Essien and the girls had just made it to the tournament field when they ran into Addax, who had come to get some of his gear that had been stowed in the stables. Essien and the girls came to a halt as they met up with Addax, with Essien breaking into a big grin.
“You wanted me to marry and have a family, didn’t you?” he said. “Meet Lady Adabella and Lady Ines, Catalina’s daughters.”
Addax smiled at the little girls. “Greetings, ladies,” he said. “I am Addax. Essien is my brother.”
Adabella and Ines looked at Addax, at Essien, and back again. When it became clear that they weren’t going to say anything, Essien urged them gently.
“You may greet him,” he said. “It is good manners to do so.”
Ines held up a hand and gave him a weak wave, but it was enough. Addax dipped his head in response.
“I saw you at the tournament,” he said. “Did you like watching the horses run and the men poke each other with lances?”
Ines nodded.
“Do you like horses?”
Again, Ines nodded. “Do you have a horse?”
“Do I have a horse?” Addax repeated, feigning great interest in her question. “I do, in fact. I have several. I am a knight, like Essien. We fight for Lord Hereford and the king, and we ride horses as part of that vocation.”
Ines pointed to the tournament field. “You ride horses there, too?”
“I do,” Addax said, smiling at the bright toddler. “I rode in the tournament, too. My horse’s name is Daregan. Would you like to see him?”
Both girls nodded. “Can I ride?” Ines asked.
Addax shook his head. “Not him,” he said. “He is big and mean. But I think we can find you a pony to ride. I think Lord Hereford has a few.”
That had Ines jumping up and down with glee. Even Adabella appeared interested. The puppies were evidently forgotten with the lure of ponies, and Addax was whipping them up into a bit of a frenzy about it. In fact, Ines started yelling about ponies and Essien put his hands up in surrender.
“You can take them to see the ponies now,” he said. “You started this, so you can finish it. I can help Catalina finish packing. She may need help.”
Addax found himself swarmed by little girls. “Why not come with us?” he said, but seeing the rather lascivious expression on Essien’s face, he understood completely. “Ah, I see. It’s like that. I take it that last night went… well?”
Essien nodded slowly. “Well, indeed,” he said. “Quitewell.”
“And you’d like to get back to her?”
“If I may?”
Addax snorted. “Go ahead and help your wife,” he said. “My new nieces and I shall become better acquainted. But I cannot beaway for too long. I need to get out to the competition field, and so do you.”
Essien ignored the suggestion of a tight timeline and waved his brother off. “Take your time.”
Addax started laughing, knowing Essien hadn’t even heard him about the tournament field, as he led the girls away, telling them that he would buy them each a pony and that Essien would have to take care of it. That had Essien laughing as he turned around, heading back to the encampment with the anticipation that he might have some private time with his wife. Truthfully, he was quite excited about it. It was true that they’d made love most of the night, but it had been a whole four hours since he last touched her in that way, and he wasn’t sure he could survive much longer.
He picked up the pace.
Essien was thinking on how much privacy they would actually have, predicated on the fact that Harald hadn’t been there when they arrived and, hopefully, hadn’t returned. Or wouldn’t return anytime soon. He was within twenty yards of the edge of the encampment when he began to hear screaming.
Concerned, Essien continued his brisk walk, and the de Efford encampment began to come into view. He saw the de Efford soldiers looking frantic, and that sent him into a panic. He took off at a full run, bolting into the encampment and into the tent only to see Catalina standing in a corner, screaming at a horrific sight—Harald was on the ground with pikes and sharp things all around his head, blood everywhere, and Lance bending over him.
That was all it took for Essien to launch himself at Lance.
The man never stood a chance.
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
