A True and Perfect Knight (9 page)

How could the man be so wrongheaded? Charming his men, any man, was the last thing Gennie wanted. Being married to Roger had taught her that men were generally more trouble than they were worth. Why could not de Sessions see that all she wanted was a safe haven for her son? “You are mistaken, Sir Haven.”

“So you do understand; good. We can ill afford more accidents like the one that befell Sutherland’s horse.”

Gennie gritted her teeth, pursed her lips and turned to face him. She held a stiff rein on the temper that threatened to run rampant at his words. “No, sir. I do not understand at all. What causes you to believe that I attempt to enchant your men? Have I not curbed my independent ways, as you requested? Have I not sought out your men to speed our making and breaking of camp each day? Have I not kept my eyes downcast, my words gentle and my manner seemly?”

“That is just what you have done.” He took a step forward. “Such gentle pleading from a woman makes a man soft-brained; he loses concentration. My men are so distracted by attending to your needs that they fail to attend to their duty.”

“Let me be certain of what you mean, sir.” Her hands went to her hips as temper began to override her control. “My manner with your men disturbs you, and therefore you would have me behave in an unseemly fashion.”

“Yes.” His brow wrinkled. “No. That is, uh…”

“I think it is not your men who’ve become soft-brained. Your men have been thoughtful of the needs of my family and servants. They have shown naught but respect and kind consideration for my son and my sister-in-law. I know only one person who is dissatisfied with my actions. And that is you, Sir Addlelpate. From the day we met, you have treated me as if I were evil incarnate. And despite some small consideration for my person, you alone behave with brainless stupidity around me. If you think for one minute that I—”

“What I think is that you must needs be shown how a man behaves when a woman causes him to lose his mind.”

On those words he closed his arms about her. Her feet left the ground. While she was busy trying to grasp his shoulders for balance, he kissed her. Gennie forgot to worry about having both feet in the air, so unexpected was the soft press of his lips against hers. She forgot to clutch at his shoulders.

Instead, she tunneled her hands into the warm, dark silk at his nape. She nearly forgot to breathe until the gentle scrape of his teeth on her lower lip caused her to open her mouth in surprise and inhale. Then his hot velvet tongue was in her mouth, succulent with his personal flavor and seeking her own, until he teased her into response.

A rapid beat filled her ears. Her entire body vibrated to that elemental rhythm. She inhaled more deeply. His masculine scent intensified her need. She pressed herself against him and felt his arms tighten about her. The sensation was wondrous, brilliant and dark, frightening and secure.

She hung suspended at the boundary of a heaven created solely for her. At the very edge of her senses, a rustling disturbed the need that rose in her. She felt a change in the strength that held her safe. A tiny mewl of protest escaped her.

But Haven set her on her feet, his arms already leaving her. The need to remain in his embrace confused her, especially when she looked into his face and saw not a gentle lover but a hunter.

His head was up. His eyes searched the glade. His nostrils flared, as if scenting his prey.

“Wait here.” And he was gone as swiftly as a hawk that sights a hare.

Genvieve shivered but felt no cold. She put her hands to her cheeks. Her fingers warmed with the flush of heat on her skin. She could not be yielding to the horrid man, could she? When Roger had gone whoring, Gennie had vowed never to allow a man to dominate her again. But if she held to that vow, then what were these strange feelings that de Sessions inspired? Even in the first days of her marriage, Roger had never kissed her breathless. “
Sacre bleu
, what is happening to me?”

Before she could answer her own question, Haven returned.

He continued to scan the clearing as he spoke. “Whatever was in those bushes is small and fast, or I would have caught him. Come.” He held out his hand to her. “We’ve been too far from my men for too long.”

Gennie looked at him as if he had grown three new heads.

“Well.” He finally looked at her, and thrust his hand closer when she did not take it.

Gennie shook her head and sidled out of reach.

“What is wrong with you? We must return to camp now.” The words rushed at her like arrows.

Her daze broke at the sound. She darted around him and out of the clearing.

Haven watched her flee, since she was headed back to the rest of their party. But for several moments he stood gazing after her.
I kissed her speechless.
He smiled at the thought. He savored the remembered flavors of her mouth, the lavender-cream scent of her and the texture of her trembling body’s response to his.

Still, the kiss was a mistake that he would not make again. He had lost all control and placed them both in danger. If he ever again kissed Genvieve Dreyford he would be certain they were safe and secure from all interruption. Of course, another chance to kiss the widow was unlikely at best, given the way Edward felt about traitors.

Even worse, she was Roger’s widow. To dally with her would be to dishonor his friendship with Roger, and that Haven would never do. Nor would he break the oath he gave to that condemned friend to protect the man’s family. What kind of protection would it be to bed his friend’s wife? No, touching the woman again was out of the question.

Chapter Seven

Haven stepped out of the woods and saw Gennie standing on the opposite side of the clearing. She spoke with Therese, her gestures sharp and impatient. The widow was still flustered. Obviously he had a strong affect on her. The thought pleased him and broadened his smile. Therese departed, throwing a glare at Haven as she did so. He considered going to the widow, but before he could decide, Soames approached with Lindel in tow. So Haven turned his grin on his second-in-command.

“What ho, Soames?”

“Sir, Lindel has news of those riders to the north.”

Haven’s grin became a thin line with the speed of a Welsh arrow. He gestured for the two men to accompany him into the trees sheltering the edge of the clearing. “Tell me.”

“Sir,” Lindel spoke quietly, “I followed the tracks, as Soames ordered. Since the day after we left York, fifteen armed men have ridden the same course as ours about a league to the north. Sometimes one or two of them break off to come south and watch our party. Yesterday, when we crossed the river, they remained on the other side.”

