“I will watch over and protect my wife,” he said, more gruffly than he intended.
A line of couples had gathered behind them. Lord Gallien of Minrova held a reluctant lady’s arm and appeared to be reasoning with her. Daisy cast an anxious look over her shoulder.
“She will fare well,” he assured her. “Lord Gallien is a well-bred and chivalrous knight.” He lifted her into his arms, cradled baby-style this time, and carried her to where his small troop had gathered.
With a little maneuvering, he managed to arrange her in the saddle before he mounted behind her. Penrod untied his rope and handed him the reins. “I will pack her things in my saddlebag and take the rear, my lord.”
“Thank you, Penrod,” he said, urging his horse forward to lead, one arm wrapped around Lady Daisy’s narrow waist.
She sat ramrod straight, as if to avoid touching him as much as possible. Even so, her warm thighs nested against his. Her soft bottom, spread by the saddle, pushed back against his cock, nearly making him groan as it thickened in response. Her hair smelled fresh, reddish lights glinting in the weave of her blond braid. She wore no hair covering, which seemed strange, but he preferred her this way, her beauty shining without obstruction.
She twisted in the saddle to look back at Hohenzollern, pain showing in her expression. He wondered how many loved ones she had lost that day.
“What will happen to Princess Susanna?”
“She will be taken to the holy Roman emperor for trial.”
Daisy gasped. “But she’s done nothing. It was all Eberhard, her uncle.”
Barrett agreed, but he doubted the princess would receive much sympathy. “We will pray for her safety,” he said.
Daisy swallowed. “For everyone leaving Hohenzollern,” she said, her words sounding strangled.
“I am sorry, my lady,” he said softly. He didn’t regret taking her as his wife, but he pitied her loss.
Her focus jerked to his face, surprise registering. Her eyes brightened with tears, but none fell. She nodded. “I believe you,” she whispered.
His heart skipped to hear she might not blame him entirely. He leaned forward and kissed her temple. “I will take good care of you,” he said. “I promise.”
She turned to face forward without answering.
His eyes traced the elegant curve of her neck and it took all his self-control not to lean forward and nibble on the little shell of her ear. He would have plenty of time to woo her later. Now she deserved a little restraint. He picked up the hood of her cloak and covered her head to remove temptation and protect her against the wind.
Penrod caught up and he picked up the pace, riding swiftly to reach Rothburg by nightfall. They arrived just in time for supper.
As they waited for the gates to open, Daisy stared up at the castle.
“It’s not nearly so big as Hohenzollern,” he said, fearing she found it lacking.
“But far better tended,” she said, her gaze sweeping over the outer wall and gate.
He remembered that Hohenzollern had shown some wear, as if repairs had not been kept up in the last few years. “Yes, my brother always has the men working on upkeep,” he said. His mount surged forward when the gates opened, eager for his stall and fresh hay. When they arrived, he dismounted and handed the reins to a stable boy, then lifted his new wife down. He loved the feel of her slender waist under his hands. He could hardly wait to strip off her clothing and… he shook his head. Patience. Supper first. Then seduction.
He washed up with the basin of water outside the castle door and dropped his armor and weapons in the arms room. Turning Daisy to face him, he removed her cloak and sent Penrod up to his chamber with her things.
She held out her wrists for him to untie her but he shook his head, smirking. “Sorry, lady, you have not yet earned my trust. For now, you’ll have to rely on me to be your hands.”
She flushed, frowning.
He led her to the dining hall where the men shouted their greetings. “Aha, there, Bear! You captured a lady!”
“Is she a lady or slave? Look, he has her bound!”
“I see you conquered Hohenzollern. You should have brought Princess Susanna back here hogtied!”
He ignored them and led Daisy to the high table, where his half-brother, Prince Erik, sat.
Erik stood and clasped his forearm. “Welcome back, brother. How fared the battle at Hohenzollern?”
