Chapter Seven
It had been a fortnight since Geoff had Ahna trace Heather’s shoe without her knowing. Ahna had thought him crazy until he had explained his plan. Since she informed him Heather painted barefoot, it would be easy for her to do. He swore her to secrecy.
After discussing his plan with the shoemaker, Geoff constructed two thin wooden boxes in the shape of the sole of her left shoe and left boot. Each measured two inches tall. The shoemaker then made the new shoes and boots and attached the hollow boxes to the left shoe and boot soles, then fastened a leather sole to each box bottom. They were fairly lightweight, so hopefully it would not take long for Heather to learn to use them.
He stared at the creations he had just picked up from the shoemaker. Either she would love them or hate them. It would be worth taking the chance to see her smile.
He had planned to present his gift to her during Yuletide, however he did not want them to be a holiday gift, but a gift from a friend. He did not want her to feel she had to reciprocate a Yuletide gift.
Since the regiment would be heading out in two days to join the battle between the Cunningham clan that was refusing to accept their new English liege, this would be a good time to present the gift to her. The sooner she mastered using them, the sooner she could walk easier and faster. Or better yet, should she encounter future danger of any kind, run. Her attack had not settled well with him.
• ♥ •
As the evening meal wound down, Geoff ambled to where Heather sat with her friends.
“Good evening ladies,” he greeted them with a polite nod. Addressing most women made him edgy.
“Please, continue with your desserts, I merely wished to ask Heather if she might have a moment to talk after she is finished. We will be heading out tomorrow, and I wanted to discuss something with her before then.”
Heather eyed him as if he had two heads. “Of course, Sir Geoffrey. Do you want to talk here or somewhere else?” Her words were as thick as honey. He held back a grin. Oh, she was still peeved.
“I need to go to the stables and gather a few things. Could you meet me there, or would you prefer I come back here?” Did the others realize the tension between them? He certainly did.
“I will come to the stables. It will feel good to be outside later. May I bring a few apple slices for Darktonian?”
Face drawn taut, he nodded, feeling awkward in front of so many women. “Of course. He would enjoy it. While we are on campaign, he will not get any.”
“I will see you later. Good night ladies. I apologize for the interruption.” He nodded once more and headed out of the hall as fast he could.
• ♥ •
Heather was talking to Darktonian when Geoffrey entered the stable. She felt nervous, having no idea what he might want to say to her. Maybe he would tell her they should never share another kiss. That be what she wanted, be it no’? Then why did that idea pierce her heart as if an arrow had found its mark?
He carried a bulging sack cloth. His dour expression told her nothing of what was going on.
“Thank you for coming. Since we are leaving in the morning and I have no idea how long we will be gone, I wanted to give you this gift before I left.”
A gift? For what? A few stolen kisses? She had kisses on her mind. She wanted to scream at herself for such silly thoughts. “’Tis no’ reason for a gift. Yuletide be a bit away yet and ’tis no’ proper for us to exchange a gift then, either.” When she caught his slight smirk, she longed to kick him. Right where it would hurt to sit.
“It is something I made. To make your life easier. And safer…if you have to run.” God’s truth, the mon looked embarrassed. If nothing else, he held her attention. To her regret, she felt like an excited child, eager to rip the package open. Sister Mary Margaret would reprimand her for such sinful inquisitiveness.
“Please,” he held out the sack toward her, “take it as a gift of friendship. Nothing more. Proper has nothing to do with it. Think of it as a thank you from Darktonian for all the apple slices and attention you give him.” She glanced from the package to him. His face remained unreadable.
He reached for a stool by the next stall and placed it by her side. “Here, sit down so you can open it.” When she did, he handed her the sack and held the edges open for her. She reached in and brought out a new shoe. It was a pretty shoe. She was more confused when she heard his sigh.
“Reach in for the left one.”
