“You are the most honorable of knights. I commend your resolve, but what if I am a lady who desires to discover what you could be eluding to?” She teased, but her boldness was tempered with a blush.
His chest rumbled. “Soon. I promise that when I do show ye, it will be in a time and place where we can draw out the pleasure for both of us. As lovely as this spot is, too many camp followers frequent the water here, and it is not the right location for that lesson.”
Standing, he let himself relish her nearness for just a moment longer before she slid down his body as he set her gently on her feet.
“I will take you to meet my brother tonight. I think you and Eddie will come to like each other quite easily.”
Taking her hand, he guided her back toward the path and a place where he wouldn’t be tempted to give in to the fire still pulsing through his veins. He would ask her brother’s permission if they could wed. When she was his, he could take his time showing her everything.
A strange thought hit him—he didn’t yet know her family name.
He would discover it soon enough when she made the introduction tonight. But for now, it didn’t matter who her family was. She was going to be his.
Chapter 9
Jennet’s legs were still wavering and unsteady. How had a kiss shaken her down to her core, made her forget all her reserve, and called on her to beg him for another? She’d been brazen, and that was so unlike her, but she loved the freedom that sang in her blood when she was near Giric. Her mother had died when she was young, and all she had were brothers, no one to teach her what to expect when a man and woman were courting. Only what she’d heard from Ada, but she’d pushed that information away because the last thing she wanted to hear about was her best friend and her brother’s private time.
Giric had been tender. She’d been so caught up in the feel of him that she wasn’t sure she would have stopped his advances had he tried to take her. He was an honorable man, and despite her lack of knowledge, she was confident he would be a patient and attentive teacher. Moisture pooled at the juncture of her legs as she thought about her skin touching his in intimate places.
By the time they returned to the castle, the sun was dipping low in the sky.
“Shall we find something to fill our bellies before we seek out yer brother?” he asked.
“Aye. I think we shall.”
They sat at a bench among the other guests in the great hall, but they barely spoke to anyone else. They laughed and talked about goals and dreams and silly things like stories of the fae and cold baths. They discussed serious matters such as the absence of King Richard and the strife between England and Scotland. They conversed as if they’d known each other their entire lives. Their connection was real and tangible, and this was what she wanted every day from a partner.
Hours passed before she realized how late it was. The curfew bells had long ago rung, and most of the guests had already left the feast, seeking their beds for the evening.
As they walked up the stairs toward her room, it wasn’t trepidation she felt, but anticipation at introducing Eddie to the man she would like to choose for a husband. She’d hoped to see her brother at dinner, but when he’d not made an appearance, she thought he might still be watching over Ada.
Reaching the door, she knocked gently, hoping not to wake her friend if she were still resting.
Sybil opened the door, nodded at her and Giric, then squeezed out into the hall.
“How is she?” Jennet whispered.
“Not much better. Your brother has fallen ill as well, although he doesn’t seem as bad. They’re both sleeping.”
Worry gripped her. Eddie never got sick. It was years of mothering him, their younger brother, and father that had her reaching for the knob again.
Sybil placed her hand on Jennet’s, looked at Giric, then back at her. “I wouldn’t go in there if I didn’t have to. There is an odor.”
“Oh, no,” she said.
“I’ll tend to them tonight, and you can tomorrow. You should stay with Sir Giric.”
“I don’t think that is wise,” she countered.
Leaning in, Sybil whispered into her ear, “Roger is coming by in a little while. He’s quite cross, and you probably don’t want to see him.”
He must be behaving as a tyrant if Sybil was warning her away. Jennet shuddered to think about what Roger might do if he came by and found Giric here after her dismissal today.
Her friend backed away, and before she could reply, Sybil continued out loud, “Your brother would want to make sure you stay healthy. We shall take turns, so we can rest. He won’t mind.”
Ada must have told Sybil that Eddie was going to let her choose Sir Giric.
“Are you certain?” Taking a deep breath, she thought over the consequences. She was going to marry Giric anyway. She was certain he was going to ask. And she’d had such an amazing time with him this afternoon. Why not stay with him? He was honorable, and she knew nothing would take place that she didn’t want to happen.
She glanced back at Giric. Heart pounding, she asked, “Can I stay with you tonight?”
His mouth fell open. Then he shut it. He swallowed. His gaze traveled to the door, and his lips thinned ever so slightly. His conscience must be getting to him. What was a worthy knight to do in such a situation? Honestly, either choice was understandable, but time seemed to freeze, and her breath caught. What if he said no? Had she misread all his signals? Her belly began to twist.
“Aye. I can sleep on the floor.”
Relief flooded her. But there was no way she was going to let him sleep on the ground. Now the prospect of being in his room excited her. She wasn’t worried about sneaking into his chamber. There were a handful of people here at the tourney who knew her, and chances of any of them seeing her were slim.
She focused on Sybil. “I will be back at daybreak. That way, you can rest, and I’ll watch over them.”
Sybil nodded.
“Oh, wait.” She thought for a moment. “If you need my help during the night, come find me.”
