The Tempest (15 page)

“Do not be afraid, Cassia.”

She felt the gag being taken away. The bindings were cut from her legs and wrists…and as soon as her hands were free, she reached up and struck him hard across the face. Her voice trembled with anger and fear.

“You bastard! I thought I was to be murdered! If you wanted to secret me away, why could you not have managed it better?”

He put his arms around her to comfort her, and despite her anger with him there was great relief as well. She was glad to be so near him again. And now that she knew there was no danger, she allowed herself the comfort of his embrace…despite the urge she had to hit him again for terrifying her as he had. She heard a soft rumble in her ear, and realized he was laughing softly. Ihe first time she’d ever heard him do that. Not a sound of arrogance or wickedness…but a sound of genuine amusement.

“You know,” he said, “You are the only woman who has ever dared to strike me more than once. I think I am growing accustomed to it.”

“Then perhaps I should find a new target on your person. You deserve to suffer for frightening me so.”

She felt his kiss on the top of her head, his hand stroking her hair gently.

“Forgive me, Cassia. But by some means, the Sheriff heard rumors that I was lodging a prisoner under my roof. He gave orders that you were to be brought to the castle immediately.”

“And that was just cause for binding me? For making me fear for my life?”

“I had to convince the Sheriff’s men that you were being abducted. I have told them I would dispatch you myself, and now they will return to the castle with word of the crime. Tomorrow, I shall take evidence to Briwere to be assured that he is convinced of it.”

She snorted in displeasure at his explanation. “You might have warned me in some way. Foolish man.”

He said nothing, and she sought no further questions of him…nor did she ask what “evidence” he would give. She was not entirely sure she wanted to know. All she did know was that she was exhausted from many sleepless nights, and still trembling with fear from her “abduction.” Despite still being quite angry, she leaned against him as they moved on…and in truth, she was grateful to be in his arms again.

*****

They came in sight of the house and he stopped, looking at it under the light of the moon. With its drab grey stones and dense woodland surroundings, it looked dark and dreary. But he was certain that with a good fire in the hearth and human habitation, the gloom would fade away soon enough. He leaned down to speak in her ear.

“Cassia, we have arrived.”

She made no sound, no movement. He smiled as he realized she was asleep. These last days…losing her father, being taken from home…had not been easy for her. Now she’d been scared half-senseless, which was entirely his fault. No wonder she sought comfort in rest. From now on, he intended to see that she would know no fear, and she would want for nothing.

The house was not grand in scale compared to some places, it being only a hunting lodge. The generous living space made up most of the floor-plan, with a passageway leading to the kitchen and a small servant’s chamber at the back of the house. A door near the hearth led to the master chamber. It was not difficult to navigate, even in the dark, and Guy carried her to the master bedroom where he gently laid her down. She made a soft murmur as she rested her head on the pillow and sank slightly into the soft featherked dress. He couldn’t help but think that she’d probably never rested in such a grand bed before. He thought of the bed he’d lain in while recovering from his injuries…how the straw stuffing had nagged him at times, prodding its jagged pieces into his flesh. Cassia and her father would never have known the difference, having been used to nothing better. But she would have better now…that he was certain about.

He reached out, touching her cheek, and the feel of her soft skin sent his senses reeling. He clamped down hard on the urge to lean in and kiss her, for he knew she needed to be left in peace. She didn’t need pressure from him and his lustful advances. But even as he told himself to go, he found it impossible to leave her side. He had to be near her, even if the notion of it was selfish.

Going to the other side of the bed, sitting down carefully so he wouldn’t disturb her, he removed his boots and his tunic, leaving on his other clothes. With a slight barrier of garments between them, perhaps his passions wouldn’t be so easily aroused. It was his intention just to hold her in his arms while they slept. Nothing more, at least for now. He crawled into bed beside her, sliding an arm over her waist, drawing her to his side. For some minutes, all was chaste and serene.

