Legendary Warrior (9 page)

“And still you find her attractive.”

“Why?” Magnus threw his hands to the heavens.

“Why not find out why?” Thomas asked.

“A simple solution, you would think,” Magnus said with a shake of his head. “I need to clear my thoughts.”

“A walk in the woods,” Thomas suggested with a smile.

Magnus ignored him, since a walk in the woods had been his intentions, and he entered the woods deep in thought.

He had much on his mind of late, securing land being the most important. Then he had to find a good woman to make his wife and see to a debt owed to him.

He had been granted lands for his allegiance and service to the king. He had learned early on that a king’s wealth was more in land than in coin, so he’d made certain to gain his own wealth in more than just land. He’d made his wealth on foreign soil, and it far exceeded those in power, though he’d let no one know, for it would make him vulnerable for attack from the monarchy.

The monarch wanted his hired warriors loyal to him alone, and granting them land and securing marriages for them was one way of making certain they remained loyal. Magnus had accepted the land granted him, but a marriage contract he would not accept.

The choice of the woman he married would be entirely left to his discretion. He would not be locked into a loveless marriage as his mother had been, and he would not wed a woman who cared nothing for him but served him only out of duty.

Even with his thoughts heavily occupied he remained alert to his surroundings, and he caught sight of Reena climbing over a fallen tree and bending down, a wide smile filling her face.

He froze and stared at her, for her smile reflected her innocence. She shoved her long black hair away from her face, tucking it behind her ears, and her bright blue eyes shined with the eagerness of a child who had just discovered a treasure. She stared in awe at the ground where she bent down, and he knew she had found a feather that excited her, a feather that would make a good quill.

She was an unusual woman in her pursuits and that, in part, was what interested him. She was a woman of many talents. When he had conversed in French with Thomas at supper one night she’d joined in the conversation, her tongue fluid in the foreign language. She had shocked him even more when he’d discovered that she could speak Latin, a language he had never learned. It seemed as though she forever surprised him with her skills and knowledge.

He did not wish to startle her, but she was obviously more alert to her surroundings than he thought, for she realized he was near.

“Magnus, look what I have found.” Excitement filled her every word.

He joined her, bending down beside her.

She looked up at him. Then, without thought to her actions, she gently brushed behind his ear a long wisp of hair that had fallen across his cheek, and she continued on as if she had done nothing out of the ordinary. “Look, Magnus, it is perfect, simply a perfect feather.”

He glanced down as her hand tenderly brushed away the few leaves that covered the red-tipped brown feather.

“Turkey,” Magnus said.

“Aye, turkey.” She handled the feather with extreme care. “The tip needs further drying; the sun will do. It must dry slowly or the tip will turn brittle and not make a good quill.”

She placed the feather in a narrow basket on the ground.

“What other feathers make good quills?” Magnus asked, standing and holding his hand out to her.

She took it and noticed how warm and strong his touch was and she reluctantly released it once she stood. “Goose feathers make sturdy quills, swan feathers, though I have never personally owned one, and black crow feathers. I hope to find a few today, since not all will dry well.”

“I will help you,” he offered.

She seemed surprised. “It is not necessary, you are busy with the keep, and I am accustomed to foraging for feathers on my own.”

For a brief moment he grew annoyed that she did not want his help, for he felt it meant she also did not wish his company, and he grew more annoyed at himself for letting her rejection disturb him. Then he calmed, reminded himself of Reena’s independent nature, and was more direct.

“I would like to help you.”

“If you wish,” she said, delighted to have his company. Recently she had been finding his company more than merely pleasant: she had found herself looking forward to spending time with him, enjoying the time she spent with him and even finding excuses to be in his company.

“Why do you not just collect feathers from the birds used for our meals?”

“I do sometimes, but many are damaged and I find I enjoy searching the woods, for I feel the birds leave their feathers behind specially for me.”

She smiled, and for a moment it looked as though the bruise had returned to the side of her mouth. Then he realized it was the shadows of the tree branches playing tricks against her face.

The reminder of the blow stirred his anger, along with his fierce need to protect her.

He walked toward her, not realizing he looked more like a bird of prey in his dark garments and scowling expression.

