Chapter 24
Edward swung himself into the saddle behind his lady and settled her comfortably.
His wide shoulders and thick arms formed a protective shield at her back.
Curiously, today it gave him as much satisfaction as yesterday’s ride had discontented him.
She seemed perfectly willing, and for once did not squirm away from his touch. The dimple next to his mouth flashed.
I could get used to this tranquility, he thought to himself.
His good humor of the night before continued, much to the consternation of his men, who seemed not to know how to react. Mathew and Dunstan exchanged puzzled looks. Diggens shrugged, and no word either pert nor defensive escaped his mouth, for once.
Everyone seemed to be waiting for the other shoe to drop. Let them wait, thought Edward, amused.
The entire priory had turned out to see the cavalcade off.
The Prior himself stood at the front and nodded sagely, belying the smugness on his eagle face.
He had successfully put down a rebellion, as evidenced by the once wayward female who even now sat demurely and in blessed silence before them all.
All the same, like his brethren, he took care to avert his gaze from her in case she should lapse, as women were given to do.
Edward did not miss the gesture. No doubt it was deference to him that brought them out, but some of it, he suspected, was not. Yes, he thought, she drew people to her–even against their own predilections. Like the slender, upright flower of her name, she enticed.
Even the Prior comes out to bid her a grudging farewell.
Dew lay thick upon the ground, and the stone walls of the priory dripped. The spring morning promised to be watery and grey. They rode down into the gentle valley and soon enough the Priory of Saint Ives was lost to sight behind the curling mists.
As they rode forward, Edward mused once again on the revelation that Lily wished only to be herself, whatever that meant. All his demands for her obedience, his threats and promises of retribution, had been for naught.
All it took to obtain her willing consent was to allow her to put forward her opinion. To allow her a chance to speak.
Simple.
His laughter, rightly, had been directed at himself. His own folly in assuming that might would get him what he wanted, when all the time it was something else entirely.
And that the something did not seem unreasonable, that surprised him most of all. Logically, it stood to reason. He would not demand from his men anything he was not willing to give of himself. This was the same. Why should she not have the same standards?
If that’s what gaining her obedience exacted, he would give it to her, willingly.
Nothing had been said about agreeing with her, but he had every intention of hearing what she had to say. And in exchange, she pledged to heed him. Oh yes, he was quite amenable to that arrangement!
As for waiting on their marriage vows…
She was his. He was pledged body and soul to her. He would have her. She belonged to him. No other. Certainly not to her family or John Percy to be used as a pawn against Ravensworth.
No, he would secure her behind Ravensworth’s thick walls. He would put her beyond dispute, beyond contestation.
He had no intention of waiting for his enemies to interfere with his plans. He would ensure his future and remove the last obstacle with all expedient haste.
Lily would come to his bed, and that was the end of it.
He took great satisfaction knowing that their new accord meant she would come to him not only willingly but eagerly.
Not for a moment did he doubt that he could accomplish that.
She had already responded to his initial persuasion with unmistakable desire.
He could and would seduce the ravishing brunette currently snuggled up against his chest in surrender. She felt so right there that he was certain of the outcome.
There was another issue, however, that required her cooperation. A matter more deadly and far less pleasant. How was he to keep her safe while managing interactions between her and her dangerous family?
He would, he mused, have to broach that with her. He did not look forward to the task but knew it must be done. And soon. His enemies had not been idle while he’d been chasing after her in and out of the woods.
* * *
They reached Ravensworth as evening fell.
Huge and as intimidating as its lord, the castle dominated the land for miles around.
Lily’s eyes shone when she saw it. This was to be her home.
Could that be? She felt the anxious scrape of ice slide down her back and closed her eyes in relief when she felt the earl bring her tighter into his embrace.
The waxing moon lifted over the vale. Beneath its silver light, the grey sandstone castle looked unearthly, mythical, wound about with stories and enchantments. All along the outer perimeter, round towers shone like sentinels enwrapped in pale silver fire.
The walls gleamed as if they were the argent field of Ravensworth’s splendid banner, dancing and waving from its tower one hundred feet above the plain. Lily half-expected to see a black raven take wing from the towers and wheel above the keep.
For all its mass, the fortress seemed to float there—graceful as it was impregnable, a lordly crown set upon the hill. Ravensworth stood unmatched, a stronghold and a testament, declaring to all that it would tolerate no rival.
The Great Hall hummed in anticipation. The entire household appeared to have gathered there, and as Lily entered on the earl’s arm, a resounding cheer went up, rising to a deafening roar.
Smiling, Edward hailed them and, with his usual ease, formally introduced Lily. There were so many names and faces she was soon lost, but her reception was cordial if reserved.
Several of the knights brought forward their wives, some of whom were around Lily’s age.
Edward did not leave her side, and Diggens, who always went wherever Edward went, attached himself like a shadow.
Lily felt herself in danger of tripping over him.
Every time she looked over her shoulder, there stood Diggens, all moon-eyed and worried brows.
Lily felt bad for him. All the other elites were busy greeting family and friends, and here he was, poor boy, stuck with minding her.
At the first opportunity, Lily turned and smiled at him.
Diggens’s cheek caught fire instantly, and she hoped he was not combustible. “Thank you for your care of me, Diggens,” she said. “I hope I didn’t cause you too much trouble with the earl.”
“None whatsoever, m’lady,” said the squire untruthfully.
Lily smiled. “You are gallant. Why don’t you go off like the others? Go spend time with your friends. I promise not to wander off and leave the earl before you return.”
