Hearts Across Time (The Knights of Berwyck: A Quest Through Time Novel ~ Books 1 & 2) (35 page)

B
eads of sweat
rolled down Riorden’s face. Wiping his brow with the back of his arm, he again took ax in hand and swung it over his head in a downward plunge. There was an instant satisfaction, feeling the tool slice through the brittle wood with a loud smack. He performed the task again with the same results. Picking up the split pieces, he tossed them into the growing pile of logs that would heat the hearths come the winter. Just as quickly as he added to the mound, an ever diligent serf would take them away to neatly stack the logs by the rear door to the manor.

’Twas a busy, mindless job, but work that must needs be done, and who better than he to hack away at what once was a tree of some considerable size. Besides...it took his mind off more troubling matters that he did not wish to think on. Smack went the ax again, only this time wood splinters went flying, narrowly missing his head.

“Mayhap you should take a break, if you wish to keep your eyesight,
mon ami
.”

Riorden looked up and noticed Nathaniel, lounging against a nearby tree. He had been so focused on cleaving the wood, he could only wonder how long Nathaniel had stood there. He propped his boot on the solid trunk he had been using as a chopping block and gazed at his friend. “There is another ax, if you would care to dirty your hands with some exercise and join me.”

Nathaniel only chuckled. “I am not sure I would want to disturb you, since you appear to be taking out your aggravation on what still needs be cut. Am I intruding? Do you wish to be alone?”

“Nay, I would not mind a brief respite from this tedious chore.”

Riorden put the ax down and retrieved his tunic where he had left it on the near-dead grass. He pulled it over his head afore Nathaniel at last spoke.

“You should not give the lady the satisfaction of being able to ogle you,” Nathaniel counseled. “She watches your every move, but you knew that, did you not?”

“Aye, I knew...not that I can do much to stop her gawking.”

The silence stretched between them, almost awkwardly, despite the years they had traveled and warred together. One did not ride as part of the Devil’s Dragon of Blackmore’s personal guard and not feel a certain kinship with someone who closely guarded one’s back.

“Why did you not bring her with you?” prodded Nathaniel for an answer.

“You mean Katherine?”

“Who else would I mean?”

Riorden looked up to the manor and saw the drapery flutter in one of the upper windows. ’Twas obvious Marguerite was once again spying on him. It seemed as if every time he turned around that woman was close at hand. “I did not want to subject my wife to the bitterness that consumes Marguerite’s life of late.”

“And you think leaving your wife behind to mull over what the wench does with you in her absence will bring her peace of mind?”

“Katherine knows how I feel about her. She has nothing to be jealous of,” Riorden muttered, taking a swig of water from a flask his friend handed him.

“Ha! You know nothing of women, Riorden, if you think Lady Katherine is not feeling the full effects of your absence.” Nathaniel replied. “I cannot say as I would blame her. There is something about your father’s widow that is not quite right. She seems tetched in the head, if you take my meaning.” Nathaniel’s gesture of pointing a crooked finger at his own temple and contorting one side of his face illustrated his meaning.

Riorden ran his fingers through his hair. “She claims my father’s ghost haunts her.”

“Truly?” At Riorden’s nod, Nathaniel continued. “That is interesting. I wonder what she did to deserve that, do you suppose.”

“I do not try to guess anything where my sire is concerned, be he dead or when he was of this earth,” grumbled Riorden.

“Mayhap, you should.”

“Why?”

“Oh, I do not know... Mayhap, because your ex-lover is going mad from his haunting could be a good enough reason. I would think that if your wife, and even your brother, has had speech with your father, ’twould be my guess he has something of import to tell you that was left unsaid whilst he was alive. That alone should be of concern to you,” Nathaniel surmised. “Take your pick of which you feel is the most critical aspect to explore.”

“’Tis a moot point, since I have not seen his ghostly apparition come afore me,” Riorden snarled.