Reena took a few hasty steps back, but not fast enough, for he reached out and grabbed her by the arms, pulling her up against him.

“You will not go into the woods alone ever again.”

Anyone mindful enough to know her place and wise enough to fear someone larger and more powerful would respond sensibly. Reena, however, had been feeling the loss of her freedom to the Legend, and for him to rob her of the joy of gathering feathers for quills annoyed her. How was she ever to map terrain if she was forbidden to enter the woods alone?

“That is not possible.”

His eyes widened, startled by her sharp tongue.

“It is necessary for me to traverse the woods, forests, hills, streams and more if I am your mapmaker, and it will not always be feasible for someone to accompany me. I am small and fast on my feet and I can cover much land in a short time, and I do not fear being alone.”

“I fear you being alone, and
you
obey
me
.”

“
You
are being stubborn,
I
am being sensible.”

He lowered his face close to hers. “You think so.”

“Nay, I know so.”

“I will not tolerate disobedience.”

“I will not be prevented from fulfilling my obligation to you, by you.”

“You are stubborn,” he said sharply.

“As are you.” She was grateful it was her legs that trembled and not her speech, and grateful that he held her firm, for if he released her, she doubted her legs would support her.

“What do I do with you, Reena?”

She was surprised that his voice softened, though his gentle response tempered her own. “Let me map as I know how, and”—she smiled slowly—“help me forage for feathers?”

Her need to pursue her mapping skills, her soft smile and her gentle request melted his heart and tormented his senses, and damned if he possessed a shield strong enough to defend himself.

He moved his mouth close to hers and she tensed: for a brief moment she thought he meant to kiss her. Instead he whispered, “I, and I alone, will help you forage for feathers.”

Chapter 11

R
eena hurried to gather Horace, and with a few quick words to Brigid and Thomas, she went on her way. Magnus had gone on ahead of her and disappeared inside the keep. The moment between them when his lips had been so close to hers affected her much more than she wished to admit. She was actually disappointed that he had not kissed her, and the emptiness of that missed kiss startled and upset her.

“I am a fool,” she said quietly to the small puppy that bounced along beside her. “He has no interest in me; I am his mapmaker, and therefore he is concerned for my safety.”

Horace barked as if in response, though whether in agreement or not it was hard to say.

She approached Justin’s cottage, her mind active with the incident in the woods. It unsettled her and in so doing it refused to leave her thoughts. The idea that she thought he would kiss her haunted her, and that he had not kissed her troubled her more so. Had she not been the one to consider the Legend a perfect match for her friend Brigid? Her thoughts were near to traitorous, and she would not have it so. She would not allow herself to think of Magnus in any intimate way; it was unfair to her friend and also unfair to her. She knew that many women would favor a tryst with the lord they were in service to, but not her. Intimacy was something she did not take lightly. She intended a loving marriage to a trusting man before she allowed someone in her bed. The Legend and Brigid made a good match, and she would keep that well in her mind and chase all other foolish thoughts away.

Justin hurried over to her, filled with anticipation.

“Ready to meet Maura?” she asked.

“I . . . I . . . I” Justin stumbled to speak.

She hooked her arm in his and attempted to calm him. “I think Maura and you would work well together.”

“Truly?”

They walked toward the kitchen, Reena filling him with courage, Horace yapping loudly once he realized their direction.

Magnus stood on the steps of the keep watching them, Thomas coming up behind him.

“A storm brews.” Thomas studied the cloud-ridden sky. “Snow may fly before this night ends.”

Magnus turned to his friend.

Thomas raised a brow. “A storm brews elsewhere. You look ready to battle.”

“I grow annoyed that she speaks with a mere lad and looks happy in doing so.” He sounded as agitated as he felt, and that annoyed him all the more. “Listen to me, I sound like a jealous lover, and over what? A woman I have only just met, and who thinks of me as her lord and nothing more.”

Thomas laughed, though it barely could be heard, a mere chuckle of sorts beneath his breath.

“I heard that,” Magnus accused with frustration.

“Reena has her own way about her, and she is determined to see you and Brigid together.”

“That is not going to happen, and Reena is too stubborn to understand that.”

Thomas did not hide the next chuckle. “Is Reena too much of a challenge?”