She glanced at him, and then dug inside. Pushing the larger items out of the way, she pulled out the left one. Immediately, she noticed the two-inch sole, and understanding dawned on her. Could this really work? Emotions swamped her. She sat for a moment longer to allow those emotions to settle down, or she might cry all over the mon. Her hands shook. She had to swallow, and then take a big deep breath.
When she looked up, he swam before as her eyes as tears pooled and threaten to release.
“I do not know if they will work, but I thought it would be something to try. There is a pair of kid skin boots, also.” He sounded so embarrassed that she was able to blink back the waterworks.
“I…I do no’ know what to say.”
“Thank you will do nicely,” he said, trying to hide his contented grin. His eyes said he was pleased by her reaction. “Do you want to try them on, or would you rather wait?”
“Aye, I will try them now...thank ye, Geoffrey. How did ye ever do this?”
As he set the bag of boots aside, he explained how all of it came about. She removed her shoes and put the new ones on. Laughing, she shook her head. “Ahna never said a word.”
“I threatened her. Well, almost.”
As they both laughed, she stood and held onto the stool to get her balance. “It feels awkward.”
“I believe it will for a while.” He stood behind her and placed his hands on her waist. “I have you, so you will not fall. Go ahead and take a step, right foot first until you get the hang of it.”
Tentatively, she took a step, then followed with the left. She continued the slow gait with a few tottering and wiggles and little squeals as she tipped and bent within his grip on her waist. They both laughed throughout the ordeal while Darktonian joined in with a few whinnies as if to join the fun.
They agreed that was enough for the first try, and she replaced her old shoes. When she pulled out the boots, her smile was enough to last him a lifetime. Her eyes fairly twinkled with happiness.
“Geoffrey, thank ye so verra much. They be the best gift ever,” she said as she gathered shoes and boots and placed them back in the bag. He wondered how many gifts she had ever received. Surely, not enough.
“My pleasure.” Before she could move away, he bent down and kissed her. She immediately leaned into him and returned his kiss tenfold. He was lost. His tongue parted her lips and mated with hers. Her arms wrapped around his waist as she ran her hands up and down his back. He cupped her breast with one hand and groaned his contentment. Their bodies fused together, and he could not deny rubbing against her where they joined from waist below. Lips still locked and searching, she gasped into his mouth.
It was her gasp that brought his senses around. What had he been thinking? Obviously, not with his head. She was no trollop. She certainly did not deserve toying with, only to leave her with nothing more. He stepped away and turned to hide his blatant desire.
“I should not…”
“Do no’ say it. Do no’!” she spat as he heard her pick up the sack and march up behind him. Her words extinguishing all arousal, he turned around.
“Ye will no’ be kissing me again, Sir Geoffrey, only to regret it and become angry the next minute.” Royce entered the stables just as she stormed past him with hobbled heavy steps and not one word.
“I do believe she had fire in her eyes, this time, if I’m not mistaken.” Royce laughed as he continued on toward Valiant’s stall. He patted his horse’s muzzle and laughed again. It added fuel to the fire already set ablaze inside Geoff.
“If you want to walk straight and sire more babes, leave it be, Royce.”
She will drive me insane yet. But he would enjoy her sweet kisses until then. He found himself grinning like a fool. Making plans tonight for a good battle would clear his mind.
“Women, you cannot live without them, but you sure as hell cannot make any sense from their thinking,” Geoff grumbled. “Ah, but all that spark and power wrapped up in one tidy package of softness. She is something. Different than any woman I have ever known.”
Royce’s brows arched, remaining silent. The man had it bad. Heather would surely lead his friend on a merry chase. And what a ride it would be. He fought to keep a straight face. No wonder Heather and Ahna were such devoted friends. Different in looks, they mirrored the other in many mannerisms, beliefs and temperament. He could not be any happier for Geoff if this affair ever came to be. He looked forward to the next round between the two. What was the saying? The bigger the giant, the harder they fall? This would be fun to watch.