A Knight to Remember (3 page)

Jenny frowned, not sure if it was a good idea to explore her location with this big, overbearing beast of a man.

"What mars thy brow, milady?"

She shrugged. "I think I'd rather stay in, if you don't mind."

"Whatever thou doth prefer. Heed my warning and do not step foot outside these castle walls without an escort." He arose from the table. "I will see thee at the mid-day meal."

Jenny watched his tall figure leave the hall and sighed aloud. Did he really think she was just going to sit around all day? No. She had other ideas. Dangerous or not, she had to find her way back home, and staying put within the castle wasn't going to do that.

* * *

Jenny walked along the perimeter, seeking a postern gate. There must be one somewhere. The high stone walls were impenetrable but there could be an unmanned gate...surely? No such thing appeared, though. Every time she found an exit, there was a bloody guard watching it! Irritated, but not yet defeated, Jenny continued onwards. Suddenly, a motion caught her eye at the main entrance. A cart was going out and the portcullis was being raised. Thinking quickly, she raced up to it and placed a hand on the back of the cart as if she was one of the exiting group of people.

Her heart in her mouth, she followed along meekly, keeping her head bowed. So far, so good. Some of the men were joking with the workers.

"See thee in the morn; that's if that young wife of thine doth not wear thee out."

"Oy. Keep thy nose out of my business!"

Jenny kept her head bent and shuffled along, her heart in her mouth.

"Halt!" One of the guards called out. Jenny peeked over and was alarmed to see him walking directly towards her. She quickly put her head back down and froze.

"Thou there...show thy face!"

Fuck and bollocks! She turned her back and pretended she didn't know he was talking about her. A hand clamped down on her shoulder and she was spun around to face the guard.

"Just as I thought! Sir Stephen said to watch out for thee. Guards...seize 'er!"

Jenny had no time to run as two burly guardsmen locked arms either side of her, almost lifting her off her feet as they marched her back towards the main castle.

"Let go...let me go!" She struggled but she was no match for their combined strength.

One of the guards smirked beneath his helmet. "This one's lively. Reckon Sir Stephen's got 'is 'ands full. Wouldn't mind a piece meself!"

"Why, you...!" Jenny struggled anew.

The guards marched her towards the main hall, where Stephen was sitting, deep in conversation with another knight. He turned as the guards' feet echoed on the stone floor.

He took one look at Jenny suspended between the two guards and seemed to know instantly what had happened.

"Caught trying to leave, was she?"

"Aye, milord, at the barbican."

"Let her go, men, and be back about thy duties. Thou – come hither!" Jenny rubbed her upper arms where the guards had gripped her flesh and stomped her foot indignantly.

"No!"

The guards looked at each other, raised their eyebrows and made a hasty retreat back to their duties, knowing that Jenny's disobedience was going to receive the full wrath of Sir Stephen's anger.

Stephen pinned Jenny with eyes of steel before turning to the Knight next to him, who had been watching with interest. "Do excuse me, Sir William. We will continue our conversation later. For now, I hath other more urgent matters to attend to."

Sir William stood and bowed before departing the great hall, with no objection. He apparently knew when he wasn't wanted.

Jenny thrust her bottom lip out in a pout and balled her hands into fists at her side. She was frustrated and angry that this bloody knight was stopping her from getting back to her own time. She couldn't tell him the truth for fear of being burnt at the stake. That was, if they did that in this day and age – she didn't have a clue! But she knew that she wasn't going to risk saying too much.

Stephen hadn't moved from his position. He fixed her with a hard stare. "We shall try again...I said, come hither!"

Jenny pursed her lips, turned on her heel and ran for all she was worth. Within seconds, she felt herself suddenly lifted into the air, her escape brought to an abrupt halt.

"Oh, no, milady, I think not!" He marched over to a seat in front of the big hearth and sat, bringing her down with him, straight over his knee.

Jenny shrieked and pushed at his knees but found herself flung further forward as he lifted her dress up, exposing her tiny g-string underwear.

For a moment, Stephen was flummoxed. "What is this...this string?" He pulled at her panties, intrigued at the tiny red line that enabled both her buttocks to be bared.

Jenny wriggled, trying to break free. "They're my knickers...now leave me alone!"