Magnus scowled, his eyes on the kitchen area where a young lass had joined Reena and Justin. The three stood talking in what appeared to be an enjoyable conversation.

“Justin is but a friend to Reena.”

“He is a man,” Magnus said as if the few words explained it all.

Another chuckle from Thomas received another scowl from Magnus. “I am glad you find this situation so humorous.”

“I have never known you to be at a loss when faced with a challenge.”

“I am not at a loss,” Magnus said adamantly. “You know well enough that when I want something I go after it.”

“Do you want Reena?”

Magnus nodded, then shook his head. “I want to know what it is that attracts me to the skinny lass, for I find myself drawn to her like no other woman I have ever known.”

Laughter rang out from the trio several feet away from them.

Magnus grew more annoyed. “Reena ignores her work.”

“What work?”

“She should be tending to her feathers she collected for quill making, and I have mapping I wish from her before the first snow falls.”

“Then you best hurry her along, for I think this eve we will see a snowflake or two. What is it you wish her to map?”

It was Magnus’s turn to chuckle. “Me.”

Reena watched Maura and Justin as they all talked. At first Maura appeared shy, her gentle green eyes avoiding direct contact with Justin’s dark ones. After a hesitant start Justin grew more confident, and the conversation began to flow smoothly. Soon Maura was smiling and laughing. Justin even caused her to blush when he mentioned what a wonderful cook she was.

“Would you like to sample the apple tarts I made? There are more than enough,” Maura said, drawing her blue wool shawl more closely around her.

Justin was quick to answer. “I would love to, apple tarts are my favorite.”

Maura’s green eyes brightened. “Apple tarts are my favorite too.”

Reena rolled her eyes to the heaven. The two were getting along well, and her presence was no longer necessary. “The two of you go and enjoy. I have work I must—”

“Reena!”

The three jumped, startled by the raw power in the voice that called out her name.

“I need you to map,” Magnus said as he approached her.

Reena was elated. He had not requested her mapping services since their arrival at Dunhurnal.

She glanced at him with a smile that played havoc with his heart, not to mention his senses—but then he wondered if he had any senses left at all since meeting her.

“We can discuss what it is you wished mapped over apple tarts.”

Reena failed to notice the smiles on Maura’s and Justin’s faces, but Magnus did not. The two saw how easily she spoke with him and how he did not deny her her request but acquiesced in silence. Gossip would soon spread throughout the keep about him and the mapmaker, and the thought did not at all disturb him.

“I will bring tarts to the great hall,” Maura said.

“I will join you in the kitchen,” Justin said enthusiastically.

She smiled and held out her hand. “Let me show you the way.”

Justin knew the way to the kitchen but made no comment. He took her hand and followed along, his smile wide.

With a hasty glance at the cloudy sky, Reena hurried over to Magnus. “The weather may prove an interference.”

Magnus scrambled to choose an area he wished mapped, for he had no particular place in mind. He’d simply wanted her attention diverted away from Justin. And he was feeling foolish, since on closer look he realized Justin seemed interested in Maura, making him feel all the more the fool.

He had never experienced jealousy over a woman before, and it damned annoyed him. “The weather will not matter. I wish you to map the keep.” The idea actually would prove fruitful in more ways than he had first imagined. He would spend time with Reena as she mapped, thus learning more about her along with his new home, and he would be able to better determine a defense plan for the keep and the repair work necessary to restore the place. A wise decision, and one he was content with, for it served many purposes.

They walked in silence for a moment as they approached the keep.

Reena stopped and craned her neck to view the entire height of the imposing stone edifice. “A wise choice. You should know your home well; knowledge defends.”

Her intelligence often startled him, as did the similarity of their thoughts. “It will also help me to determine the extent of the repair work required.”

She continued walking, he slowing to match her steps. She was small, whereas he was large, and yet he felt they were equal in size. And she was thin; he could lift her with one arm, tuck her beneath it and carry her without an ounce of difficulty.
Fragile
had come to mind when he’d first met her, but it had been a deceptive assumption, since Reena possessed an inner strength that surprised him, but which he very much admired.

