Susan Spencer Paul (15 page)

“I
don’t want to do this, John.”

Barbara nervously sidled her horse closer to her brother’s and looked all around as though she expected someone to spring out from behind one of the surrounding trees. “I wish to return to Gyer. Cannot one of your men serve to guard this road?”

“Now don’t be foolish, darling,” John chided, lifting one gloved hand in the air to bring his men to a halt. “Not a one of these fellows would be half as successful in delaying any travelers as you will be. A lone man on a forest road is hardly worth comment, but a lovely young maid...oh, that is another matter. You’ll come to no harm, I assure you. Only do as I’ve said and all will be well. And, for mercy’s sake, don’t start wailing if someone does come along. They might think you a wounded animal and try to put you out of your misery.”

Barbara’s nervousness hit its peak. “Oh my! I don’t want to be killed! Please don’t make me do this, John!” When she saw that her brother would not change his mind, she cast helpless glances at several of his men. “Aaron, Miles, please!”

John dismounted and moved to pull Barbara from her steed. “It’s no use, sweeting. You know my men will not go against my wishes. There.” He set her down and patted her hand reassuringly. “You look most lovely, my dear. No man possessed of his senses could resist stopping to lend aid to such a beautiful, helpless young lady. Now don’t look so frightened, love. You’ll be perfectly safe, I vow. Look, I shall post two men within hearing. If anyone should happen along and behaves badly and you are unable to fend him off, you need only shout and they’ll be here in a trice. And I shall be back for you in less than half an hour’s time. Our task will take no longer than that.”

“Oh, John! I wish you will cease doing these things! What would happen to us if Cousin Alex ever found out?”

John smiled at her and spoke indulgently, “You musn’t worry about such things, sweeting. You know full well I’d never let harm come to you, especially at Cousin Alex’s hands. Have I not always taken good care of you?”

“But, John—”

“Now you stay here and be a good girl and we shall be back before you know it.”

“Oh, please, John! Please don’t leave me here all alone!”

“You’ll be fine,” he said, mounting his horse once again. “Remember, now, Barbara. Let no one pass by you for the next half hour, no matter who it may be. You musn’t disappoint me in this, love, else I shall be quite, quite angry with you.”

Barbara understood what that meant; John’s anger was a most unpleasant thing. She fell silent and lowered her head.

John and his men rode away, leaving her alone and shaking in the middle of a seldom-traveled forest road. A light fog enveloped the area and every noise was magnified in her ears. The hooting of an owl made her jump, and she hugged her cloak so tightly that her fingers ached.

After several long, still minutes passed, Barbara made her way to the side of the road and sat, shaking so badly that even the ground beneath her seemed to tremble. “Dear God, let John come back soon,” she whispered, comforted by the sound of her own voice, weak and warbling as it was.

More than half an hour passed before she heard the much-listened-for sound of horse hooves in the distance, though with some confusion she realized they were coming from the wrong direction. Slowly she stood, clutching her cloak and watching with heightened fear as several strange men on horseback came out of the mist like specters, nearing her at a trotting pace.

She froze with panic. So many men! She would never be able to fend them all off. A tiny hope in the back of her mind that John would suddenly appear and rescue her died as she looked into the face of their leader, who brought his men to a stop before her.

He was a large man and very dark, his long black hair falling past his shoulders like some kind of barbarian and his clear blue eyes intent upon her. He stared at her with some amazement before speaking.

“What do you do here, lady?” he demanded sharply.

“I—I—”

The handsome giant frowned at her and Barbara burst into tears, made worse by the memory of John’s reprimand not to do so. She turned and ran headlong into the woods, heedless of her direction. She stumbled several times in her panic, picking herself up and throwing herself forward in terrified desperation until the black-haired man finally caught her. Barbara tried to scream, but his hand closed over her mouth, stopping her, and he carried her down to the cold, wet ground. Shutting her eyes, she waited for him to rape her, but he did nothing more than turn her in his arms, set her in his lap and hold her.

“There, now, my lady,” he soothed, stroking her hair. “You musn’t be afraid.”

“P-p-please don’t hurt me!”

