Chapter Five
She missed him terribly.
She sat brushing her hair dry by the evening fire before she went to bed. Upon hearing the men’s return, she could hardly wait to see him. Her heart thudded as she ran to her window to look below. They had been gone five long days, and four long nights. The regiment rode passed the gates and into the courtyard. He had called her foolish. Aye, she be all of that, and more. She knew nothing could come of her infatuation. She would have to learn to live with it.
It had always been his horse she had silently welcomed back. Now, her mind filled with thoughts of him. It was all she could do to stand still while she watched him dismount and hand the reins over to Rodney, his squire. Dusk now covered the land, and she knew the men must be exhausted, yet they would share ale or wine, and then call it a night, as usual, when they returned so late. She could only hope she would see him sometime tomorrow. Just a glimpse would be enough. Just a glimpse would have to be enough.
She curled up in bed and tried to concentrate on what to add to the mural tomorrow. Her mind would no’ cooperate. Instead, she closed her eyes and let herself dream. Of dark eyes, dark hair, that handsome face, those strong arms.
• ♥ •
When Geoff entered the stables the next morning, he welcomed the sight of Heather as she said farewell to his horse. As he drew closer, she turned to see him approaching.
“I be just leaving this fine young mon, so do no’ be telling me to leave him be. And yur Rodney be here when I came in and Darktonian welcomed me. I only gave him two slices, so he be no’ a piggy like usual.” Her light laughter floated through the air.
“I was not going to complain, but ask you if you would like to take a ride with Darktonian and me. Winter has nicely held off, but will undoubtedly soon start setting in, so I thought maybe while the weather is so mild and the sun is shining, you might enjoy such a ride.” He reached over and patted the horse’s withers.
She stared at him as if he had asked her to jump off a cliff. “I…have never ridden a horse by meself except when Ahna sent for me. I rode a very gentle mare at a very slow pace and the men who escorted me rode close by me side.”
He nodded and she noted a smidgeon of a grin. “I should have said would you join me on Darktonian. We would ride together—you in front of me so you would not fall.”
Her heart accelerated fast enough to cause a blustery windstorm to swoop through the land. She would be sitting in front of him with his arms wrapped around her sides.
“Truly?” Her eyes rounded with excitement. “I would like that verra much.” Was that wispy sound really her breath? “When would ye be going?”
“I thought right after our nooning meal. Would that be a good time for you?”
“Aye, I will let Ahna know where I be going. Sometimes, she be like a mother hen as to me whereabouts. But I still love her dearly.”
He nodded. “Meet me here later and I will have him ready. Did ye miss me as much as my horse?”
She grinned. “Hmmm. I might have missed ye just a wee bit. Would ye like an apple slice, too?”
• ♥ •
Heather could no’ finish her meal fast enough. She saw Geoffrey with his boisterous men at the far end of the room. They were always a bit rowdy unless they had just returned from battle of some kind. Then they were sober. She quickly finished, ran to her room to change, and walked as fast as her legs would allow to the stables. Her excitement grew by the moment.
• ♥ •
Once Geoffrey had hoisted Heather upon his mount’s back, he swung up behind her and settled her in his lap. The minute he gathered the reins and had his arms around her, he wondered what he thought to accomplish. She looked lovely with her long hair tied back with a ribbon at her nape and her light blue bliaut that hugged each and every curve. There was that scent again, fresh like springtime. It assaulted him no less than her silken hair did as the top of her head brushed his chin. Maybe this ride was a mistake. But God knew he had missed her. And he could not think of anything more to please her than a ride on his horse.
“’Tis like sitting upon the tallest mountain.” Her smile beamed to match the sunny sky. She leaned forward and stretched her arms above his hold on the reins to hug the horse’s neck. She was like an excited child. It was no wonder, since she had limited joy before coming to Dillyglen. Thank goodness Ahna had been at the abbey for part of her life!
She was also resting her ample breasts against his forearms and he thought he might go up in flames. He swallowed and squirmed to ease the discomfort of his tightening hose. She is as innocent as they come. This was heaven—and pure hell. Thankfully, she leaned back. He inhaled in a long, slow breath, and set off a slow pace across the countryside.
To keep his mind off her charms, he asked her to relate what it was like living at the abbey.
“The nuns often warned me I be too stubborn for me own good, and sometimes, too determined to hold fast to my way of thinking than be smart. It be but another flaw I have tried to correct, but have failed miserably.
