“Possibly.”
Douglas didn’t like the sound of that. “Then we are going to find out what their business is,” he said. “Come along.”
Quickly, he and Jonathan escorted Mira back to the escort, where the ladies were just loading up into the carriage. Because Douglas wasn’t certain what they might be facing, he separated eight soldiers out of the escort, and Davyss, to form the confrontation party. Eric would take the remainder of the soldiers and the women back to the castle. Even if Eric wouldn’t wield a sword, the soldiers would and Eric was proficient at command.
The decision had been made.
But Lady Isabel wasn’t so sure.
“Douglas,” she said, “is there truly a need for this? If we leave them alone, won’t they simply go away?”
Douglas knew she was concerned. She wanted to keep the peace. She’d been concerned for everything that had happened after her allies defeated Tamworth, including Tamworth’s discipline. Now she didn’t want his men confronted in a public place. But Douglas had his reasons.
“My lady, the simple fact is that they have no reason to be in Axminster,” he said. “Unless they are shopping at the marketplace, which I strongly doubt, there is no reason to be here. This is not their village. I simply want to find out why they are here and reiterate that they are not welcome in Axminster.”
Isabel was torn. “But why must you confront them? Can we not leave well enough alone?”
“Would you prefer I leave them to do whatever it is they are here to do and they end up harassing the citizens of Axminster?” he said. “My lady, they do not belong here. I am going to ensure that they understand that.”
Isabel sighed heavily, looking to Mira, who nodded her head. “It is better this way, my lady,” Mira said. “You do not want those men creating trouble.”
Isabel still wasn’t entirely in agreement, but she didn’t argue. She turned and climbed back into the carriage as Mira turned to Douglas.
“What are you going to do?” she asked quietly.
Douglas’ eyes glimmered. “Why?” he said. “Are you worried about me?”
She sneered. “Never,” she said. “I hope they cut your head off.”
He couldn’t help the laughter. “You’ll be sorry you said that if they do,” he said. “You had better say a prayer that you have not cursed me.”
Her smile broke through, letting him know that she had been jesting. “Aye, I would be very sorry if they did,” she said. “May I remain here and wait for you?”
He shook his head and turned her for the palfrey she had ridden. “You may not,” he said flatly. Once they reached the animal, he lifted her up onto the horse. “Return with the escort and wait for me there.”
He started to turn away, but she reached out and grasped his arm. She ended up catching a handful of his long hair, and as he turned to look at her, his arm slipped from her grasp but his hair did not. He held it, fingering it, as she gazed into his eyes.
“Be careful, Douglas,” she murmured. “Please.”
There was a pull between them at that moment that was difficult to describe. Something liquid and powerful, like the currents of a river, pulling and pushing with unseen force. It was the very first time the jesting, the conflict, the denials had not been an obstacle between them and all they could feel was something warm and real.
Itwasreal.
Douglas could feel the impact.
“I will,” he said after a moment, taking her hand away from his hair and kissing it before letting it go. “Go back now. I will see you later.”
Mira nodded, perhaps reluctantly, and gave her horse a little kick to move it forward. The escort was already moving away, but once she caught up to the carriage, the soldiers forming the escort closed in around her for protection.
That was all Douglas needed to see.
Trying to shake off the power of that moment between them, he turned to Jonathan, Davyss, and the eight soldiers left behind.
“We are going to pay the Tatworth men a little visit,” he said, crooking his finger. “Follow me, but do not draw your weapon unless they draw or I give you a command. Clear?”
Ten heads nodded, though the knights knew that Davyss would like nothing better than to feed Lespada some flesh and blood today. In fact, the young knight had his hand on the hilt and the weapon was already halfway out of the sheath. Jonathan had to push the weapon back down again, much to Davyss’ displeasure.
But he understood.