But then she turned in her sleep. Where she had lain on her back before, she now rolled and pressed her body against him. Her arms clung to him, her head snuggling against his chest. His reaction was instant and overwhelming…a strong surge of lust that made him want to kiss her awake and rouse her passions, to ravish her right then and there. But just the slightest thread of control remained in his mind, and he closed his eyes against the sight of her. He took a deep breath, hoping it would help to calm his wild impulses. But in breathing in, he took in the intoxicating scent of her, and it was too much.

If he remained with her this way, so close, he wouldn’t be able to resist. And at that moment, what she needed was distance and time to heal. Near impossible as it was, he loosened her hold and moved away from her, keeping to the opposite side of the bed. As he turned his back to her, he sighed in frustration…wondering when in the hell he’d become such a decent man.

Cassia awoke to the sound of birdsong. Blinking, she squinted for a moment at the bright sunshine falling on her face. When her eyes adjusted to the light, she looked out and saw a little bluebird perched on the window ledge. The little fellow seemed to be heralding a beautiful new day…and indeed, for a few moments, it made her feel quite happy to wake to such a lovely sight. But as she grew more alert, looking around the room, her spirits fell slightly as she saw she was quite alone.

There was neither sight nor sound of Guy, and a short trek through the house did not find him about. In all likelihood he had left for Nottingham very early…probably before dawn. She felt a slight ache of sorrow that he had not stayed. But she understood that he had his duties. What truly hurt was the remembrance of the night before. He’d remained distant the whole night long, and this she knew because she’d come awake several times only to find his back to her. She remembered the promise he’d made…that she would have distance and time to bereave the loss of her father. But it was surprising to think that he’d gone so far as to not even touch her. In truth, she wasn’t emotionally healed enough to play the lover, and so in part, the distance was a relief. And yet, there was a certain part of her that wanted just to be held and comforted. But perhaps he wasn’t capable of something so subtle. He was a man, after all, and perhaps he was incapable of such complex emotions.

She sighed, wondering if he would ever learn to give on a deeper, more emotional level…not just on a physical one. Then, she thought back to the morning of her father’s death…how Guy had come to her and put his arms around her, comforting her. If he had held her then, why not now? The man was such a puzzle. One, she feared, she might never find all the pieces to. But suddenly she lifted her chin high, as a wave of stubbornness came over her.

Damn that man
, she thought.
I have gotten him this far in his reformation. I will not cease my attempts now.

She’d always seen the vulnerable human being buried deep down inside of him. His humanity had never been fully obliterated, no matter how he tried to disguise it. And though the progression seemed painfully slow, he was changing little by little. Perhaps with time…and love…he would finally lose the darkness that had always hung over him.

*****

A mistress she may have been, but she saw no reason to be idle and useless. Just because she was not his wife in truth, she did not see the harm in performing wifely tasks. Sadness still prevailed in her heart. She knew she would never truly recover from her father’s death. Until the time came to reunite with him in heaven, she would always long for his comforting presence. But she could not lose herself in mourning. She needed to heal her broken heart by filling it with love…and Guy was all she had left now. When he came back, she intended to welcome him.

To the eyes of the nobility, she knew this house must have seemed simple…even unworthy in its way. But to her, it was a small piece of heaven. All of her life she’d resided in wattle and daub dwellings, without h light nor space. She’d considered herself fortunate to have wood planks for flooring, while so many others had to settle for dirt beneath their heels and toes. But now, her feet walked across a smooth stone floor, and through the large window openings, light abounded. Even the kitchen seemed grand, particularly since she’d never cooked in one. Meals at home had always been done on the hearth. It would be delightful to make a good meal here, with plenty of room to work and a real brick oven to bake with.

If only there were goods to be found.

Checking the kitchen cupboards, she discovered there was only dust and cobwebs to see. She sighed, thinking of all Guy had done to make this house ready. The polished furniture, the finely woven rug in front of the front room fireplace, the tapestries on the walls…all the fineries that a man of means expected to have in a house. And yet, he hadn’t taken a moment to see that the kitchen was properly stocked.