“They reprimanded and reminded me of all my flaws and faults daily. But now, I have true friends, and a wonderful life here. I be rewarded every day when I can help others. I have a full life when I can teach painting and art, music, and about life’s many joys to children. I can no’ wait until Ahna delivers and I can hold her precious little bairn.”
Her story was sad, yet joyful. He thought her flaws spoke of her vibrant zest for life, her determination and strength of character. He would never let her know the extent of his admiration, however. He would never intentionally become vulnerable to another person, especially a woman.
“How did you exist without animals? You seem to love them all.”
“Oh, I do.” She wiggled sideways a bit so he could hear her a bit better. She had no idea what her movements did to him. He swallowed. Maybe this was not such a good idea.
“We had a goat and cow for milk, cheese, and butter; chickens for eggs; and an old nag that the sisters used a few times for transportation. God’s truth, I spoiled every one of them as much as possible. Even the nasty-minded chickens. I shiver just thing about dealing with those cantankerous, wretched-squawking beasts.” He felt the shiver and hugged her a little tighter.
He would have enjoyed seeing her dealing with those squawking, feathered beasts. She more than likely told them a thing or two to put them in their places. What a delight.
“The nuns said someday me mouth would get me into more trouble than I would know what to do with. They be right, too. I could no more hold back me tongue yesterday with that poor helpless dog than I could stop breathing.”
He knew what he wanted to do with that mouth. She was not a tavern wench he could steal a kiss or two from. “It is your nature to care and nurture, especially when it comes to the weak or animals. How old are you?”
“’Tis no’ polite to ask a woman her age, sir, but I be twenty-and-two.” How old ye be?”
“Twenty-and-nine.”
They talked about his being a warrior, his mother and younger sister in England. They admired the beauty of the land as they passed by. She remarked about the various flowers and their colors. He decided then to show her the closest glen. When she saw the tall waterfalls, she ‘ooohhed’ and ‘ahhhed’. He laughed at her glee. When had he ever smiled or laughed so much? He could not really remember, other than when joking with the men.
She remained quiet for a while after leaving the falls. He wondered if she savored the picture in her mind. She was an artist, after all.
“Have ye always done such fine wood working? The chess set ye gifted Royce and Heather for their wedding be a masterpiece.”
“Thank you, and yes, I have always liked to whittle and make special creations. Since they already have a cradle that was Royce’s, I am making a horse he or she can ride and rock back and forth. They do not know it.”
“Oh, they will love it,” she said, her eyes dancing with stars and giving him a grin with lips begging to be kissed. “I will no’ say one word.”
He nodded. “I hear you have quite the wall going in the nursery. When will you allow others besides Ahna to see your work?”
She smiled, and he wondered what he had been thinking to sit so close to her and have her wiggle against him as she was doing. God help me for being a fool.
“When it be totally done. And no’ before. I should finish next week.”
Geoffrey turned Darktonian back toward the castle, but took the path through the thick forest, thinking she might enjoy different scenery. She did of course, remarking on the various shades of greens, the different foliage. He had never eyed the forest in such a way before, other than woods and leaves. He found he enjoyed her pointing out its beauty.
As they neared the tree line to where they could see the castle not far off to the left, he pulled in the reins. She was talking and admiring the red hawk perched in a tree just ahead to their right.
He had missed her while gone. Had she missed him?
“He be absolutely stunning do ye no’ think?” She studied the bird so intently she did not realize he had drawn to a halt.
“Absolutely beautiful,” he murmured by her ear.
She turned to look at him. He captured those tantalizing lips with his. He had known they would be sweet and soft, but he had no idea he would be completely lost. He wanted to devour them, to never stop kissing her. He did devour them. God help them both, she returned his kiss full measure. She wrapped her arms around his neck and leaned into him to nearly unseat him. He let the reins fall lax, wrapping her in his embrace. He felt her shudder and knew she was as aroused as he. He had not meant to take it this far. He had no regrets.
Darktonian side stepped. Geoff gathered and pulled the reins to steady him. He looked down. Her lips were rosy and swollen, her eyes dreamy and searching his as if to ask why. He had no answer.
She was not a woman to be toyed with. He was not willing to offer her more.
He readjusted her position so she faced front more. He scowled and tightened his lips, pulled her head against his chest, and set Darktonian to a pace to get them back quicker than planned.