The Highland Knight's Revenge Page 4