"Knickers...what art knickers?"

"Panties...bloomers...whatever you bloody well call them!"

She shrieked as his hand came down on one buttock, leaving a red imprint.

"Be still! Watch thy tone, Jenny Peverel. Thou art already in deep trouble without adding further misdeeds." He shifted her forward slightly, so her bottom was best presented for spanking. "When I tell thee to stay within the castle walls, thee
willst
stay within the castle walls! Do I make myself clear?"

His hand cracked down on both of her buttocks, making her gasp out loud.

"Yes! Yes!"

"I will not be disobeyed. Ever!" His hand began to rain down hard smacks on her soft backside. No matter what she did: wriggle, writhe or push herself backward, his swats didn't stop, and his grip didn't loosen.

Stephen carried on blistering her bottom until she thought the pain would never stop. His large, calloused hands seemed to cover every inch of her flesh; not one part was left unspanked.

"Aow! Oh!" she cried. She begged. She pleaded. But it all fell on deaf ears. It was clear that Stephen was not one to take disobedience lightly.

Jenny finally stopped struggling and lay over his knees, spent from her exertions. He gave one last, lusty swat and let his hand rest on her hot posterior.

"Let that be a lesson to thee, milady. If thou dareth to disobey me again, I will lock thee in the dungeon – be warned!" He lowered her skirts. "Make sure thou art suitably attired. That underclothing...'tis not decent! See Annie; she will find something for thee."

Jenny decided it was best not to argue further, her bottom testament to why she shouldn't. "Yes, milord. Whatever you say!"

He narrowed his eyes, unsure as to whether she was actually agreeing with him or not. She lowered her gaze and pursed her lips as she rubbed her bottom through the thick cloth of her dress.

"Wherefore did thee try to leave the grounds without an escort?" he asked.

Jenny thrust out her bottom lip. "I wanted to go out on my own. I don't need an escort!"

"Aye, thou dost!" His tone became angry once again. "Whither goest thou?"

"To the church!" Jenny huffed.

Then he surprised her. "I will let thee go on the morrow."

Jenny perked up. "You will!"

"Aye. But I will accompany thee. We will leave once we hath broken our fast."

She wanted to argue that she should go alone but now knew that wouldn't be a wise request to voice. He'd made it perfectly clear she wasn't allowed outside the castle gates on her own, and despite her protests, she realised she would have to comply with his wishes. Especially since she didn't want any more of his bloody handprints on her posterior!

She noticed he was studying her, so she decided to stare straight back at him. He shifted in his seat, leaning back for more comfort before remarking, "Thou hath a stubborn streak, milady. 'Twill get thee in trouble!"

Jenny couldn't resist snorting. "Huh! It seems to have got me into trouble with you several times already!"

"Then perhaps thee will finally learn to control this wayward streak of thine. It doth not do for a woman to show this attitude. Heed my words, milady. Now, I suggest thee retire to thy chamber and keep out of trouble until supper."

Jenny realised she was being dismissed and even though a bit miffed, she decided she would rather be alone in her room, instead of sitting in his rather overbearing company. She stood up and smoothed her skirt down.

"Good day, milord."

"Aye. Rest well, milady."

* * *

Stephen watched Jenny as she walked off. The desire to kiss her silky, soft, pouting mouth was tantamount, and it took all his restraint and willpower to remain seated. He contented himself with watching her trim figure almost glide out of the Great Hall.

Because of her family connections, he was duty-bound to honour and welcome her into his home. Any relative of Hugh Peverel would be treated thus. He felt great respect for Hugh, and as a knight of the realm, his code of chivalry was something he held close to his heart.

Something about this girl intrigued him, though. She had beauty, a natural beauty, but also there was something behind the eyes...a secret. She spoke with hesitancy when he questioned her, and his instincts were telling him that all was not as it seemed.

Her hair was a light golden blonde, her eyes an unusual grey-blue colour and her complexion bespoke a healthy living. She certainly seemed to be of good stock. He hoped she wasn't lying, for her sake. If he found out she had duped him and was no relation to Hugh Peverel, he would make sure to turn her bottom the colour of beets.

* * *

The next day...