Turning to Giric, she asked, “Can you tell Sybil how to find your room?”
“Aye.” He pointed toward the stairs. “Up one flight, then my chamber is the sixth door on the left.”
“And I’ll tie a kerchief on the handle just to make sure you can find it.” Jennet hoped Eddie and Ada would improve during the night, but this made her feel a little better about leaving them.
“I’ll take good care of them.” Sybil was reassuring and sincere as she gave a tight smile.
“Just be certain to come find me if you require any assistance. Thank you.” She hugged Sybil, then she and Giric turned and walked toward the steps.
As they entered his room, she breathed in the scent that clung to the small space. Male and musk, all Giric. When he bolted the door, she turned to take him in. An illicit thrill filled her, and although Sybil might be overreacting to Lord Roger’s rage, she was glad her friend had pushed her in this direction.
What else could she learn about Giric? And was now the time to ask the question that had been burning in her brain? Perhaps tonight she could broach the one reservation she had about her Scottish knight.
Jennet looked lovely standing in his chamber. Giric’s palms itched to touch her, to caress her curves and make her his. But he couldn’t do that yet.
His eyes darted around, looking for the best place to prepare a pallet on the floor. He took the extra blanket from the bed and walked over to an empty space.
“No. You won’t be sleeping on the floor.”
His gaze drifted toward the bed, and he was certain the color must have drained from his face.
“I believe you to be honorable, and I will not sleep thinking of you on the cold, hard timber. The bed is large enough for us both to have room.”
His mouth was dry, and he couldn’t think of what to say. All he could focus on was that Jennet was going to be in his bed tonight.
“Do you have a
spare tunic?” she asked.
“Aye, I do.” He nodded and swallowed…hard.
“May I use it?”
“Aye.” He grabbed one from his trunk and handed it to her. “I’ll turn.”
As he fought the urge to peek over his shoulder, his thoughts strayed to what he would wear. He typically slept without clothing, but she’d learn that once they were wed. His groin tightened. He would have to wear a short tunic as well, but still, they would be so close.
Moonlight filtered in through the window, providing enough light to move around, so he didn’t bother with a candle. Only moments later, they had both changed, and as they climbed beneath the covers, she let out a contented sigh. The glow was comforting and gave an air of magic to the night. He lay there, letting the world outside the walls disappear, knowing when he woke in the morning, he’d have to seek out her brother straight away. He wanted to forget how lonely he’d felt the last few years and start anew with the woman who made him smile, laugh, and desire.
Although he was prone on his back, staring at the timbers of the ceiling, he could feel the warmth from her presence. His body hummed. He wanted to draw her into his arms and revel in the feel of her, but knowing if he did and if she were willing, their embrace might proceed into an intimacy he couldn’t allow just yet. He twined his fingers together on his belly. His cock ached at the inevitability of their joining.
The mattress beneath him shifted, and he glanced her way to discover that she studied him in the dim illumination of the chamber. Then her palm rested on his chest, and his pulse spiked. Her touch set his already heated body ablaze.
“Giric.”
“Aye, lass.” The strain in his body was reflected in a throaty reply.
“Tell me about the revenge you seek.” The hint of fear and disapproval in her voice was like cold seawater splashing him. Would she try to persuade him to abandon his plan?
“There isnae much to say. The baron killed my father, and I seek retribution.” She didn’t flinch at his words, but she seemed to still.
“What happened?” Her hand remained on his chest.
Confident he’d not yet scared her away, he continued, “My father and I were visiting cousins to the south. While there, I was delivering a message to a man about buying one of his horses. I found the man mistreating a child. I told my father, and he bade me to stay with our cousin as he sought an audience with the arse.”
“That’s awful.” She snuggled closer.
“When he didn’t come back, we went there and discovered that my father, the tavern owner, and the child had all been murdered. It took days of questioning the nearby villagers to discover the identity of the English nobleman who had fled from the area.”
“I’m so sorry. You know that’s not your fault?” One of her fingers made circles, searing him through his tunic.
“It feels as if I had stayed out of it, my father would be here today.”
“You can’t know that.”
No, he couldn’t, but he was certain things would have been different if he’d not gotten involved. He remained silent.
“Will you kill the man?”
“I planned to challenge him, but he isnae here.”
“Then you won’t need to fight.” Relief sounded in her voice.
“Nae, I have waited too long, and my father’s honor demands justice. I will challenge his son to a fair battle during the melee.”
“And if you best him and he yields, will you kill him?” Her fingers trembled on his chest.
“Nae. But I will demand the life of his father.”
She gasped, but he wouldn’t hide the truth from her. She deserved to know who he truly was.
“And then will you be satisfied?”
“I want the baron’s family to suffer as mine has.” He couldn’t keep the raw anger from his tone, and his words were harsh.
“What if he bests you?” she asked.
“Then, I will be defeated, knowing that I sought justice for my family.”
“Do your brothers feel the same way you do?”