She was swift and aware of her surroundings. He had watched her in the woods as they’d gathered feathers. She moved with a graceful agility and kept herself alert. She hurried over fallen logs, ducked out of the way of branches, and maneuvered her way through the woods as though she knew its secrets.

She was an intelligent, determined and talented woman who’d captured his interest by surprise, and he intended to see where that surprise would take him.

They entered the keep, and the promised apple tarts, along with a large pitcher of cider, were waiting for them on a table before the burning hearth. With equal speed they rushed to the table like two eager, hungry children and, laughing, plopped down on the benches, each reaching for a tart.

Reena poured the cider after taking a generous bite of the warm tart, and as soon as she did, Horace came racing out of nowhere to plop his plump body down next to her leg. He gave her one solid bark, letting her know he waited for his share.

“You spoil him,” Magnus said.

Reena reached down to Horace, a piece of tart in her hand. “I love him.”

Her simple words were like a solid blow to his stomach, and for a moment he felt robbed of breath. Why? Why did her love for the small pup hit him so hard? Was he jealous? Did he wish her to say she loved him? A foolish thought. He did not know her well enough to know if they could love. Why then did the thought haunt him?

Reena rubbed a contented Horace behind the ear, gave him a piece of the tart, and continued rubbing him. “Where would you like me to start in the keep?”

Magnus watched the way Reena lovingly stroked the pup, and he actually envied the small animal. Her long, slim fingers ruffled the pup’s fur behind his ear, then she rubbed beneath his chin. Finally she stroked his head and told him how wonderful he was, then finished with a hug. The dog lay contentedly at her feet and went fast to sleep.

He felt foolish indeed, that he wished he could feel her hands on him in such a caring and loving manner. The thought lingered.

“Would you walk the battlements with me? We can see the land and the distance it stretches, and any repair work that needs attention.”

“A good choice. I will map the battlements with the view of the surrounding land, though I suggest we go now while the storm brews. I can sketch a quick outline and then work on a more formal map later.”

Reena disturbed Horace when she stood, and he slowly stretched himself awake, yawned, walked closer to the warm hearth, plopped down and went back to sleep.

Magnus shook his head at the pup.

“I need to collect my charcoal and paper from my room,” Reena said. “I can meet you on the battlements.”

“We need to pass your room to reach the battlements. I will go with you.”

Her room was one floor below his, and when he entered he realized how much it reflected her character. The table held several inkwells and quills. Papers were piled to one side, and five candles lined the front edge, supplying sufficient light for drawing.

Her bed would fit two people, and a chest rested at the foot of the bed, a green wool blanket folded neatly on top. The two pegs on the one wall held a few meager garments, which would soon be replaced by new garments he was having made for her against her objections. She had no choice though; she was in his service and would dress accordingly.

He watched her hurry to gather her things, and he marveled at her graceful motions. It was as though her body movement was a constant dance, precise and fluid, like the strokes of her quill.

His thoughts instantly took flight, and he imagined how her fluid motion would enhance lovemaking. The easy bend and sway of her hips, the graceful arching of her back, the full thrust of her breasts, the softness of her lips—he shut his eyes.

Their lovemaking would be like creating a work of art, each movement a precise stroke, delicate at times, fast and furious strokes at other times, yet all blending and creating and—

He jumped at her touch, his eyes opening in a flash.

Her hand lay on his arm. “Are you all right?”

He felt the warmth of her hand through his shirt, and her simple touch stirred his blood all the more, making him ache to return the touch, but not in kind. His touch would be intimate, much too intimate.

He reluctantly stepped away from her. “I am fine, lost in my thoughts.”

“I often get lost in my thoughts, though I must admit I like where I get lost.”

He grinned. “Aye, I like where I get lost as well.”

“Perhaps one day we can get lost together and see where it takes us.”

Her smile spoke of innocence; his smile spoke of sin, and they left the room both lost in opposite thoughts.

The wind had picked up and the sky had darkened considerably by the time they reached the battlements. Reena knew she had little time to sketch, but if she could hurry and do a few rough views with detailed notes, she would at least have something to transfer to a map. And with this weather change, the mapping would keep her occupied.

She anxiously set to work while Magnus gave the battlements a quick survey.

“Several of the crenel shutters need replacing; I want to make certain my men are well protected during a siege.”