“You should make the effort, Riorden. I have the notion that to continue to ignore your past, will cost you what you hold most dear in your future.”

Riorden pondered his words with a heavy sigh. “I cannot lose Katherine. She is all to me.”

Nathaniel gave him a hardy pat on the back. “Then make sure she is aware of this, Riorden. You have been extremely blessed to have a woman such as your Katherine brought into your life to bring you comfort. I know of no other to be as fortunate as you,
mon ami
, especially considering exactly how far she has come to find you.

“You know from whence she hails?” Riorden asked in surprise. He had not realized that they had not guarded their secret better.

“Do you not mean to say
when
?” Nathaniel chuckled.

“’Tis not a matter that should be jested about, for it could cost Katherine and Lady Brianna their lives if the wrong person learned of such knowledge.” Riorden gave a brief glance upward again to see that Marguerite was still gone and not eavesdropping on their conversation. He returned his attention to Nathaniel and studied his friend for several minutes. “How did you know?”

“I learned of it whilst still at Berwyck, but have no fear. The mystery of your lovely lady’s origin is safe with me. Nonetheless, I would keep Lady Katherine close, if I were you.”

Riorden stared at his friend, as if Nathaniel had imparted such words of wisdom that would never have crossed his mind. “You think Katherine is in danger? Marguerite is mean spirited, but I hardly consider her to have such evil intent.”

“Then open your eyes, Riorden, afore ’tis too late! Do not be so blinded by your anger with your father and your past that you refuse to listen to those who warn you of what they themselves can see behind your back. You should watch yours, by the way, especially where Marguerite in concerned. ’Tis plane to see she wants you, but only she knows for sure how far she’s willing to go afore she stakes her claim.”

Riorden watched Nathaniel leave him, wondering if his comrade had voiced what even he himself had been holding back for the past se’nnight. His heart skipped a beat with thoughts of Katherine being in some kind of unknown danger, and he quickly felt the need to return to Warkworth...and his wife.

M
arguerite carefully balanced
the bottle and cup she held on a tray and wrapped lightly on the door afore her. With the call to enter, she turned the handle and came to a sudden halt at what her eyes beheld.

“You are leaving?” she asked in disbelief. She had thought she would have more time with him.

“Aye.” Riorden gave her a simple answer and went back to his task of throwing his garments into a bag. From the looks of things, he appeared to be in a hurry and would leave afore the morn’s end.

“But, I thought we were to stay here at least another se’nnight. There is still much to do, unless I misunderstood you.”

He looked at her with a sideways glance, as if noticing her for the first time. He turned away from her, continuing on with his task without a care that she was upset with his parting. “You mistook nothing, Marguerite.”

“I brought you something to drink,” she offered in the hopes she could get him to sample the heady red wine.

“Set it there,” he said with a noncommittal nod of his head in the direction of his desk.

She crossed the room, lingering slightly as she passed him. It had been so very long since she had the opportunity to be alone with him. He was so close. All she wanted to do was reach out her hand to touch and feel the strength of his broad shoulders. And yet, she would be a fool to do so and needed to exercise some patience. She poured the wine into a chalice and offered it to him. If only he would but take one sip. ’Twould be the start of her plans coming to fruition.

“I am not in need of sustenance, Marguerite. As you can see, I am in a hurry,” Riorden said briskly.

“But, what about me? Dunhaven Manor is far from ready to move in completely, and most of my things are still at Warkworth and in need of arranging for transport,” she complained.

Riorden stopped his busy packing long enough to look at her again.

If only she would see some small measure of love in those glorious eyes as he had given her all those years ago. But there was nothing showing within them except contempt and loathing, making her all the more determined to keep him as close to her as possible.

“Come if you wish, but if you do so, then you must needs hurry. I leave within the hour, with or without you.” Riorden picked up his satchel and strode to the door, leaving her to forlornly observe his retreating backside ’til the door slammed shut behind him.