“Have any forded the river to continue their watch on us?”

“Nay, sir. The far bank is higher ground, so they need not approach to keep eyes on our progress.”

A muscle twitched in Haven’s cheek. He rubbed the spot, reminded of another day when trouble had loomed. A day when he battled back-to-back with Roger Dreyford over an ever-growing pile of bodies. “The river runs faster now than before. I doubt they’ll find good fords nearby. What think you, Soames?”

“I think three things. First, they may do as we do, guarding their backs by watching other travelers closely. Second, they may simply be stupid vandals. Third, they may be extremely clever, especially if they know more about this area than we.”

“Aye.” Haven continued to soothe his cheek, which now cramped most painfully, just as it had in the Holy Lands. “’Tis that third possibility that concerns me most.”

“We could attack them, sir.” Lindel’s eyes gleamed with the suggestion of a fight.

“Nay, we could not bring our full force against theirs, for someone would have to guard the widow and her charges. That would leave us outnumbered.”

Soames frowned. “As yet they do not know we watch them. Let us leave the less-experienced men to guard the widow. The rest of us are among Edward’s best fighting men and have been outnumbered many times before. Do you doubt we could use surprise to our advantage?”

“I am confident in our abilities, as ever. And surprise, as you say, would be an advantage. But not, I think, sufficient advantage to overcome the difference in numbers and the fact that they hold the higher ground. No, attacking them now would be a foolish waste and could leave us prey to others. As long as we are prepared to defend ourselves and they remain on the opposite side of the river, we need do nothing more than keep careful watch.”

“Aye, sir.” The two men echoed their understanding.

“Lindel, go get you some food from the cook. Then, continue to keep watch on those men across the river.” The warrior nodded and walked away.

Haven turned to his second-in-command. “Soames, we are making better progress since York, but we will still fail to reach Edward in Chester at our current pace.”

“I doubt the boy and his aunt can go much faster, sir.”

“I agree. That is why I have decided to go on ahead with the widow. We can be in Chester within a few days’ hard riding. I can wait for you there, once I have discharged my duty to Edward.”

“Should you not take more men with you for protection?”

“Mayhap, I should. But I do not intend to fight. Should I come across any trouble, I intend to avoid it. A third rider might make that more difficult to do.”

“Another man could delay an attack long enough for you and Lady Genvieve to escape.”

“’Tis a good point. I will think on it.”

“Think you that the lady can keep up?”

“1 will make sure of it.”

Soames nodded. “As you say, sir.”

“Good. Have Watley prepare my steed and the gray mare. They are the fastest and strongest. When they are ready, the widow and I will leave. You must follow with all possible speed.”

“Aye, sir.”

“And, Soames…”

“Sir?”

“Have a care for the boy. I doubt it much that Thomas has ever been separated from his mother before.”

“Aye, Sir Haven.”

“I will go inform the widow of our change in plans.”

Across the clearing, Gennie rubbed her upper arms. The heat of de Sessions’s embrace lingered there. She still tingled from top to toe, as if the wings of a thousand butterflies beat against her skin from the inside. The feel of his lips on hers remained. Even Therese’s sour complaints had not lessened the remembered sweetness of Haven’s touch. How, Gennie wondered, could she find pleasure in the arms of the man who had betrayed his friend—her husband? She must be mad.

Therese had departed after spilling her venom about the discomforts de Sessions imposed upon them.
Merci Dieu.
Gennie had not even had the energy to scold the maid for breaking her vow of silence. Gennie needed to be alone, to consider what and how she felt about that terrifying kiss and the man who had given it to her. A man she knew could not be trusted.

Look how he undermined her confidence and made her doubt her own sanity. Conflicting feelings raced through her. E’er she could gather her thoughts, de Sessions approached and stole what little calm she had been able to gather.

“Madame, we have very little time to get to Chester.”

“I told you, sir, that the journey could not be done in less than fourteen days.”

“So you did, but I have never failed in my duty to my king, and I will not do so now. You and I will stand before the king in Chester before the next se’enight is out.”

“Just how do you plan to work such a miracle?”

“We will leave my men and your party behind and ride posthaste to Chester.”

Gennie felt her heart leap to her throat. “Thomas?”

“Will be quite safe with Soames and my men to guard him. He’ll have his nurse and his aunt for comfort.”

Gennie nodded, only somewhat reassured, for she might never see her son again. She swallowed, realizing that this decision was out of her hands. “How…?”

“Since we obtained extra horses in York, you and I no longer need to keep to the slower pace of your son and his aunt. We will take the two fastest mounts and proceed with all speed to Chester. We will stop for naught but to rest the horses. Is that clear?”

She nodded again, unwilling to voice her fears at the too fast approach of her fate.

“Then make what preparations you can and say your farewells. We leave as soon as our mounts are ready.”

Gennie went in search of her sister-in-law. Before saying goodbye to Thomas, Gennie wanted to inform Rebecca of the change in plans and advise her how best to help Thomas through a difficult time.

She found the girl with Marie. Marie was shouting at Rebecca, who cringed and twisted her hands in the face of the nurse’s ire. While Marie did not normally hesitate to speak her mind, she rarely unleashed such fury. Something was very wrong.

“Marie.” Gennie voiced all the authority she possessed to halt the nurse’s verbal barrage.

“Milady.” The woman’s tone dropped to a respectful tone.

Rebecca uttered a sound that was half whimper, half gasp, before covering her face with her hands.

“What goes on here?”

Marie eyed Rebecca critically. “Rebecca should tell you, milady.”