“Of course I’ll not hurt you,” he said gently, holding her more closely as she sobbed against his shoulder. “I’ll let no one harm you, and I shall not harm you.”

“I was s-so af-fraid!” she wailed, gratefully accepting his comfort.

“You must not be, beautiful lady. There is nothing to fear.” Pulling back a little, he looked at her. “What is your name?”

“I am B-Barbara,” she murmured, sniffling and blinking her wet eyes.

“Barbara,” he murmured. “Pretty. A pretty name for a very pretty lady.” His eyes moved over her face and then her hair, which he touched reverently. “I’ve never seen hair of such a color, soft red and gold, like a sunset,” he remarked with some awe. “I thought you an apparition at first. A beautiful witch come from out of the mist. But you are no witch, are you, Barbara?”

Barbara mutely shook her head, staring at him. He was the handsomest man she had ever seen, and so strong. His muscular body made her feel tiny and very safe. He lowered his head and kissed her, softly and lightly, lifting his head after a moment and smiling at her.

“What do you do here, Barbara? How have you come to be alone in my woods?”

Barbara smiled up at him dreamily, wishing he would kiss her again. “Your woods?”

As if reading her thoughts his mouth found hers once more, and he kissed her longer and more thoroughly. His arms slid around her waist to hug her tight, and Barbara tentatively set her own arms about his neck.

“Who do you belong to, little one?” he whispered a minute later, his breath warm against her cheek.

Happier than she could ever before recall being, so content in this stranger’s arms, it took Barbara a moment to understand what he was asking, and in that moment she remembered who she was and that her brother might even now be watching them from some hiding place.

“My brother,” she said fearfully, pulling away from him. “My brother!” she repeated, and struggled to loose herself. If John should see her thus he would be furious!

The dark giant refused to let her go. “If your brother, whoever he is, cannot take better care of such a beautiful sister, then I think I must lend him aid. There is no excuse for letting a lady roam unescorted in the middle of a forest. Any number of evils might befall you. Who is your brother, love? And how is it that he comes to leave you thus?”

“That is no concern of yours, sir. I don’t even know who you are!”

“You do not know me?” he asked with some amusement. “But, do you not live in Dunsted?”

She looked at him blankly. He smiled and kissed her again. “I am your lord, dearling. Jason de Burgh.” He leaned closer. “But I shall be more to you, sweet Barbara. Much more.”

Barbara stared at him in shock. “More?”

He nodded meaningfully. “I’ve never seen a more beautiful woman in all my days, Barbara of the Forest. And since your absent brother cannot take care of you as he should I shall invoke my rights as your lord and take you under my own care. You shall come to live with me at Castle Dunsted.” He put one large hand up against her cheek and caressed her gently. “The woman who was to have been mine has been stolen from me, but now that I have trapped such a pretty doe in my own forest, I do not think I shall mind overmuch. I will make you mine, lovely witch.”

“Oh, my heavens!” With renewed strength she struggled up and away from him. Jason de Burgh stood, as well, setting his hands around her waist.

“Do not fear me, Barbara. I am a stranger to you, yet I vow I would never bring you harm.”

“I do not think that you will, Jason de Burgh, but you don’t understand. I must go now.”

“Go?” he repeated, confused, and tried to hold her as she backed away. “No, you will not—”

“My lord!” one of his men shouted from nearby. “One of the crofter’s huts is afire!”

Jason de Burgh swung around to see the man who approached them. “A fire! Where is it, Allyn?”

“Just down the road, my lord. The work of Gyer, no doubt.”

“Damn!” de Burgh cursed. “Allyn, take this lady to the castle and make certain that she is held safe.”

The man peered around his master. “What lady, my lord?”

Jason turned again, only to find that the lovely Barbara had disappeared. For a moment he thought of pursuing her, for she couldn’t have gone far, but his need to attend to the fire held him back. He stared into the heavy mist that filled the forest, envisioning the little beauty who had so quickly enslaved him. Whether it was simple lust he felt, or something more, Jason didn’t care. He would find her again, and then she would be his.

“No lady, Allyn. She is gone.”

* * *

The road that led to Castle Gyer from the very outskirts of the village proper all the way to the castle gates was lined with cheering people. Alexander and his men made their way through the throng, accepting with good grace the accolades that were shouted at them.