Coming back to her senses after flinching from the loud sound that ricocheted in her head, she hurriedly made her way to her own chamber to throw a few things into a satchel for the ride back to Warkworth. Inwardly, she cursed, knowing upon her return Everard would torment her now more than ever for leaving the grounds. With the small glass vial tucked in the folds of her gown, she made her way below, more determined than ever to have Riorden in her bed. She already envisioned their return to Warkworth and a start of their new life together.

“
W
ould
you just
look at it, Brie? I mean really look at it!” Katherine exclaimed with sheer excitement, her eyes practically glowed as her gaze rested on the castle off in the distance.

Brianna reached over and patted her hand. “Yes, dear, I see it, just as I saw it the last twelve times you’ve commented on it,” she said with a laugh.

Katherine gave her a sly smirk. “Well, I just can’t help myself from wanting to jump up and down, knowing I’m living in a castle. It’s rather spectacular, don’t you think?”

“Of course, I do, silly. Who wouldn’t?”

Aiden tossed an apple up in the air and caught it as they continued their picnic under the shade of a tree. “I just do not see what all the fuss is about,” he murmured, taking a bite of the juicy fruit. “’Tis hardly anything to get overly enthusiastic about, at any rate, nor is it out of the ordinary. Do they not have castles where you come from?”

Katherine leaned over and gave him a playful push. “You’re just spoiled because you’ve lived your entire life at Berwyck, and no...we may have large houses or mansions, but nothing that could compare to what I now call my home and the history behind all these castles you take for granted. Can you just imagine the number of the souls who will walk through those passageways over the centuries?”

Gavin reached his hand out to Brianna and tucked a piece of her hair behind her ear. “I suppose, in the greater scheme of things, we shall one day be counted as among those souls you now speak of Katherine.”

She quirked her brow at him while the reality of his words began to sink in. “Well...that’s a sobering thought.” Lost in pondering life’s mysteries, she began to think of the life she left behind in the future. “I wonder sometimes, even as we sit here, if maybe Juliana and Emily are walking the same ground we are, only back in the twenty-first century.”

Brianna gave a sad sigh. “Don’t you mean ahead, Katie?”

Katherine gave a shake of her head. “I guess, I do. It gets a little confusing sometimes, doesn’t it?”

“I wonder how they’re managing without our sparkling conversations brightening up their Saturday mornings at the coffee shop,” Brianna mused.

“What is this coffee shop you speak of, Brie?” Gavin inquired, using Katherine’s nickname for her friend. “Is there much danger in such a place?”

Brianna’s laughter rang out, and she gave Gavin’s cheek a quick kiss. “The only danger is having to wait in line just to get your caffeine fix,” she replied briefly. He gave her another curious look before she answered his unspoken question. “I’ll tell you about it later, my love.”

“What I wouldn’t give for a white chocolate mocha right about now,” Katherine said with a heavenly look.

Aiden rose with an impatient look. “You women are making me daft with your future talk. Enough so, that I think ’tis time to get back to work.”

“Oh, come on, Aiden. Let’s just enjoy the beautiful day a little longer,” Katherine cajoled as she lounged back on the blanket she was sitting on. She wouldn’t admit it to anyone, but her backside was already pretty sore from sitting so long in the saddle all morning.

“Do not think you can get me to change my mind with such a look. It may work with Riordan, but ’twill certainly not work with me,” Aiden answered, wagging his finger at her.

“But, Aiden, I−”

“Enough, and stop your whining. Your break is over, Katherine. Get yourself back on your horse, and let us continue with your training,” Aiden ordered.

Katherine rose, knowing she had lost the battle. “Slave driver,” she tossed over her head. Taking the reins of her horse, she put her foot in the stirrup, grabbed the pommel, and swung her leg over the saddle. She tried not to think about falling off as she once again began taking the horse through the routine they had been at before their lunch. It was a slow trot and, although she was being bounced around all over the place, she had become comfortable with the steady pace.