“No. They weren’t there when it happened. They don’t…” He swallowed hard and admitted the truth he’d not said to anyone else. “…Blame themselves.”
Her hand stroked his chest. It was meant to be a soothing motion, and she likely did it without thinking. He would bet that she didn’t even realize she was comforting him with her touch, but the sweet gesture meant everything to him.
“You are not to blame, and your father wouldn’t wish that burden for you. He would probably want you to live for the present and not dwell on what you cannot change.”
He clasped her hand, pulled it to his lips, and placed his mouth on her sweet flesh. He kissed her on her knuckles because he was afraid if he did it the proper way, he’d want too much. He didn’t believe her words, but it was endearing that she had so much faith in him after knowing him for such a short time.
“That is kind of ye. But after this tournament, I can have peace and move on.” Hopefully, with ye.
“I do wish for you to find solace. Vengeance rarely leads down the path you desire.”
She was correct, but justice had been his mission for years, and he would not dishonor his father by failing to see it through, even for the woman he wanted by his side.
He placed her palm back on his chest. It was the one touch that he would allow himself tonight. “Rest. It sounds as if ye will have a busy day caring for yer brother and friend tomorrow.”
And he had to spend a little more time with their host. Meeting Jennet’s brother might have to wait until he was hale and hearty. Knowing she’d be caring for them tomorrow, he could focus on his other task.
Chapter 10
As the chamber brightened with a warm, new-day glow, Jennet stretched then angled onto her side to look at the braw knight who lay peacefully next to her. She didn’t like that he had his mind set on righting wrongs that hadn’t been within his control, but she did like everything else about him—his strong chin, the trust he’d shown in her last night by not shielding her from his truth, and the way his lips curled when he smiled.
She’d tasted those lips. And she wanted to again.
He’d turned to face her during the wee hours of the morning, and now she was astonished by the comfort she felt at being so near him. It was as if they’d known each other for years instead of mere days. Trailing her fingers down his well-muscled arm, she reveled in the heat that seeped through his tunic, tempting her to scoot closer and nestle near to him. His heavy lids opened. They were hooded and sensual and seemed to plead with her to take another kiss. But he spoke before she had a chance to act on the urge.
“Ye are a bonny sight to wake to.” His morning voice was husky, and it rolled over her like the warmth she felt when walking into Cresthaven’s kitchens on a cold winter night.
“I was thinking the same thing.”
“’Tis still early. I think we can get ye back to yer room before the castle wakes.” He threw back the covers, and a rush of cool air whooshed over her. She rather thought she wanted to stay here, next to Giric, but he seemed eager to have her gone. It was unexpected and stung just a little bit. She’d been but seconds away from claiming his mouth.
Her hurt feelings must have shown on her face because he continued, “I would like to linger, but we have to see to yer honor.”
It was a valid reason for rushing her out the door, and she had to remember that his need to be in the right was one of the qualities she admired most about him.
“Very well.” She did need to see to Ada and Eddie. She rose and strolled over to the chair where she’d placed her gown last evening.
He turned to face the other direction as he dressed, allotting her privacy as she did the same for him. When they were ready, he escorted her down to her room.
He took both her hands in his. “Will I see ye this evening?”
“Aye. At our bench, and if Eddie is well, I’ll bring you back up to meet him.”
&nb
sp; “I will count the moments until I see ye again.” His gaze was sincere.
Her heart skipped a beat at his declaration. She didn’t want to part, but they both had duties to attend. “I will, as well.”
She expected him to close the distance between them and kiss her again, but instead, he drew her hands to his lips and caressed her flesh. Rising, he said, “Until tonight,” then dropped her hands and turned to walk away.
She sighed, standing still with her hand on the knob as she followed his movements until he was out of view. Then she turned to open the door. As she slid in easily and quietly, she scolded herself for not reminding her friends to bolt the door. They shouldn’t be so careless since there still might be a mercenary attempting to hunt one of them down.
Ada and Eddie were sleeping on one bed, while Sybil was spread out on the other. All rested peacefully. It was a relief. Perhaps they were over the illness already. Instead of waking them, she changed into a fresh gown, then settled down into a seat.
A little while later, Sybil stirred and rose.
“How were they through the night?” Jennet whispered.
“Your brother is somewhat better, but Ada was fretful most of the night.”
“Well, I will keep watch now. Why don’t you clean up and go to break your fast?”
Her friend must be exhausted after her vigil.
“Aye, I think that I do need some fresh air.” Sybil dressed and fastened her chatelaine around her waist. Jennet didn’t own one of the chain-link belts necessary to carry around trinkets because she rarely left home, and she didn’t sew. For her, they seemed pointless. She’d rather have her bow, but it was like Sybil to be prepared for any emergency.
“I made a broth for her. It will help her if you can get her to drink it. I think your brother is well enough he doesn’t need any. You should offer him the ale that’s on the table.”
“If she wakes I’ll see to it that she drinks some.”
Sybil nodded, and her gaze slid past Jennet to stare at the bed. She appeared haggard and worn down.
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