“You honor me today, Lady Claire,” he said, guiding her through the portcullis.
A glance behind her showed the next ceremony had begun, and the young lady standing with the knight and Father David did not appear as scared as she had earlier. The ladies waiting their turn also looked more at ease, to her great relief. She caught the gaze of a servant girl she recognized as having newly arrived at the castle and gave the poor thing an encouraging smile before returning her attention to Lord Galien.
They traveled on horseback for the rest of the day, until the sun set over the distant mountains, a range of mountains she had never glimpsed so close before. Lord Galien sat her on his horse in front of him, not permitting her to ride by herself, and each time she squirmed or winced due to her sore bottom, he chuckled and held her tighter.
Though she had argued with him at first over not getting her own horse, she was now grateful for his insistence due to the snowy and rocky terrain. Even when they traveled through the woods the path proved treacherous.
The warmth from Galien’s huge body enveloped her, and when an icy wind picked up he tucked a thick wool blanket around her. She both appreciated and detested the care he kept showing her. She was glad he hadn’t been cruel to her in any way, but these constant kindnesses made it difficult for her to hate him.
After the group of about twenty knights and squires, as well as three maidens taken as wives, stopped for the night, they erected a series of tents in the time it took her to walk off the soreness from sitting on a horse all day. She held the blanket tight around her shoulders to keep out the chill, since her warm winter cloak had been stolen during the looting. She approached the largest tent once Lord Galien stepped out from it.
“I’m surprised you left me alone,” she said, trying to sound bitter. “Aren’t you worried I’ll try to run away?”
Amusement lifted his expression, his dark eyes glittering in what scarce light lingered as the sun slipped away. “There’s just enough snow left on the ground from the last storm that tracking you would be easy. Besides that, I told my squires to keep an eye on you.”
At his response, she looked around the camp and spotted the two squires standing near a fire, and the moment she spotted them they ducked their heads as if trying to be inconspicuous. She sighed and gazed up at Lord Galien. “I might wish to escape you, my lord, but I am not stupid. I’ve no idea where we are, and I am not foolish enough to wander through the forest at night.”
“I’m glad to hear it.” He pulled her closer and wrapped his arms around her, his features once again turning stern. “Do you know what will happen if you attempt to leave this camp?”
She glared at him hard even as her face grew hot, the shame of her trip over his knee in the castle still fresh in her mind. “I’ve an idea.”
“I want to hear you say it, my sweet Lady Claire. Tell me what happens the next time you misbehave.”
She tried to lower her head, but he grasped her chin and forced her to hold his gaze. “You, my lord, are the most infuriating man I have ever had the misfortune to meet.”
A grin brightened his features briefly before the gleam in his eyes once again reflected his serious side. “I need to hear you say it aloud, my lady, or I will think you require a refresher.” He leaned down, his nose almost touching hers, and the white ribbons of his breath mingled with hers in the frigid evening air. “Now, what happens when you misbehave?”
She clenched her teeth and made an indignant noise. “If I misbehave, you will spank me, my lord.” The instant he looked pleased over her response, she added, “That is because, of course, you are a beastly savage.”
“Into the tent with you, my sweet Claire, and I will show you just how beastly I can be.”
A firm hand guided her inside, and the warmth coming off the braziers welcomed her. He lifted the cloak from her shoulders and set it aside, then turned her in his arms. She stared at his chest, unnerved by the telltale bulge in his leggings. She longed to retreat but he held onto her with purpose. The single bedroll that rested in her periphery seemed to taunt her.
“Look at me, Claire.”
The calm command in his voice prompted her eyes to his.
“You have nothing to fear from me.” He brushed the back of his hand along her cheek, stroking in a gentle circle. “I have some business to attend to with my men, but I will return soon. Eat something and rest for a while, and most important, be a good girl.”
She nodded and watched as he left the tent, thankful he wasn’t going to maul her just yet. Her stomach growled and she moved to a small table with a spread of salted meat, cheese, and crusty bread. She poured herself some wine and took a long gulp, then nibbled on a piece of cheese. The constant fluttering in her belly at the thought of what would happen between her and Lord Galien tonight soon chased her appetite away though. She forced a fewbites of bread though, knowing she needed her strength in order to keep her wits about her. A second helping of wine dulled her senses and warmed her insides.
Since there was nowhere else to sit, she eased her sore body down onto the thick wool blankets atop the bedroll, wishing she was a thousand leagues away, in a faraway kingdom where ladies could marry for love, or not at all if they so desired, and men like Lord Eberhard and Lord Diterich weren’t allowed dominion over a single soul.
* * *
Galien marched through the camp at a brisk pace, anxious to return to Claire. He hadn’t intended to leave her for so long, but the scouts who’d gone ahead had taken longer than expected to report back. The howling of wolves much too close for comfort had driven them on a longer return route, and they had ridden into camp just as he’d been assembling a search party. All was well though, the wolves had moved on and the scouts hadn’t glimpsed any other trouble. Tomorrow’s journey would be a lengthy one, but as long as the weather didn’t turn bad they would arrive at his keep by nightfall.
He entered the warm tent, pleased the braziers were still giving off ample waves of heat. He sought out Claire, finding her tucked under several blankets on the bedroll. A glance at the spread of refreshments proved she had eaten, and consumed her fair share of wine too. After removing his sword belt, he helped himself to the salted meat and downed the remainder of the wine, his thoughts on the small figure in his bed. He doubted she was sleeping, and he cleared his throat and approached the bedroll and the lovely lady nestled under the thick pile of blankets.
It was their wedding night, and he intended to claim what was his.
She blinked at him and sat up. She had removed her coif, and her hair cascaded over her shoulders in a lovely fashion. He couldn’t have torn his eyes away if his life depended on it, and his fingers tingled with the impulse to stroke her silky dark locks. But before he reached out, her face melted with sympathy and she sat straighter.
“I am sorry that your father died recently, my lord. I was too preoccupied with other things to give you my condolences today.”
“Thank you, Claire. I am touched by your concern for my family.”
“Was he ill when you left?”