It wasn’t such a surprise, to be sure. He was a nobleman, after all. He’d had his food brought to him since he was a boy, without a thought or care as to where it had come from. Gathering food or visiting the marketplace for goods was what servants did.

Foolish man
, she thought. She shook her head…and looking about, she saw a basket gathering dust as it hung on a hook. Taking it in hand she brushed it off. And hooking it on her arm, she set off for the outdoors. Nature would provide food, if she could not rely on the man she loved to provide it for her.

Not far from the house, she was pleasantly surprised to find an orchard. It was teeming with apple, pear, and fig trees, and her little basket was soon full. Once she’d brought them to the kitchen, she set out again to see what else there was to be discovered. Happily, she found wild strawberries growing in abundance near the house, and a walnut tree that provided a small harvest of nutmeats. Now if only there was yeast to be found, and grain to grind into flour, some of the fruit would make good pies. Fresh game would be pleasing as well…perhaps smoked fish or roasted pheasant. But until Guy returned and brought such things, the fruit and walnuts would have to suffice.

There were wildflowers growing everywhere, but the soft purple of lavender caught her attention right away. The delicate flower had always been her favorite, particularly because of its many uses. Cooking with it gave food some delightful flavor, and the scent was wonderful in a bath, but it had been especially dear to her and her father for its healing properties. The oil helped to heal burns and cuts, and soothed headaches by rubbing it on the temples. Having found this treasure from nature, she gathered up many basketfuls and brought them to the kitchen, where she set about working.

Aside from her hunger, the desire to set herself right with a good bath was overwhelming. In her despair over her loss, she hadn’t cared so much about her appearance. But as memories of her father came to her again and again, she thought of what he would say if he knew she was being so slovenly. As peasants, they did not have much of anything and had no need to impress, but he’d always encouraged his children to take pride in themselves. Guy hadn’t seemed troubled by the way she looked…but then again, he wasn’t the perfect model on keeping up appearances. Either way, she intended to see to herself again from this day onwasat her father would have wanted, for her to keep her strong sense of self. To honor his memory, she would do just that.

In the servants quarters she found some materials for soap making. Sesame oil, potash, alkali and some lime…all she had to do was mix them all together and boil them, and then pour them in a mold. Some of the lavender mixed in would give it a pleasant scent.

A little while later, as the molds were cooling, she went about the house in search of fresh garments, wondering if any had been left behind by the previous tenant. Rummaging through a large trunk in the master chamber, she found several nightdresses…all of which were quite large in size, and judging from the design, meant for a man. But one of them would do until she could wash her own clothes. And here in seclusion, who would know the difference?
It was late afternoon when she returned from the river, where she’d bathed and scrubbed out her dress. Now returning to the house, she sat before the hearth in one of the large nightdresses, her basket of lavender flowers beside her as she worked to further extract their oils. On her other side was a small bowl of sliced apples, which she planned to roast and share with Guy when he returned. She’d also found a large wooden tub in the barn, and somehow she’d managed to roll it into the house. When Guy returned, he would probably enjoy a hot bath and a good meal.

But when he would be back, she did not know, and she couldn’t help but be troubled. It was growing dark outside, and the idea of being alone in an empty house was frightening.

The sound of an approach fell on her ears, making her hurry to the window. The sky was dim, putting much of everything in shadow…but there was no mistaking that figure. She breathed a relieved sigh, watching him as he neared the house. It was upon closer inspection, however, that she noticed how he was slumping slightly in the saddle. In all the times she’d seem him ride, he’d always been proud and strong in his stance. Something was not right, and she hurried out to see what it was. He was dismounting when she came out on the step…and she saw him sway slightly. Just in time she rushed to his side, letting him lean on her as he nearly fell.