Jenny rode alongside Stephen on a mare, a far smaller mount than Stephen's black stallion. He rode with ease; a feat Jenny was having problems doing. The only horse-riding she'd ever done was as a teenager at summer camp, and it was beginning to show; that, and the fact that her bottom was still sore from yesterday's spanking. She pursed her lips as she remembered Stephen's large hand smacking into her soft backside.

She glanced over at him, willing herself to dislike him. But she found she couldn't. He cut a fine figure in his dark blue surcoat; in fact, he looked just like one of those knights straight out of the fantasy romance novels she often read. She realised her thoughts were going in a dangerous direction and quickly changed track.

"So, milord, have you known Hugh Peverel long?"

He looked down at her from his lofty height. "Many years. He hath never mentioned thee, however." He stared at her and his brow furrowed. "What town were thee born in?"

Jenny flushed. "Umm...London, like I told you. In the main town."

"What was thy mother's name?"

"F-Florence. Florence er...Peverel, obviously."

"Obviously," he stated wryly.

She knew by his tone that he thought she was lying. How long could she keep the truth from him, and what would happen if he found out? She shivered as pictures of medieval tortures and punishments flashed through her mind. Oh, Lord, she hoped the church would send her back to her own time just as easily as it had brought her here. Otherwise, she didn't know how long she could keep this pretence up!

The church was a complete contrast to the heat outside as Stephen and Jenny entered. The cool air circulated around them whilst they walked up the aisle towards the pulpit. The thick, stone walls and small windows did little to let the sunlight in, and Jenny gave a slight shiver at the change in temperature.

Everything looked the same as when she'd walked in before, wanting to hide from Seth. Her hands brushed against the huge, stone columns – columns that still stood, in her time. Here she was, some seven hundred years earlier, actually touching the same structures. She, like many others, had often wondered what it would be like to travel back in time, but now
she knew
. That thought scared her and she quickly pushed it away, fighting to calm the panic that suddenly arose in her breast.

Somewhere here was the link back to her own time; it had to be. But where? Stephen walked up to the pulpit and knelt before a large statue of Jesus. He removed his sword, placed both hands on the handle and bowed his head. Jenny watched, fascinated, as a piece of history formed before her very eyes. She sat down on a nearby pew to take it all in.

The church was deathly quiet, apart from Stephen's deep voice. She couldn't make out the words but he was definitely praying. In that moment, Jenny knew she was witnessing something special – something she would relish, if she ever went back to her own time. Her own time! God, what was she thinking? She was meant to be looking for a way back home, and here she was, dallying over a knight. Handsome he might be, and as fascinating as this was, it wasn't helping her quest.

She rose and walked to the door. Perhaps if she went back outside, she would be back home. After all, she'd simply walked in through the doors and had been transported here, so surely it would work the other way.

She held her breath, opened the church door and stepped outside. The big oak did not reappear and neither did Seth – she was still in the year 1277. With a resigned sigh, she turned to go back inside and walked straight into Stephen's broad chest. He steadied her with his hands.

"I thought thou chose to disobey me again," he growled.

"I just wanted to see outside, that was all. I'm still here, see?" She held her hands open wide and then crossed her arms angrily.

"Wherefore hath thou such anger?" He regarded her shrewdly.

Jenny looked at him. What could she say? Certainly not the truth. He'd think her mad and have her locked up; perhaps even throw away the key! She had to think of something to tell him.

"I'm just in a bad mood, that's all. Don't you ever get in a bad mood?"

"Aye, but only with good reason. Mayhap, I hath a cure for thy mood. Come!"

Wary but intrigued, Jenny followed him up the path and out of the graveyard. He untied the horses and handed the mare's reins to her.

"We shall walk a while." They went down the small bridleway that ran alongside the church.

"I hath several guests arriving later today. Thee can oversee this evening's meal. 'Twill help with thy mood."

"Cooking!"

"Nay! The cook will do that. I want thee to oversee that tonight's meal is prepared correctly. Hath thee an objection?"

"Well, yes. I'm not a very good cook, so I won't know what dinners they should prepare."

Stephen stopped and stared down at her from his lofty height. "'Tis an unusual lady who cannot oversee a kitchen. Wherefore doth thou speak such nonsense?"

"It isn't nonsense. I can't cook. Everyone knows my attempts at cooking are awful. How do you expect me to take charge?"