“Grip her with your knees a little tighter, Katie,” Brianna called out, “and sit up straighter!”

Katherine took her horse around the field in a circle another time, trying to perform Brie’s instructions. She smiled in delight when she felt she was doing better. She slowed the mare and brought her to a halt, giving the animal a pat on her neck in appreciation of her patience with such a novice rider. She looked down at her friend, who now sat prettily on a small stool Gavin had brought for her comfort. Gavin was just as content, lying back on a blanket at her feet.

“Again Katherine!” Aiden demanded from the tree he was propped up against. “You may not rest as yet, my lady! We have only just started again. Now, get going.”

“Give me a break, will ya, Aiden?” Katherine smirked as she watched him attempt to make out her meaning. His perplexed expression seemed almost painful.

“Stop with your future words, or you will give me a headache, lassie!”

Brianna’s laughter rang out, as even Gavin looked at the women quizzically. “Trust me Aiden, it could be so much worse. We’re trying to be good and watch our language,” she said.

Aiden only shook his head, and Katherine again tried to muffle her laughter.

“Lady Brianna, I am afraid to ask. How worse could it be?” Aiden suggested for her to continue.

“I think, I’ll just keep quiet for the good of the cause,” Brianna murmured and received a quick kiss from Gavin, who then rose to stand next to Aiden.

“Well, I think you are doing just splendidly, Katherine, especially for someone who has an aversion to horses,” Gavin praised. “My brother will be most pleased.”

Katherine gave a nod of her head. With a complete air of confidence, she turned the mare to resume her lessons. She had only gone in a circle the parameter of the field three times before she heard Aiden shout out to her again.

“Now, flick at the reins and give her another kick and bring her up into a canter!”

“Go for it Katie! You’re ready,” Brianna encouraged with a wave.

Nervous, but thinking it couldn’t be that hard to take that next step, she did as instructed, or so she thought. She wasn’t ready for the horse to bolt forward and felt herself lose her balance in the saddle. The little mare took the bit between her teeth and before Katherine knew what was happening, she lost her grip on the reins and they now hung, uselessly, out of reach. The mare began galloping away, as if she had only been waiting for the taste of freedom. Katherine screamed for help as she heard her friends’ voices fade in the distance and the terrain blur before her eyes.

Katherine held onto the saddle as if her life, and that of her unborn child, depended on it, which of course it did. Tears stung her eyes and she cursed at her own foolishness that she would do something so idiotic as to risk the life of her baby.

The sound of thundering hooves at last began to penetrate the frightful experience she was having, and she was thankful that Aiden or Gavin had at last come to her rescue. She continued to cry out for help, as if they couldn’t see her need. Squeezing her eyes closed, she suddenly felt an arm snake around her waist as she was pulled from her saddle and settled against a warm comforting form.

Her eyes flew open as she inhaled the familiar scent that was all Riorden. Her words of expressing her thanks and to welcome him home were frozen upon her lips as she took in his frigid, blue eyes. They held pure fury. He pulled Beast to a halt. She barely saw Aiden fly past in pursuit of her wayward mare.

“Have you lost your wits, Katherine? Explain yourself and tell me what the bloody hell you think you are doing on a horse, madam!” Riorden roared. “Is this how you take care of our babe?”

“I wanted to surprise you on your return,” Katherine replied, trying to calm the fear that seemed to be stuck in her throat. She had never witnessed him looking at her in such a manner and it scared the daylights out of her to see such an angry expression leveled, by him, on her.

“How? By getting yourself injured or losing the babe?” he bellowed.

“I would never do anything to harm our baby,” she cried out, interrupting his tirade.

“Then what are you doing racing wild throughout the countryside,” he shouted. “I told you I would teach you myself how to ride.”

Katherine put her arms around his waist and felt his own tighten around her. “I’m so sorry, Riorden. I just wanted you to be proud of me,” she whispered as tears again rushed to her eyes. She really was such a pansy.