“You’ve given them a very good gift for Michaelmas,” Willem, riding beside Alexander, shouted above the noise. “They are well pleased, I think.”

Alexander laughed and nodded. “This is a welcome day in Gyer. It’s good to see them so happy.”

Minutes later they entered the great hall of Castle Gyer to be greeted with equal enthusiasm by the people in the household. Barbara threw herself at Alexander, kissing and hugging him and telling him how wonderful he was. Cousin John was there, as well, to embrace and congratulate them. Even the servants stood to one side, clapping and cheering noisily.

“Where is Lady Gyer?” Alexander asked above the din. “And the children and Aunt Leta?”

“I believe they are with Lady Gyer,” John replied loudly. “Of late they spend a great deal of time with her in her chamber.”

Since Lillis was the one person Alexander wanted to see more than anyone else, this news pleased him. He set Barbara aside and made his way through the crowd. When he reached the stairs he bounded up them two at a time.

He had dreamed often of his wife since leaving her three days before, and had envisioned over and again how sweet their reunion would be. They had come to an understanding on their last night together. He had demonstrated his desire for her and had said that they would discuss their future. Certainly she had understood what he’d meant. Now that the dam had been torn down and the Eel River was once again flowing, there was nothing to keep them from making their marriage of convenience a marriage of truth. He remembered vividly the ready manner in which she had returned his kisses on the night he’d left, and knew that she had wanted him as much as he’d wanted her. Tonight, he thought with a smile, this very night, they would continue what they’d begun, with no interruptions to stop them.

The guards outside Lillis’s door stood aside to let him pass, and Alexander walked into the chamber without so much as knocking.

Everyone in the room looked at him in surprise, and he gazed back with equal amazement. The scene before him was visibly domestic. Aunt Leta and Edyth were seated near the fire, working on their embroidery. Candis and Justin sat on the floor near them, playing with what looked like dolls. Lillis and the twins were sitting by the bed, grouped together, their heads bent over lutes. It was clear that Lillis was teaching Hugh and Hugo how to play the instrument, an idea that pleased Alexander as much as it stunned him.

“Alex!” all but Lillis and Edyth cried, and suddenly he was covered with relatives. Candis and Justin each took possession of a leg while the twins shook his hands and Aunt Leta showered him with kisses. He laughed and hugged them in turn, looking over their heads to where Lillis and Edyth stood watching the family reunion. He smiled at Lillis and was disconcerted to see her frown and turn away.

“Did you not hear the commotion as we rode through the village?” Alexander asked. “The noise must have been loud enough to reach this window.” He nodded toward an open alcove.

“We did hear something,” Hugh admitted, “but we were playing the lute so it didn’t sound like anything important. Did the town welcome you in?”

“Indeed they did. It was quite a sight to see! I’m sorry you missed it. I know how the two of you like a good scene.”

Aunt Leta patted Alexander’s cheek. “The people of Gyer are quite right to give you such a welcome, Alexander. You are a good boy and have settled our troubles with Wellewyn peacefully. I’m very proud of you, just as your father and mother would be were they still alive.”

“I cannot accept all the praise,” he said. “It took a great many men to tear the dam down and, of course, we couldn’t have avoided war without my good lady wife.” He looked at Lillis again and offered another smile. She glared back with open disgust.

“Edyth made us dolls, Alex!” Candis cried, tugging at his tunic to get his attention.

“Did she?” Alexander smiled at the children. “I shall like to see them, but perhaps now you will want to go downstairs and welcome Willem home. I wish to speak with Lady Gyer for a few minutes.”

“Of course, Alexander,” Aunt Leta said, taking the children by their hands. “We will all of us go downstairs and greet Willem, as is right. Come along, Hugh, Hugo.”

The twins gathered up their lutes. “Wait until you hear us play, Alex,” Hugh said. “Lillis taught us two whole songs!”

“Two whole songs!” Hugo chimed in. “And we never miss a note!”

Alexander shook his head in true amazement. “I’m impressed. Perhaps you will entertain us at the evening meal?”

The twins were nearly undone by this suggestion and left, discussing plans for how and what they would do to prepare for the evening.