“That’s all right m’lady, ‘tis my duty and no trouble.”
The boy was so earnest. She certainly had no wish to interfere with his duties.
Her own brothers had made that rule clear enough, as had the earl.
Still, she could try to cheer things up for him, make him less serious, perhaps.
She did not think she’d ever seen him smile unless they were composing ditties together, and then he seemed to let himself go.
She tried again. “In that case, Diggens, how would it be if you gave me a special guided tour of this place. Between us, I find it a bit intimidating.”
The boy’s crimson cheeks got impossibly brighter. He bowed. “I would be honored. If you would care to follow me?”
“Oh, dear, not right at this minute, Diggens. I am somewhat tired from the journey. But we could possibly begin on the morrow, if your lord gives you leave?”
Diggens was spared having to reply for at that moment, a familiar voice hailed Lily from way across the Hall.
Aunt Celestria waved a hand. With her other hand, she held fast to Edward’s captain, Sir Lanval.
The gold-haired giant, known for his amiable nature, seemed perfectly content to have the grey-haired lady use him as a veritable crutch.
“Lily, dear, oh dear, dear child,” cried Aunt Celestria, swooping down on her like a mothering hen, “how I have missed you. I’ve been so very anxious, have I not, Sir Lanval?
” she demanded, clutching the knight’s arm as if in the throes of drowning.
“Have I not had the vapors these three days past? Tell my niece, sir, how poorly I have fared.”
Edward raised a single brow at Lanval, who shook his head and patted the elderly lady’s hand. “And as you can see, your niece is returned to you in good health, as promised.”
Lily kissed her aunt on the cheek, “It is good to see you safe and sound, also, Aunt Celestria. But I will let you tell me about your journey here.”
“’Twas an adventure, m’dear. Nothing less!”
Lily laughed. “Adventures and at your age, dear Aunt Celestria. I couldn’t think of a better way to model my life than to follow your example.”
‘You always were the cleverest child,” said the lady, “but you have no idea how exciting it was. We were set upon, don’t you know?
Set upon by a gang of bandits, ruffians of the worst kind.
But we outraced them, didn’t we, Sir Lanval?
” She sucked in a breath but pushed on triumphantly without allowing the knight to comment.
“We outpaced them. A race, a veritable race ensued, such as I have never experienced. We had to leave the carriage right there in the open. Then, the maids and I found ourselves taken up by your earl’s liegemen on horseback and galloped to the finish.
My bones still jangle atrociously just thinking about it.
However, as we came into sight of this most splendid castle, a sortie was made which added to our numbers.
And do you know, m’dear, those bandits simply vanished.
Poof! They were gone, and we came safely to a close. ”
“I applaud your courage, madam, as much as your ability to tell a good tale,” said Edward, brushing a salute on the back of her hand. “Your visit honors me and my home.”
“Young man,” she replied, her shrewd appraisal running from the top of his head to his boots, “on the question of honor, I do hope we will speak further, when time permits. Then you will kindly explain to me why my niece felt obliged to flee from you, when all you seemed to promise was the sanctuary of this, your most splendid estate.”
Edward’s expression was politely blank, but Lily thought she saw his dimple wink.
“I look forward to such a discussion, m’lady, but as you say, another time, perhaps.
For now, I fear your niece is needful of your ministrations in the privacy of her chamber.
” Turning, he called over a man hovering expectantly against the wall.
His important bearing and rich apparel marked him as the steward.
“I would have you shown to your apartments.”
“Oh, Simons and I are well acquainted,” laughed her aunt. “Leave him to me, m’lord. Between us, we will have Lily’s spirits restored in no time.”
“I sincerely hope not, dear lady,” said Edward in feigned horror. “Any more spirit and I will be a dead man.”
Lily started. Lanval did also. “Did you make a jest, my lord?” she asked.
He smiled at her then, and the glitter in his eyes warmed her insides. She was not proof against him. Her wits instantly went begging.
Since leaving the priory, Lily had found the earl unexpectedly solicitous. Not a single command. No order demanding this or that. He’d even refrained from imprisoning her as she sat before him on Windfar.
“A private word before you go, Lily,” he said, drawing her a little aside.
For a moment, he merely stood beside her, very tall, a young lord resplendent, his achievements displayed for her to see.
He did not touch her, but he may as well have, for she could feel the slide and strength of his hands at her waist. It made her lightheaded.
He was a devastatingly handsome man. His sculptured mouth, that weapon of seduction that he employed unmercifully when it suited him, drew her attention.
His size, his sinewy body, the power he offered, the shelter.
His gentleness when he touched her. Today, free of the usual anxieties, she had begun to see him more as Edward, and less as the Black Raven.
Take care, said the voice in her head, but her heart gave a small tug and whispered sweeter words.
“I would have you rest,” the earl said to her.
“Should you wish it, you may retire for the night, and Simons will see that your supper is brought to your room and whatever else you may wish. There are demands on my time that will occupy me for a while. I cannot delay them. I will expect you to join me for the formal homecoming, a few days hence. By then, you should be settled into your new home and pleasantly restored.”
Lily forced herself to steady her gaze when what she felt inside was an overwhelming wash of relief mingled with disbelief at his consideration. This from a man who, but a day ago, had not the patience to allow her to finish a sentence.
They both knew he had given her a reprieve.
He surprised her in leaps and bounds. Unable to form the words she had so vehemently petitioned him for, Lily rose up on her toes and planted a brief kiss on his astonished mouth. Then she turned and hastened after her aunt and Simons.