Stephen's look darkened. "Art thou lazy?"

"No, I most certainly am not! I'm good at other things, just not cooking."

"Hmm. Still, 'twill give thee something to occupy thy time and return thy humours." He moved forward and Jenny fell in step alongside him. "Annie will welcome thy help."

Jenny sighed. As long as she wasn't left to actually do the cooking, then perhaps all would be fine. She was sure she could get Annie to oversee whilst she watched. Actually, perhaps that would be a good time to escape the castle. If Stephen was otherwise occupied and Annie was up to her arms in food, then it would be the perfect opportunity! Her spirits perked up.

"Who are these guests?" she asked politely, studying his profile. He really was one of the handsomest men she'd ever come across.

He answered, his deep tones filling the quiet, country air. "My brother, Geoffroy, and his wife. They will reside at the castle for two days."

"Do they live nearby?"

"Barnstaple. He hath a holding there. I think thee will like his wife. Her name is Helena, and she is almost the same age as thee."

"Does she have any children?"

"God hath not yet graced them with any offspring, but 'tis early days."

They continued in silence until they reached the brow of the hill. Stephen paused and looked into the distance.

"If I am not mistaken, 'tis my brother arriving hence."

Jenny followed his gaze to see a small group of horses and a wooden cart.

"Come, we shall remount and meet them at the gates."

She sighed. He made it sound so easy. She walked around to the saddle and attempted to put her foot in a stirrup but, instead, her mare kept turning around, and she ended up doing an unladylike hop as she tried to keep her balance.

Suddenly, two strong hands surrounded her waist and she felt herself lifted onto the stubborn mare, as if she weighed no more than a feather.

"Methinks thee may require some lessons, milady, in the art of horsemanship."

She couldn't help letting a giggle escape. "I think you have a point."

He smiled up at her, flashing even, white teeth, and she almost did a double-take. He was handsome, but even more so when he smiled.

She tried to control her breathing as he mounted his stallion, his strong legs gripping the animal with ease. Her mare trotted docilely beside him as they returned to the castle.

* * *

Jenny grimaced as she looked around the large castle kitchen. The heat was almost unbearable. A huge fire crackled and spat as fat from a roast pig on a spit fell upon the hot logs, filling the air with clouds of smoke. Pots boiled on the open fire and hissing steam escaped the heavy iron lids as their contents threatened to spill over.

The cook barked out orders to her staff whilst they scurried to and fro with dishes of food. Vegetables were piled high on the large, wooden table, where several young maids chopped them up.

If Stephen wanted to show her a vision of hell, this was it, thought Jenny.

After a short time, she backed out of the kitchen unnoticed, leaving Annie to assist the cook for the evening meal. The place was a nightmare, and if Stephen thought she was going to help out in that environment, then he could go stuff himself! She had one goal only, and that was to get back home. If she went to the church by herself, then maybe she could find some way to do so.

At the moment, Stephen and his family were all gathering in the great hall before supper. Jenny had already bid welcome to Geoffroy and Helena, who both seemed nice, before Annie had stolen her away to work in the kitchen. Now that she was out of there, the night air made her shiver. She would need a cloak to keep her warm whilst outside in the dark. She didn't have one, but surely Helena would. She knew which room she was staying in, so after grabbing an oil torch off the wall, she made her way upstairs and entered her chamber. The castle walls seemed eerie in the torchlight as the flames flickered off the cold stone. It was the sort of place where ghosts could appear, thought Jenny, trembling. She lifted the torch high and scanned the room, her eyes lighting up when she saw a cloak draped over a chair. Just as she was about to grab it, the door opened.

Alarmed, she turned to see Helena enter the chamber, closing the door behind her.

"Wherefore art thou in my chamber, Jenny?" she asked quietly, holding her torch aloft. "Stephen is searching for thee."

"He is? Oh, crap!"

Helena frowned at Jenny's tone of voice. She stepped forward and looked at Stephen's new ward, searching her face.

"Art thou a thief?"

Jenny gasped. "No! To be truthful, Helena, I just wanted to borrow your cloak. I wanted to take a walk outside, and the night air is cold."

Helena studied her. "Wherefore did thee not speak to Stephen of thy intentions?"