“I
am
proud of you, Katherine,” Riorden said with a big sigh. “You gave me a terrible fright is all.”

Aiden came abreast of them, leading Katherine’s docile mare. Katherine knew Riorden would have a few choice words for him, as well. “You and I will have speech, once we return to the keep, and I see that Katherine has rested.” Riorden’s tone was brusque.

Katherine gave Aiden a look she hoped came across as saying she was sorry for the tongue lashing he was sure to receive. He returned it in kind. It seemed they had an understanding of sorts between them. As they made their way through the village, Katherine had the distinct feeling, now that Riorden had returned, that her problems had only just begun. So much for what was once a very lovely afternoon.

R
iorden quietly closed
his chamber door so as not to disturb Katherine’s sleeping form. He had stayed with her ’til she had fallen into a restless sleep. He had watched her for some time and could only ponder what nightmare was currently making her sleep so troubling. He could guess at a hundred different scenarios, any of which could be accurate. What worried him the most was generally the dreams they shared tended to come true in one form or another.

He made his way up the tallest tower of the keep to try to clear his head. ’Twas a steady climb up the steep steps, but, once outside, the view was well worth it. He inhaled deeply of the brisk fall air and scanned the horizon of what was once again his home. Though he was still not sure how he felt about being back in a place so filled with ill memories.

He knew he was being unreasonable and downright ornery towards his wife. His anger with his father was getting the best of him, making him lash out to the one person he had no wish to hurt. This place and his angry emotions that assailed him from every direction were going to be his downfall if he did not get a hold of them. He was uncertain where to even start.

Feeling as if he was putting off the inevitable, he made his way back down into the Great Hall in search of Gavin. He saw Mabel and her daughter tidying up after the noon meal.

“Have you perchance seen my brother, Mabel?” Riorden asked.

“I believe he was heading to the Garrison Hall, milord. Is the mistress well after her mishap?” Mabel asked gently.

Afore he could answer, young Mary tugged at his tunic. “Ye will not stay mad at the Lady Katherine, will ye, milord?”

“Mary!” Mabel said aghast. “Me apologies, milord!”

He gave the girl a small pat on her head. “Nay, Mary. I will not stay mad at your mistress for long.”

It seemed to placate the child as she turned back to the duties her mother had assigned her. Riorden made his way outside to find his brother. He espied him just leaving the Lion Tower and met him in the outer courtyard.

“I was just coming to find you, Riorden,” Gavin proclaimed with a smile. “Good news! I just received a missive from the king, granting permission for Brianna and myself to be wed. She has been busy sewing her gown, hoping for our request to be granted. I cannot wait to tell her the news!”

Riorden slapped his brother on the back. “These are glad tidings, are they not? Have you spoken with the priest?”

“Aye. I was just going to check with Brianna to see if she could be ready within two days hence,” Gavin explained. “No offense, brother, but I am ready to get us wed so we may take ourselves to our own keep and be settled.”

Riorden chuckled, watching his brother’s enthusiasm. “I can imagine so. You have been waiting for some time now to claim your bride. I do not know how you have restrained yourself for so long.”

Gavin gave him a grin. “’Tis been hard, but I know she will be worth the wait.”

Riorden saw his brother’s impatience to be on his way to find his lady and laughed. “Well, go on with you. Why are you standing here talking to me when you have a wedding to see to?”

Perchance, a wedding was just what he needed to take his mind off his troubles. His mind wandered momentarily to his own wedding with Katherine, and how she had been a vision of loveliness that day. He thought he could not be any happier than the day they had wed ’til he learned she carried his child.
Aye!
A wedding was just what was needed to put the past where it belonged...in the past.

With that thought in the forefront of his mind, he made his way to the lists for some much needed practice. There was more than one way to take care of the bygone days that tortured his memory, and what better way than to spend the afternoon hacking away with a sword. ’Twas just what he stood in need of.