Jenny rolled her eyes. "Must I tell him my every move?"

"Aye, thou art his ward, and as such, thee must answer to him. He is verily angry that thee hath disobeyed his orders to help in the kitchen."

Jenny huffed loudly. "Helena, women don't have to answer to men all the time, you know. Where I come from, women are independent. We have jobs. We have our own houses, our own money."

Helena gasped. "I do not like this place thee hail from. 'Tis ungodly!"

"No, Helena, it's far from ungodly. It's just...different. Look, may I borrow your cloak, just to take the night air? I'll be back shortly, I promise! It's just so hot in the kitchens, I'm in need of some fresh air."

"Aye, I suppose so, but I beg of thee, do not take long."

A loud knock came upon the bedroom door and both women froze.

"Helena?" It was Stephen.

Helena pointed at the door and silently indicated that Jenny should slip behind it, out of view. Jenny quickly placed her torch into the wall bracket, grabbed the cloak and moved to the corner of the room, whilst Helena opened the door.

"Aye, Stephen?"

"Hath thou seen Jenny?"

"Nay, Stephen, I hath not. Mayhap, she is in the privy chamber?"

"Aye, mayhap. Wouldst thou check for me?"

"Certainly." Helena took the torch, left her chamber, and followed Stephen along the corridor, leaving Jenny alone in the dark.

"Great!" she whispered to herself. "Now I have no light. Geez!"

Cautiously, she felt along the wall until she encountered a heavy, metal hinge and then moved her hand along the wooden door until she could feel the handle. Slowly, she lifted the latch and opened the door an inch, listening carefully to any sounds. Apart from the faint crackling of the torches on the walls, the castle was quiet.

Quickly, she slipped from the room and darted for the stairs, her heart in her mouth. If Stephen was to find her, she knew exactly which part of her anatomy would be punished, and much to her annoyance, she found that the thought didn't disturb her as much as excite her. What was wrong with her?

Reaching the bottom step, she glanced around whilst wrapping the cloak around her shoulders. From here, she could hear the noises coming from the Great Hall to her left and the kitchens to her right. She decided her safest route would be straight ahead. Taking another torch off the wall, she ran quickly up the dark, narrow corridor, on the lookout for an exit.

* * *

Stephen was vexed. Annie had informed him that Jenny had contributed nothing to the workings in the kitchens and had simply disappeared. The wench was truly lazy and would be punished. His hand itched to mete out justice upon her soft bottom. She was far too headstrong and independent for a woman. What had Hugh Peverel been thinking, in allowing a relative of his to be brought up so? The man had been away on the crusades too long, and now his cousin was running amok. Well, he would see to it that whilst under his care, she would adhere to his rules. He would not abide this behaviour!

On his way back from the garderobe, he ran up the narrow steps to the parapets and went outside to ask the guards if they had seen anything. He wouldn't put it past Jenny to try and escape the grounds again. Even though he had told her of the dangers that lay outside, she'd foolishly ignored his warnings.

The guard nearest to the door stood to attention upon seeing Stephen.

"Hath thou seen anything unusual this eve?"

"Nay, milord. All's well."

Stephen nodded and walked to the wall, peering over the edge to look below. There was a three-quarter moon, and in between the clouds flittering across the sky, it lit up the grounds fairly well. He studied the drive and outbuildings for any signs of movement. There was nothing. Where had the wench gone?

* * *

Jenny was running from outbuilding to outbuilding, keeping to the shadows as best she could. Damn the moon for being so bright this night, she cursed angrily. She had doused her torch before she'd left the castle for fear of being discovered, as the guards would easily notice a bright light on the grounds. Now the moon was threatening to expose her, just the same.

An owl swooped down in front of her as she startled it from its perch. She nearly died on the spot with fright, clapping her hand to her mouth to stifle her scream. Once she'd steadied her nerves, she continued on her way.

The perimeter walls grew nearer as she reached the last of the outbuildings, the stables. Where could she get out, though, without any of the guards noticing? This called for a bit of planning. She racked her brain. She needed a diversion; something to lure the guards away from the gate...but what? A soft whinny from inside the stable suddenly gave her an idea. Quickly, she snuck over to the door and slipped inside.